2025 Elddis Crusader Mistral caravan review

A double celebration

2025 season sees a double celebration for Elddis’s flagship Crusader caravan range – the first Mistral debuted back in 1970 and these days there’s a five-model range that’s also joining in with the company’s 60^th anniversary of touring caravan production.

Hence they all benefit from Elddis’s 60^th Anniversary Diamond Edition pack, which includes new exterior graphics, a change of upholstery and furniture finish, metal paddle locker door catches, new washroom tap, 60^th anniversary cushion tags and more.

All this follows on from an overhaul for the whole Crusader line-up for the 2025 season seeing – among other upgrades – a change to 8ft wide bodies that are a good blend of a modern look – including features such as GRP sides in silver and a protective underfloor, also in GRP – with traditional values such as the three-window front (there’s even a reinforced area on the hitch cover so you can step on it for cleaning them), heavy-duty corner steadies and more.

In this video, we take a look around the 2025 Elddis Crusader Mistral caravan:

It’s the Mistral that tops the Crusader caravan range in terms of popularity. Hardly surprising, since it’s Elddis’s take on the current caravan layout of the day – a winning combination of transverse island bed with a full-width washroom across the back that’s particularly attractive to couples, especially, despite its four-berth status.

You feel the extra width throughout the Elddis Crusader Mistral caravan when you’re on-site, where the new, lighter interior colour scheme also helps with the overall feel of spaciousness, as do the front sunroof and Stargazer rooflight running the length of the lounge.

You may even notice the interior wallboards in the lounge are now one-piece, eliminating the need for paper tape over any seams.

Those settees have contoured backrests, while the table is a free-stander with dedicated locker storage for safe travel. At the front, the chest of drawers features dovetailed joints and comes with a pull-out tabletop that’s ideal when you only want occasional use.

The kitchen is mid-‘van along the offside. As you’d expect, it includes a full cooker (three gas rings, electric hotplate, separate oven and grill), supplemented by an 800Watt microwave oven, sensibly located at a height that should be convenient for most users, in the sideboard unit across the corridor. If you want to do your cooking outside, there’s an external gas socket.

Surprisingly, for current times, the fridge is restricted to a 98-litre total capacity. There are plenty of locker and drawer storage opportunities, however, and a small worktop extension. An Omnivent electrically operated rooflight will help keep the chef cool or extract unwanted cooking aromas, as needed.

That island bed is partially retractable, giving you a few vital inches of extra space in the daytime, allowing easier access to the washroom beyond. At night, it goes out to its fullest 1.90m length and is some 1.34m at its widest. You can also make a transverse double at the front that’s some 2.03m x 1.13m.

Other useful bedroom features include the wardrobes with slide-out ledges at either side of the bed, as well as a full-length mirror.

A sliding door gives access to the washroom.

It’s roomy enough to offer a separate shower cubicle with water-saving Ecocamel Orbit showerhead, swivel-bowl toilet and a central basin.

As befits a luxury model, the Elddis Crusader Mistral caravan has Alde’s latest central heating and hot water system.

You also get a Teleco TV aerial, 15in alloy wheels, 40-litre on-board fresh water tank, wireless phone charger with two USB portals, and a Pioneer radio with app that’s also Spotify- and iTunes-compatible, with speakers in the front lockers.

Latest Crusader caravans score well for safety and security, too. A Thatcham S7 approved tracking system, alarm, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock and AL-KO ATC are provided as standard – all helping towards discounts on your annual caravan insurance premium with Caravan Guard.

Of course, it’s a well-equipped touring caravan overall. Nevertheless, at a price of over £35,000 it’s strange to see the likes of a solar panel, mattress upgrade and TV bracket only making it as far as the options list.

The Elddis Crusader Mistral caravan also has its work cut out with competition from all-comers. Can the Diamond cut through?

To find out more about insuring an Elddis Crusader Mistral or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance page.

Verdict: Mistral hits the mainstream

Plus: A much-favoured island bed floorplan

Minus: Small fridge, lacks a bit of pizzazz

In-a-nutshell: Shine on, you Crusader Diamond

Alternatives: Adria Adora 623 DT Isonzo, Bailey Unicorn Deluxe Vigo, Coachman Laser 575 Xtra, Swift Challenger Grande 580 Exclusive