Hymer Free 600 S
Not a cheap option, by the time you’ve added all the extras, but a Merc badge adds cachet in
A Mercedes in a sea of Fiats
WHO IS HYMER?
785kg
ALSO CONSIDER
VW Grand California 600 Westfalia Sven Hedin
superb Sprinter seats (with extending squabs for long-legged users) are a further plus, along with the optional Isofix mountings for child seats on the rear bench. The table extends to serve the swivelled driver’s seat and there are USBs and a mains socket conveniently located here. We also liked the padded upholstery around the dinette window, the large Heki rooflight and the ambient lighting over the top locker.
The kitchen is compact, with a combination two-burner hob and sink unit. The three supersized drawers (including a cutlery section and a bin) are its best feature, while a small worktop flap by the door offers the only worktop. There’s a 90-litre compressor fridge, too, but the wardrobe above it is tiny, having a drop from the rail of just 550mm. You’ll probably fold clothes instead but, if you must hang up a jacket, there’s a second rail (not enclosed) over the bed.
One of the Hymer’s best aspects is its washroom. You step up into here, so headroom is reduced to 1.81m with the shower tray’s cover in situ, but there’s plenty of room to use the bench cassette loo or the fixed basin. We liked the opening window, drying rail, hooks for towels and flannels, and the elasticated straps to hold your toiletries in place. Space for showering looked quite tight, though.
Of course, the Mercedes has less room inside than the equivalent Fiat and you witness that in various areas of the Free 600 S. However, some will willingly make that sacrifice for a sophisticated Benz base vehicle. Not only will the Sprinter feel more modern from behind the wheel (especially with the 9G automatic gearbox fitted here in combination with the 143bhp engine), but you get all the modern safety kit, such as Traffic Sign Assist, High Beam Assist, Attention Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. The cab is dominated by the 10.25in MBUX multimedia display, which incorporates the sat-nav, too, while automatic air-con and a 360-degree camera system were also fitted to this model. It’s the (three-pointed) star quality that’s the raison d’etre here.