2024 Coachman Laser Xcel 850 caravan

An all-new caravan model from Coachman for 2024? Not quite.

In truth, the Laser Xcel 850 differs from its 855 and 845 stablemates in its lounge and bed offerings.

Island hop

It reverts to a traditional twin-settee arrangement, while the orientation of its transverse island double bed puts the head end on the nearside. All other aspects of this popular formula remain the same.

Like all Laser Xcel caravans, it’s big and proud – an 8m long, wide-bodied twin axle tourer with a distinctive Coachman family look to its fully bonded body, using traditional aluminium sides in silver, and front and rear panels in ABS in white.

In this video, we take a look around the 2024 Coachman Laser Xcel 850 caravan:

It gets the same 2024 upgrades as the rest of the Laser Xcel series (now up to four models) – including the latest soft furnishings and 3D graphics, Teleco Teleplus TV aerial with FM and DAB reception and 40-litre fresh water tank, as well as details such as black reading lights with USBs.

Standard fit alarm and AL-KO Secure wheel locks will help keep your caravan insurance premium down, although, with a price tag of £46,000, you’ll likely need a tracking system to get the Laser Xcel 850 insured. Coachman does offer a Moving Intelligence tracker as an option on this range and we think it’d be money well spent.

There’s plenty new in the Coachman Laser Xcel 850’s caravan kitchen, too. Set mid-‘van offside, the L-shaped design, with hinged extension, helps optimise worktop and storage space, and the positive catches to the lockers and drawers are particularly easy to use.

Upgrades range from the splashback, chrome and black finish to the mixer tap, and a flatbed microwave oven.

The sink, too, in stainless steel, comes with a flush-fit loose cover. The location of the microwave, directly over the hob, is the only point of contention here. As you’d expect, there’s a full cooker with dual-fuel hob and separate oven and grill.

The fridge/freezer is on the nearside, and it’s a Thetford model for the 2024 season. At 159 litres, its capacity is some six litres more than previous Laser Xcel caravans. Between it and the habitation door is a TV mounting point and sockets, plus a slimline locker for the lounge’s table.

The main bed is at the back of the Coachman Laser Xcel 850 caravan, with cabinets to either side and mirrors beyond, plus three lockers over the padded headboards. At the foot of the bed, there are various storage options, as well as a mounting for a flatscreen TV.

There’s just one wardrobe, but – along with the two drawers to its base, it should cope easily with couples on their travels.

Forward of the bedroom, the washing facilities are split between a shower cubicle on the nearside and a toilet room offside, with a solid door providing full privacy from the kitchen and lounge areas.

The shower cubicle is over the wheels, which makes for a handy step to put your feet for washing (alternatively, an obstruction, depending on your point of view).

There are also two small ledges as part of the full plastic lining here. The shower itself is on a riser bar, but there’s just a single drainage hole.

The toilet room has the bonus of an opaque window beyond the swivel-bowl toilet. There’s even space for a narrow locker above. Next to the loo is a countertop handbasin with locker storage below.

Up front, there’s an opulent feel to the sprung upholstery of the Laser Xcel 850 caravan, and the backrests are just a tad higher than before. Lots of windows mean plenty of daylight gets in when you want it, and there are plenty of lighting options for nighttime.

Equipped to the gunnels, the standard kit list encompasses everything from Alde central heating to drawers with metal runners and dovetail jointing, to a wireless phone charging pad, an E & P levelling system, and a whole lot more.

To find out more about insuring a Coachman Laser Xcel 850 caravan or your current tourer visit our caravan insurance discounts page.

Verdict: Luxury unabated in this top-drawer tourer

Plus: Above par build, comfort and equipment levels, twin axle stability

Minus: Microwave location, just the one shower plughole

In-a-nutshell: Practically peerless

Alternatives: Buccaneer Commodore, Swift Elegance Grande 835