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Rated 4.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢217Width ↔126Height ↕150
If you’re thinking Fiat Doblo for camping, then think of the Maxi XL LWB or also the High Roof version. The High Roof is the tallest MPV out there – overtakes the leading VW Caddy by a whopping 25cm, giving you much more headroom or storage space (actually both!). But it only comes with barn doors (why is a tailgate better?). If you want a tailgate, go for Fiat Doblo Maxi LWB.
It’s about 8cm shorter than the Caddy, but still one of the longest cars out there with 217cm boot length. The rear seats can be folded (backrests) or lifted up & tilted forward, or easily removed – even more flexibility (see how in this video).
Combined with good consumption, the Fiat Doblo Maxi High Roof makes an amazing camping car.
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£2,410
Boot dimensions:Well known and long-standing UK boot jump maker Amdro has updated their camping box to fit 2018-2020 models of Berlingo, Rifter, Partner, Vauxhall (Opel) Combo and all other similar build MPVs.
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Rated 4.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢217Width ↔120Height ↕112
The Berlingo is one of the most often converted cars for camping. Despite not being the biggest – very likely because of its affordability and availability (and availability bias – when you Google small campers, you’ll see a lot of Berlingos, so people naturally assume those are the best, but they are not, read on…).
The Berlingo (and its similar cousins – Vauxhall Combo, Peugeot Partner) is a good car for car camping, but not as good for general driving & comfort during long journeys. It’s not the longest MPV out there (although it’s one of the widest) but offers very good mileage and low maintenance costs. It’s also very well priced – there are plenty of used van or MPV versions to be found. It’s best suited to fill the role of your second car that you can rebuild for camping. If you want it as your main car, it’s good if your budget is low, but otherwise, you’re better off with one of the more comfy and reliable or bigger MPV in our DB.
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Rated 4.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢186Width ↔119, 125Height ↕111
Available in 1.3l petrol and 45kWh electric versions, both offering a very sizeable boot, this NV200 replacement looks like a very good camping car. There is a passenger version – Combi and a van, the latter offering even more room in the boot, but only two seats.
(Van version 3.8/5)
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Rated 4.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢225Width ↔117Height ↕126
The VW Caddy Maxi Life is one of the biggest MPVs out there and probably the best small camper van option out there. If boot size is your primary criteria – you can’t go wrong with a Caddy. The car drives well too. Where it lacks a bit is comfort – it takes after its van origins and offers a more basic interior. But it makes up for it in storage – it really has a lot of compartments all over the place. It’s not the best car to take off the road completely – but you can take it down a good enough mud road without any big problems. A very good car camping / microcamping conversion candidate, unless you are planning to drive through forests and very much offroad – or you prefer a higher class interior comfort.
If you are looking for about the same size, but a more reliable/low-cost maintenance car, have a look at the Toyota ProAce City Verso.
In the UK, the Caddy Maxi Life is registered as a car (not a van), so can go at a higher speed limit than the equivalent van.
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Rated 4.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢220Width ↔122Height ↕118
This post gathers information about various versions of the ID Buzz as they become available. Latest update – 12. February 2023 – added the ID Buzz Cargo boot length, width and height.
The king of camper vans received an electric upgrade. Actually, not just electric – the interior is looking very cosy and spacious too, as less room is needed for an engine + all its moving parts – which are now all underneath the cabin. The multifunctional rear seats + table and swivel front seats make it a very versatile car to camp in. And we do like a lot of space in our campers, don’t we!
The double floor + rear seats folding flat to create a surface for a mattress look very handy – compared to a Multivan, where you have to level the seats with something.
The ID Buzz Cargo version’s official dimensions are now available (1), making the electric small van one of the top campers in the People Carrier / Panel Van categories. If its boot was just a bit taller, it would take the first slot, but it’s overtaken by Fiat Doblo High Roof or the Hyundai Staria Cargo. However, it still offers plenty of room, a modular interior and of course – it’s 100% electric.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢215Width ↔124Height ↕129
A panel van that feels and drives better than a van. It has very good safety scores and is well-rated across other websites. It offers a good-sized cargo area, about average for a panel van. Not the biggest, but it makes up for it with higher comfort when driving and in the cabin. The barn doors on most models are a downside, but they have a small plus point – you can open them all the way towards the front, by the sides of the car so that they won’t get in your way. You just won’t have a roof like you would with a tailgate.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢204Width ↔119Height ↕135
The Nissan NV200 is a very spacious car for its size. It is one of the tallest and offers a lot of headroom for a DIY camping conversion. Where it lacks behind is drive and interior comfort. It’s not a vehicle you would choose for long journeys – but of course, if you are not used to the comfort of higher class MPVs like a Sharan or your previous car, this won’t be a problem. It will get you there and you’ll be happily camping in its big boot, especially if you want to do your own DIY camper conversion or buy a camping box. For a simple conversion (not putting many storage options in) it doesn’t offer many built-in storage compartments in the back, you better come up with some good solutions yourself.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢225Width ↔150Height ↕132
The Multivan is for you if size, versatility & looking cool are your main criteria (and you can afford it – it costs 3x as much as an MPV like a Sharan, but it isn’t 3 times better for camping – it is a cult car that offers a lot of space in a relatively small package, with the added bonus of being able to move and turn the seats and table around as you please + fold them down into a bed. But they can also get in a way and sometimes it’s necessary to remove them to take full advantage of the boot’s size. And you’ll have to get some kind of camping box or a bed to sleep comfortably and make the most of the sheer space. The Multivan is a bit of a cult car and keeps its value even with very high mileage (300K+) and 10+ years of age, so be prepared to pay the price. There aren’t as many DIY Multivan camping conversions – precisely for the reasons outlined on this page, in short – it’s almost the most expensive car of the range where you are paying for flexible seats that you would take out anyway for a DIY conversion. But there are plenty of manufactured camping boxes that you can carry in the boot (behind all the rear seats) and extend when camping (see image gallery for some examples, with and without the rear seats). But then, you can do that in the cheaper Caravelle too, so make sure you know why you’re paying up for a Multivan. Overall, a Multivan can be a great camper – but not out of the box. If you just want to try car camping out, you’ll be better off with a much cheaper MPV that you convert to an occasional camper. And if you like it and decide to commit to car camping, you can try out a Multivan with a camping extension.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢217Width ↔119Height ↕95
The Tourneo is an even more comfortable version of the already comfortable panel van Transit Connect. You get a higher trim standard and drive comfort with a big boot for all your camping needs. When the seats are folded down, the boot height is 95cm, which isn’t much for an MPV, but good enough. Go for the Grand version of course – you’ll get a 40cm longer boot – that’s a lot. It drives well, but it also eats a bit more than other MPVs though. The barn doors on most models are a downside, but they have a small plus point – you can open them all the way towards the front, by the sides of the car so that they won’t get in your way. You just won’t have a roof like you would with a tailgate.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢176Width ↔144Height ↕112
The Berlingo is one of the most often converted cars for camping. Despite not being the biggest – very likely because of its affordability and availability (and availability bias – when you Google small campers, you’ll see a lot of Berlingos, so people naturally assume those are the best, but they are not, read on…).
The Berlingo (and its similar cousins – Vauxhall Combo, Peugeot Partner) is a good car for car camping, but not as good for general driving & comfort during long journeys. It’s not the biggest MPV out there but offers very good mileage and low maintenance costs. It’s also very well priced – there are plenty of used van or MPV versions to be found. It’s best suited to fill the role of your second car that you can rebuild for camping. If you want it as your main car, it’s good if your budget is low, but otherwise, you’re better off with one of the more comfy and reliable or bigger MPV in our DB.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢180Width ↔102Height ↕110
The best SUV in our database for camping. The Pajero’s boot is about as long (if not a bit shorter) than other SUVs, but it’s much taller, allowing you to sit and sleep in the back more comfortably. Plus, it is a frequent Dakar winner – you don’t need more than that to know it will perform really well off the road. Where it doesn’t perform that well, especially the older models, is on tarmac – it is a bit rougher than you’d like. Recommended if you plan to spend much more time off-road in rugged terrain.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢190Width ↔107Height ↕81
Standard SUV boot length and height and better width between the wheel arches. This time (and dirt) tested veteran won’t let you down when camping off the road. Well-built and rugged, ready to take you off the beaten path.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢150Width ↔100Height ↕100
Although there are quite a few Skoda Roomster campers, it’s not the best car for the job – it’s too short (although you can push the front seats forward and put in a whole 195cm camping bed, you are sacrificing storage space + can’t drive with the bed set up). The only thing that saves the car is a slightly higher boot than a standard estate car. It’s not an expensive car, but that shows in the interior & drive quality. It’s a good choice compared to a VW Golf, but not compared to a Caddy, Peugeot Grand Kangoo (closest in the price range to a Roomster) or a Ford Galaxy.
Many conversions I’ve seen fold the front seats down completely (not towards the front, but they lay the backrest down towards the back) and then build a platform above them. This way, you can get more than 200cm/78in sleeping area – but you are still sacrificing quite a lot of storage space. You can get some of it back by removing the rear seats.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢190Width ↔102Height ↕79
The Prius gives you unmatched consumption whilst still boasting a good-size boot for a station wagon/estate body type, even with the battery being in the boot. So if you are looking for a low-fuel cost car that you still can sleep in, the Toyota Prius is a very good choice.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢190Width ↔124Height ↕69
This successor of Dacia Lodgy seems to be boasting everything you need from a good car for camping – SUV features to take it off-road, MPV size with 7 seats + a long and spacious boot at a very affordable price. This could be the next best everyday camping car – if you are prepared to let go of a few comforts, slightly lower boot height or accept a lower safety rating.
Combined with Dacia’s own Sleep Pack, you can easily turn it into a camper (or try a DIY camping conversion too).
- an overall good car for camping, losing to other MPVs only because of its lower boot height
- some users might find the build quality and safety features lacking behind other MPVs, but that is nicely balanced by its low price
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢185Width ↔101Height ↕91
It’s a good enough camper if you push the front seats forward – giving you enough room to sleep. But its main advantage is that it’s a 4×4, not its size (there are bigger cars in our DB for that).
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢185Width ↔104Height ↕69
The Kia Ceed is a typical hatchback that still offers enough sleeping area when the seats are folded away properly. You can sleep in it, but there won’t be much storage or headroom, therefore a roofbox might come in handy.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢200Width ↔116Height ↕84
This is one of the best SUVs in our database for car camping – a big boot overall, but its width stands out the most (see comparison with other SUVs). But – it’s not very well rated on top car reviewing websites and it does eat a lot! You might find the Subaru Forester a bit better (2.8/5 Nimblecamper rating – similar size, better consumption and comfort), or, if you are after something more rugged and mostly for off-road camping, try the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun)
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢184Width ↔106Height ↕90
The Vauxhall / Opel Zafira Tourer is one of the more compact MPVs – close to a Ford S-Max or the VW Touran in terms of size and luxury (only the Tourer, the older Zafira is even smaller and less luxurious). Its rear seats fold flat (newer models), opening up a spacious boot that’s good enough for sleeping two people.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢185Width ↔107Height ↕74
A very popular SUV amongst camping enthusiasts – not the biggest one, but has enough room for sleeping, plus offers an excellent safety rating and is one of the best cars you can take off-road, well rugged and well-built, matched only by the rugged Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun).
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢178Width ↔101Height ↕65
The Chevrolet Orlando was aimed at the MPV market, albeit unsuccessfully – it’s not as big as its rivals a fact that even its lower price didn’t rectify. It’s about as big as a VW Touran, with a smaller rear opening. On the positive side, it does offer some clever storage solutions and its seats fold completely flat, so all you need to do is throw in a mattress and you’re good to sleep in it. Could be a good quick camping solution – just carry the mattress and sleeping gear in the boot and you are always ready for an impromptu camping stop.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢185Width ↔122Height ↕84
The Land Rover Discovery offers about average boot length and height compared to other SUV Campers but gives you more width. It is a luxurious (and hence expensive) car so it’s not the usual choice people go for when looking for an SUV camper. It offers great off-road capabilities and more luxuries than your average SUV. It’s consumption is also a bit higher than a typical SUV in our database.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢197Width ↔108Height ↕85
The Kia Sorento is a spacious SUV that offers ample room for both passengers and cargo, making it a suitable choice for car camping enthusiasts. It is a luxury large SUV which means it offers a longer than usual SUV boot, better safety features, ample storage and a more comfortable ride.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢185Width ↔104Height ↕81
The Kia Sportage is a typical SUV that offers enough sleeping area when the seats are folded away properly. It doesn’t offer anything in terms of size that any other compact SUV in our database doesn’t offer too. It’s boot is 7 cm narrower and 5 cm lower than it’s closest rival, the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. If you like it’s size, but prefer a more rugged outdoor SUV, I’d suggest Subaru Outback.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢152Width ↔104Height ↕104
It is one of the smallest MPVs out there, but sleeping two people in the Nemo is still possible. Preferably average-height people as anyone taller than 180cm might struggle. The 2-seat van version has a slightly larger boot than the Multispace version, but no huge difference.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢210Width ↔107Height ↕72
What Tesla can you camp in? The Model X for sure! The boot easily turns into a bed. You can sleep comfortably in a Tesla Model X – easily fit a 200x100cm mattress inside. There are some DIY conversions to be found out there too (see images and videos below). The biggest advantage of the Model X is the hidden storage compartments you don’t get in many other cars (two big ones in the boot [or one if you have a 7-seater] and one in the front under the hood). Good to store most of your camping gear. There are two things that might put you off – the price tag of course and the relatively low boot height.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢190Width ↔110Height ↕76
The XC60 offers a typical SUV boot length, but is quite low.
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Rated 3.00 out of 5
Boot dimensions:Length ⤢174Width ↔101Height ↕80
Skoda Yeti offers about 10cm shorter boot compared to other SUV Campers but comes with much lower consumption. It has been awarded Family Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine. It’s a good car that you can convert into a camper easily, but don’t expect too much headroom or storage space. It’s best combined with a suitable car tent that will give you plenty of living room when camping, whilst you sleep in the boot.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢129Width ↔98Height ↕89
This little fella wouldn’t be the first car you’d think of when going camping. But it is still possible to sleep in it, albeit not very comfortably.
The 500 is shorter than its uglier brothers, the Punto and the Panda, but it is ~13cm taller inside the boot. For this small difference, it consumes quite a bit more!
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢120Width ↔101Height ↕86
This little fella wouldn’t be the first car you’d think of when going camping. But it is still possible to sleep in it. Especially for a single person, the typical conversion extends over the front passenger’s seat. The older models (not sure about newer ones) passenger seat backrest folds down almost flat, allowing your bed area to go over it.
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Boot dimensions:Length ⤢129Width ↔98Height ↕84
This little fella wouldn’t be the first car you’d think of when going camping. But it is still possible to sleep in it. Especially for a single person, the typical conversion extends over the front passenger’s seat. The older models (not sure about newer ones) passenger seat backrest folds down almost flat, allowing your bed area to go over it.
The Punto is a little bit longer than the Panda, but for this small difference, consumes quite a bit more.
