Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo review

As we said at the beginning, it’s not cheap. Prices start at £53,180 for the 220d, and this 250d is £55,055. The AMG Line pack is £2,140 more for 19-inch alloys, body cladding, metallic paint, a carbon-look dashboard and sports suspension. If you think that lot has a place on a camper van, then go for it. It’s a few grand more than a Cali, but comes better equipped on the whole. The question is whether you need that kit in the first place.

People always say these camper vans aren’t good value – probably due to the fact they have the word ‘van’ associated with them. They’re getting on for the same money as a Discovery that has seven seats and can go off-road. But this has a kitchen sink. It has a twin-burner stove, on-board water supply, electric and gas, a night heater. If the VW California is anything to go by, this will also – and this is what people tend to forget – hold its value much better than the Disco. And it might be a four-seater, but a fifth seat is optional.

What there isn’t is a stripped-out £40k entry-level model a la VW California Beach, and because the Marco Polo is new to the UK market, it doesn’t have the same culture of aftermarket options that make the VW such a target for personalisation.

Economy wise we got around 35mpg.