The best campervan for everyday use is going to be an option that is properly adaptable. You obviously want to use your prize possession to go on memorable holidays and trips both around the UK and abroad.
However, you will sometimes want to use it for everyday purposes as well – loading up at the supermarket, say, or going to the garden centre. You might even want to use it as a commuting vehicle. These are factors that can be a deciding factor when choosing between a campervan or motorhome.
Wanting a campervan for everyday use needn’t just be a case of cost. In today’s climate-conscious world, you might think it is irresponsible to be running two vehicles with internal combustion engines.
The only trouble is, not even all of the best campervans will necessarily be suitable for such a purpose. They might be too long, and so be difficult to park. Or they might not have enough belted travel seats for the numbers of passengers you might need to carry.
The expert judging panel at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026 is here to help – we’ve shared our top pick on the market for the upcoming season, as well as the highly commended contenders. Panama has retained its title, having won the category at last year’s Awards, this time taking top spot through the plug-in hybrid P/10E. We think the camper makes an eco-friendly choice for ‘van owners.
The best campervans for everyday use are:
Shortlisted at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026
Panama P/10E
WildAx Equinox
Citroen Holidays
Our top picks from recent years
Panama P12
City Camp by Dreamer
Ford Nugget PHEV
The best campervan for everyday use:
Panama P/10E
- Base vehicle: Ford Tourneo Custom
- Price: £79,995
- Berths: 4
- Belts: 5
- MTPLM: 3245kg
- MIRO: 2780kg
- Payload: 465kg
- Length: 5.04m
- Width: 2.27m
Reason to buy:
- An eco-friendly choice
Reason to avoid:
- It’s still only a hybrid, not fully electric
The best campervan for every day use at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026
The great thing about basing a van on a Tourneo Custom rather than the Transit Custom is that, as the former is Ford’s people mover version of the Transit, you get three seats in the bench in the back.
Due to weight restrictions, you can’t, unfortunately, go for the optional second row of rear seats that would make this vehicle a seven seater, as you can with the P10/E’s diesel-powered cousin, the P12. But that set up on its own means that, for once, this van really could function as a day-to-day vehicle, providing as many seats in as accessible a position as you might find in a large SUV.
Then go for a hybrid like this new model and, not only are you doing your bit for the environment, but you should be able to drive through any low-emission zones – either those that are set up already or those that may come into force in the near future. This really can be a campervan you can take anywhere.
WildAx Equinox
- Base vehicle: Ford Transit
- Price: £78,495
- Berths: 4
- Belts: 4
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MIRO:
- Payload:
- Length:
- Width:
Reason to buy:
- A comfy ride up front
Reason to avoid:
- Possibly a bit big for regular day-to-day use
Highly commended at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026
One of the best campervan conversion companies, WildAx is well known for converting a wide range of base vehicles. In recent years, however, the company has taken the Ford Transit so much to heart that it now accounts for close to half of its total production.
This latest Ford-based model should make a relatively easy transition to becoming a day-to-day vehicle, because the front dinette never becomes a bed – it is always a seating area. That means you get proper comfy car seats in the back, not the slabs that you usually have to put up with when they are going to double up as a bed.
WildAx has even gone to the trouble of covering the seats with the same textile Ford uses in its cab seats – with a bit of hexagonal padding added in for good measure. And you can easily remove the clip-on table if your day-to-day passengers would rather not have it.
Then, if you need to carry heavy items in your day-to-day work, that shouldn’t be a problem either: the bed at the back folds up to provide a large storage area.
Citroen Holidays
- Base vehicle: Citroën SpaceTourer
- Price: £55,695
- Berths: 4
- Belts: 4
- MTPLM: 3100kg
- MIRO: 2365kg
- Payload: 735kg
- Length: 4.98m
- Width: 1.92m
Reason to buy:
- A good value day runner
Reason to avoid:
- Citroen still has to establish itself in the campervan market
Highly commended at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026
Citroen’s answer to the Volkswagen California and Ford Nugget only has two seats in the rear as standard, but it should work very well as a day-to-day vehicle, because you can remove the side kitchen entirely to create more space for luggage and whatever else you might need to take on conventional daily journeys. Those two seats can be moved fully forward to provide plenty of space at the back too.
The two opening sliding doors should make getting in and out that much easier too, while handy little extra like tables that come out of the backs of the cab seat aeroplane style means you could even dispense with the table on daily journeys.
The vehicle is actually made by Slovenia-based Bravia Mobil, but it has all the management – and the extensive dealer network – of Citroen behind it.
Panama P12
- Year: 2025
- Base vehicle: Ford Tourneo 2.0
- Berths: 4
- Belted seats: 5 (+2 optional)
- MTPLM: 3175kg
- MIRO: 2558kg
- Payload: 617kg est
- Length: 5.04m
- Width: 2.15m
Reasons to buy:
- One of the most versatile campervans you’ll find
Reasons to avoid:
- Like many campervans, it has a loo but no shower
The Panama P12 is the ultimate all-rounder; a sleek campervan built for adventure and family fun; in short, features which saw us name it the best campervan for everyday use at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2025.
Based on the new next-gen Ford Tourneo Custom Eco Blue 136bhp chassis, with an automatic gearbox, it offers four berths and five belted travelling seats (with the option to add two more removable seats with Isofix points).
Inside, the versatile campervan layout features a spacious kitchen and seating area with a bench seat that transforms into a comfy double bed. There’s a second double bed in the pop-top roof.
The Panama is fully-equipped with diesel heating, a two-burner hob, sink, 42-litre campervan fridge/freezer, Porta Potti loo and a removable table, delivering self-contained comfy living for couples and families. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a family road trip, this camper has you covered. Practical, adaptable and packed with modern technology and features, and easy to drive and manoeuvre, it makes a great daily-driver too, for those times when you’re not camping.
Full review: Panama P12
City Camp by Dreamer
- Year: 2025
- Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom 136bhp
- Berths: 4
- Belted seats: 5
- MTPLM: 3200kg
- MIRO: 2865kg
- Payload: 335kg
- Length: 5.04m
- Width: 2.03m
Reasons to buy:
- The very latest design and tech for campervan fans
Reasons to avoid:
- Not quite as cavernous as a traditional Transit or Ducato camper
This newly-redesigned Urban Van, the City Camp by Dreamer, is a versatile camper that’s as at home in the city as it is on a weekend adventure out in the sticks. Perfect for families, it comes with a comfortable bench seat as standard, or you can upgrade to independent seats, increasing the capacity to six. Whether you’re ferrying the family, carrying gear or heading off to one of the best campervan sites, the City Camp has you covered in every respect: comfort, versatility, performance and cost-effectiveness.
With four adult berths, a functional kitchen unit and a portable compressor cool box, it’s equipped for any trip, even if you head off grid. The pop-up roof with integrated rails adds practicality, while dual sliding doors make access easy.
The City Camp is built on the new Ford Custom L1H1 base, and features a 136hp EcoBlue engine, height-adjustable swivel seats and a cutting-edge Ford SYNC 4 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Stylish, flexible and packed with features, the City Camp is your go-anywhere, do-anything companion.
Ford Nugget PHEV
- Year: 2025
- Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom
- Berths: 4
- Belted seats: 5
- MTPLM: 3240kg
- MIRO: TBA
- Payload: TBA
- Length: 4.97m
- Width: 2.27m
Reasons to buy:
- The versatility, sustainability and cost-savings of PHEV power
Reasons to avoid:
- The Nugget’s expected electric-only range is likely to be under 35 miles
The New Transit Custom Nugget makes camping and cooking on-site a breeze. At the rear, you’ll find a fully-equipped kitchen with a dual-burner gas hob, 40-litre fridge, sink and enough worktop space to whip up your favourite meals. Storage for cans, bottles, and packets is within easy reach.
When it’s time to sleep, the tilting roof reveals a spacious high-level double bed, above the in-van, make-up double bed. The reversible front seats and fold-out dining table create a cosy space for meals and relaxation, and occupants can stay connected with onboard WiFi for up to 10 devices.
The Nugget combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an 11.8 kWh battery and electric motor, to produce an impressive 230bhp. This accomplished small campervan even has an inclinometer to help you find a flat sweet spot on uneven ground! Practicality, compact size and fun – the Nugget has it all!
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