Vantage has built up a reputation for designing Fiat Ducato-based van conversions mainly for two, although just before the pandemic, it also branched out into family ’vans.

Recently, like many other brands, it has seen the advantages of jumping onto the campervan bandwagon.

The result from the campervan converter has been the Luna and the Fuze, two Ford Transit Custom-based rising-roof campervans, each with the same layout but a different spec.

This summer, I took a look at the Luna, the higher-spec model, and one that was shortlisted for the standout small camper vans on the market in 2024, a category that was ultimately won by the Adria Active Duo. My test ’van, finished in midnight blue, came with alloy wheels (a £600 option) and Ford’s 170PS engine with an automatic gearbox (£3350 extra).

That certainly made it a nifty little number as I headed to Moor Lodge Caravan Park, near Scarcroft.

Layout

Vantage Luna layout

Cab in the Vantage Luna

The cab is standard Transit Custom, with drinks holders in the corners and a useful display in the middle. Even with a central brake handle, I found it easy to swivel the driver’s seat, the type of feature that can make a difference when choosing the best campervan.

Standard Ford Transit Custom cab
The cab in the Luna is standard Ford Transit Custom, with handy drinks holders in the corners and a useful display in the middle of the dash. But even with the central location of the brake handle, it was still easy to swivel the driver’s seat around to face the pedestal table and the rear bench seat

My ’van had an optional two-person bench seat where the passenger seat would usually be. I found I could swivel the bench seat around, with a little effort.

The Reimo roof is easily raised and lowered, with well-positioned elastic to stop the canvas being trapped. It is fastened with rucksack-style straps.

The pedestal table is big enough for two, although it might be a squeeze for four. It sits on a clawfoot base, which isn’t left to rattle around when on the move. Both base and pedestal are stored in a rear cupboard, while the tabletop goes behind the driver’s seat.

Kitchen in the Vantage Luna

Striplights over the kitchen, across the back and over the sliding door, and ambient lights, provide plenty of illumination in the evening. I found I could also twist down the swan-neck lights in the roof for reading purposes.

For the digitally connected, there are two USBs and a mains socket in a panel by the sliding door, accessible from inside and outside. A fire extinguisher is located here, too, which might need to be removed temporarily if you have any bulky plugs to plug in.

Kitchen with worktop, fridge, grill and tap
Cleverly designed kitchen has well-lit worktop, a fridge and a Smev mini grill, and in the Luna, you get hot water here, too

The side kitchen has a two-burner gas hob and an in-line sink with a tap that drops down. In the Luna, unlike the lower-spec Fuze, you also have the luxury of hot water here. There’s a fridge to the left and a Smev mini grill. The worktop to the right is large for a camper and well lit. It includes another mains socket, and the control panels are also here.

Sleeping in the Vantage Luna

The comfortable rock’n’roll bed is easy to manage and, at 6ft 9in long, should accommodate most people. Even when it’s fully in position, you can still access the kitchen cupboards.

The roof bed is very comfortable. The side windows are mesh for ventilation, while the front one is solid. We were very impressed by the quality of the canvas: with all three windows zipped up, the interior was pitch black.

Raising roof side windows
Side windows in raising-roof are mesh, while front one is solid

Storage in the Vantage Luna

Obviously there is no washroom, but there is space in the cupboard in the kitchen for a Porta Potti. This is where your priorities may decide which spec level to go for. That Porta Potti takes up what would be a large cupboard (check out our portable toilets for a campervan guide if you need help choosing one). Something I noticed was the oven in the Luna deprives you of another, smaller cupboard. This means you get five cupboards in the Fuze, and only three in the Luna.

However, you can’t put a Porta Potti in that cupboard in the Fuze, as the space is partly taken up with a 12-litre water barrel. In the Luna, you have a 30-litre water tank elsewhere.

Luna gives you a 16-litre underslung gas tank, so you also get an extra little cupboard at the back. In the Fuze, this would hold the gas bottle.

Whichever spec you go for, the cupboards are well designed, so most are easy to open wherever the bench is positioned. You get two overhead lockers, but no large drawer under
the seat. Vantage says this is in response to demand from customers to have even more space for bigger items when you slide the bench seat forward. But you do get a large cupboard with some shelves to the right of the bench.

Interested in another ‘van from the converter? Vantage has also announced a recent collaboration with Motion R Design to create the Motion R campervan. Alternatively, if you’d rather see our pick of the cheaper options on the market, our best budget campervan UK guide is worth a look.

Technical spec

  • Price: £69,950
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 5
  • Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom
  • Engine: 2.0-litre 130PS as standard (170PS as tested)
  • Length/width/height: 4.97/2.08/2.15m (16’3”/6’8”/7’1”)
  • MTPLM: 3190kg
  • MiRO: 2648kg
  • Payload: 542kg
  • Water (fresh only): 30 litres
  • Leisure battery: 100Ah
  • Gas: 16 litres, underslung

See what we made of the Laika Ecovip 540, a smart, well-designed two-berth with plenty of comfort.

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