2022 Buccaneer Commodore caravan

Ooh, the smell of luxury really hits you when you go into the latest Buccaneer Commodore caravan. Deep cushions and curved backrests offer luxury-plus support and comfort, while leather upholstery provides the aroma (it’s an option). Completing the setting is a mix of dark and light furniture finishes, with complementary details like the latest chrome handles.

Ready to set sail

Indeed, everything about this market-topping tourer is big, starting with its sheer presence. Like its four sisters, it has an 8ft wide bodyshell on a twin axle chassis, topped off with a stunning overall specification.

That bodywork has been changed for 2022. There’s a more distinctive curve to the front edges, while the sides are one-piece with extra enhancements, including new light fittings and front locker, plus black alloy wheels. An e-bike carrier is now an option, too.

Continuing inside the Buccaneer Commodore caravan, the latest interior walls, in white, are seam-free and resistant to splashes, scratches and stains. And it boasts an interesting variation on an island bed layout, whereby the bed is set transversely at the very back and the lounge has a parallel seating arrangement.

As you’d expect, it all feels very roomy, with lots of windows as well as a full-length opening sunroof stretching all the way to the kitchen. Lounge luxury includes deep-pile carpet section, scatter cushions and bolsters along with practical details like the charging point in the front bulkhead.

The Buccaneer Commodore’s kitchen takes a sizeable chunk of the mid-‘van area. Of course, there’s a full cooker – a Thetford K1520 with three gas rings, single electric hotplate, separate grill and oven – in a unit that’s slightly L-shaped and provides a generous amount of worktop. The sink next to the hob is larger than typical, too.

An electric Omnivent overhead will provide ventilation whenever needed, while other kit includes soft-close drawers, two mains sockets and an acrylic splash panel.

Opposite, you’ll find a 155-litre Dometic fridge/freezer and Russell Hobbs microwave oven, flanked by shelving, as well as a slim locker on the right plus two more lockers on the left – the lower of which is home to the lounge’s free-standing dining table.

Beyond the kitchen on the nearside is a large shower cubicle with bi-fold doors. It’s over the wheel arch, but it means there’s a handy ledge to put your feet on while washing. The whole cubicle is plastic-lined, but surprisingly there’s only the one drainage point. The soap tray on the riser bar and drop-down clothes rail will certainly come in handy, though.

Over on the offside of the Buccaneer Commodore, the toilet room has an oval countertop basin as well as a radiator/towel rail (It’s an Alde system, of course, supplemented by underfloor heating). You can use the toilet room door to close off the bedroom and its en-suite facilities.

At the back, then, that transverse island double bed is set at a low level for easiest access. The extending function – not that it’s necessarily needed in this scenario, although it does mean extra floor space when retracted – takes its full length out to 1.90m. Maximum width is some 1.35m.

Wardrobes are either side, as well as three-drawers and a handy night-time ledge. There are two corner units at the foot of the bed, while a Midi Heki rooflight and two windows let daylight flood in, when needed.

The generous specification stops just short of a satellite TV system (it’s on the options list), but does include E&P’s latest almost instant self-levelling system, 100Watt solar panel, Pioneer stereo system and so much more.

Topping the safety and security list is a Thatcham Cat 7 Tracker for a caravan insurance discount, plus an alarm, AL-Ko Secure axle wheel locks and Al-Ko ATC.

In this video we take a look inside the 2022 Buccaneer Commodore caravan

Verdict: Enter the Commodore class

Plus: High specification, twin axle handling attributes, ten-year bodywork warranties

Minus: Heavy, some of the options are pricey

In-a-nutshell: Once, twice, three times a tourer

There’s more information on the Buccaneer range on the Elddis website. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance page.

Alternatives: Coachman Laser 850 Xtra, Swift Elegance Grande 835