Ford Transit Custom Nugget: can a camper be too bite-sized?

The Ford Transit Custom Nugget: iconically compact. But at what cost?

At this point, Ford’s Transit Custom Nugget campervan needs no introduction, and being based on the UK’s most popular van model, it was pegged as a winning formula from the get-go. During our recent campervan pilgrimage to Stuttgart for the CMT Holiday Exhibition, the lofty Grand California may have caught our eye among a sea of medium-sized Cali’s, but the Nugget on show also more than held its own.

So, having topped up our energy reserves with a quick Currywurst pitstop, we set about navigating through the crowd to treat ourselves to a refresh of just what makes up the Nugget’s winning formula. Maybe the juxtaposition of large Grand California played into this — or the fact that the Nugget was placed in the caravan hall rather than with the #vanlife campers — but we were immediately struck by just how compact the Ford really is.

The benefits of a compact campervan could fill a small book: manoeuvrable, easy to park, easy to drive, easy to maintain… All while offering more space for you and your belongings than a true micro camper. ‘But at what cost?’ We ask, and do any potential pitfalls extend to Ford’s bite-sized nugget?

Premium headspace

Stepping inside and immediately finding the door frame with the top of one’s skull is a speedy reminder that some concessions do come with the Nugget’s tight-packed dimensions. Dictated by an external height of 2.04 m whether you opt for the short (5.05 m) or recently added long (5.45 m) wheelbase, it’s clear that internal space comes at a premium. 

This is further emphasised when winding through the narrow corridor which leads from the living area towards the iconic rear kitchen, an act which requires a little bit of ducking and diving. However, once in the kitchen, and standing under the luxurious (and equally iconic) 2.6 m peak of the pop-top roof, there is suddenly ample space for any budding chefs. 

That is, until you turn 180-degrees from the hob, and find yourself face-to-face with the inner boot-lid wall, or attempt to make a crouch-inducing exit through the rear opening — something we found to be a simultaneous test of back and knees.

The flip side

But, there is a flip side. Once you have reached your destination inside the Nugget — be it the rotating front seats, furnished living area compete with table, or L-shaped kitchen — these gripes swiftly slip away. Westfalia’s establishment as a top-tier camper converter has been no coincidence, and while the internal layout is condensed, the build quality and use of space are excellent.

There is no clutter at all, with everything feeling minimal, clean, and lightweight, yet very solid to the touch, right down to the floor. Not only are these smooth surfaces easy clean — something made even easier by their reduced scale — they create a very open feeling which, in fact, makes the most of the limited room available.

And, upon closer inspection, it becomes increasingly evident that the Nugget’s more claustrophobic elements are a necessary evil to squeeze in the impressive amount of storage on offer. We’re talking 88 litres of storage integrated into the three-seater rear bench/bed and (up to) 200 litres in the adjacent wardrobe, going a long way to justifying the narrow corridor between. There’s even a sizeable 33-litre fridge lurking under the kitchen worktop, and that’s all before we get into the various nooks and cubbies.

So yes, it’s a little cramped inside, but it’s crammed with utility, and it’s kept as pleasant as possible. This pleasantness is then further amplified by the fittings: reach in almost any direction and you’ll be greeted with a smooth action drawer, a soft close latch, or the satisfying motion of a pop-out handle — satisfying and agreeable all round, we reckon.

Long story short, the Nugget’s size restrictions are very real, but perhaps that’s just something which simply comes with the territory of a bite-sized compact camper? And if that is the case, you could certainly argue that Ford and Westfalia have made the most of the base at their disposal.

Hero image credit: Blackcircles.com