Caravan Review: Coachman Laser Xcel range [2024]

 

Coachman’s 2024 luxury Lasers caravans have reached new heights (and sizes) in Xcel form. Let’s see exactly how good a caravan can get

Coachman’s four 2024 Laser Xcel tourers – the 845, 850, 855 and 875 – are bringing domestic practicality, comfort and luxury to a campsite near you!

These sumptuous, eight-foot wide caravans all run on twin-axles for added stability on the road, and are jam packed with high-quality furnishings, well-appointed kitchens, opulent washrooms and super-comfy bedrooms.

For me, these are luxury couple’s caravans, but families of four could also experience the extravagant touring lifestyle they can offer, with smaller kids (or guests) sleeping on the vast make-up front beds.

Each Laser is constructed with insulative 25mm wall panels, consisting of an aluminium-skin and polystyrene-cores. Meanwhile, the floors are made of 45mm insulated sandwich-composite.

Throw in Alde’s fantastic programmable, wet central-heating system, and you have true four-season tourers, that will offer cosy and warm retreats from the worst weather a British winter can muster.

Coachman has improved the already-impressive spec of its 2023 models, by adding 40-litre onboard water tanks; voluminous 159-litre Thetford fridge/freezers and Teleco Teleplus TV aerials with DAB radio reception, plus a host of other desirable practical and styling additions.

Laser Xcel 845

 

This lavish tourer features a plush L-shaped sofa next to a slim console cupboard. The floor is a durable vinyl, but these Lasers come with deep-pile, loose-lay carpet for added warmth and cosiness. The sofa converts into a vast double bed for guests or kids.

 

Adjacent is a stylish, compact L-shaped kitchen which boasts a fold-up extension, lots of storage, stainless steel sink (with cool, flexible mixer-tap nozzle) and a versatile Thetford hob and oven. Opposite is a 159-litre fridge/freezer at a useful mid-height, with additional worktop space next to it.

A corridor, with the spacious shower on one side and well-equipped washroom on the other, leads to the rear bedroom, with its island bed coming off the back wall. The dark wood-effect wall panels exude a quality feel which is enhanced by the layered lighting options and multi-angle reading lights. The bed retracts in the daytime to create more space in the bedroom.

Laser Xcel 850

The new 850 model offers luxury couple’s accommodation that few airbnbs can match. Parallel sofas in the lounge feature premium, sprung construction and high-quality, durable grey fabrics. The ‘hygge’ quotient is enhanced with three tasteful cushions on each side, in coordinating shades of beige and gold.

 

Like the other Laser Xcels, the kitchen offers expanding worktop space, three drawers, plus a pan locker and a large cupboard for provisions. A large locker and the flatbed, ventilated microwave are at head height, with a rooflight/vent above.

The washroom and shower are found ‘amidships’ separating the lounge and kitchen from the bedroom rather neatly. The washroom has a large mirror and lots of cupboard storage, plus a super-stylish bowl-style washbasin in a dark mushroom colour. On one side is a heated towel rail, with a Thetford swivel loo opposite.

The shower has a transparent hinged door, and is big enough for the larger caravanner. The shower tap and showerhead both look like quality items, and the unit has two small, built-in shelves.

Laser Xcel 855

Step inside the luxurious Laser Xcel 855 and you’re immediately confronted by one of the biggest (and comfiest-looking) sofas in the world of caravans. This L-shaped settee has deep, sprung cushions, and occupants are treated to a lovely bright and airy environment, thanks to the large windows and huge front roof-window.

That said, the nearside front window is missing, having been replaced by a mount for a pleasingly-large 32in television. I can’t think of any other caravan that looks quite as inviting as this for a night watching a movie with the ‘other-half’ or family.

The kitchen sits on the nearside, and has plenty of worktop space with the fold-up extension in place. A good-sized sink and Thetford hob (three gas burners and an electric hotplate) deliver domestic levels of practicality.

The rear bedroom is separated from the lounge and kitchen by the mid-washroom arrangement, which has the large shower on one side, opposite the well-equipped washroom with its loo, basin and towel rail.
The bedroom has an island double bed coming off the offside wall. The bed base lifts to reveal a vast storage space below, and also retracts to create a wider walkway around the bed, during the day. A window on the rear wall and a rooflight provide plenty of daylight illumination.

Laser Xcel 875

 

The 875 is a dream of a couple’s caravan, as it just feels so spacious and welcoming – from the sumptuous parallel front sofas to the opulent island double bed in the middle of the van.

Like all Lasers the kitchen is well equipped, with top-class appliances and bags of practical storage, there’s also lots of space for people to get past the cook (which isn’t always the case). The highlight is perhaps the capacious fridge, which will provide more than enough chilled storage for four.

A neat concertina screen pulls across easily, to separate the bedroom from the front of the tourer.

In this van, the washroom is at the rear, and divided from the rest of the caravan by a sliding door. It’s one of the most spacious washrooms around, with plenty of floorspace, as well as a Thetford swivel toilet, bowl-style basin, large shower and lots of storage.

Summary

The devil’s in the detail with these vans. You can see Coachman’s focus on ‘going the extra mile’ in its dovetailed furniture joints and the soft-close function on many of its lockers and drawers.

But if details aren’t your thing, just immerse yourself in a specification list that puts many competitors to shame – seriously, we’re talking three pages of A4!

Yep, the Laser Xcel range genuinely gives all other tourers a run for their money, so get yourself down to Raymond James Caravans in Atherstone to check them out.