Should you buy one?

We suspect the answer to this will all come down to the kitchen layout and whether you have any brand loyalties. If keeping children away from hot and sharp things is important then we’d recommend taking a closer look at the Transit Custom Nugget. Accessing the roof sleeping area requires less gymnastics, too.

However, if neither of those issues is a concern and the Ford badge doesn’t have a big draw for you, we’d recommend a Volkswagen California. It holds onto its value much better and costs a similar amount, and it’s far easier to convert from car to camper as well. For most buyers, the California will be the campervan of choice.

That said, if you’ve got the money, the more expensive Mercedes Marco Polo is the cream of the crop. Offering even higher interior quality, more power, more performance and – since an update in 2024 – a very clever self-levelling air-suspension option that makes camping on rough ground a greater pleasure.

What we like

Car-like steering makes it easy to place the Nugget on the road, the 185hp version is plenty punchy enough and it’s one of the few factory campers of this size available with a toilet. The rear-mounted kitchen is safer for kids and it’s a five-seater when most rivals only seat four.

What we don’t like

The underdamped rear suspension makes the Nugget feel bouncy over undulating roads and does the handling no favours either. More importantly, the lower bed and table are both hard work to put up and put away, while the interior doesn’t feel as plush as an equivalent VW California.

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