Review: Bürstner B66 690 TD

There comes a point in life when holidays are less about sleeping in tents and more about travelling in comfort. The Bürstner B66 690 TD feels tailor-made for that stage. Claire Smith takes a closer look.

Built in Germany and distributed in New Zealand by Wilderness Motorhomes, the Bürstner B66 strikes a lovely balance between practicality and comfort. Designed for two, it replaces extra berths with the things that really matter to couples on the road – a comfortable bedroom, a spacious, practical bathroom, generous storage, and a living area that’s just as suited to muesli and coffee in the morning as it is to cocktails at sunset.

Space well spent

At 6.99 metres long, this Bürstner packs plenty into its compact footprint without feeling crowded. From the driver’s seat through to the rear bedroom, there’s a natural flow to the interior that makes this motorhome feel larger in real life than the numbers on the spec sheet.

Up front, you’ll find a comfy dinette complemented by swivel cab seats. The kitchen sits just behind, with the bathroom opposite. At the rear, twin single beds convert to a generous king bed in a dedicated bedroom that feels nicely separated from the living area.

There’s a satisfying sense of balance to each space. The bathroom is roomy with a full-sized shower, the bedroom feels bright and inviting, and there’s still room for a comfortable lounge and practical kitchen. In many motorhomes, one area tends to dominate at the expense of another. Here, everything feels proportioned just right.

At the wheel

The Bürstner B66 is built on Fiat’s Ducato chassis, powered by a 140hp 2.2-litre turbo diesel paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s a well-proven combination in the motorhome world, and one that should appeal to couples planning plenty of kilometres on the road. And with a total length of just under seven metres, the B66 doesn’t feel cumbersome or overly big to drive, despite everything it manages to fit inside.

The cab itself is bright and airy, with excellent visibility, wide mirrors and a commanding driving position. There’s plenty of creature comforts too, including a multifunction leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and electronically adjustable heated mirrors. Plus, you have integrated cab blinds for added privacy when parked up.

It also comes loaded with the latest driver assistance technology. Features such as traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, fatigue detection, electronic stability control and autonomous emergency braking all work quietly in the background, helping reduce driver workload and adding an extra layer of confidence on longer journeys.

Take a seat

The dinette sits up front, with L-shaped seating that wraps around a pedestal table. The driver and passenger seats swivel around to join the space when required. Bürstner has also done an impressive job with the interior styling. The warm timber cabinetry, soft leather upholstery and subtle ambient lighting create a welcoming atmosphere. Matching cab seats help create a seamless transition between the driving and living spaces. Natural light is another strong point. Large side windows, the expansive windscreen and twin skylights flood the area with daylight, creating an open, airy feel.

The layout stands out because it makes clever use of every centimetre, giving you a surprisingly open living area for a motorhome of this size. What really matters here is the space-to-size ratio; everything is thoughtfully positioned so the interior never feels cramped, making it an ideal setup for how most couples travel.

Meal times

Positioned right in the heart of the B66, the kitchen is compact but thoughtfully designed.

The Triplex combination cooker incorporates a three-burner hob, grill and oven, while storage is well catered for with a combination of deep drawers for pots and pans, smaller drawers for utensils and kitchen essentials, and overhead lockers. A clever detail is the sink cover, which swivels outward to become an extension of the benchtop.

The tall 131L compressor fridge creates a natural divide between the living area and bedroom. New to the Bürstner, it cools faster, runs more efficiently off your house batteries, and keeps temperatures consistent even in the height of a New Zealand summer.

The smart room

At first glance, the bathroom looks like a conventional washroom, with a cassette toilet and shower sitting opposite each other, plus a central vanity unit, mirror and storage cupboard. But the real party trick is Bürstner’s swivel-wall design.

When it’s time for a shower, a hidden door pivots across to create a separate shower cubicle. This way, rather than the entire bathroom being a wet area, the shower is contained within its own dedicated space, leaving the toilet and vanity dry and ready to use afterwards. There’s enough space to move around comfortably, while the skylight overhead helps bring in natural light and ventilation.

Rear retreat

The rear bedroom is all about comfort and flexibility. Sitting above the garage, it feels like a separate room rather than an extension of the lounge, creating a lovely retreat when it’s time to call it a day.

The layout centres around twin single beds, each with its own window, overhead storage and reading light. For many couples, that’s a winning combination in itself – no climbing over one another during the night and a little space to call your own. Prefer a larger bed? An infill cushion converts the singles into one king-sized sleeping area spanning the width of the motorhome.

There’s a real sense of space here, too. The raised bed position allows for generous storage underneath, while windows on both sides and a skylight overhead help bring in plenty of natural light and ventilation.

Extra storage has been thoughtfully integrated throughout, with overhead lockers providing room for clothing and personal items, while the access steps double as handy storage compartments.

A big bonus about a fixed bed arrangement is that it’s always ready. There’s no making up beds, rearranging cushions or converting furniture at the end of the day. When you’re tired, you simply climb in and go to sleep.

Ready for adventure

If you like to travel with all the extras – bikes, hiking gear, outdoor chairs and perhaps a bit of fishing gear, this 690 TD has you covered.

The garage has loads of room for big and bulky items that can be difficult to accommodate elsewhere. And because you’ve got access from both sides of the motorhome, it’s easy to load, organise and retrieve gear without having to unpack half the garage to reach what you’re after.

Just as importantly, it has the payload to support it. With 590kg available, there’s extra freedom to pack all the ‘just in case’ extras, rather than constantly second-guessing what needs to stay behind.

Beneath the surface

The 690 TD is a good example of how attention to the small details can combine to make a big difference. The upholstery feels durable and well finished, the cabinetry fits together neatly, and the ambient lighting adds warmth without dominating the space.

The interior styling is clean and understated, with a mix of light and dark tones that should age well. Nothing feels overly trendy or likely to look dated in a few years.

Construction is equally well considered. Bürstner uses GRP for the roof, floor and rear wall, along with insulated sidewalls, a double thermo-floor and double-glazed windows. Together, these features help improve insulation, reduce noise and contribute to year-round comfort.

These aren’t the sort of features that grab attention in a showroom, but they can make a noticeable difference over time. The 690 TD feels solid, well finished and built with long-term touring in mind.

Noteworthy Extras

It’s the little things that often make a difference on longer trips, and the 690 TD comes with plenty of them.

For off-grid stays, there’s a 100Ah lithium battery supported by a 100W solar panel and a 1000W inverter. The Truma Combi 6E heating and hot water system can run on gas or electricity, helping keep things comfortable whatever the season.

There’s a good mix of technology on board, too. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a smart TV, reversing camera and WiFi capability. None are essential, of course, but they do make life that little bit easier when you’re away from home.

Outside, a 4m Thule awning extends the living space beyond the motorhome, creating a sheltered spot for meals, relaxing, or simply enjoying the view. An outside shower is another handy inclusion, particularly after a swim, a walk on the beach, or an adventure with a muddy four-legged travelling companion.

Final thoughts

This is a motorhome designed first and foremost for couples. Couples who value comfort over extra berths. Couples who’d rather have a spacious bedroom and a generous bathroom than allow for extra sleeping space they’ll rarely use.

It’s easy to see the appeal for empty nesters, retirees, or anyone planning bucket-list adventures around our beautiful country. The fixed bed, large garage and thoughtful storage all lend themselves to longer stays on the road, while the manageable size makes it easy to get there.

What Bürstner has done particularly well is resist the temptation to be all things to all people. Rather than chasing berth numbers or headline features, the focus is firmly on creating a motorhome that’s comfortable, practical and enjoyable for two people to travel in.

As part of a limited-edition range, it also brings a level of specification and high-end features you rarely see at this price point. For couples ready to head away, right now is the ideal time to grab one.

Bürstner B66 690 TD specifications