2017 Hymer Aktiv Review

The Hymer Aktiv Class B motorhome brings a contemporary European vibe to the North American RV market, as well as real livability in a compact space.

The Germany-based Erwin Hymer Group has been a well-respected name in Europe for 60 years but is a newcomer to North America. Hymer bought Canadian RV manufacturer Roadtrek last year and made its debut in the North American market with the Hymer Aktiv.

The Hymer Aktiv has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 9350 lbs and a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 11,500 lbs. It measures just over 19.5’ long and nearly 7’ wide. It has a fresh water capacity of 30 gallons, a gray water capacity of 22.9 gallons, and a cassette toilet capacity of 4.6 gallons.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Roadtrek CS Adventurous

The motorhome is built on a Ram ProMaster 2500 chassis and has a four-person capacity, both in seats and sleep space.

Setting up the Aktiv at your campsite couldn’t be easier: one cord to plug in for electrical service, and a water hose that’s as simple to connect as your garden hose at home.

There are power steps into the coach area and the living area, and the side entrance has a really great feature in its sliding screen door.

Inside, the aesthetics reflect the motorhome’s European design – dark floors, light cabinetry, simple lines. The open aisle floorplan features a galley with entertainment system, a full and enclosed bathroom, and – a premium feature for a Class B motorhome – the option to have a permanent Queen size bed that stows away for travel and daytime and then easily flips down for sleep.

The driver and passenger leather seats were designed with comfort in mind. Each one is fully customizable to make it just right for its occupant – seat angle, tilt, lumbar support, and even armrests can all be adjusted. All four side mirrors have independent power positioning and the lower mirrors can be pointed toward the ground, which makes for much easier backing-up. Telescopic steering, a rear back-up camera, voice command, and GPS navigation also add to driving ease and comfort. All five outlets throughout the motorhome also have a USB port.

When not on the road, the driver and passenger seats swivel around to convert into living area seating. They then face the two-seater bench directly behind the driver’s seat. A dinette table slips down between them to create the dining area.

The galley kitchen is equipped with a two-burner gas cooktop, 3.1-cubic-foot refrigerator, and a small microwave. The sink and range covers flip up on hinges so there’s no need to stash them away.

The television is just above the dinette but, thanks to a swivel arm, it can be viewed from the front of the vehicle, the back bedroom area for nighttime movies, and from outside.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Airstream Interstate Lounge EXT Wardrobe

In the full, enclosed bathroom, you’ll find more great features that are new to the Class B market. To save valuable showering space, the sink flips up when not in use. The ergonomic swivel toilet uses a cassette system, which means there’s no need for a black water tank. The cartridge is accessed from a door on the outside of the motorhome and can conveniently be emptied into any residential toilet.

The flip-up bed allows an open aisle for lots of storage space, even for large items like bikes. Full doors at the back of the motorhome make accessing the items a breeze.

Dual pane windows in the motorhome have both screens and blackout shades and open up awning style for air. There’s also a skylight for more light, which also lifts open for ventilation.

The Hymer Aktiv starts at $92,814 US. For more information, visit http://www.gohymer.com/