Horizon Wattle 2019 Review

Large van conversions are the stock-in-trade of Northern NSW motorhome specialist Horizon, and this is the Ballina-based manufacturer’s latest model fitted to the significantly refreshed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Horizon motorhomes start out with five Fiat Ducato-based models from the Melaleuca Appeal to the Banksia +2, followed by the larger Wattle, Acacia and Waratah based on long-wheelbase Sprinter vans,  to the Grevillea, based on the extra-long wheelbase Sprinter.

The Sprinter 416CDI-based Wattle reviewed here starts at $146,000, but with a few options added (see the specs panel below) it came to $156,331 on the road in NSW.

For a bit more grunt, there’s also the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel 491CDI Wattle starting at $149,900 and the 519CDI 4WD version starting at $187,000.

Standard equipment for the Sprinter-based Horizon supplies as its Wattle 2WD base includes: fuel pick up for the diesel heater; Campervan Pack (chrome grille, leather multi-function steering wheel, comfort seats and long range, 93 litre fuel tank, electric hand brake, seven-speed automatic, smart phone tray including wireless charging, 4100kg GVM, plus the lane keeping and blind spot assist driver aids.

Smooth operator

We didn’t drive the Sprinter very far so comments on its highway cruising ability will have to wait for a more extensive review. However it was pretty clear from the short drive that the engine is relatively quiet and responsive and the seven-speed auto shifts smoothly and decisively.

Ride quality is a step up from the cab-chassis motorhome conversions, with very little of the side-to-side movement typically felt with such set-ups. Being based on a 2WD van, (albeit a tall-bodied one) the Sprinter felt more planted on the road.

The Sprinter’s new seats are firm and offer plenty of lateral support. They feel as though they would be good pews for travelling on long transport stages on holiday.

We didn’t get to play much with the new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system (a 10.25-inch high-definition touch-screen unit) but it was large and clear enough and working through the menus was simple.

Arriving at camp, you don’t need to do very much at all to set up the motorhome. About the most convoluted process here is zipping down the optional mesh screens if you want to keep the bugs out with the doors open, and to extend the awning.

About five easy minutes is all it should take to get your feet up and relaxing...

Come on in

Stepping up into the motorhome from the (electric) aluminium step, you’re faced with a pleasant, bright and modern decor, thanks in part to the combination of off-white, cream and dark hues in the Wattle.

While the Seitz windows are not large openings, combined with the three roof hatches there’s plenty of natural light to play with in the back.

While the zippered mesh screens are a good thing (they should be standard equipment in a climate like Australia) the side-door mesh can be tricky to operate. Zippering up or down to the access step from inside the campervan is a down-on-your-knees deal.

Proven design

The Wattle layout has remained the same basic proven design it has been for some time. Some neat improvements over the years include housing all switches and controls within a offside locker (rather than out in the open on the bulkhead above the nearside kitchen) and improved storage in the offside bathroom (it now extends from below the sink to a cabinet behind the the mirror).

Up front, the swivel chairs and small table aren't the cramped experience such a set-up can be, although you’re not going to get all your knick-knacks and dinner for two set up here.

But that’s not really its purpose anyway; for fine dining you’re really going to be up the back sitting on the single beds, with the larger swivel table set up.

Shower and shave

The combined shower/toilet, behind a full-length mirror door, is not by any means the constant elbow banging affair you'd expect, but it's on the tight side. You’ve got a shower curtain, fan-assisted roof hatch, a shaving mirror and some storage, as well as the Thetford cassette loo.

Moving on to the nearside kitchen, you’ll find a fairly conventional van-based motorhome layout for cooking. That includes a three-burner stovetop with glass lid, a single-tub stainless sink (also with glass lid), and a small amount of additional food preparation bench space. What's very good here is the amount of storage -- you’ve got ample drawer space below the bench and if needed, opposite along the offside wall.

Sitting above the kitchen is a 19in TV/DVD on a swivel mount which, hooked up to the roof-mounted Winegard Sensar antenna, that should ensure you won't miss a minute of 'Married at First Sight'...

The three-way 136 litre fridge is mounted relatively high on the offside wall too, making it easier to reach to grab provisions. A bonus here is that the microwave is positioned just above it so, unlike so many RVs with their high-mount microwaves, you don’t have to worry so much about scalding yourself when retrieving hot liquids.

Sleeping for two

Moving to the rear, the bedroom/dining area is flanked by large bulkhead lockers and under the beds, there’s more storage. You can also access storage areas from the rear barn doors (or an internal access hatch).

You really won’t have to travel like a hiker with this motorhome -- within reason (and 650-odd kilograms permitting), there's ample space for clothing and gear.

There's also a couple of Sirocco fans to circulate air around inside, but if you camp in summer and have access to a 240v supply  it'd be very tempting to tick the $2900 options box for the 3.2kW reverse-cycle air-con.

Making the single beds seem more like a double is the job of two 800mn x 400mm padded storage boxes up at the bed heads -- not only giving you storage for reading matter and other items, but also allowing room for your torso when lying in bed.

Electrics are covered off with a large-capacity AGM battery,  40amp DC-DC three-stage 12v battery charger and a three-stage 40amp 240v charger. Also fitted on this particular motorhome is a 200watt solar charging system.

Summing up

The face-lifted Sprinter adds not only a touch of luxury to the Wattle but also better tech. Although we had limited time it, it looks like a well put-together motorhome with plenty of storage and space for a couple taking off for the week-end, or even the Big Lap.