Practical Caravan

Venus 460/2 ( 2019)

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Layout End washroom

Berths 2

L/W 6.16m/2.21m

MTPLM 1180kg

Payload 124kg

MIRO 1056kg

Plus points Great washroom, USBS

Minus points Only a manual-flush toilet

Our review said…

The Venus 460/2 we saw here was a Deluxe special edition, produced for Marquis Leisure and designed to bring what was Lunar’s budget range, introduced in 2015, up in the world.

You might not find the extras included in our test model, such as fancier exterior decals, on any 460/2 that you view on your local forecourt.

But there was certainly enough about this end-washroom two-berth that managed to impress our reviewer without those extras – particular­ly that washroom. It’s very well-lit, thanks to a big window, with a large, fully lined shower.

The kitchen is practical, while in the lounge, you get two comfortabl­e settees that work as single beds or easily form a double, with the help p of pull-out platforms.

The curtains that season were the same as you u got in the more expensive Lexon range, and you even get USB sockets in the spotlights.

We spotted...

Price £15,999

Features Four-burner hob, panoramic window › Seen at exetercara­vancentre.co.uk

Our review said…

Erwin Hymer UK’S budget Xplore range, first introduced in 2008, originally included the 302, a two-berth. But that was deleted in 2013 because so many people, our reviewer included, preferred the 304 as a two-berth, with its L-shaped front lounge, even if it does include a side dinette that takes the official berth tally up to four – giving you a handy pair of berths for occasional guests.

The front lounge gets loads of light thanks to a sunroof and a large portrait window on the offside. The kitchen doesn’t include a microwave, , but it is still perfectly adequate, given the size of the van, and storage works well as long as you stick with two people only.

Our full verdict? “The Xplore 304 is a great tourer, priced well and lightweigh­t. Build is excellent and with the SE pack, the spec is good, too. We think the 304 would be better as a tourer for two, with the occasional break with the grandchild­ren.

For family trips, an awning would be a plus.”

We spotted...

Price £15,000 (2020 model)

Features LED reading lights, combinatio­n oven and grill, three-burner gas hob; includes Kampa Rally Air Pro 260 awning › Seen at www.gumtree.com

Our review said…

With an end-kitchen layout that was standard for two-berths until end washrooms came along in the 1980s, the 380 was the smallest caravan Coachman produced in 2016. And with the introducti­on of its system of Advanced Bonded Constructi­on, this van was also 25kg lighter than the previous year’s model.

The kitchen is very well-equipped, providing a dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill, and a microwave. The beds are easy to assemble, too, with plenty of shelf space for a morning cuppa, and storage is good.

Our reviewer also said: “It has a lounge that is huge when compared to many other caravans (fixed-bed versions particular­ly), and we know there are a number of seasoned caravanner­s out there who like end kitchens – they certainly wouldn’t be disappoint­ed with this one! And when it comes to bedtime, the huge double is very easy to make up thanks to the pull-out base system.”

› Full review www.practicalc­aravan.com/reviews/ coachman-vision-380 We spotted...

Price £12,995

Features Stabiliser, stereo, microwave, oven › Seen at www.burtoncara­vancentre.com

 ??  ?? › Full review www.practicalc­aravan.com/reviews/ venus-460-2-deluxe
› Full review www.practicalc­aravan.com/reviews/ venus-460-2-deluxe
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 ??  ?? › Full review www.practicalc­aravan.com/reviews/ xplore-304-se
› Full review www.practicalc­aravan.com/reviews/ xplore-304-se
 ??  ?? Layout L-shaped front lounge with side dinette and end washroom
Berths 4
L/W 5.54m/2.18m
MTPLM 1043kg
Payload 135kg
MIRO 886kg
Plus points Great front lounge; flexible, useful kitchen
Minus points Storage is a bit cramped for four
Layout L-shaped front lounge with side dinette and end washroom Berths 4 L/W 5.54m/2.18m MTPLM 1043kg Payload 135kg MIRO 886kg Plus points Great front lounge; flexible, useful kitchen Minus points Storage is a bit cramped for four
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Layout End kitchen
Berths 2
L/W 5.65m/2.26m
MTPLM 1180kg
Payload 117kg
MIRO 1063kg
Plus points Huge lounge, well-equipped kitchen
Minus points Rather poky corner washroom
Layout End kitchen Berths 2 L/W 5.65m/2.26m MTPLM 1180kg Payload 117kg MIRO 1063kg Plus points Huge lounge, well-equipped kitchen Minus points Rather poky corner washroom

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