2014 Compass Corona 462
2014 Compass Corona 462
The Compass Corona range also didn’t last long, before being replaced by the Casita. But that’s no reflection on the popularity of the Corona – in fact, Corona was a model name from 2001 to 2010. So does this Corona look as though it’s worth the extra £1800 over the Olympus? The Corona is two years younger than the Olympus, and compared well to it in terms of general condition. The Corona also comes with excellent storage for two and a specification that includes full front and rear moulded panels. Also built on an Al-ko chassis, the Corona has one-piece smooth aluminium sides. This layout is a bit more conventional than that of the Olympus – for example, the front lounge in the Corona does have a central chest of drawers, and the midships kitchen is on the offside. Like the Olympus, the Corona also provides a side dresser unit and a sizeable end washroom.
Pitch and set-up
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 The Olympus has a hitch stabiliser, ATC, alloy wheels and a spare wheel. It also has a relatively new mover – this is a useful retrofit on any tourer. The Corona comes with ATC and AKS hitch stabiliser, plus a spare wheel and alloys. The Corona has a good-sized integral front locker, while the Olympus has to make do with two forward side lockers, which rather impede the bedding space. The pair also come with TV aerials – the Olympus has a Status 530 and the Corona is fitted with an Avtex Stick Aerial. The Olympus has a few clip-on body mouldings, giving it a more stylish exterior, but the Corona beats it hands down here, with smart moulded front and rear panels. Both have the battery box on the nearside and other service points on the offside. Awning lights are fitted in both, just
above the door, and both exteriors were free from noticeable marks. The Corona’s large front locker is a big plus, but so is the mover on the Olympus, and it provides the winning point here.
Lounge
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 460 This comes down to personal taste. What do you want in your lounge: an extra seat, or storage and a slide-out coffee table? The Olympus comes with a U-shaped lounge, which offers a more spacious, airy feel. It also has plenty of overhead locker storage, with eight lockers, compared to only six in the Corona. Both have a midi Heki roof vent, allowing for good ventilation and lots of natural light in the lounge. LED corner spotlights are fitted in both lounges, plus corner integral locker lights in the Olympus. The Corona also has that central chest of drawers, which many find essential in a tourer. This provides not only additional storage, but also an occasional table, so you don’t have to use the freestanding table all of the time, as you will in the Olympus. Both tourers have a Cd/radio in one of the overhead lockers. In the Olympus, we also like the handy storage pouch on the lounge wall – a neat little feature. The soft furnishings in the Corona are a plainer design, but still look classy. Scatter cushions add extra comfort. The pair also have a mains socket fitted in the lounge, and blown-air outlets, so we are calling this section a draw.
Beds
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 Both of these tourers provide two berths, but you have a choice of bed. The Corona has a double that’s easily made up with pull-out slats from the base of the chest of drawers, and the settee cushions. Or you can use the front settees as single beds. Either format should prove comfortable. The Olympus does the same, using slats from below the front central seat, which makes up the double bed in the same way. However, the lack of those central drawers means the Olympus double is larger. Its settees also make up into twin singles. The bigger bed makes the Olympus the winner.
Kitchen
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 Neither of these tourers lacks in the kitchen spec department – both come with a fridge, oven and microwave, but the Corona does have a dual-fuel hob, as opposed to the four gas burners in the Olympus. Both have a good amount of worktop, but the Olympus has better overhead storage and excellent LED downlighters. The sink is bigger in the Olympus, and the worktop finish a bit classier. Cupboard storage is on equal terms, as is the general condition, which is really excellent. The pair also have a side dresser, which in the Corona is used to the full for cupboard storage. The dresser in the Olympus, by contrast, has a Truma heater in the base and the microwave above. Both microwaves are of good quality. In the Corona, the microwave is also above the side dresser, and it is fitted more neatly than the one in the Olympus. There are several mains sockets fitted in both kitchens, although the Corona does have an extra one. But the Olympus just pips the Corona to the post here.
Washroom
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 We liked the Corona’s washroom, mainly because of its more spacious feel, but the shower cubicle in the Olympus was larger than the one in the Corona. Storage in both sees the Corona with one large side wardrobe, whereas the Olympus has two smaller ones. The handbasin in the Olympus is deeper and slightly larger, and its shower cubicle has a roof vent. Both washrooms have a window and Thetford electric flush toilet. But the Olympus comes in first here, by a whisker.
Storage
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 It’s another close one here. Although the Olympus has more overhead locker storage, it doesn’t have that central chest of drawers, and its front locker is not large enough to store caravanning odds and ends. Both caravans have excellent wardrobe space and good kitchen storage, and the Corona’s capacious front gas locker was a definite plus – but this one is a draw.
Verdict
Bailey Olympus 460-2 Compass Corona 462 Taken overall, both of these tourers were very good – the Olympus, with its seating that looked as good as new, and the smartlooking Corona gave us the impression neither had seen much service. We liked the Olympus for its excellent storage in the spacious lounge. We were impressed by its end washroom, but the Corona also felt roomy, and we wondered how many buyers would forgo that large gas locker and central chest of drawers. In terms of general appearance, the GRP interior walls (still used on Bailey’s 2019 models) might look a tad dated now. The Corona felt that little bit more upmarket, but fell short in other areas. The pair were in excellent condition and, with the price and age difference, the Corona might be the choice for many. However, the great front lounge in the Olympus could just be a deal clincher, and that mover is a useful addition. The Corona has better exterior looks, but we reckon – for the cash, spec and condition – the Olympus is the winner here.