The latest in off-road off-grid campervans

In this video we test the Project Yonder Freedom 4X, which wowed visitors to the Camping Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC in February. Is this the ultimate camper for real off-grid touring?
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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◼️ MMM MAGAZINE motorhome.ma/mmmpocketmags This video is by MMM magazine, which has been Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine for every one of the past 53 years! To find out more about this fantastic magazine, which is packed every month with motorhome reviews, inspiring motorhome and campervan tours in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, all the latest motorhome news, technical tips and DIY projects to improve your ’van and the latest buying advice and tips just follow the link above.
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[@scoutfinch47]

Another great unbiased and comprehensive review. Cheers Peter.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Thank you!

[@ALTVANuk]

Great video Peter! I too had the pleasure of meeting Project Yonder and the Freedom 4X at the NEC in February. The guys there were nothing but welcoming and genuinely lovely people with bags of travel experience! I have been blown away by this build! Being in the van conversion business myself I have noticed over the last couple of decades a rise in the cost of Campervans and Motorhomes along with a considerable drop in build quality and if you couple this with uninspiring specifications which could be compared quite closely to the previous models and even the ones before that makes new model launches not very exciting. My point is i've found the industry quite uninspiring when it comes to manufactured vans as nothing has changed for some time, until now! Project Yonder to me are in this game purely for the love and passion of building amazing vans for people to enjoy, you can't say the same for many other of the well-known manufacturers out there which as of late have proved themselves purely operating for profit. It's a shame to see so many negative comments here in regards to the price because to me you instantly see where that money is spent when you step into this van, the build quality and finish is incomparable on the market today. Yes you could go and buy yourself a Grand Canyon S or a RP Motorhome and have a lump of change in your pocket but as Peter has already stated, the specification of those vans doesn't even come close to the mark of the Freedom 4X, this is a true go anywhere, get lost for weeks, off-grid build packed with quality and convenient features. If this isn't the van for you, don't buy it! But I would hold on to your negative comments because they aren't justified. I can't afford a Porsche 911 Turbo S but I wouldn't try to justify to everyone why it isn't worth the money Porsche ask for it, if you want quality these days you have to pay for it. I suggest any one sitting on the fence should get themselves down to the NEC in October24 and take a look at the vans themselves. (if Project Yonder will be attending) I guarantee you will walk away convinced with Project Yonder.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Thanks for your in-depth comments. Unfortunately, high-value 'vans always attract the "it should be much cheaper" type of comments from those who haven't seen the vehicle, or understand the cost of building something like this

[@flightmag]

I caught this at the NEC earlier in the year and it's truly a beast! Loved their attention to detail when I saw it and can see how it won an award. As steep as it is, it really is worth the price tag. Comparatively to the the other vans in the similar class like RP, the interior was just more modern and up to date. Cheers for the in depth review Peter

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Glad you enjoyed the review, as you say, it's something special

[@henryrobertson2187]

I have had the pleasure of staying in 2 different vans by these guys and I am confident in saying this price is fully justified. There are no corners cut when it comes to cost, quality and finish. The intelligent design put into these vans is outstanding, by far the most luxurious campers on the market

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

That's great to hear

[@meurigjones2469]

Brilliant video as usual. £200k is silly money for a vehicle like this.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Look at the cost of the Merc 4x4 van and all the premium components on board and £200k isn't silly at all.

[@edwardmacrury5376]

Thank you Peter, your presentation skills are exemplary. Oh, a very lovely van also.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Many thanks!

[@jessicadurling301]

I saw this van at the NEC show at the beginning of the year and think it’s worth every penny! It was incredible.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Totally agree!

[@An.Individual]

Seems like a very niche market. Interesting to see it in this video.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

The 4x4 off-grid sector seems to be growing, although prices will keep it niche. If you're interested in this type of vehicle, watch our videos of the RP Rebellion and Hymer Venture S

[@MauriceKing_12]

What an amazing bit of kit!

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Certainly is!

[@karlospappy8908]

Great review Peter, looks well finished but 200k Wow. The only 2 things that would concern me are payload and leaving the van on tick over to charge the batteries as I think this would cause DPF issues but probably not as much of a problem with 300W of solar installed. Nearly fell off my chair laughing when you said sitting on the loo with the door shut was like having your twin next to you😂😂. Cheers K.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

The cost of the base vehicle, plus all the expensive kit on board easily gets you to £200k these days, sadly. Glad I made you laugh!!

[@Dorset_Dave]

I have just read your old 2001 review of the Romahome HyLo Berlingo 1.9d, and this Yonder Freedom is certainly at the other end of the scale! But the Romahome still looks like a trusty, highly regarded old trooper.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Romahome made some great little 'vans with superbly finished GRP. Shame that there's nothing like them today. I once went to the Czech Republic in a C15-based Romahome Hylo - amazing MPG!

[@Mangold108]

It's lovely to see the essentials listed as optional extras in the price. WFT!

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Essentials? I suggested to PY that the steps should be standard and maybe the habitation air-con but there's also stuff here (as options) that really isn't essential

[@PUTDEVICE]

the only thing I was a little curious about is how to get the bikes up to the bike rack

[@rubymouse6904]

I do like vans designed with more than sitting on a caravan park in mind but it's a very niche market at this price. I saw something similar a year ago in Spain and asked the couple "Wow! Where have you been in that?" - expecting to hear the Atlas Mountains or the Sahara or something similar and they gave me a list of Spanish campsites. The same thing happened in Greece and Romania this year and now I don't ask. So many wealthy people spending £200,000 on a van or choosing 4x4 when it isn't really necessary for what they want it to do. Very cool design for those super wealthy style-conscious folk though.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Shame, but some really do use them to go to Africa, Iceland, etc. Or you can go to Morocco with just front-wheel drive - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX2Xlopqp6aNeMk

[@rosswhittleton6277]

That is a belter now all I have to do is win the lottery and I'll order one!

[@jackbrigden3743]

If I had the money , then yes . I hope my letter to Father Christmas gets to him before yours does !

[@deco-su2oc]

If I had the money I'd go for the new rp rebellion.more payload and bigger Garage

[@Karen-bm3rj]

Me too 😃

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

RP is the UK market leader in this class

[@DavidHodges-q4v]

Market leaders but rp now has a starting price of £225,000... 60k more!

[@arkadventure2]

What does RP stand for?

[@chappy2121]

It would be good if you got the chance to review an Earthroamer, that they get over in the states. Completely impractical this side of the pond. But very nice bits of kit and very well appointed. But when they're $500k and upwards they should be

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Would love to! Earthroamer, are you listening?

[@_bav]

"Twin brother..." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SCYorks]

So this or kaktus Oasis personally I would go with Kaktus Oasis.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You need to see the attention to detail here first

[@garthjunor3027]

I see a body warp is a 900 pound option.

[@allanmacbadger5692]

When you said £200,000.00 I switched off

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Surely we can all dream? You can spend this much on a Range Rover

[@allanmacbadger5692]

@@MotorhomeCampervan No comparison, one is a van and the other is a RR

[@connorgallagher1985]

Switched off..... But not before commenting.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

@@allanmacbadger5692 Or one is just an overpriced car, the other could take you on adventures al over the world

[@stephenhouldsworth1804]

Up North that's about the price of 3 houses!

[@danhilliam73]

Very nice indeed, but like a lot of new campers and motorhomes with price tags like this, they are well out of reach for most people.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, this is a niche product - the Range Rover of campervans, perhaps. If you're looking for more affordable options try these - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnO9hX-QqdNnhqM

[@bazerwazer6180]

Project Plunder....

[@fookdatchit]

400 kg payload 120 litres of water is a deal breaker for me. One day in the distant future a company is going to build an off road van that will be ideal for a trip, longer that just a bank holiday weekend.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

There are plenty already. If you're in the market take a trip to the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf in September, but you'll need a BIG budget

[@Deepthought-42]

Probably too long and too much overhang for serious off roading 🤔

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

These 4x4 Sprinters are very capable off road but size will be an issue, but then a Unimog motorhome is bigger still... If you're going to live in, would you want it any smaller?

[@CampingNE]

Nice van BUT …it is both Ridiculous and crass to charge that amount for a depreciating item . The profit in it will be absolutely exorbitant.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

People spend more on SUVs and sports cars, which depreciate far faster. I'm not going to judge how folk spend their cash but I can assure you that a small company investing in such a low volume product needing hundreds of hours of labour will not be making huge profits.

[@CampingNE]

@@MotorhomeCampervan If you Can afford a van /car/ suv then you have too much money. It is exponentially apparant of the huge divide and chasm between those that have, and those that have not in this post covid Great Britain. I’ll say it again . Crass . I love the van though , just not at that price and I know a thing or 3 about these things.

[@SueKnight]

Is it available as left hand drive

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

@@SueKnight You'd need to check with PY, but I guess so

[@chappy2121]

​@@CampingNEif you can afford those things and haven't hurt anyone in the process, what buisness is it of anyone else's?

[@Mangold108]

Amazing value for money!!! Just kidding!

[@justinlinnane8043]

🤣🤣

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

The price is competitive for the spec, quality and base vehicle

[@rc8rider]

😂

[@runtheequator2267]

No matter what you use for building a campervan, it should not exceed 150k. Here we have +200k and still have to pay for extra options. They should be remembred: rich people don.t live in a campervan. Adventurers do...and usually they are poor to middle class people. I bless your work anyway. I like Peter; he acknowledges the price is off the charts but still trying to justify it somehow. It.s difficult not to when you are rewarded for that😂

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Thank you for your comments, always appreciated. But I think that all sorts of folk use campervans and motorhomes, otherwise the companies selling million-euro 'vans (both luxury liners and super-off-road vehicles, Unimogs, etc) would soon go out of business. It takes all sorts to make a world...

[@arkadventure2]

Too many options that should be standard - especially at that price

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Not sure it matters, it's the total cost that is important. By keeping some features as options not every customer HAS to have them

[@daletinsley2954]

Im baffled to who would be a genuine customer rather than someone with more money than sense. Where would one actually go off grid camping where you would actually use/need this sort of vehicle. I've just spent 5 nights in the northern Pennines in my self converted campervan. Didn't need 4x4. And my water supply ( containers ) and solar powered lithiums did fine. Im trying not to be sceptical of spending 200k but if one has that sort of disposable cash would they really rough it in the wilds

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Probably Scandinavia, Iceland, Scotland, Morocco, etc. In a lot of places 4x4 isn't essential but nice to have. There's a growing market for 4x4 'vans, some of which get taken all over the world.

[@pkrakras3561]

All electric, great camper for people with muscle ailments.

[@MikeDuffy-fp4zy]

Designed for offgrid, yet it has an electric door and awning?? What is wrong with the owners arms

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Nothing wrong with them but they're spending £200k... We can all get up to change TV channels but would anyone buy a telly without a remote?

[@RobertDevine-rg6uo]

Way,way to expensive. Washroom/toilet is poor. Little things like stick on blind. Decent front windscreen blinds extra. Why do off-road camper van builders think people still don’t want some luxury inside. For this price point it lacks a lot. They’ve got a lot to learn.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Actually, for such a young company they've got it spot on. If "luxury" means bling and big carpets, that's not what you want in this sort of 'van. Price is right for the huge spec here.

[@justinlinnane8043]

the only thing any sentient person would feel after buying this( and living with it for a few months ) is the regret at being so stupid to drop 200k on a van !!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

A bit harsh? Surely people can spend their money however they choose and a vehicle that could enable you to travel independently all over the world sounds like quite a good way to spend £200k, if you can afford it

[@justinlinnane8043]

@@MotorhomeCampervan a bit harsh perhaps but I always take the mentioned budget as a guide and look at the alternatives . For 200k there are so many more interesting options than this .With far more adaptability to any terrain and far more comfortable to live in.

[@adamrichards933]

Just another hipster van conversion with contour lines how naff. And the fact you need steps to get into it they’re hardly a customer option yet they want £1700 for them nice looking conversion inside but on the outside really don’t like it doesn’t look anything special at all. Great review as always though.👍

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You don't have to have the contour lines - they're just a bit of fun. Glad you enjoyed the review

[@TaniTaniwha]

Ridiculous way to option their way to profit

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Look at the cost of all the components, then factor in the huge amount of labour in building a 'van like this...

[@MrSavage77]

For this price, it’s cheaper to buy a Hymer 😂😂😂

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, but a Hymer wouldn't have this spec and Hymer doesn't do a 7m Merc panel van, only the 6m Sprinter

[@zimpon]

Cheaper to buy a house!!!

[@vwcaliforniaadventures6763]

Hymer Grand Canyon s crossover is better value 😊

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

That doesn't have all the spec you see here, or the ability to bespoke the design. It's smaller, too. If price is important, try the Yucon K-Peak - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGnOh31qepyGnas

[@TopsMiah]

200K what a joke get a Kaktus and save yourself 50K. Yonder always over priced.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

I very much doubt spec will be comparable (or close even) with a 50k saving and the Merc seems a better bet for off-roading to me.

[@gregchapman5556]

That price is ridiculous. You can get a very high end A class with a tag axle for less.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

A Range Rover and Porsche 911 cost similar money but do different jobs for different buyers. Same here v tag-axle A-class. For me it would be the Project Yonder every time over a 'van so big it won't fit where I want to go....