2021 Coachman Laser Xcel 845 caravan

Such is its imposing nature, it doesn’t feel right to call the 845 the “baby” of three Coachman Laser Xcel twin axle caravan models, where Xcel denotes a body width of 2.44m.

Pinpointing luxury with an island bed

Like its two sisters, it boasts an island bed – in the case of the Laser Xcel 845, it runs lengthways.

The 845 also has an L-shaped front lounge, a style that appears to be making a bit of a comeback in recent seasons. It’s all the more luxurious here due to the sprung-interior seating and backrests that are just a bit higher than the norm.

There’s a slight L-shape to the kitchen of the Laser Xcel 845, too, making it more space-efficient. The cooker is on the far right, with an inset, circular sink to its immediate left (a loose cover in the same Corian material as the worktop is a boon for when you want optimal work space). There’s also a worktop extension, far left.

The microwave is directly over the hob (admittedly, not everyone’s favourite location), while across the corridor, the Dometic fridge/freezer will surely find favour with its 133-litre capacity and dual sides opening facility (i.e. it hinges left or right), as well as being set at a height for the most convenient access.

Kitchen storage is generous, too, thanks to a combination of various sized lockers – the largest complete with fixed chrome racks, as well as a deep lipped base area that’s ideal for bottles and cans etc – plus three drawers and two high-level lockers (in a different, gloss finish to the lockers in the main living and sleeping quarters).

As is the norm with an end bedroom floorplan like this, the washroom facilities are split between a toilet room and a shower cubicle.

The latter is on the nearside, accessed via bi-folding doors. A mock marble panel helps break up what would otherwise be a large expanse of white plastic in here.

The showerhead is a water-efficient design – Ecocamel’s Jetstorm Plus – on a riser bar and there’s a nifty fold-down hook that will prove handy for plenty of wet clothes hanging uses.

That same faux marble appears behind the countertop basin in the toilet room of the Laser Xcel 845, whilst there’s also plenty of space for the swivel-bowl loo, heated towel rail, low-level locker and opaque window.

The bedroom is positively palatial. Wardrobes and cupboards with handy, mattress-level ledges flank the 1.89m x 1.46m mattress, with a trio of lockers overhead. As you’d expect, there’s just that enhanced level of space thanks to the 8ft wide body.

Al-Ko’s Automatic Adjustment (AAA) Premium Brake and E&P’s self-levelling systems head an impressive quota of safety and security fittings that also includes a Phantom caravan alarm, ATC traction control, two axle wheel locks and more – just the sort of stuff to keep your annual caravan insurance premium down. A tracking device is available as an option too.

The Laser Excel 845 boasts plenty of good detail touches, too, like the phone charger on the front bulkhead and iPad-style main control panel. The Pioneer stereo offers digital and analogue radio reception, Bluetooth, USB and more, with speakers in the lounge and bedroom. The 845 is prewired for TV watching, too, of course, with set-ups for the bedroom and lounge.

The silver-sided exterior, meanwhile, also has all the luxury trimmings – heavy-duty corner steadies, the raised graphics and flush-fitting windows, double front lockers – along with the overall solid feel we’ve come to expect from any Coachman caravan.

Add in general Laser upgrades for 2021 – everything from the deeper pile carpets with extra stain-resistance, to positive locking for the kitchen drawer – and you can see why this grandest of tourers impresses.

Take a look inside the Coachman Laser Excel 845 here:

Verdict: Top-of-the-range touring from Coachman

Plus: Superior build quality, high overall specification

Minus: A definite heavyweight, no standard tracking system

In-a-nutshell: Laser precision delivers a top twin axle tourer

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

Alternatives: Buccaneer Barracuda, Swift Elegance Grande 850