Full review

Words: Clare Kelly  Photography: Coachman/Clare Kelly

The Coachman Laser Xcel 855

The appetite for luxury caravans shows no signs of abating and Coachman, whose tourers are at the premium end of the scale, experienced a 60% increase in retail sales during the 2022 season. And so, for the new model year, the Hull-based manufacturer has bolstered its offering with significant updates across its portfolio and several new models. The Laser Xcel 855 is one of these and we headed to the factory to take a look.

While Lusso is the flagship model, Xcel is arguably just as luxurious and has been the choice of many discerning caravanners since it first appeared on dealer forecourts. Four models comprise the Laser Xcel range – all 8ft wide and four-berth with island beds and all are twin-axle.

These points are a clear indicator that these tourers are aimed at those who are looking to upgrade their current caravan or perhaps couples who, in the wake of Covid, decided that a caravan would allow them to have more holidays without the hassle of tiresome airport delays and other restrictions.

The exterior

They say you can't judge a book by its cover but that's not true in this case. As soon as you see the exterior of the 855, you'll know that this is a model that's especially refined. The bodyshell is fully bonded and aerodynamic and, rather than standard bright white, the side walls are, what Coachman refers to as 'Silver Grey', with contrasting black details including grab handles and chevron-style 3D-effect graphics scheme.

The alloys are super shiny 10-spoke, Hyper Silver ‘Falcon’ wheels and, if you look closely, you'll spot the solar panel on the roof – it's 100W and included as part of the specification – perfect for those who enjoy touring off-grid.

The interior

The overall look is one that's well considered, you'll find nothing out of place here and even the light clusters are pretty as well as functional. Over recent years, L-shaped lounges have become increasingly popular and the 855 is a great example of this with domestic-style sofas. Take a seat and you'll find it extremely comfortable thanks to the sprung construction, and there's more support when you're relaxing, with sculpted armrests and high backrests.

Textiles are a palette of soft grey, silver and cream and this scheme continues throughout the whole on the caravan. For this year, there's new smooth-action mechanism 'Softrollo' pleated blinds – put simply, this means they are less likely to get stuck and snag when you're trying to open and close them and they look very contemporary, indeed.

The 855 is the only model in the Xcel range that's supplied with an Avtex TV and that sits neatly in the dedicated TV station which feels like something you'd find in an upmarket hotel. It's an excellent piece of

cabinetry with a large shelf which is wide enough on which to sit a vase. The cupboard below is deep, making it perfect for those bits you want to keep out of sight. If you'd like to watch TV in bed, there's a socket there too.

Lighting

To set the tone, 100% low-energy LED lights illuminate this caravan and you'll find them glowing softly throughout. The LED reading lights are a fun touch – a little tap and they become night lights. The lighting at floor level is perfect if you're getting up in the night and don't want to wake up anyone sleeping next to you!

And should you have guests, it's really easy to make the lounge up into a double – an aluminium frame simply slides out, so surprise visitors are easily accommodated.

The kitchen

In the kitchen, there's an abundance of workspace (a speckled design known as 'White Pebble') for preparing meals and a worktop extension which can be folded away when not in use.

Cupboards are deep enough for more than a week's worth of supplies and the overhead lockers are a high-gloss acrylic finish, another premium touch. The Thetford sink is perfectly positioned and has a cover that matches the rest of the work surface, meaning it can also be used as a chopping board, if you wish.

The kitchen on the 855 is on the nearside and includes a Thetford dual-fuel hob and cast iron pan rest. A microwave is located on the offside with a work surface area below it.

Next to it is a Dometic 10.5T 153-litre electronic fridge/freezer which can be opened from both sides, making this kitchen easy to work in.

You'll find more dimmable lighting here, too, if you're cooking a romantic meal for two and want to set the tone early in the evening!

The washroom

The washroom is located in the centre of the caravan – a spacious shower room on the nearside and the washroom on the other. The shower is not unlike one you'd have at home so it's easy to forget where you are! The contrasting panel within the shower itself is a detail that, while not essential, makes this feel a cut above your typical caravan shower.

But it's the washroom itself that really stands out. A free-standing grey basin with chrome ceramic tap sits atop a curved vanity unit and the ladder-style radiator is large enough to accommodate towels for two.

The Thetford C262 swivel toilet is positioned to ensure there's enough legroom and, because the shower is on opposite side of the caravan, there's plenty of room to get ready in the morning.

All Laser Xcel models have the Alde wet central heating and hot water system with 3030 boiler and we put this to the test. Within 15 minutes, the caravan was so toasty – something you'll welcome if touring in the colder months of the year.

Too hot? Just use the LCD control panel and adjust the temperature.

The bedroom

With a rear bedroom and central washroom, it's easy to create an en suite for extra privacy. The bed itself is a transverse island which has plenty of storage below and a soft, padded headboard if you want to sit up and read in bed. In the corner, there's a vanity unit with even more storage. You can also retract the bed if you want more legroom. We love the speakers here – you can listen to music as you drift off...