Coachman VIP 520-4
Image
Key Features
Model Year
2010
Product Class
Single Axle
Price from (£)
£18795
Berths
4
Full Review
JUST sometimes one brilliant feature of a caravan will leap out and grab your initial attention. Layout? Big kitchen? Three bunks in a stack? In the case of the Coachman VIP range it’s none of these. It’s a vibrant lime-zest greeny yellow.
But pause for a minute. The VIP range is – and has always been – designed to appeal to those whose tastes err on the side of tradition rather than zingy bright IKEA-look modernity.
The truth is, the injection of brilliant lime-yellow cushions and leaves in the seating fabric pattern don’t detract from the VIP’s core appeal of top-drawer comfort and excellence in quality. They enhance it.
The 520-4’s two-seater side dining area that, by night, gives you a single bed with a bunk above, ensures its appeal both to families and couples.
Importantly, there’s no compromise on mattress depth here; the upholstery in the dining area is full depth, rather than folding out to give you a half-thickness mattresses suitable for children, so everyone enjoys the same standard of comfort, large and small.
That’s an example of the sort of comfort you come to expect from a Coachman.
Settee backs curve slightly upwards (that’s a traditional contribution to the styling) – and they really are as comfortable as they look.
Armrests with top sections that zip off just in case you want them to be at a lower level… a VIP is full of niceties and refinements.
And if you think, by this time, that this analysis is going to be all about appearance, you’re probably right, because this is where Coachman scores so highly, with the VIP range in particular.
Next part of the caravan under our test microscope is the kitchen.
Thetford four-burner hob atop gleaming black and steel oven and grill, reasonable-sized central cupboard and drawer, Thetford fridge with grey bow-front, fixed drainer, enough work surface curving forwards over the fridge to make the best use of every centimetre… So far, so predictable.
But take a closer look and you’ll see two thin strips of tiniest LED lights over the hob and drainer.
They’re barely a centimetre wide, but what a sparkling (literally) styling impact they make!
Above the hob the microwave hides behind a cream door. Push the centre and the door rises automatically on an ever-so-smooth gas-filled strut. The extractor fan is a welcome practicality.
The virtues of end washroom caravans are legendary – but Coachman has been for many years in the forefront of turning this essential room into something really special.
The VIP 520-4 is a prime example. This is extreme shower-dressing room opulence. Why? Firstly, the 520’s length allows for a large rear room, although this is at the expense of the length of the side dining area bed area, which isn’t quite full adult stretch.
Secondly, it contains a big wardrobe, with full-length hanging rail that continues into a three-shelf area to the right. Beneath are two enormous drawers. Then you have three shelves, the expected cupboard under the washbasin – and the unexpected huge, long mirror that reaches from basin to ceiling.
There’s another touch of lime green here. This time not the colour of the zest but the more subtle shade of the juicy bits, standing out amid browns and creams of a leaf-pattern Roman-style window blind.
One unique Coachman feature that’s hidden from view is the easy access to the rear of the Truma heater; this VIP’s television top that separates lounge from side dining area hinges up to reveal the whole of the back of the heater when you pull out the drawer.
It’s another example of the many features which come together to distinguish Coachman models as refined, elegant, craftsman-built caravans.
Verdict:
Buy a Coachman if you aspire to quality that you can see as well as build quality that you can’t.
Buy one if you like your modern caravan style tinged with classic styling. Buy this VIP 520-4 in particular if you have one or two young children AND want one of the best washrooms AND you need that space in order to make family shower routines a pleasure.
And buy a 520-4 if you’re a couple who value that shower-time splendour and would enjoy the luxury of a permanent two-seater dining area. The VIP’s versatile layout is the icing on the cake.
But pause for a minute. The VIP range is – and has always been – designed to appeal to those whose tastes err on the side of tradition rather than zingy bright IKEA-look modernity.
The truth is, the injection of brilliant lime-yellow cushions and leaves in the seating fabric pattern don’t detract from the VIP’s core appeal of top-drawer comfort and excellence in quality. They enhance it.
The 520-4’s two-seater side dining area that, by night, gives you a single bed with a bunk above, ensures its appeal both to families and couples.
Importantly, there’s no compromise on mattress depth here; the upholstery in the dining area is full depth, rather than folding out to give you a half-thickness mattresses suitable for children, so everyone enjoys the same standard of comfort, large and small.
That’s an example of the sort of comfort you come to expect from a Coachman.
Settee backs curve slightly upwards (that’s a traditional contribution to the styling) – and they really are as comfortable as they look.
Armrests with top sections that zip off just in case you want them to be at a lower level… a VIP is full of niceties and refinements.
And if you think, by this time, that this analysis is going to be all about appearance, you’re probably right, because this is where Coachman scores so highly, with the VIP range in particular.
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 |
Next part of the caravan under our test microscope is the kitchen.
Thetford four-burner hob atop gleaming black and steel oven and grill, reasonable-sized central cupboard and drawer, Thetford fridge with grey bow-front, fixed drainer, enough work surface curving forwards over the fridge to make the best use of every centimetre… So far, so predictable.
But take a closer look and you’ll see two thin strips of tiniest LED lights over the hob and drainer.
They’re barely a centimetre wide, but what a sparkling (literally) styling impact they make!
Above the hob the microwave hides behind a cream door. Push the centre and the door rises automatically on an ever-so-smooth gas-filled strut. The extractor fan is a welcome practicality.
The virtues of end washroom caravans are legendary – but Coachman has been for many years in the forefront of turning this essential room into something really special.
The VIP 520-4 is a prime example. This is extreme shower-dressing room opulence. Why? Firstly, the 520’s length allows for a large rear room, although this is at the expense of the length of the side dining area bed area, which isn’t quite full adult stretch.
Secondly, it contains a big wardrobe, with full-length hanging rail that continues into a three-shelf area to the right. Beneath are two enormous drawers. Then you have three shelves, the expected cupboard under the washbasin – and the unexpected huge, long mirror that reaches from basin to ceiling.
There’s another touch of lime green here. This time not the colour of the zest but the more subtle shade of the juicy bits, standing out amid browns and creams of a leaf-pattern Roman-style window blind.
One unique Coachman feature that’s hidden from view is the easy access to the rear of the Truma heater; this VIP’s television top that separates lounge from side dining area hinges up to reveal the whole of the back of the heater when you pull out the drawer.
It’s another example of the many features which come together to distinguish Coachman models as refined, elegant, craftsman-built caravans.
Verdict:
Buy a Coachman if you aspire to quality that you can see as well as build quality that you can’t.
Buy one if you like your modern caravan style tinged with classic styling. Buy this VIP 520-4 in particular if you have one or two young children AND want one of the best washrooms AND you need that space in order to make family shower routines a pleasure.
And buy a 520-4 if you’re a couple who value that shower-time splendour and would enjoy the luxury of a permanent two-seater dining area. The VIP’s versatile layout is the icing on the cake.
- This review was first published in the November 2010 issue of Go Caravan magazine.
