Nissan Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs (2024) test: King of the Alps?

If you don't want to buy an extra vehicle for your camping holiday, you may find your object of desire among the camper vans. They can usually be quickly converted between everyday use and holidays, while retaining a certain degree of manoeuvrability thanks to their compact external dimensions. 

This is not only an advantage in the city, but also on narrow mountain pass roads, on the way to your favourite secluded spot or within winding parking spaces. The Nissan Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs, for example, falls into this category. I grabbed it as a companion for a racing bike holiday in the French Alps. 

Gallery: Nissan Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs (2024) first drive

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Source: Motor1.com

Once there, all in?

Of course, every advantage always has a disadvantage, which I realised as soon as I put the Primastar away. Where to put all the stuff? Our test camper comes with a kitchen module and four drawers, a small wardrobe, roller blinds, an elongated compartment above the tailgate (which is already occupied by ramps and camping chairs) and some space under the bed. 

As an experienced camper van driver, I would of course now have several suitable boxes with themed contents that I would simply heave into the boot. Everything flies more or less loosely into the rear. If you want to be prepared for all eventualities on a cycling holiday, you need additional luggage (spare parts, tools, pump, cycling clothes, shoes, helmet). The week's shopping and the sparsely selected kitchen inventory just fit into the drawers. I leave some of my clothes in the travelling bag.

And the racing bike? Due to the lack of a rear carrier, it has to ride on the floor inside the car. With all the jumbling around (which is why there is no "packed" picture), I'm anticipating an uncomfortable night before the German-French border. As I set off from Bochum, I ask myself who would want to make full use of the four sleeping and seating spaces provided in this cramped space?

The Primastar works best alone or with two people. Then you can have two separate bedrooms, thanks to the second bed in the lifting roof, but more on that later.

Photos by: Motor1.com

Next stop ... South

With 170 diesel PS and 380 Nm of torque, the Nissan Primastar Seaside is sufficiently powered for its compact size not only to keep up with traffic, but also to overtake the occasional fully loaded camper or lorry. The former are also often less powered than the Seaside. It never really seems to be fully utilised on my trip as the two-litre four-cylinder engine hums along quietly, while the six-speed automatic selects the right gear with ease. 

This is probably one of the reasons why the average fuel consumption over a total of 1,340 miles is an impressive 35.4 mpg. On the French country roads, I was even at 39 mpg at times, which is an advantage when there are only a few people travelling and space is limited. The chassis of the compact van also offers driving values similar to those of a passenger car: not too soft, direct steering, a full ride.

Gallery: Nissan Primastar "Seaside by Dethleffs" (2022)

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It's ready to head south. Only the protruding seat adjustment bar presses into the calf when the leg needs to be bent. Furthermore, about half an hour into the journey, you notice that the internal navigation system's route guidance is not up to date, and I'm not talking about last-minute changes to the route.

Rahmede viaduct, Lüdenscheid: In December 2021, this was permanently closed due to irreparable damage to the supporting structure and blown up in 2023. Since then, there has been a diversion through Lüdenscheid until the planned completion in 2026. The Primastar sat nav would have liked to drive straight ahead, but still wants to turn, while I use the excellent diversion. Well, Android Auto can be connected by cable. Unfortunately, the connection also drops out sporadically from time to time.

Rest break before the ride into the Alps

More than 300 miles and a dinner in Karlsruhe later, it's time to find a suitable place to sleep. Shortly before Breisach am Rhein, a secluded little hikers' car park appears... Perfect. If you have problems defecating in the "wilderness", you should give more space in the Primastar to a camping toilet. As with all compact camper vans, there is no wet room. The small sink has to be used for a quick wash, while the optional outdoor shower with cold water serves as an energiser for the hardy. 

The lower bed can be pulled over the folded seat backrests with a little strength and skill. Two fold-out feet provide stability. However, there is not much space left. A narrow aisle remains free between the front seats and the bed. This creates a 2.00 metre by 1.25 metre sleeping area, which seems a little too hard for my flea weight of 65 kilos and height of 1.76 metres. Two people would have to be extremely comfortable in here.

Nissan Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs (2024) im Test

Photos by: Motor1.com

Nissan Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs (2024) im Test

If you leave the roof closed, you also have to reckon with limited seating space. You can only stand when the pop-up roof is open. However, it's definitely enough for resting on a longer journey. This means that you can get going again almost immediately in the morning, if it weren't for the impractical mechanisms that repeatedly require skill and patience with limited freedom of movement. Like folding in the bed legs or, later, the latches on the lifting roof. 

Crossing the border at Breisach, we head roughly overland towards Grenoble, saving on tolls. The weather clears up more and more. Nissan and driver enjoy the narrow country roads through tranquil French villages.

After another 250 - 300 miles, the silhouette of the Rhone-Alpes appears in the background. Due to the bathroom situation on board, I've booked a quiet spot at the Lac de Monteynard mountain lake, whose surroundings also promise some nice road bike climbs and scenic hikes.

The choice of bedroom depends on the weather

Manoeuvring into the booked shady forest pitch is no problem thanks to the clear view and manoeuvrability. If you don't carry too much luggage, you can manoeuvre without camera assistance thanks to the all-round view. At a pleasant 23 degrees, I decide to try out the upper bed in the lifting roof at night.

Two hotplates are enough to cook dinner. If you are travelling with four people, you should probably pack the barbecue. The kitchenette is a little low for taller people. It is more convenient to make yourself comfortable on the rear seat and prepare the food that way. If the food is a little larger or the weather outside is bad, the stowable table should also be set up. But then it gets really cramped.

Photos by: Motor1.com

So it's time for the upper bed. And I have to say, in terms of the feeling of space and lying comfort, this is the better bed for my weight with its full-surface slatted base. The tent fabric also brings you closer to nature, which makes me want to escape immediately after half an hour.

At night, the thermometer in the Alps in mid-September at an altitude of around 800 metres is already in the low single digits. That's simply too cold at the top with a light duvet and no sleeping bag. Sleeping downstairs is more sheltered.

And so I spend a few days at the lake, which sometimes reveals the poor workmanship of the lightweight furniture. For example, I notice a cupboard knob in the rear that flies straight at me when I press it. The thread in the test vehicle had apparently given up before my journey of around 5,000 miles.

Photos by: Motor1.com

During daily cleaning, I notice the mouldings for the seat adjustment in the floor, where dirt collects that can only be removed to a limited extent with a broom. Even with a hoover, it is difficult to clean them completely. A bristle protector, for example, would help. 

And to turn the front seats into a seating area, the door has to be opened, as otherwise there is not enough room to turn. These are things that are due to the lack of space, but can of course be planned into camper life somehow, even if an open door in the rain or snow is perhaps not the most pleasant thing.

However, the many small sockets and USB sockets that provide my entertainment for the evening in the van should be emphasised. The fridge cools perfectly and there are plenty of places to stow drinks, snacks and charging devices safely within reach while travelling. With these benefits, I make a detour of several days to the surroundings of the legendary cycling resort of Alpe d'Huez. Because if you hardly need space, you'll always find it.

Other pop-top camper vans:

Iveco Daily Switch 4x4: Basic but efficient off-road camper van

The Terracamper Ford Transit will make your camping dreams come true

Conclusion: solid, manoeuvrable campervan

Whether Nugget, California, Marco Polo, Holidays or Seaside: if you want to remain flexible with just one vehicle, you have to accept compromises in everyday life and when travelling or make clever arrangements. The Nissan Primastar is a variable, manoeuvrable camper van that can also be used in many ways in everyday life. If you like travelling to remote places or spending the night off the beaten track, it is a good choice. Especially as it can be operated in a very fuel-efficient manner while remaining agile.

However, weaknesses in the build quality of the furniture, the general amount of space (which forces constant conversions when travelling) and in handling must be accepted, just like the rather high price of at least €73,770 (approx. £61,000). Our test vehicle with awning, metallic paintwork, camping starter box and an additional package with outdoor shower and luggage net came in at €76,319 (£63,200).

However, the Nissan Primastar Seaside is also available for as little as €66,000 (£55,000) if you switch to existing stock. This puts it in the region of the Nugget. However, various panel van brands with a wet room and more space are also available for this price. So the only thing left to consider is the individual utilisation and purpose.