Campervan Editor, Geneve, picks her favourites of all the campervans reviewed in 2021

I’ve been bonkers about campervanning for as long as I remember! I grew up in a family of happy campers who loved holidaying in the outdoors and it’s a passion that’s stayed with me. You really can’t beat having a campervan if you like off-grid adventuring.

My first was a beautiful two-tone classic VW T25, which I owned for 13 years, and now I have an all-singing-all-dancing VW T6 conversion. One of the best things about my job is that I get to see all the latest campervans that are launched every year, and I never fail to get excited about all the latest developments and innovations!

When this first came out, we were quite staggered at the price tag, which was just shy of £37k. Here was a brand-new campervan from a well-known manufacturer with everything you could need included in that price –even a 140bhp engine and underslung gas tank.

The price has gone up a little since then, as a result in price hikes of component parts and the base vehicle itself, but the latest model is still under £40k, making this our top pick for first time buyers and anyone on a tight budget.

It’s no secret that VW dominates the campervan market and with prices set to become sillier than they already are, there’s never been a better time to consider an alternative base vehicle, such as the Ford Transit Custom. Auto-Campers specialises in these conversions and we love all the models in its range. Its Day Van Modular Series offers really clever, unique design features and prices start at just £34,500.

If you are watching the pennies, it’s well worth considering a new conversion on a used vehicle, so also check out its Eco-line, as you could have one on your drive for under 30k.

A campervan with bunk beds is by far the best layout for families with older kids, or anyone who goes away with friends or other family members. The trouble is, campervans with bunk beds are few and far between. The Axon Spirit is a four-berth model with two removable bunks at the back of the van, as well as a double bed that makes up in the lounge.

It’s kitted out with everything you could need and, based on a used Citroën Relay L4H2, could be yours for under £40k.

German converter, Globecar, continues to be number one in the campervan market in its home country. And for good reason - its campervans boast the best in German build quality and it comes up with layouts and design features that just work. Whilst the Roadscout was already a tried and tested design, the new Elegance factor adds modern bling.

At 5.41m long, this Fiat-based camper isn’t much longer than a VW T6 long-wheelbase and, with a transverse double bed and a nifty central washroom, it’s a great little van for couples.

The biggest innovation of the season is large Fiat Ducato-size panel vans with pop-top roofs. We’ve seen them before but they’ve become mainstream this year, with most of the big manufacturers now offering one in its line-up. The purpose of the pop-top is purely to add berths, making them appealing to families.

We’ve been fans of the Autoquest CV range from Elddis since it launched a few years ago, as they’re nice vans and offer good value for money. The new CV80 is essentially a CV40 with a pop-top, and joins its CV20 and CV60 siblings in the model range.

Volkswagen’s own California campervan continues to be a best-seller and, if you’re a bit of a gadget geek who likes the latest tech and spec at your fingertips, then VW’s range-topping Ocean takes some beating. Based on the latest T6.1, the Audi-style Digital Cockpit gives it a rather space-age feel and the electro-hydraulic rising roof is very practical.

The California Ocean is very clinical and feels more like a car than a campervan, so it’s ideal as an only or daily driver.

There's a huge amount of choice of fixed bed campervans based on Fiat/Peugeot vans, but most of them are continental designs with the sliding door on the offside and, sometimes, a compromised kitchen. The Kingham, being thoroughly British, doesn't miss out on galley space but if differs more noticeably in its layout, with a side sofa up front and a lengthways French bed at the rear, which is super comfortable!

It's a unique campervan design that's been around for a while now, and it works really well for two people.