There’s something oddly peaceful about rolling into Germany’s Arnsberg Forest in a motorhome. The tall trees, the winding lanes, the crisp forest air, it’s the kind of place where you notice the quiet in between the sounds of the birds.
It’s also the kind of place where a motorhome can really prove itself. You don’t just want a vehicle that shines in a dealership or at a static campsite. You want one that you can live with on the road, on narrow forest trails, or while parked on uneven ground beneath towering fir trees.
That’s exactly where I took the new Chausson X650,an innovative semi-integrated motorhome from the French Trigano Group. They say it’s a game-changer, and after spending a long weekend exploring Arnsberg Forest Nature Park with it, I can honestly say: they might just be right.
This is not a traditional review full of technical jargon. It’s the story of how the Chausson X650 performed in real life, on real roads, and in real German weather. And trust me, it faced all of that and more.
A First Look at a Compact Game-Changer
When I first saw the Chausson X650 in the early morning light, parked outside a small guesthouse near Neheim, it looked… well, sleek. You don’t expect a motorhome just 6.36 meters long to look this modern, but here it was. Its simple, sporty lines and restrained use of off-road accessories gave it a clean presence.
In a world where many semi-integrated RVs try too hard to look like rugged adventure wagons, with spare tires, jerry cans, and oversized stickers, the X650 takes a different path. It’s elegant without being fragile. Just the kind of vehicle you’d feel comfortable driving through city streets or forest lanes alike.
But of course, the real interest in this motorhome lies in its unique interior layout, something the French designers clearly spent a lot of time perfecting. I couldn’t wait to see if their clever ideas actually worked on the road.
Step Inside: Smart Design That Surprises
Opening the wide side door, I stepped into a space that immediately felt bigger than it had any right to. This is one of the great tricks of the X650: at just 6.36 meters long and 2.10 meters wide, it offers the kind of interior volume you’d expect from a much larger RV.
The secret lies in the layout. Chausson has abandoned the usual fixed-bed-rear-wardrobe formula and created something far more flexible. The first thing that catches your eye is the large seating area up front. It’s airy, with plenty of natural light from the large side windows and panoramic front window.
The seating is genuinely comfortable. You can easily seat five to six people around the table, a rare feat in a motorhome of this size. The seat cushions are firm but supportive, and the indirect LED lighting makes the space feel cozy after dark.
Above it all, hidden in the ceiling, lies one of the X650’s party tricks: a pull-down bed measuring 1.40 meters wide and 1.90 meters long. At the touch of a button, this bed lowers smoothly into place, giving you a proper double bed without eating up your daytime living space.
But Chausson didn’t stop there. The rear of the motorhome houses a clever wardrobe/rear garage system that can be adjusted vertically at the push of a button. Need to carry bicycles or bulky gear? Raise the wardrobe floor and you’ve got a huge loading space accessible from both inside and outside. Prefer more hanging storage? Lower it and the wardrobe is back in place.
It’s such a simple, useful idea that I found myself wondering why no one had thought of it sooner.
Cooking, Washing, and Living: The Daily Reality
Of course, clever layouts are all well and good, but a motorhome has to function as a home on wheels. And that means cooking, washing, and simply living comfortably for days at a time.
The kitchen unit in the X650 is compact but well thought out. You get a two-burner gas stove, a sink with good-sized basin, and a 150-liter fridge that easily held a weekend’s worth of groceries (and plenty of cold drinks for the forest stops).
Counter space is somewhat limited, as you’d expect, but the designers have included clever fold-out sections that help a lot. I cooked several simple meals during the trip and found the setup perfectly usable.
Opposite the kitchen is the swiveling bathroom, another smart feature. By rotating the rear section, you can choose between a spacious shower or a fully functional sink and toilet setup. Both modes offer more room than I’ve seen in many panel van conversions.
Ventilation was good, and even after two people used the shower on chilly mornings, condensation was minimal. For a compact motorhome, this is a real achievement.
Sleeping Comfort: The One Compromise?
Now we come to the big question mark with this layout: the sleeping arrangements. The main bed is the aforementioned pull-down unit above the seating area. It’s comfortable enough, with a proper mattress and no obvious pressure points ,but there are some caveats.
First, when fully lowered, it’s positioned relatively high, requiring a ladder for access. This is fine if you’re young and agile but could be an issue for older users. Second, if you want to lower it completely, you’ll need to clear some items from the seating area first.
There is a second option: you can configure the seating area itself into an additional double bed of similar size. This works well but of course involves more setup time each evening.
During my Arnsberg trip, I slept in both configurations to test them out. The pull-down bed was comfortable but did feel a little close to the ceiling when fully lowered. The converted seating area offered more headroom but required more effort to prepare each night.
For occasional trips or couples who don’t mind a little compromise, this is perfectly acceptable. But for full-timing or longer tours, some users might prefer a fixed-bed layout.
On the Road: A Joy to Drive
Driving the X650 through the forest roads of Arnsberg was a revelation. Based on the latest Fiat Ducato platform with a 2.2-liter MultiJet diesel engine producing 140 hp and 350 Nm of torque, it felt lively and responsive for a motorhome.
The six-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly, and the front-wheel drive setup gives the X650 sure-footed handling even on damp forest tracks. I tackled everything from twisty B-roads to narrow gravel trails near Warstein and the RV never felt out of its depth.
At highway speeds, the X650 cruises happily at 130-140 km/h, with a top speed of 160 km/h available if needed. Cabin noise was surprisingly low, allowing for easy conversation and relaxed long-distance driving.
In urban settings, the short length and good visibility made parking and maneuvering a breeze. For drivers nervous about piloting larger motorhomes, this one offers an easy transition.
Real-World Efficiency and Practicality
Over the course of my test weekend, I covered just over 400 km in mixed driving. Fuel consumption averaged a respectable 9.5 liters per 100 km, with the 90-liter tank providing excellent range between fill-ups.
Payload is generous for a vehicle this size, with nearly 600 kg available even when fully equipped. Towing capacity is also good, with a 2000 kg braked trailer limit.
Living with the X650 over several days, I found it perfectly suited to both rural exploring and campground life. The large windows and bright interior made the cabin a pleasure to spend time in, even during a rain-soaked afternoon in a forest clearing near Oeventrop.
Heating was another highlight. The standard diesel heater works while driving, and if you opt for the Arctic package, you gain underfloor heating and an insulated, heated waste water tank, perfect for winter tours.
Technical Specifications: Chausson X650
To keep things accurate, we use only the official Fiat’s website for technical details.
| Specification | Detail |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato |
| Engine | 2.2 MultiJet Euro 6 diesel |
| Power | 140 hp (103 kW) @ 3500 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm @ 1400 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Length | 6360 mm |
| Width | 2100 mm |
| Height | 2750 mm |
| Mass ready to drive | 2911 kg |
| Payload | 589 kg |
| Trailer load (braked/unbraked) | 2000 / 750 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 90 liters |
| Top speed | 160 km/h |
| Sleeping capacity | 2-4 persons |
| Main bed | 140 x 190 cm pull-down bed |
| Secondary bed | 140 x 190 cm convertible seating area |
| Refrigerator | 150 liters |
| Heating | Diesel heater (drivable), Arctic package optional |
| Base price | €79,990 |
| Test car price | €88,990 |
Conclusion: The Compact Motorhome with a Big Personality
After three days in the Arnsberg Forest, living in, driving, and exploring with the Chausson X650, I came away seriously impressed. This is a motorhome that punches far above its weight, delivering interior space, clever features, and excellent driving dynamics in a remarkably compact package.
It’s not perfect. The sleeping setup does require some compromise and won’t suit everyone. But if you value flexibility, style, and real-world practicality, the X650 makes a very strong case for itself.
For solo travellers, couples, or even small families who want to explore Europe in comfort without the hassle of maneuvering a seven-meter-plus RV, the X650 is an outstanding choice.
Would I take it back to the Arnsberg Forest for another weekend? Without hesitation.
Is the Chausson X650 suitable for beginners?
Yes. Thanks to its compact size and excellent driving dynamics, it’s ideal for first-time motorhome users.
How comfortable is Chausson X650 for long-term travel?
For two people, very comfortable. For families or longer tours, the sleeping arrangements might require more frequent reconfiguring.
What is the real-world fuel economy in the Chausson X650?
Expect around 9-10 liters per 100 km in mixed driving.
