Verdict
PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SAYS…
This impressive coachbuilt is a dazzling Sunlight, complete with all of the treats that you might need when you’re out on tour. We’ve unearthed a real bargain here. The overall build quality is more than convincing, the XV Edition specification is far more han head-turning and the price…. well, let’s say that it’s just about right.
There’s a healthy payload available, too, to help make your tour that bit more comfortable.
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Pros
High specification with lots of extras as standard; good storage in washroom and kitchen; sturdy build quality
Cons
High step height at habitation door; floorplan has limited wow-factor
Has it really been 15 years since Dethleffs and Hymer announced their plans to build budget ‘vans from an all-new plant in Germany?
The premise was that build quality would be maintained, but prices would be sharpened. Carado (from Hymer) and Sunlight (Dethleffs) took Europe by storm, although their success has been a bit more muted here in the UK.
The XV Edition models announced for 2020 are more expensive, but they come with all manner of spec upgrades – and the bold claim that you’ll save more than £11,000 by not ordering such items separately.
The XV Edition comes with all manner of spec upgrades - and the bold claim that you'll save more than £11,000 by not ordering such items separately
Living
It’s a rather high step height at the habitation door – the grab handle helps – but before you view the rest of the living quarters, it’s worth assessing what’s just inside: two fixed coat hooks (and a fold-out hook on the door), plus a floor-level locker that’s perfect for footwear. All this helps set the tone – it’s not just about build quality, but also sheer practicality.
Kitchen
The kitchen is split, with the fridge on the offside and an L-shaped unit on the nearside, where you’ll find a three-burner hob with cast-iron pan support and a stainless steel sink. It doesn’t leave much room for worktop, but you do get good storage: cutlery drawer, shelved locker with waste bin, floor drawer under the combined oven/grill and an overhead locker that’s divided and shelved.
Washroom
Forward of the rear bed are the washing and toilet facilities – a plastic-lined shower with removable duckboarding plus riser bar, hanging rail and a rooflight.
The toilet room is on the compact side, but there’s space around the swivel-bowl toilet, plus a fixed corner basin.
Storage is a strong point, with a long, shelved locker above the toilet, and a double-door locker under the basin.
Beds
Sunlight has certainly eked out the inches at the back of the ‘van, with a bigger than average island bed flanked by wardrobes and large ledges at mattress level.
Storage
Finishing things off very nicely is a sizeable garage, with access from both sides. Just the place to make the most of the rest of that 400kg-plus payload (although you gain some 150kg more with the 3650kg chassis upgrade).
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 455 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.40 m |
| Width | 2.32 m |
| Engine Size | 2000 cc |
