This particular example comes with just 625 miles on the clock, essentially a brand-new motorhome that’s been sitting patiently for someone to give it the adventures it was built for. Built on the reliable Peugeot Boxer chassis with a 2-litre 130 brake horsepower engine, it represents Elddis’s approach to practical family touring without unnecessary complications.
The 568kg payload might raise eyebrows if you’re planning to pack for six people, but clever packing and realistic expectations about what you really need on tour could make this work perfectly well for shorter breaks or couples who occasionally need extra sleeping space.
Size and Practicality of the Autoquest 196
At 7.34 metres, you’ll find the Autoquest 196 sits in that sweet spot where it’s long enough to be genuinely liveable but short enough that you won’t be sweating over every car park entrance. You’d likely manage most supermarket car parks without too much drama, though you’ll still need to think ahead about where you’re planning to stop.
The 3.5-tonne weight limit keeps you legal on a standard car licence, which matters enormously if you’re not keen on additional testing or licensing complications. When you’re touring with family, the last thing you want is bureaucratic hurdles preventing different family members from sharing driving duties.
Driving the Elddis Autoquest 196
Behind the wheel, you’d find the Peugeot Boxer chassis provides a familiar driving experience that won’t intimidate newcomers to motorhoming. The 2-litre engine with 130 brake horsepower should provide adequate performance for most UK touring, though you might find yourself planning overtakes more carefully on steep hills with a full load.
The 6-speed gearbox gives you options for finding the right gear for different situations, whether you’re crawling up a Lake District pass or cruising down the M5 towards Cornwall. With the Luxe pack fitted to this example, you’d benefit from cruise control for those longer motorway stretches, plus cab air conditioning to keep things comfortable during summer touring.
The reversing camera (a £320 optional extra on this model) would prove invaluable when you’re manoeuvring into tight pitches or trying to judge distances in supermarket car parks. At over seven metres long, having that extra visual assistance could save both stress and potential bodywork damage.
Living Space in the Autoquest 196
Step inside the Autoquest 196 and you’d find Elddis has made sensible use of the available space. The layout flows logically from the cab area through to the rear sleeping quarters, with the kitchen positioned where it won’t dominate the living area but remains easily accessible.
The electric drop-down bed above the cab provides two of your six berths without permanently sacrificing headroom in the main living area. When you’re not using it for sleeping, you’d have full standing height throughout the central section of the motorhome. This arrangement works particularly well if you’re touring with children who don’t mind the slightly more adventurous sleeping arrangement.
LED lighting throughout means you’d enjoy bright, energy-efficient illumination without draining your leisure battery unnecessarily. The Elddis control panel keeps you informed about your various systems without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity.
Autoquest 196 Sleeping Arrangements
The six-berth configuration centres around twin single beds at the rear that convert to form a double when needed. You’d find this arrangement offers excellent flexibility, perfect for couples most of the time, but capable of accommodating friends or family members when the situation demands.
The drop-down bed above the cab provides the additional sleeping space, though you’d want to consider the practicalities of this arrangement. Younger family members typically adapt well to this sleeping position, but older adults might find the access less appealing.
Storage lockers above the rear beds mean you’d have somewhere to stash bedding and personal items without cluttering the main living areas. This attention to storage detail makes a significant difference when you’re living in a confined space for extended periods.
Kitchen Space in the Autoquest 196
The fully fitted kitchen includes everything you’d expect: hob, grill, oven, fridge, and sink. For a motorhome of this size, you’d find the kitchen layout strikes a reasonable balance between functionality and space efficiency. The addition of a microwave (£180 optional extra fitted to this example) expands your cooking options considerably.
When you’re preparing meals for six people, you’d appreciate having both conventional cooking methods and the speed of microwave heating. The fridge capacity becomes crucial with larger groups, and you’d need to plan your shopping trips more carefully than you might in a smaller motorhome designed for two.
Storage space around the kitchen area would require thoughtful organisation, particularly if you’re catering for dietary requirements or preferences across a larger group. The sink positioning allows for reasonable workflow, though you’d find yourself adapting to the compact nature of motorhome cooking regardless.
The Autoquest 196 Bathroom
The all-in-one bathroom unit combines toilet, storage, shower, and sink in a compact but functional space. You’d find this arrangement typical of motorhomes in this size category; everything you need is present, but you’d adapt your routines to the available space.
The shower arrangement would work adequately for quick refreshing washes, though longer, more luxurious showers might prove challenging with six people sharing the water supply. The toilet and storage combination makes practical sense, keeping everything contained in one dedicated area.
Power and Water Systems
The twin LPG tank storage provides good capacity for heating, cooking, and hot water, essential when you’re supporting six people. You’d find having two tanks means you’re less likely to run out of gas at inconvenient moments, and you can carry a spare while using the other.
Fresh and waste water storage (located on the driver’s side) would require more frequent attention with six occupants. You’d need to plan your stops around water points more carefully than couples touring in smaller motorhomes. The 568kg payload becomes particularly relevant here – water is heavy, and you’d need to balance carrying capacity against other essentials.
The battery box positioning on the driver’s side keeps the electrical systems accessible for maintenance while protecting them from the elements. You’d find the dual-fuel heating system provides flexibility in how you heat the motorhome, though with six people aboard, you’d likely rely heavily on the gas heating during cooler weather.
Storage and External Features
External storage includes the bike rack at the rear, perfect for carrying cycles for family exploration once you’ve reached your destination. The Fiamma awning on the habitation door side would extend your living space significantly, particularly valuable when you’re touring with six people who might appreciate some outdoor shelter.
The TV aerial on the roof means you’d have entertainment options during poor weather or quiet evenings. With six people sharing the space, having distraction options becomes more important than it might be for a touring couple.
Under-seat lockers provide additional storage, though you’d find every cubic centimetre of storage space valuable when packing for six people. The toilet box location on the driver’s side keeps waste management systems accessible but discrete.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
If the Autoquest 196’s six-berth layout appeals but you’d prefer different dimensions, the Elddis Autoquest 194 Review: Smart British Engineering with Twin Beds Over Garage Layout offers similar Elddis build quality in a potentially more manageable package.
For those seeking different layout approaches to family touring, the Swift Sundance 580 PR Review: Premium Build Quality Meets Reliable Dealer Network provides an alternative take on maximising space efficiency with different sleeping arrangements.
The Compass Avantgarde 115 Review: Compact 2-Berth Balancing Space Efficiency and Practicality represents another manufacturer’s approach to family-friendly motorhoming, potentially offering different compromises between space, weight, and practicality.
Final Thoughts
The 2016 Elddis Autoquest 196 tackles the challenging brief of sleeping six people without becoming unwieldy to drive or park. With just 625 miles from new, you’d essentially be getting a fresh motorhome with the benefit of someone else absorbing the initial depreciation.
The 568kg payload requires careful consideration if you’re genuinely planning to tour with six people regularly, but for couples who occasionally need extra sleeping space or families with older children who pack light, it could work well. The Luxe pack additions like cruise control and cab air conditioning add genuine value for longer touring.
You’d need to approach this motorhome with realistic expectations about space and payload, but if you can work within those constraints, the Autoquest 196 offers a practical solution to family motorhoming without the intimidation factor of truly large motorhomes.
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