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quoteThat’s Living, alright!
Starting the 2021 season and it’s the van conversion sector where the action seems to be. There are also signs that folk want to drive a harder bargain. And that’s exactly where Adria’s budget brand, Sun Living, fits in.
Fiat’s extra-long Ducato is the base vehicle for the V65SL campervan and it’s that near-6.4m overall length that means it can offer two seating areas – twin inward-facing settees just inside the back doors and a forward lounge comprising both cab seats swivelled to face a double seat that also ups the travel berths to four.
That front area includes a side-fixing table with a swing-out extension which means it’s within easy reach for all.
It’s actually a conventional motorhome layout as offered by plenty of others, but with the clever twist that those rear settees also make single beds or, with a bit more fiddling, a full double. An interesting option, meanwhile, is the hammock bed, should you want to up the sleeping arrangements to suit four.
Build quality seems well up to Adria’s exemplary standards. It’s easy to see where corners have been cut, for example with the lack of rear side windows (although you can have them fitted as an option).
Likewise, there’s just a standard rooflight overhead. Rear windows are top-hinged and come with roller blinds and flyscreens.
Those alloy wheels you can see in the picture are optional, too. The white body means Sun Living can get away with original black bumpers as standard.
As with most imports, the sliding door is not switched nor the floorplan changed for UK use, although that doesn’t seem a particular problem for buyers of such models.
Just inside the sliding side door of the Sun Living V65SL, there’s a typical kitchen for this type of motorhome, with standard-issue stainless steel two-burner hob and sink combination. Large drawers underneath provide most of the storage, but the lack of any worktop extension is a minus.
Adjacent, it’s a larger than average fridge (90 litres), set high for easier access. Truma’s Combi 4 provides the heating and hot water.
Similarly, it’s a functional washroom with fixed corner basin and swivel-bowl loo. There’s an extending tap for showering – it’s trigger-operated so you won’t be wasting water. Storage includes shelving with elasticated retainers plus locker under the basin.
Among a number of neat details in the Sun Living V65SL, there are the rails for lights and USBs, clever relocation of interior rear door handle in offside door, and the double bed adaptor/false floor in the rear lounge.
You’ll definitely want at least option Pack 1, for the cab air conditioning, passenger airbag and cruise control. Indeed, it’s on the base vehicle side that you may want to pay to up the specification on the Sun Living V65SL – the latest nine-speed automatic gearbox is likely to be very popular across all Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes, for instance.
Thereafter, just be careful with the options list. The Sun Living’s appeal lies in its down-to-earth specification and pricing – if you want to head upmarket you might as well start with an Adria Twin motorhome. You can always add some extras at a later date, of course, but only once you’ve convinced yourself you can’t live without them. Promise?
In this video we take a look around the Sun Living V65SL campervan.
Verdict: Frill-free and functional, with a contemporary feel
Plus: Back to basics approach, practical rear seats/single beds, favoured UK floorplan
Minus: Still not the cheapest, some options should be standard
In-a-nutshell: Time to head for the Sun?
There’s more information on the V Series motorhome range on the Sun Living website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Auto-Trail Tribute Compact 680, Benivan 122, Roller Team Toleno L, Swift Select 184
Sun Living V65SL factfile
| Model | Sun Living V65SL |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato |
| Dimensions | 6.36m L x 2.05m W x 2.58m H |
| Berths | Four |
| Travel seats | Four |
| Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
| Payload | 720kg |
| MPG estimate | 30-34 |
| RRP | From £46,000 on the road |
| Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, remote central locking, ABS and EBD, EBA (emergency brake assist) |
| Key options | Pack 1 (£1,820), Pack 2 (£2,590), Comfort Pack (£1,059), ECO Pack (£300), automatic transmission (£2,950), hammock bed (£320), additional bedroom window (£290), Pack 2 (£2,590), leather upholstery (£1,360), habitation air conditioning (£1,330) |
Looks like a half-decent washroom – the light switch is on the wall within reach, and the wash basin actually holds water. It has a good sized fridge, and drawers are better than cupboards. I would rather have Remis windscreen blinds than alloy wheels. Rear side windows don’t matter, if you have them you only crunch the blinds when you’re in bed anyway. A shelf above the kitchen sink would be useful for washing up liquid, dishcloth etc. The bed-joining piece when fitted between the floor rails makes a slightly raised floor at the back which is specially useful to put folding chairs and picnic table under. It’s a pity you didn’t show what is under the bed / settee bases – are there cupboards or is it all filled with a water tank and Truma heater?