Bürstner Nexxo Twins: T740 And T690G Motorhomes

These twin Nexxo models, the T690G and the T740 are not identical. They serve the same 2+1 berth market by appealing to buyers with the same overall needs but with different opinions on how to spend their twilight hours. Up front they are identical, with a dinette between the kerbside L-shaped kitchen and the rotating cab seats. In both, the beds are at the rear – the T690G offering twin single beds and the T740 a lavish north/south queen-sized island bed. Note that for both models the model number represents the overall length of the Nexxo in centimetres and the G after the number stands for a large garage. Like all current Bürstner motorhomes, the 'twins' are built on Fiat Ducato cab/chassis with Fiat's wide, low motorhome chassis, powered by the 130HP Multijet turbo-diesel engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed automated manual transmission gearbox. They drive beautifully on the open road providing these medium-sized motorhomes with car-like handling qualities – ideal for drivers with limited experience driving large vehicles.

Inside

Throughout, the Bürstner cabinetry is impeccably finished in a dark brown grained laminate complimented with light earthy autumn-toned leather upholstered cushions and curtain fabrics. The kitchen drawer and door fronts in gloss white provide a striking contrast. Thanks to the new 'skyroof' hatch over the cab and roof hatches in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, the interior is surprisingly light and airy. Bürstner designers pay a surprising amount of attention to small details to ensure their interiors are comfortable, workable and an efficient use of space. For instance, the overhead locker doors are vertical rather than curved providing more locker space without intruding further into the cabin. Increasing the overall interior height by 30mm to 1980mm adds to that feeling of spaciousness. Thought has gone into creating dinette seats that don't just look good but are also comfortable to sit on, whether dining, relaxing or entertaining. The dinette table is also well positioned, sliding from side to side and fore and aft with a swing-wing extension so that no matter which seat you occupy at dinner time the table seems to come to you rather than you having to stretch forward to eat. Extra cushions provided can be placed on the lowered table to make a small single bed should the need arise. Style is not forgotten either – the end of the dinette seat cushion is gently curved to match the shape of the table.

Kitchen

This theme is carried through to the kitchen. Curved kitchen cabinetry turns a plain preparation area into a far more creative place to work. The overhead cupboards are deeper and under the sink is a useful pull-out pantry. The designers have heeded the cries of those concerned about ovens located dangerously high above the fridge/freezer and placed it below bench height. It is not a large oven but is big enough to roast a chicken. For 2015, Nexxo motorhomes have been fitted with round kitchen sinks and smart tower faucets. The 145-litre Dometic fridge/freezer is a new narrow model (450mm) that offers more door space for tall bottles than the 600mm wide version. All kitchen drawers and doors are the 'soft-close' variety.

Bathroom

It is at this point when moving aft that the layouts for the two models differ. The T740 has the fridge/freezer opposite the LPG hobs. Between them is a solid curved hinged door that closes off the bedroom from the rest of the motorhome. Through the door, the shower stall is on the left and the cubicle containing the toilet and vanity is on the right. The shower has plenty of elbow room and is lined with easy-to-clean white plastic mouldings. A hot air vent is fitted to allow garments to dry on the hanging rail provided. Hidden behind a segmented sliding door on a curved track, the simple oval handbasin in the bathroom cubicle is both elegant and practical, setting the scene in the mirrored pampering department. Plenty of storage too with cupboards above, beside and below the handbasin; a roof hatch for ventilation; lots of LED lights; and a 230v power point for the hairdryer.

Bedroom

Perched above the bright silver curved sliding footlockers doors, the freestanding queen-sized bed in the T740 is a visual work of art. All Bürstner fixed beds have memory foam mattresses over slatted wooden frames. There are hanging lockers each side of the bed and a pair of overhead lockers for storing clothing and personal items. The bed rises up on gas struts providing access to more storage for larger items as well as to the full-width garage store across the back of the vehicle.

The verdict

The shorter T690G has a larger garage and a 'one-at-a-time' bathroom'. It is very well endowed and will fit into a smaller space than the T740 (think Cook Strait crossings and supermarket car parks). Plus it’s $4000 cheaper. The longer T740 has bedroom pizzazz and a more spacious bathroom setup. However, if I had to make the decision to buy one, I'd choose the T690G because anything over seven metres won't fit into the parking space at home. The vehicles as reviewed were supplied by SmartRV and retail for T690G $142900 and the T740 $146,900 including GST and on-road costs. For more information, call SmartRV on 0800 891 305. For the latest reviews, subscribe to Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine here.