The Escape feels quite spacious. Bench space in
the kitchen is limited, yes, but the kitchen gets
all the essentials, including a 184L three-way
fridge with a microwave neatly recessed into the
cabinetry above, and a filtered-water tap at the
stainless steel sink.
In a locker above the dinette, a BMPRO Genius
battery management system has been fitted,
along with an Enerdrive solar charge controller
– two 170W solar panels are fitted as standard,
which given the van’s price point is very
good indeed.
The front bed base lifts on gas struts to reveal
a storage space that’s partially taken up by the
tunnel boot; however, there’s enough room left
over to store a portable solar panel, for example.
The bed features wardrobes either side, along
with ‘his and hers’ 12V and 240V points, so you
can both charge your devices while you read
them in bed.
26 \
The bathroom is fitted with a separate shower on
the nearside, an offside cassette toilet, and a
central vanity with a ceramic washbasin. There’s
even a 3.2kg washing machine. And a linen
cupboard. The linen cupboard door, however,
does not open all the way as it binds on the
window above the toilet. While this doesn’t
impede access, it seems like an unnecessary
compromise.
Otherwise, the bathroom gets good marks,
especially in the space department. Again,
considering the compact nature of this van, the
manufacturer has done quite well.
EXTERNAL FEATURES
The Malibu Escape 18ft 6in rides on a 6in DuraGal
chassis with all terrain tyres and leafspring
suspension. As standard, it gets a reversing
camera with in-car kit, a nearside picnic table,
a roll-out awning with two under-awning lights,
and front and rear LED floodlights.