2027 Tiffin GT1 Review
For those who want a daily driver that just happens to incorporate a bathroom and kitchen, the 2027 Tiffin GT1 could be a good choice. It’s an efficient and maneuverable package that’s smaller than some full-sized trucks and SUVs, but one that offers decent camping-focused features wrapped in the kind of appointments you would expect from the Tiffin brand. Whether it’s a longer adventure or just a weekend getaway, this RV has a great driving environment and some top-notch features for even those RVers who prefer camping off the grid.
At a Glance: 2027 Tiffin GT1
I felt the 2027 Tiffin GT1 earned eight out of ten points overall with strong design and construction owing to the Mercedes-Benz chassis and Tiffin build quality. But there were areas where other brands do a better job with similar floor plans.
2027 Tiffin GT1
- Seats 5 for traveling
- Compact, yet full-featured
- Clever, easy-to-use Smart Plug
- Efficient AC unit that also heats
- Functional and reliable tank monitors
- No physical backup for interior controls
- Those who want a daily driver that has a kitchen and bathroom
- Those who like camping off-grid or in smaller campgrounds with RV size restrictions
Check the Specs
- Sleeping capacity: 2
- GVWR: 9,050 pounds
- Hitch Rating: 5,000 pounds
- Exterior length: 19 feet 6 inches
- Exterior height: 10 feet
- Exterior width: 92 inches
- Fresh/Gray/Black: 16/26/13 gallons
Features We Love
- Rear forward-facing bench seat
- Good balance between size and function
- Smart Plug
- Gree inverter AC unit
- See Level tank monitors
Benefits
- Seating for five. The rear seat is forward-facing which means it’s legal to transport even younger passengers in all 50 states (some states restrict seats that don’t face forward).
- Compact, yet full-featured. This vehicle is actually smaller than some large SUVs and pickups yet offers seating for five, a bathroom and a kitchen.
- Smart Plug is smart. The Smart Plug is a very well-designed and -built power connection that is so much easier to use and more secure than the standard twist-lock 30-amp plug.
- Efficient AC unit that cools and heats. The Gree AC unit is very efficient and can run the compressor at variable speeds based on demand, making the most of the included battery system. Further, the heat pump function can also work as a heater, allowing for all-electric heat.
- Functional and reliable tank monitors. The See Level tank monitor system uses monitors mounted external to the holding tanks and reports levels in one-degree increments. These tend to report more useful information and, by being mounted outside the tanks, tend not to foul.
Challenges
- Everything has to be controlled through a central digital control panel which is fine when it’s working, but should something go wrong – as it did for us – you’re just stuck. We had to reboot the system just to turn on a light. Simple mechanical controls are foolproof.
Best For
- Those who want a daily driver that has a kitchen and bathroom.
- Those who like camping off-grid or in smaller campgrounds with RV size restrictions.
Key Areas We Evaluate for RV Buyers
Sleeping Space: 6/10
Of all the compromises in the GT1, the sleeping area might affect the most prospective buyers. The rear bench, the side-facing seat, and ottoman power down flat to form the sleeping area. There’s also an odd cushion under a cabinet for one’s feet.
You get a queen-size platform, but one with all sorts of edges and crevices that I suspect that your hips or shoulders will find at night, making for a grumpy day the next morning. I would be shocked if someone used the thin cushions here as-is without some sort of enhancement/topper – and where would you keep it during the day?
Bathroom: 7/10
The bathroom in the GT1 is likewise a poster child for compromise. This is a wet bath meaning that whole room – shower and toilet – is one space.
That also means that there’s no bringing towels inside when showering because the whole room is the shower. So you have to be very comfortable with whomever you’re camping with. You will also want to make sure that the blinds are drawn outside the bathroom before venturing into it, otherwise you might find your neighbors rating your ability to clean yourself.
On the plus side, this RV does offer the Shower Miser water-saving feature which lets you direct water back into the RV’s system while waiting for it to get hot in the shower – a very welcome bit of tech, considering the small holding tanks in a Class B.
Many of these Class B RVs use a cartridge toilet but not here; this is a typical RV toilet and incorporates a macerator. This whole bathroom is typical for Class B RVs – hence its score. Expectations would be higher in another size of RV, but this setup is average for the category.
Living Area: 8/10
The main living space in the GT1 is a forward-facing couch at the back with a side-facing jump seat. The forward-facing couch does offer lap belts so this RV may work as a daily driver for up to five passengers, and might be a great choice if you travel for work or events as you’d have a clean bathroom and kitchen on the go.
Overall, this is a decent space and you could have three people here for conversation. The front seats can also be swiveled around to face the rear but the kitchen and bathroom are in the way so it lessens the lounge feel.
Kitchen: 7/10
The kitchen in the Tiffin GT1 is pretty typical of a Class B van. There is a cabinet built at the sliding door with a rectangular sink and single induction cooktop. A small flip-up counter extension adds a bit of space for meal prep.
You could argue that many Class B owners are going to leave the big sliding door open, weather permitting, and with that done there is a drawer-like surface that can be reached from outside the rig. The height of this is intended to be used standing outside and you could pull the induction cooktop out and use it out here.
There’s a relatively small 12-volt fridge, but the door swings toward the front, making it unnecessarily challenging to get inside from the kitchen. I generally advocate that Class B RVs use a portable 12-volt cooler instead of the traditional tiny refrigerator. This would be easy to use indoors or out and handy for those inevitable Costco runs.
A convection microwave rounds out the appliances in the kitchen. The space is certainly usable but more for smaller meals as you would likely prepare for two campers with some solid advanced planning.
Four-Season Capabilities: 9/10
This RV should be good in a variety of climates. The rooftop AC system is an efficient and very strong unit when the temps rise, and can be operated in reverse on cooler days to provide heat inside. When it gets truly cold, the diesel-fired heating system takes over and efficiently warms the cabin. With the holding tank placement, they should be fairly resistant to freezing.
Storage Space: 6/10
The Tiffin GT1 is a Class B RV and that means the only real storage is in overhead cabinets. There is no outside storage whatsoever and the kitchen has only a single overhead cabinet, with the remainder suspended above the living/sleeping area.
Chassis/Suspension: 9/10
Mercedes-Benz has a very well deserved reputation for the performance and handling of their entire vehicle line and this extends to their vans. While the underpinning isn’t quite as advanced as, say, a Mercedes S-Class, the company does well within the parameters of what is predominantly a delivery van.
There are also a whole host of safety technologies incorporated into the build, including active brake assist, traffic sign assist, electronic stability controls, lane-keeping, and even adaptive cruise control.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform has a very small 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine but, through the magic of science, this is more than sufficient to give this vehicle a surprising balance of peppy performance and outstanding fuel efficiency. This van is likely to use much less fuel than a larger SUV yet boast more interior space and even a bathroom.
Cockpit: 9/10
The cockpit on this van offers good design and comfort with controls and systems in ideal places as you would expect from a Mercedes chassis. The two seats offer a full range of power adjustments and everything falls readily to hand. This environment lives up to brand reputation despite being designed mainly for commercial use.
Off-Grid/Sustainability: 8/10
Power on this comes through a standard 540-Ah lithium battery system with a 3,000-watt inverter/charger. The bottom line is that this system can run the AC overnight on battery power alone. Recharging this large battery simply involves starting the engine and driving around some.
There is an included 220-watt solar panel, but this honestly won’t do much to replenish any power used in the RV – the secondary alternator or portable ground-deployed panels are your best bet.
I was surprised to see a Gree air conditioner, which is a remarkably efficient unit with a variable-speed compressor that can output hot air as well. This particular model can be operated with an included remote or via an app.
There is also a diesel-fired heat exchanger that provides additional warmth and is also very efficient.
Value: 7/10
With premium features including a Girard awning, Smart Plug, inverter AC with heat pump, and the large battery and charging system, you can expect this to be at the upper end of the Class B RV field. But the compromises in the bedroom and bathroom and even kitchen really make this a hard sell for me.
If you factor in that this could be a daily driver for a couple or small family, that helps; but assuming the MSRP of this is in the low $200,000s, more than many houses, it’s going to be a challenging value proposition.
However, that’s pretty typical of this type of RV as well so I thought it earned a 7 out of ten which is an average score in our methodology.
Notes on Build Quality
Sometimes brands like Tiffin have a great name but that’s it. But the GT1 really does live up to the Tiffin brand quite well. The nice, curved cabinets and premium upholstery and most interior materials give it a quality feel.
The upgraded upholstery on the cockpit seating goes a step above; and its premium features and nicely detailed exterior (no cheap plastic covers over things like the water fill and dump system) tell the story of good attention to detail. This has a definite above-average feel to it.
Closing Notes on the Tiffin GT1
The floor plan in the Tiffin GT1 is one that many Class B RV manufacturers make. Some of those builders have done some pretty innovative things with sleeping areas, cargo storage, and, in particular, the bathroom.
But there are clear indications that Tiffin is dedicated to delivering a higher-quality product with things like the Smart Plug, Girard awning, and Gree AC system, as well as quality materials and finishes. The battery reserve and alternator charging system, too, is a strong point for those who want to camp without hookups.
Overall, this would be a great daily driver with the efficient Mercedes-Benz 2.0L diesel engine, forward-facing rear seat, and compact overall size – and could serve as a camper on weekends or even a support vehicle for events and group activities.
A Note on the RV Trader Review Process
RV Trader asked RV shoppers what was most important to them in their RV buying process. Potential buyers — like you — helped us to identify a list of six key areas that camping and travel enthusiasts always look at when they’re searching for the perfect RV: sleeping space, bathroom, living area, four-season capabilities, and storage space.
The RV Trader team then got to work providing you with honest and unbiased evaluations. If you’re wondering, that’s where I came in. As an RV expert and enthusiast, I provide an honest look at RVs from an RV industry insider perspective.
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