Buying a motorhome in 2027? Before you get caught up in makes and models, picture how you’ll actually use it. A van for spontaneous weekends away could look quite different from a motorhome you’ll spend several weeks travelling in.
We’ve reviewed the most common motorhome and campervan makes we arranged insurance for in 2026, alongside trends in UK searches, to see the most popular vehicles for a starting point. Plus, we’ve identified the main vehicle types and what to look for when viewing them, before sharing Motorhome Matt’s predictions for 2027.
Popular motorhome and campervan types and brands in 2026
We’ve analysed policyholder findings covering September 2025 to September 2026, alongside search data comparing searches in September 2026 with September 2025. Here are the main takeaways:
Fiat, Volkswagen and Peugeot lead Ripe’s recorded makes, together accounting for 69% of active policies.
Fiat and Peugeot feature strongly among coachbuilt motorhomes, accounting for 80% of our overcab and low-profile coachbuilt policies.
Volkswagen stands out among pop-top campervans, making up 67% of our policies for vehicles with a pop-up or rising roof.
Several campervan search terms attracted more interest. Searches for “Ford Transit custom campervan” rose by 222%, “VW T5 campervan” by 179% and “VW Transporter campervan” by 50%.
Conversions remain part of the picture. DIY conversions account for 11% of active policies, while searches for the broader term “campervan conversion” rose by 23%.
There’s also a useful distinction when you start browsing: the base vehicle make and the motorhome brand can be different. A Fiat-based motorhome, for example, can have its living area built by another company. Check both when comparing adverts, as the base vehicle name alone won’t tell you what the layout or facilities are like.
Should you buy a motorhome or a campervan?
Start with the trips you want to take. Will you be heading off for the occasional long weekend, touring for several weeks, or using the vehicle for everyday journeys too?
Campervans generally retain the body of a van, with the interior adapted for travelling and staying overnight. Coachbuilt motorhomes have a living body built onto a cab and chassis, while A-class models integrate the cab into the motorhome body. Our motorhome and campervan guide explains these construction differences.
For your shortlist, focus on what you want inside. Would you be happy using campsite showers, or do you want your own bathroom? Are you comfortable making up a bed each evening, or would you rather leave it ready for bedtime? How about buying a second-hand motorhome, or would you prefer it be brand-new?
Those answers will help you narrow down the body styles below.
Motorhome and campervan types to consider in 2027
The right choice depends on how much living space you need, who’s coming with you and what you want to do when you arrive. Start with the body style, then compare the brands and models that offer the layout you’re after. We’ll take you through a list of popular motorhome and campervan types as well as some of our top picks when it comes to choosing the brand and model.
Motorhome and campervan types at a glance
Overcab motorhomes have a raised section above the driving cab, often containing a bed. Consider one if you want an additional sleeping area without making up the lounge every night.
Low-profile motorhomes have a less prominent section above the cab. Look at the individual layout to see whether it gives you the balance of beds, lounge space and storage you need.
A-class motorhomes have a purpose-built body incorporating both the driving cab and living area. Spend time checking the driving position as well as the space inside.
Pop-top campervans have a lifting roof for extra headroom and, in some layouts, another bed. They’re worth exploring if you like a compact setup and don’t need all the facilities of a larger motorhome.
High-top and larger panel van conversions provide standing room without raising a roof. Depending on the conversion, you could also have a washroom, a larger kitchen or a fixed bed.
Our guide to the different types of motorhomes and campervans explains the body styles in more detail.
Fiat Ducato motorhomes for a choice of layouts
Fiat is one of the leading recorded makes in our policyholder data, and the Ducato is a name you’ll encounter when browsing motorhomes. Fiat supplies the base vehicle to motorhome manufacturers, which then build the finished vehicle around it.
For buyers, the appeal is the opportunity to compare different living arrangements while looking at the same base vehicle family. You might find one Ducato-based motorhome with a layout that prioritises lounging and another with a bedroom arrangement you prefer.
Search for the motorhome manufacturer and model as well as “Fiat Ducato”. That will help you narrow your shortlist beyond the badge on the cab.
Peugeot Boxer motorhomes for used touring options
Peugeot also features strongly in our findings. If you’re looking at used motorhomes, the Boxer is a base vehicle to explore, including Peugeot-based examples of the Auto-Sleepers Broadway.
For example, the 2019 Auto-Sleepers Broadway FB combines a rear fixed bed with a front lounge, a kitchen and a washroom with a separate shower cubicle. That arrangement could appeal if you want to leave your bed made up and still have somewhere separate to sit.
Check the year and exact version when comparing adverts, as the base vehicle and layout can change.
Volkswagen Transporter and California campervans for compact trips
Volkswagen stands out in our pop-top findings, while the Transporter and T5 attracted increased search interest. If a campervan appeals more than a coachbuilt motorhome, these are useful names to start with.
A Transporter conversion gives you different ways to use the interior, depending on who converted it. T5, T6 and T6.1 examples are among the vehicles specialist converters work with. The attraction is finding a setup that matches your priorities, whether that’s more storage, a particular seating arrangement or a pop-top bed.
If you’d prefer a factory-built campervan, you could also compare the Volkswagen California. Its Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean versions offer different kitchen and equipment arrangements, so check which facilities you’d actually use before deciding on a version.
Ford Transit Custom campervans as another conversion option
The Ford Transit Custom attracted the largest percentage increase in searches among the terms we reviewed. If you’re considering a Transporter, it gives you another base vehicle to compare.
Specialist converters offer Transit Custom campervans with different layouts and roof arrangements. That flexibility could appeal if you know how you want to use the space but haven’t settled on a make.
Compare finished conversions rather than judging by the base van alone. Try turning the seats into a bed, opening the cupboards and moving around the kitchen: those everyday details will tell you more about whether it suits your trips.
Should you buy a converted campervan or plan your own conversion?
A conversion gives you another route to consider. You could buy a finished campervan, commission a professional conversion or take on a DIY project.
Before choosing a base van, write down the things you need it to accommodate. That might include a bed you don’t have to dismantle, space for bikes, somewhere to cook or room to travel with a dog. Then work out which features you’d be willing to compromise on.
For a DIY project, consider how much time, budget and specialist help you can commit. If you’re buying an existing conversion, ask who carried out the work and what supporting records are available.
Our VW Transporter conversion guide can help you start thinking about the layout and storage.
Motorhome Matt’s predictions for buying a motorhome in 2027
Matt Sims, also known as Motorhome Matt, is a motorhome owner and industry expert, host of the Motorhome Matt podcast, and partner of Ripe.
So, what does he think buyers should look out for in 2027?
“I'm much more interested in what manufacturers are doing with smaller motorhomes than simply seeing who can build the biggest one.
“There’s some really clever thinking going into compact vehicles now, with better use of bathrooms, more useful storage and layouts that give you a surprising amount of living space without needing a huge motorhome.
“The new Adria Compact is interesting. I own an Adria Twin, so people can accuse me of bias if they like, but at only 2.12 metres wide, the Compact gives you some of the manoeuvrability you'd associate with a van whilst offering the benefits of a coachbuilt, such as a larger lounge and bigger beds.
“What is the most interesting is the practical changes that are happening: lithium, DC-to-DC charging, a compressor fridge, diesel heating and redesigned bathroom and storage areas.
“Lithium being fitted as standard is a particularly significant development in the motorhome space. After years of lithium being seen as an upgrade, it’s getting to the point where buyers may simply expect it to come as standard in a new motorhome. It makes little sense to buy a modern motorhome with an electrical system that may need upgrading almost immediately.
“I expect we’ll see more manufacturers move towards lithium as standard rather than treating it as an expensive option. Once you do that, the charging, solar and electrical management can be designed around lithium from the outset, rather than individual components being retrofitted later.”
What to check before buying a motorhome in 2027
Once you’ve found a few vehicles you like, take the same questions to each viewing. It makes comparisons easier when one has an impressive kitchen and another has a tempting list of extras.
Layout: can you move around comfortably with the beds and table in use?
Storage: where will clothes, food, outdoor chairs and any larger equipment go?
Facilities: does the bathroom, cooking space and electrical setup suit your planned trips?
Payload: what carrying capacity remains for passengers, belongings and additional equipment?
Budget: have you allowed for ongoing costs such as servicing, storage, insurance and campsite stays?
Dealer support: who would you contact about a repair or warranty issue after buying?
If you’re torn between two very different motorhome or campervan layouts, consider hiring a similar vehicle before committing. A few days away can help you work out what you enjoy using and what becomes a daily frustration.
Use the popular makes as a starting point, then let your travel plans shape the shortlist. When you can picture cooking, sleeping and relaxing in a vehicle with your usual belongings on board, you’ll have a much clearer idea of whether it suits you.
Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance by Ripe
Find out more about specialist motorhome and campervan insurance by Ripe. Or get a quote online today.
Please note: These findings describe Ripe’s policyholders and the search terms we reviewed, rather than the whole UK market. Search growth shows a change in interest, rather than sales.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.