Benimar Mileo 224: Suitable for 6 people

A camper that is suitable for six people... you don't come across that very often. Certainly not under 3.500 kilos - the magical limit for being able to drive a camper with a regular 'B' driving license. The Spanish Benimar has succeeded, with the Benimar Mileo 224.

Six sleeping places in a camper: you will find this - with some creativity - in more campers. But you also need six officially approved seats to be able to take that many people on the road: each one equipped with a seat belt. And you don't come across such campers very often – at least: not under 3.500 kilos. In this test we look at the Benimar Mileo 224, a semi-integrated vehicle with smart solutions.

Exterior

Benimar has serious ambitions. The Spanish camper manufacturer doubled its production capacity for 2018 to 3.000 campers. If we look at the outside of this Mileo semi-integrated, we see a polyester sandwich structure in which plastic trusses provide strength. The two windows in the back reveal that a bunk bed is hidden behind this - if you fold up the bottom bed, a garage is created that you can load via a service hatch. With folding bicycles, for example, and camping chairs. Reinforcements have been made in the rear wall for an optional bicycle carrier and we see a sporty spoiler in which the reversing camera is integrated. Dark recessed windows from Seitz have been installed in all walls.

Interior of the Benimar Mileo 224

The entrance door of the Benimar Mileo 224 is located at the rear of the vehicle - the sight lines are maximized and this creates a great feeling of space as soon as you step inside. The light through the large panoramic shutter contributes to this, but the furniture also looks fresh and modern: dark wood colors with light, high-gloss cabinet flaps. When we start counting sleeping places, we start with the two-layer bunk bed for the children, against the back wall. Then we come to the fold-down bed above the dinette - from model year 2018 this is standard in all semi-integrated vehicles, and also: electrically operated. What is special is that the fold-down bed can also be operated manually, which is useful in the event of a malfunction. Sleeping places 5 and 6 are created when we convert the large dinette into a bed. The seating area is also amply designed for six people, with two L-shaped sofas plus the swiveling passenger seat. The USB ports that are incorporated in the reading lights above the front seats are clever. The fold-down bed sinks low, but can stop at any desired height. It is nice if there are also sleepers on the converted dinette, because otherwise it would be very cramped for four people. The corner kitchen is located directly next to the entrance door: a small worktop, with a gas stove with three burners, a sink and an extractor hood above. Opposite it we see the large refrigerator with the improved shower and toilet room next to it. A Thetford swivel toilet has been installed in it, we see a sink with mirror and a shower area that can be closed properly.

Technique

The Benimar Mileo 224 is built on a Fiat Ducato light chassis with the well-known 2,3 multijet engine (130 hp). Two airbags are standard and the car is equipped with cruise control. Cables and pipework are neatly executed and the new, improved fold-down bed is sturdy, even in the low positions. A striking feature is the option to also operate the bed manually in the event of a power outage. The empty weight of the 6,91 meter long Mileo is special: 2.800 kilos - so there is still enough reserve for a large amount of holiday luggage. But that is also necessary, in a car that is suitable for 6 people.

Conclusion

Benimar has refreshed its Mileo line for model year 2018. The renovated sanitary facilities deserve praise. The plus point of this car is of course the number of sleeping places and approved seats. You also see that the loading capacity, but also the refrigerator, for example, are tailored to a large traveling group. Compliments for that. Large – or composite – families will not easily be able to find a car under 7 meters from other brands that can also be driven with a normal B driving license.

Plus minus

+ for large groups
+ low own weight
+ a lot of loading capacity

– little storage space (if you travel with 6 people)

Facts & Figures

(manufacturer's statement)

MOTORIZATION
Chassis: Fiat Ducato Light chassis
Engine standard: 2.3 Multijet (130 hp)
Maximum power: 96 kW (130 hp) at 3.600 rpm
Maximum torque: 320 Nm at 1.500 rpm

DIMENSIONS
Length: 691 cm
Width: 230 cm
Height: 289 cm
Standing height: 198 cm
Maximum mass: 3500 kg
Wheelbase: 3800 mm
Curb weight: 3.025 kg
Load capacity: 475 kg

Number of seats/sleeping places: 6/6
Folding bed front: 193 by 140/120 cm
Bed under pull-down bed: 210 by 140/120 cm
Rear bed: 1 x 210 by 84 cm
1 x 210 by 74 cm

Price from: €76.900
More information: www.benica.com