A couple of years ago, when EHG UK announced that it was giving its Xplore caravan brand a major upgrade, it also revealed plans to bring out the first-ever Xplore campervan.

Thanks partly to the fallout from lockdown, it took a while to arrive. The four-berth, rear-lounge Xplore CV X8 was launched at the start of the 2025 season, and has now been joined by two more models, the three-berth CV X5, with more storage at the back, and the CV X9, like the X5 but with a pop-top roof like the X8.

I think all three campervans look the part, with an understated military grey exterior complete with resin decals in a contour pattern, which is repeated inside on the headrests and continued on the rear windows.

It also has black alloy wheels that have been specially made by EHG UK for this range, so you won’t see them anywhere else. The test model that I saw at the brand’s season launch came on a standard Ducato cab, one of the best vans for a camper conversion.

It came with a rack for two bikes, a towbar and a ladder-shaped camper back rack. These are standalone optional extras, at £494, £706 and £2188 respectively. Among other extras, you can opt for a roll-out awning (£826) and cab blinds (£247). Then there are the packs: the XT Pack (£5709) gets you keyless entry, a heated windscreen, a rear-view camera, a spare wheel and more.

The Connect+ Pack (£1242) includes a solar panel, insulated water tanks and a Wi-Fi router with an antenna. The Security Pack (£826) has an alarm and tracker, and the Entertainment Pack (£438) provides a microwave, some additional USB-C sockets and a dual-fuel hob.

The lounge in the Xplore CV X8

The cab seats don’t have reading lights, but they swivel to face the two travel seats and create a front lounge, with spotlights and a clip-on table.

The cab seats swivelled inwards
Contemporary décor continues from the outside to the interior

The rear lounge is furnished with a foldaway table that has its own storage slot by the washroom wall. I did find it a bit tricky to get the table out, though.

I found the settees comfortable, and liked how the area is well lit by large windows and four individually switched spotlights, always an important feature in the best campervans. The TV and mains sockets sit above the table storage – a set mounted here could be seen by most people seated in the lounge.

The rear lounge
Rear lounge seating is comfortable, although table leg room is minimal

There’s a mains socket on the side of the travel seat bench, and another at the end of the kitchen peninsula – both located so they can power devices outside.

The kitchen in the Xplore CV X8

The kitchen extension will probably be needed, because there isn’t a lot of workspace otherwise. A three-burner gas-only hob lies above the Thetford Triplex combined oven and grill, in an area well lit by LEDs.

The half-height fridge is above a hanging wardrobe to the left of the kitchen, but I did find the gangway space here is more than usually narrow.

The washroom

You wouldn’t expect a campervan washroom to be very spacious, something which could be a factor when choosing between a campervan or motorhome. This one isn’t either, but I thought it has good headroom. It has a salad-bowl-style basin, with a tap that doubles as a showerhead.

Sleeping in the CV X8

Good sleeping arrangements will always be an important factor for ‘van owners – and if you’re looking for ways to improve your current setup, don’t miss my tips on how to make camper van beds more comfortable.

In the case of the CV X8, I found the platforms under the settees came together easily to make a double bed. The sizeable kneeroll means you might want to turn the base cushions over – if so, you’ll have to swap them because of the cut-off corner at the back.

The double bed
Pull out platforms under the settees and turn over base cushions for double bed

The roofbed is easily accessible via a ladder.

The roofbed
The roofbed is easily accessible via a ladder and is fitted with its own Heki

Storage in the CV X8

Good storage space will always be important when it comes to kitting out a motorhome with the accessories you want to tour with. The lounge includes two overhead lockers and an access door to the space under the bench, although the heater takes up most of the space here. There is also a shelf over the cab.

You get more overhead lockers in the rear lounge and space under the settees. The half-height wardrobe is generous.

Do without the microwave and you can have two overhead lockers in the kitchen. There are four small drawers at the end of the peninsula too.

The worktop extension
Worktop extension can serve as a bar for anyone eating and drinking al fresco

What looks like a large cupboard around the corner from this turns out to be very shallow, but I think it’s good to see a proper drawer located underneath the oven.

The washroom houses another little cupboard behind the mirrors.

Alternatives to consider

The Swift Trekker X comes on the Ford Transit base vehicle, offering a comfortable space and an excellent roofbed for activity-loving campervanners. If you would be happy with two berths instead, the Ford Transit-based WildAx Meteor could be an option – it’s well-planned and has a comfortable lounge with a good amount of extensions on offer.

Technical spec of the Xplore CV X8

  • Price: £74,449
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 4
  • Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
  • Engine: 2.2-litre, 140bhp turbodiesel
  • Length/width/height: 5.99/2.50/2.77m (19’6”/8’2”/9’1”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • MiRO: 3101kg
  • Payload: 325kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 90/45 litres
  • Leisure battery: TBC
  • Gas: 25-litre, underslung
  • Web: xplore-rv.co.uk

Something else to factor in when you’re choosing the ‘van for you will be the size of motorhome that best suits your needs – the various sizes all have their own pros and cons to think about.

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