Showroom stars
Our round-up of bargain lightweight vans
Our review said…
Introduced as a replacement for the Meteorite back in 1995, by 2019 the Lunar Ariva had spent more recent years acting as the two-berth introduction to the Quasar range – although there was also, briefly, a four-berth Ariva.
So in this caravan you get Quasar spec, and that’s what impressed our reviewer, even if the exterior and washroom were starting to look a little dated.
There is a full oven in the end kitchen, as well as a microwave, and you also get a radio/cd player hidden away in one of the lockers. Internal l flaps provide easy access to the underseat areas, and when it comes to bedtime, the double is easily made up by pulling out platforms; although anyone under 6ft could use the settees as singles if preferred. You don’t, however, get a front sunroof.
We also said: “whatever your preferences in terms of exterior appearance, the Ariva – built on an Al-ko chassis with alloys, spare wheel and AKS hitch – is certainly on good foundations. . The smooth aluminium panels are smartly highlighted by new graphics, while front and rear moulded panels are not full height.” › Full review www.practicalcaravan.com/ reviews/lunar-ariva
We spotted…
Price £14,595
Features Motor mover, full oven, microwave, radio/cd player › Seen at www.burtoncaravancentre.com
Our review said…
Marquis Leisure, Britain’s biggest motorhome dealer network, imported the Antarès caravan brand for a couple of seasons starting in 2017. That probably explains why this budget French tourer includes some very un-continental extras, such as an oven in the kitchen. You still get the door on the UK offside, however.
The 335 was the baby of the Antarès range, a two-berth whose USPS were chiefly its weight and its overall length of just 5m. It really is ideal for first-time caravanners.
The interior finish is basic – the ‘curtains’ on the windows turn out to be cleverly designed lengths of voile, for example, and bed extensions are pieces of bare wood. But the inside is smart enough.
You also get directional spotlights in the front, a TV bracket and a three-burner hob. “This van makes a very promising proposition if you are a couple just wanting to get away in your own modest car with all the basic facilities you will need,” was our verdict.
› Full review www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/ caravelair-antares-335 We spotted...
Price £9995
Features Oven, directional spotlights › Seen at www.loot.com
Our review said…
The Quasar 462 was the two-berth in the Quasar range proper, to distinguish it from the shorter Ariva model (see p66).
Unlike the Ariva, this layout has the washroom spread across the back, rather than the kitchen. Our reviewer felt that, given the ample space, more could have been done with it, although we liked the way a trapdoor allowed you to hang things (such as wetsuits) at full height.
Outside the washroom there is much to be admired. The 2018 season had seen Lunar team up with homewares brand Joules, and a lot of this had rubbed off on the interior design scheme, particularly the floral scatter cushions.
The front lounge might not have the largest sunroof you have seen, but the large rooflight makes up for that. Storage is excellent and easily accessible, and the kitchen is generous, given the space available.
› Full review www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/ lunar-quasar-462 We spotted...
Price £18,295
Features Alloy wheels, microwave, radio/cd player, TV aerial › Seen at www.cookstowncaravans.com
Our review said…
When it launched the short-lived Pursuit range in 2017 (it had already gone by 2020), Bailey decided to dispense with option packs and include much more as standard.
That, of course, put the price up; but in turn, made a used model feel good value just a couple of years down the line.
This two-berth has a sunroof, microwave and radio/cd/mp3 player all fitted as standard. There’s a comfortable front lounge, a large washroom, comfortable beds with Ozio mattresses, s, and a kitchen that is well-equipped if a bit short on workspace. An absence of any mirror by the door is one of the few signs of cost-cutting.
We also said in our review: “With a warm Mendip Ash furniture finish, a worktop laminate known as ‘Burnt Oak’ that at first glance looks like slate, and a crimson, blue and pale-grey colour scheme for the Festival upholstery, the interior of this Bailey Pursuit 400-2 looks modern. There are also directional, individually switched spotlights over each settee, in addition to four LEDS around the rooflight.”
› Full review www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/ bailey-pursuit-400-2 We spotted...
Price £11,495
Features Sunroof, microwave, radio/cd/mp3 player › Seen at www.penrosetouring.co.uk