What are the Best Small Motorhomes?
Shopping for a small RV? Check out the smaller, compact Class C RV Motorhomes reviewed in this article: Thor Compass, Coachman Cross Trail, Winnebago Ekko, the Phoenix TRX and the Leisure Travel Wonder
Small & Compact Motorhome RV Reviews
In 2018 When I did my first review of best compact RV motorhomes, I found the best examples in Europe where RV enthusiasts have a huge selection of full featured motorhomes under 23 feet in length. (See our article here). In my follow-up reviews focusing on what is offered by the US motorhome industry, I found and profiled a few minimally acceptable compact Class C’s (see our earlier review here)
Unfortunately the trend among US RV manufacturing is moving away from the compact Van-based Class C motorhomes, instead replacing this segment with Class B Camper Vans. The major downside is Class B units have less interior width than the van based Class C motorhome. I think that loss of about a foot of interior space makes a significant difference in the roominess of a compact living space. An unfortunate trend, in my opinion.
To follow are what I consider the best small Class C options for 2023
Shopping the used or pre-owned market for a compact Class C?
See our earlier Compact Motorhome review for some good choices.
Compact Class C RV Reviews – 2023
In our earlier reviews, we like the Thor Compass and Coachman CrossTrek and they remain available for 2023. Another model we liked, the Winnebago Fuse, has been dropped and replaced by the Ekko, which qualifies for our criteria of being compact (no more than 24′ long) and offers a dedicated and separate dining/lounge area. Another new model that is in the mix is the Phoenix TRX Motorhome
Thor Compass RUV Review
I liked the Thor Compass back in 2018 and it remains a top choice in 2023. Since the original review the changes in the Thor Compass for 2023 are primarily new features offered by the Ford Transit chassis and the slide-out for the bed and dinette. So it now comes with All-Wheel Drive and a roll stability control system. They are advertising the unit as an RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle). It’s length is 23’7″ and height is 11″. The amount of exterior storage is in the TE model is 21.3 cu. ft. and in the TW model it is 15.1 cu. ft. I like the 23TW Floor Plan best. It has a queen-size bed in a slide out and a larger dinette unit. But the down side of the TW model is losing 6 cu. ft of external storage. The TE model offers a Murphy Bed and more external storage. But the trade-off is losing the dinette unit which I like. Both models feature a ceiling skylight which I like. In addition to All-Wheel drive the Ford Transit chassis is powered by a gas 3.5 liter turbo powered V6. It has a 5000 lb towing capacity and 25 gallon fuel tank.
BTW Essentially the same vehicle is available under the Gemini RUV name. As far as I can figure out the only difference is exterior graphics and some different interior fabrics or color schemes.
Thor Compass website.
Coachman Cross Trail 20XG Review
The Coachman Cross Trail was originally named the Cross Trek. It is 24′ long and 10’6″ high. Like the Winnebago Ekko and the Thor Compass it also uses the increasingly popular Ford Transit Chassis. Like the Thor Compass it is powered by the turbo powered V6 gas engine and comes standard with All Wheel Drive.
The Coachman Cross Trail has several attractive features. It features a huge 130 cu ft European garage-style exterior storage area. It will handle at least two golf bags as well as other bulkier items like lawn chairs or bikes. No American or Canadian Class C comes close to offering this amount of exterior storage. Inside it features a full double bed and a separate two person dinette/sofa unit. So no need to fold up the bed for daytime use. Other strong features are a more spacious shower unit separate from the lavatory and toilet room, generous amounts of interior storage including a hanging closet compartment and a pantry. The unit also has more horizontal counter space in the kitchen area than usually found in a unit of this size. Overall we are impressed with the interior layout.
Despite our enthusiasm for the layout, we have a few concerns about the 20XG.
- While packing a lot of interior features in a small space, the amount of glass window area may be compromised. I didn’t see a skylight in the unit. So I fear a claustrophobic feel to the interior with the lack of sufficient natural light.
- Another possible negative is the height from the floor of the rear full size bed. A small ladder is needed to climb into the bed which some might find a hassle. And also some may find it has insufficient head room. They could have made the huge exterior garage unit a wee bit smaller to make it easier to hop into the bed and provide a bit more head room.
- Coachman has elected to omit a generator unit, going instead with a high 400 amp hour AGM battery and a 3000 Watt Xantrex inverter which allows you to run all appliances, including the AC unit. My guess is that may get you boondocking one day and night, but not much more.
If you want extended boondocking, you can elect the optional 380 watt solar panels and 800 amp hour lithium battery system.
I do like the Cross Trek/Trail concept and look forward to seeing one in person. Stef and James at FitRV.com did quite an extensive video review of the Cross Trek.
Coachmen CrossTrek website
Winnebago Ekko Review
Pictured at the top of the page, the Ekko fits (but in one respect doesn’t fit) in this shrinking category of Compact Class C’s. Its list 2023 price, starts at: $207,707 msrp (ouch)! When we first started reviewing this category back in 2018, one of our criteria was being able to find a full-featured compact motorhome at a dealer for under $100,000. Due to climate change hysteria and geo-political factors, high inflation has made that target a fleeting fantasy.
Like the Thor and Coachman, the Ekko uses the Ford Transit Chassis with AWD, the 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 gas engine, and a 5,000-lb. towing capacity. It is 23’2″ in length and 10’6″ in height. It carries a 31 gallon fuel tank, a bit larger than the Coachman or Thor models using the same basic chassis.
I don’t find the EKKO attractive style-wise; it looks like a big box on wheels. But that big box does give you gobs of external storage (55 cu. ft.) and lots useful interior space so there is a consolation for its ugliness! See the picture below. If you don’t want the slide out external kitchen option that external storage space becomes even larger (another 10 cu. ft.).
Inside the Ekko comes with a dedicated bed in the back and front lounge/dinette area. There is a nice size window in the kitchen galley as well as by the dinette. Two large windows set high on the sides provide decent illumination for the bedroom area.
The galley features a laminate countertops, a microwave oven w/touch control, a pantry, a 2-burner LP range cooktop w/cover, a 5.3 cu. ft. single door 12V refrigerator/freezer and a workspace extension to give more countertop room. There is wardrobe/drawer storage below the bed(s) which can be set up as either two twins or one large beds.
Solar and Lithium come Standard, deluxe features that neither Thor nor the Coachman offer. You get a 320-amp-hour lithium ion battery w/Bluetooth control package and battery pack heating system, (2) 170-watt solar panels and a 115-watt solar panel/battery charger, and a 2,000-watt pure sine wave inverter/80-amp charger which allows you to run 110 volt appliances without being hooked up. Standard also is a Cummins Onan® QG 2800i gas generator. The unit offers 50 gallons of fresh water storage and a 51 gallon grey water storage tank. These features plus the All-Wheel-Drive it is well setup to offer several days of boondocking in the backcountry.
Overall a very comfortable RV, loaded with features, yet compact, for traveling and camping for two people. The AWD and 5000 lb towing capacity allows for towing a boat, canoe/kayak hauler or even a smaller camping trailer. And for the family with a couple of kids an available option is a pop-top upper loft similar to what you find in the Winnebago Solis.
All these features, and more, were enough for Stef and James to ignore the ugliness of the box and make the Ekko their new RV of choice. You can see their video and read their article here.
Winnebago Ekko website.
Phoenix TRX
The new TRX model from Phoenix USA in Elkhart, Indiana has many strong features that make it an attractive buy.
- It is only 23 feet long and less than 10′ high making it among the most compact smaller Class C RVs. Yet it packs a lot of features into that small footprint. And it’s lines are very pleasing, unlike the boxy Ekko.
- But like the Ekko, it is built on the All-wheel Drive Ford Transit Chassis
- It has dry bath with a separate shower
- A nice size wardrobe closet
- Lots of interior storage
- A full dinette – very roomy for 2 adults (more if kids)
- A sofa that converts into a queen size bed
- A slide-out that provides a more spacious interior
One feature of a note about the slide-out. In some other manufacturers who offer slide-outs in smaller rigs, the slide needs to be “out” to get easy access to the bathroom or galley area. A real hassle when traveling. Not so with the Phoenix TRX. Both are easily accessible with the slide in.
What you may not like. Unlike others we’ve reviewed, you can’t leave the bed made up – there is no dedicated sleeping area. It’s smaller 6 volt lead-acid batteries don’t put out the “juice” of it’s competitors so any boondocking needs to be supplemented by its Onan Generator. It also seems to have only a tiny amount of outside storage (a strong negative for us as we are golfers). Previously Phoenix RVs were only available to be seen at the Factory Showroom. Now there is small number of factory outlets but getting to see one in the flesh remains more difficult.
Leisure Travel Wonder – Not Quite Compact Best in Class C
With our cutoff at 24 feet maximum length, the wonderfully attractive Leisure Travel Wonder motorhome didn’t make our list. But if you can handle the extra hassle in parking, this unit is easy to drive and somewhat compact.
It is 24’9″ long and 10″ in height. It’s chassis is the Ford Transit, with the 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 Gas (310 hp/400 ft·lb Torque) with 10-Speed Automatic Transmission, Tow Haul Mode. Available is the Optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The Rear Twin Bed model (which can also be a double bed) begins at $162,470 USD.
The Wonder RTB features the euro-style garage storage we love and a total of 67 cubic feet of exterior storage. The rear bedroom offers privacy from the front lounge area, clearly two separate living spaces. Its’ bath is a dry bath, with a separate shower and the galley has a generous amount of countertop space. The interior is well-appointed and attractive.
In its standard form it isn’t well equipped for boondocking. But you can add a generator, solar panels, and lithium batteries as optional accessories.
Learn more on The Wonder Website.
New Addition to Best Compact Class Motorhomes: PleasureWay Plateau XLTS
Compact Class C RVs still a rare bird
So other than these three, no North American RV manufacturer is offering a full-featured RV in a chassis less than 24 feet. It seems that mainly the US and Canadian Van-based Class C Motorhomes are getting bigger and more tricked out with luxury items to justify a higher price tag. Basically if you are in the US or Canada and want a compact and fuel efficient motorhome without having to make up and unfold a bed every day, your choices are limited to Class B motorhomes (see our Best Class B RV 2021 review).
But among the Class B units there is a new wrinkle that offer more living space in a small footprint by the use of a pop-top expansion, reminiscent of the classic Westy VW Camper Bus. Look at our reviews of the Best Camper Vans.
Compact RV Towables – If your RV travel preference is towing a travel trailer, check out our review article on the Airstream Bambi and its Competitors – – – compact travel trailers with premium features.
Compact MotorHome Manufacturer Links:
Links to more Motorhome Reviews:
- Best Compact Class Motorhomes (international)
- Best USA-Canadian Class C Motorhomes
- Best Class B Motorhomes
- Best Pop-Top Camper Vans
- Winnebago Travato – Review
RV Traveling & Camping
Cedar Key a hidden gem of the Gulf Coast. See our article on camping, hiking, and interesting things to see and do in and around this unique Florida Gulf Coast community.
Our favorite Florida Campgrounds & RV Parks near Chiefland and Cedar Keys
More RVing Resources
- See our calendar of Best RV Shows for 2024
- See our recommended RV & Scenic Travel Guides.
What are your favorite compact Class C motorhomes? Let me know in the comments below.
Your Travel Guide: Ross Reinhold