A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
4.3/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
4.1
Comfort & Interior
4.6
Running Costs
3.7
Practicality
4.4
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
Looking for a motorhome that combines Italian flair with French engineering expertise? The Fiat Chausson might be exactly what you need for your touring adventures. This premium motorhome partnership brings together Fiat’s reliable commercial vehicle platform with Chausson’s decades of French motorhome craftsmanship. It’s designed for people who want quality construction and thoughtful design without compromising on reliability.
From the first glance, the Fiat Chausson stands out with its sleek European styling and practical proportions. The exterior features clean lines and modern graphics that give it a contemporary look on campsite pitches. Inside, you’ll discover layouts that maximise every inch of space with clever storage solutions and comfortable living areas. The build quality reflects Chausson’s reputation for attention to detail, using quality materials and fixtures throughout.
Driving the Fiat Chausson feels surprisingly car like for such a large vehicle. The Fiat base provides excellent road manners and reliable performance, making long touring days comfortable and stress free. The diesel engines offer good fuel economy for the class while providing adequate power for hill climbing with a full load. While it commands a premium price compared to some competitors like the Ford Auto Trail or similar motorhomes, you’re paying for proven reliability, thoughtful design, and the peace of mind that comes with established European engineering.
What's the Fiat Chausson Like to Drive?
The Fiat Chausson is built on Fiat’s proven commercial vehicle platform with a range of efficient diesel engines. The most common powerplant is the 2.3 litre MultiJet diesel producing around 130 to 150 horsepower, depending on the specific model year. This provides adequate performance for motorhome duties, with enough torque for comfortable cruising and reasonable hill climbing ability. The six speed manual gearbox feels robust and well matched to the engine characteristics.
Where the Fiat Chausson really excels is in its road manners and driving refinement. The chassis setup strikes an excellent balance between load carrying ability and ride comfort. The steering is light and precise at parking speeds, making manoeuvring on campsites much easier than you’d expect. At motorway speeds, it tracks straight and feels stable even in crosswinds. The suspension does a good job of soaking up road imperfections while keeping body roll well controlled. This makes it a genuinely pleasant motorhome to drive on long touring routes across Europe.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
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Engine
2.3L 4-cylinder MultiJet Diesel
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Power Output
130 - 150 bhp
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0-60 mph
14.5 - 16.2 seconds
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MPG Combined
28 - 32 mpg
- Boot Space
- Safety Rating
- Euro NCAP
- Payload: 500 - 700 kg
How Comfortable Is the Fiat Chausson?
Step inside a Fiat Chausson and you’re immediately struck by the quality of the interior fit and finish. The layouts are thoughtfully designed with proper attention paid to how real people actually use their motorhomes. You’ll find quality soft furnishings, solid wood cabinetry, and well integrated appliances throughout. The galley areas feature good quality worktops, adequate storage, and appliances from respected manufacturers like Dometic and Thetford.
The sleeping arrangements are genuinely comfortable, with quality mattresses and proper ventilation. Most layouts offer flexible sleeping options from comfortable double beds to convertible dinettes. The bathroom facilities are well planned with separate shower compartments in larger models. Heating and hot water systems are reliable and effective. Storage is abundant with clever solutions like under bed compartments, overhead lockers, and external storage boxes. The cab area converts seamlessly into additional living space when parked, maximising the usable interior volume.
The Fiat Chausson represents excellent value in the premium European motorhome market. It successfully combines Fiat’s reliable and well proven commercial vehicle base with Chausson’s expertise in creating practical and comfortable living spaces. The build quality is impressive with attention to detail that you can see and feel every day. The driving experience is refined and confidence inspiring, making long distance touring a pleasure. The trade off is a higher purchase price than some British built alternatives, and potentially higher parts costs for some habitation components. However, the excellent build quality and strong residual values help offset the initial outlay. This isn’t a motorhome for those seeking basic transportation, but rather for people who appreciate quality engineering and thoughtful design. If your budget allows and you value European build standards, the Fiat Chausson is an excellent choice that will serve you well for many years of touring adventures.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Fiat Chausson?
As a premium European motorhome, the Fiat Chausson has correspondingly premium running costs, but they’re reasonable for the class and build quality. The efficient diesel engines typically achieve between 28 and 32 MPG depending on driving conditions and load, which helps keep fuel costs manageable on long tours. Insurance costs are moderate for the class, though comprehensive motorhome insurance is essential given the value and specialised nature of the vehicle.
The main consideration is the initial purchase price, which reflects the quality construction and European build standards. However, Fiat Chausson motorhomes tend to hold their value well thanks to their reputation for reliability and build quality. Maintenance costs are reasonable as the Fiat base is widely serviced, while habitation services can be carried out by most motorhome specialists. Many buyers find how to find the cheapest car finance deals in the uk helpful when planning their purchase, as specialist motorhome finance can make ownership more affordable through manageable monthly payments.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
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fiat chausson
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Ford Auto Trail
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Citroen Globebus
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|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £45,000 | £42,000 | £47,000 |
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Performance
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| Engine | 2.3L MultiJet 140hp | 2.0L EcoBlue 130hp | 2.2L BlueHDi 140hp |
| Power | 140 bhp | 130 bhp | 140 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 15.1 seconds | 16.3 seconds | 15.0 seconds |
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Running Costs
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| MPG Combined | 30 mpg | 29 mpg | 31 mpg |
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Practicality
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| Boot Space | 600 kg | 550 kg | 580 kg |
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Standard Features
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| Key Features | Premium build, Flexible layouts, European quality | British design, Good value, Wide dealer network | French innovation, Clever storage, Refined drive |
Fiat Chausson Practicality & Boot Space
The Fiat Chausson excels in practical motorhome living with well thought out layouts that maximise usable space. Storage capacity is excellent with numerous cupboards, wardrobes, and external lockers providing plenty of room for extended touring. The fresh and waste water tanks are generously sized for the class, extending your independence between service points. Payload capacity is typically good, allowing you to carry everything you need without worrying about weight limits.
Where the Chausson really shines is in everyday usability. The layouts flow naturally with logical placement of facilities and furniture. Access to the rear is excellent through the large habitation door, while some models feature additional access doors. The driving position is comfortable with good visibility and ergonomic controls. For couples or small families who value quality construction and thoughtful design, the Fiat Chausson offers an excellent balance compared to other used Fiat cars in the commercial vehicle range. The compact external dimensions make it manageable on European roads while still providing generous internal space.
“We’ve had our Chausson Welcome for three years now and it’s been absolutely brilliant. The build quality is superb and everything just works properly. Our only minor grumble is that some of the French appliance manuals could be clearer, but the dealer sorted that out.” by James Mitchell
The Fiat Chausson stands out in the competitive European motorhome market by offering genuine premium quality and thoughtful design. It packages reliable Fiat mechanicals with French expertise in motorhome construction to create vehicles that are both practical and enjoyable to use. The excellent build standards, comfortable driving experience, and well planned interiors make every touring trip more enjoyable.
You choose the Fiat Chausson because you want a motorhome that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The quality construction, refined road manners, and practical layouts make it ideal for serious touring enthusiasts who value reliability and comfort. It’s perfectly suited for extended European tours while remaining manageable enough for weekend breaks. If you’re looking for a premium motorhome that offers excellent long term value, especially considering audi a1 alternatives in the premium vehicle market, the Fiat Chausson should be on your shortlist.