“Here we go at last,” was my joyful thought as I turned the ignition key in the Carado I338. A dream is becoming reality. The long-term test allows me to live completely in the motorhome. I can test the fully integrated motorhome extensively on both cold and warm days.
Integrated motorhomes are always a good choice when camping trips take place in all seasons. This also applies to the Carado I338. It keeps its dimensions both inside and out. With a mobile length of 6.97 meters, it is a popular length. The height of 2.9 meters also contributes to its mobility, while the width of 2.32 meters provides generous living space.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Classic and solid floor plan in the Carado I338
- The sleeping areas: Relaxation on the road for up to five people
- The kitchen is waiting for cooking enthusiasts
- The hygiene cell: Wellness on the go
- The seating area: living room for many
- Variable living worlds thanks to decor options
- Panoramic view from the cab
- Carado I338 on the road: on Ducato through highs and lows
- Technical data for the Carado I338
- The Carado I338 price in the pro+ configuration
- Conclusion: The Carado I338 is a simple integrated motorhome in the best sense of the word
Classic and solid floor plan in the Carado I338
In a way, I was already familiar with the Carado I338 when I set off. Because I already knew its big brother, the I447, which was made available for research at the Caravan Salon 2024. Both have single beds in the rear. The I338 is almost half a meter shorter, which makes for a compact layout, especially in the middle section.
The Carado I338 pro+ makes the dream of a home on wheels a reality. Hidden inside is a well thought-out world designed for comfort and functionality.
The sleeping areas: Relaxation on the road for up to five people
The Carado I338 pro+ offers you flexibility for the night. There are two fixed single beds in the rear of the vehicle. With a length of around 190 x 80 centimetres and 200 x 80 centimetres, they already offer plenty of space. So if a tall person over 1.90 meters in height is on board, they will also find a comfortable place to sleep. This is also ensured by the wooden slatted frames that are integrated into the beds.
If you prefer it cosy, you can transform the single beds in the Carado I338 into a large sleeping area in no time at all thanks to a practical pull-out function. This function is particularly practical for couples who would like to sleep next to each other in a large bed but appreciate the flexibility of separate beds. And those who are not afraid of possible climbing-over maneuvers during the night can also sleep crosswise. The bed is then even longer at around 210 centimeters.
Storage space has also been considered in the sleeping area. There are tall cupboards and practical shelves on the sides of the beds. Integrated ambient lighting and practical USB sockets for charging your devices create a pleasant atmosphere.
The standard fold-down bed above the driver’s cab offers an additional sleeping area in the Carado I338. Measuring around 200 x 150 cm, it offers a fully-fledged sleeping area for two more people. The bed is easy to pull down and push up again. A point-elastic spring base contributes to sleeping comfort and a roof hood ensures good ventilation. When folded up, the fold-down bed disappears under the roof to save space, allowing optimum use of the living area during the day.
Tip: The raised bed is a trap in winter. If you do not use the fold-down bed in winter and heat the interior, condensation can form under the roof, which can then cause mold to form on the mattress. So regularly lower the fold-down bed a little so that the area is ventilated.
In addition to these sleeping areas, there is also the option of converting the seating group in the living area into another bed. This extends the sleeping options to up to five people, especially in combination with the optional fifth seat, which can be ordered instead of the stool next to the body door.
The raised single beds also conceal a spacious rear garage, which you can easily access from the outside. This design creates valuable space for luggage, bicycles or camping furniture. A second external storage compartment flap is even available as an option, making access to the garage even easier.
The kitchen is waiting for cooking enthusiasts
You don’t have to go without a home-cooked meal when traveling. The kitchen in the Carado I338 pro+ is compact, but designed so that you can find everything you need to cook. The kitchen is arranged as an ergonomically designed corner kitchen (L-shaped) on the driver’s side. This arrangement ensures that all utensils and ingredients are always within easy reach. The work surface can be extended with a cover for the sink if required. This L-shaped kitchen maximizes the work surface and the accessibility of the various kitchen elements in a relatively small space.
The equipment includes a two-burner gas hob with electric ignition and a glass cover as well as a sink. Personally, I think two burners are better than three. The pots can never be so small that there is enough space for three. A 78-liter refrigerator with an integrated eleven-liter freezer compartment keeps food cool. A larger fridge with 156 liters including a 29-liter freezer compartment is available as an option. The refrigerator has automatic energy selection (AES), which automatically selects the best energy source. An oven is optionally available on top.
Storage space solutions have also been considered in the kitchen. Spacious drawers with a convenient servo soft-close mechanism in the kitchen block ensure that the drawers close gently and quietly. This not only increases convenience, but also prevents annoying noises while driving. Wall and base units provide sufficient space for crockery and cutlery. There is also a practical storage surface. You can also order an optional pull-out rail system with boxes for waste separation.
The hygiene cell: Wellness on the go
The Carado I338 pro+ has a clever hygiene cell that combines all the important functions in a compact space. The Variobath accommodates all essential bathroom tasks (toilet, shower and washbasin). It is space-saving yet functional. A wooden grate for the shower is available as an optional extra. A washbasin with high-quality surfaces and a mirror with LED lighting create a pleasant ambience. Cupboards and shelves are available for your toiletries. There is also a clothes rail in the wet room. The forced ventilation in the roof hatch ensures fresh and dry air. There is also an optional window in the bathroom.
The seating area: living room for many
The seating area in the Carado I338 pro+ is the central meeting point for meals and cozy hours. It consists of a large seating area with a comfortable side bench seat. The front seats in the cab (driver and front passenger seats) can be rotated and thus easily integrated into the living area. This function considerably extends the usable space and creates an open and communicative atmosphere in the living area. A wall-mounted table with a practical swivel top for extension provides sufficient space for meals or games evenings. This design not only saves space, but can also be used flexibly. The number of seats can optionally be reduced from four to three.
Additional comfort is provided by ergonomically shaped upholstery, which makes sitting comfortable even on longer journeys. Indirect lighting contributes to a cozy atmosphere. This also applies to desk work. There is additional storage space under the seat bench. As already mentioned, the seating area can also be converted into an additional bed if required. A TV preparation is available for entertainment, and you can optionally add a TV with holder and a satellite system.
Variable living worlds thanks to decor options
My Carado I338 uses the colors sand grey and Visby oak in the brown living area, which combine rough artificial leather with robust fabric. The Calais color is used for the floor, which, according to the manufacturer, complies with several DIN standards. They guarantee maximum fire protection and the use of underfloor heating. The slightly dark basic character creates a cozy atmosphere. If you like it even darker, you can choose the black living area, while the gray and white living areas are available for lovers of lightness.
Panoramic view from the cab
As with all integrated motorhomes, the driver’s cab in the Carado I338 is generously proportioned. Externally, the body shape is successful and avoids the often inharmonious distances to the front tires. Inside, there is a large panoramic window with a large shelf, which we used for our Halloween decorations.
The Carado I338 is particularly useful in winter, as there is no door on the passenger side for better insulation. Instead, there are additional storage compartments here. One with a pushlock fastener and large compartments in the foot area, which I used for my battery-powered vacuum cleaner and the fan heater.
Carado I338 on the road: on Ducato through highs and lows
Many manufacturers, including Carado, switched their production to alternative base vehicles during the supply crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, there has been a return to the top dog Ducato in many cases. The Fiat power unit is also found under the Carado I 338 pro+ and is pulled by a 140 hp (103 kW) diesel engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.
The new Fiat Ducato also includes a multimedia system, which Carado has installed in the press vehicle. In addition to classics such as cruise control, there are measuring functions that are very useful for campers. This applies in particular to the indication of the angle of inclination in length and width. They help when parking and setting up in as level a position as possible. Offering this as a standard function is a small milestone, and I like to use it so that I don’t have to use wheel chocks whenever possible. The information is supplemented by an altimeter and a compass.
The screen is also used for the reversing camera. The images are clear and the additional distance markings make it easier to find your way when maneuvering. The smartphone can be connected via Android and Bluetooth. Very useful and popular when using Google Maps as a navigation system, which also displays real-time driving times, speed limits, traffic obstructions and the most sustainable route.
The motorization of my tester consisted of the standard equipment with the Ducato diesel with 140 hp and 6-speed manual gearbox. This drive combination makes for a chilled journey at all times. Things get a little steep on the mountain. That’s where the relaxation fades and it takes some getting used to the lack of thrust. If you need more traction in the mountains, you should choose the more powerful 180 hp version.
Technical data for the Carado I338
- Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato, wheelbase 380 cm
- Base engine: 2.2 Multijet, 103 kW/140 hp, Euro 6 emissions standard
- Tires: 215/70 R 15 CP
- Vehicle dimensions length/width/height: 697/232/290 cm
- Standing height 210 cm
- Mass in running order: 2884 kg (2740 to 3028 kg)
- Mass specified by the manufacturer for optional equipment: 263 kg
- Permissible total weight: 3500 kg
- Towing capacity (braked/unbraked): 2000/750 kg
- Seats with three-point seat belt: 4
- Clear dimensions of storage compartment flap (W x H) 95 x 110 cm
- Sleeps: 4; single beds: 190 x 80 cm / 200 x 80 cm; fold-down bed: 200 x 150 cm
- Refrigerator: 78 L (including 11 L freezer compartment); optional 156 L (29 L)
- Heating: Truma Combi 6 gas; gas compartment: 2 x 11 kg
- Fresh water tank: 122 L; waste water tank: 92 L
- Sockets: 4x 230 V, 4x USB
The Carado I338 price in the pro+ configuration
The Carado I 338 pro+ in the Camperstyle test comes with a base price of 76,700 euros, the pro+ package of 6,800 euros and some additional extras at a price of around 87,800 euros. However, the crisis in the mobility industry is currently (2025) leading to high stock levels and (further) discounts.
With good negotiating skills, the Carado I338 should be available for a few thousand euros less in the affordable version presented here. A spontaneous search in May 2025 revealed an advertised price of 76,500 euros in the pro+ edition. A visit to the Caravan Salon camping trade fair in Düsseldorf or the CMT in Stuttgart is also a good opportunity to make a bargain purchase.
Conclusion: The Carado I338 is a simple integrated motorhome in the best sense of the word
I had two months to test the Carado I338 on the road and when stationary. There are two main things to say about it. The new Ducato runs smoothly and smartly and the I338 is a chilled travel companion. When driving uphill, the 140 hp seems underpowered for a fully integrated vehicle. But if you’re not in a hurry and like shifting gears by hand, you can also take the basic engine.
The interior of the Carado I338 pro+ presents itself as a well thought-out concept. The flexible sleeping areas offer good solutions for different constellations. The compact and well-equipped kitchen allows you to create culinary highlights at home, even when you’re on the road. The comfortable seating area invites you to socialize. All in all, the Carado I338 pro+ offers a successful overall package for anyone who values comfort and functionality in a compact motorhome.
In the Camperstyle team, most authors tend to see camping as minimalism. Fully integrated motorhomes are often perceived somewhat prematurely as luxury campers. Nevertheless, the Carado I338 is one of the simpler motorhomes. The Carado style impresses with its unpretentious nature, which surprises with practical details. Behind this can only be a lot of experience in the development of motorhomes, which is waiting to be experienced by the camper community.
Is the Carado I338 a good motorhome?
Yes, the Carado I338 proved to be a very good motorhome in our long-term test – especially for couples and small families. It impresses with its compact design, but also with its well thought-out room layout, good suitability for everyday use and solid workmanship. We were particularly impressed by the spacious shower, the comfortable fold-down bed and the good handling. There are minor weaknesses in details such as the waste water outlet and the accessibility of some storage compartments, but these hardly detract from the overall very positive impression.
How much does the Carado I338 cost?
According to the manufacturer, the base price of the Carado I338 Pro is around 68,000 euros (as of spring 2024). However, our test vehicle came with an extensive range of optional extras, including the chassis package, an automatic transmission, the drop-down bed and various comfort extras. This brought the total price to over 80,000 euros. The exact amount depends heavily on the selected packages and individual equipment.
Does the Carado I338 have a GRP roof?
Yes, the Carado I338 has a GRP roof (glass fiber reinforced plastic). This design protects the motorhome better against the weather and is a clear advantage over simpler sheet metal or aluminum roofs. The side walls and underbody are also made stable and weather-resistant by GRP or aluminum composite.
Is the Carado winter-proof?
The Carado I338 has limited winter suitability. Although it has a powerful Truma Combi 6 gas heater and good insulation, it lacks some of the details that real winter camping professionals would expect. For example, the waste water tank is not insulated and the drain valve is on the outside, which is impractical in frosty conditions. Nevertheless, it is well suited for occasional winter use in moderate temperatures – additional measures are recommended for extreme winter camping.
