2026 Bailey Phoenix Black Edition 420 caravan

Black is the colour, as far as Bailey is concerned. Hence its five Phoenix caravan models have the added Black Edition moniker for the 2026 season.

It’s a range that starts with this, the two-berth 420, a particularly compact unit that comes with an attractively low weight, yet has all the facilities you’ll need for your touring. The floorplan is a classic formula, from its twin front settees to its full-width end washroom.

That front, with what it calls an “infinity window” in its centre, is very much the current Bailey caravan family look. And, as you’d expect, the company uses its Alu-Tech process for the bodywork, which features a GRP outer and inner skins with interlocking aluminium framework. The underside has a vinyl protection layer and it’s all backed by a six-year integrity warranty that you can extend to 10.

You can also upgrade the chassis – moving from its standard 1,186kg maximum to 1,300kg will give you a healthy 238kg payload figure. But that might be a decision to be made bearing in mind the limits of your towcar.

While the exterior of this latest Phoenix starts off the Black theme – to wit, the alloy wheels, grab handles front and back, hitch cover, even the tinted windows – there’s also plenty of detailing inside in the same colour, from the scatter cushions in the lounge to the waste bin on the stable door, where you’ll also discover a couple of handy coat hooks.

The Phoenix Black Edition 420’s lounge benefits from that front window arrangement as well as generous side windows letting in plenty of daylight (and ventilation). Padded panels are either side of the side windows, which get concertina blinds and flyscreens.

It has a free-standing table for mealtimes etc, which stows away neatly just inside the door when not needed. And there’s also a slide-out section to the central chest of drawers (or rather, single drawer plus floor locker).

Shown here is the Lima upholstery option.

The Truma heating system includes two outlets at the front. Also here is a phone charging point, plus twin reading lamps – all three items offering USB portals.

Bed sizes are 1.92m x 0.64m (lengthways singles) or 1.87m x 1.45m (maximum dimensions) for a transverse double. Cushioning is a little on the soft side, but you also get the support of sprung slatted bases.

Beyond the lounge, the kitchen is along the offside and has a full complement of cooking facilities.

It’s a Thetford Triplex Plus cooker (three gas rings, electric hotplate and a combined oven and grill), with a flip-up worktop section to its left and a circular sink to its right, over which is a Russell Hobbs flatbed microwave oven. There’s a single mains socket, along with light switches and controls for the Truma.

Under the sink is a soft-close drawer with a small sliding cutlery tray. There’s a shelved locker below this.

Opposite the main kitchen unit you’ll find the 90-litre fridge with freezer (set off floor level for easier access) and the worktop over this has two mains sockets and a 12V outlet and aerial point for when you add your TV.  There’s also a double-doored locker overhead, with fixed shelves.

At the back there’s sliding door access to the washroom where, despite the inclusion of a substantial wardrobe (on the offside), there’s still room for a plastic-lined shower cubicle (nearside), although it has just the one plughole.

Also here are a swivel-bowl toilet and fixed handbasin, under that a double shelved locker. Over the toilet is a section of hooks plus a couple of open shelves.

The aforementioned wardrobe is a generous size, providing not just hanging space but also a shelved section.

Standard kit in the 2026 Bailey Phoenix Black Edition 420 caravan extends to a free-standing Sonos speaker with Alexa voice control, plus it’s pre-wired for an onboard Wi-Fi system (to be fitted by your supplying dealer, if desired).

As with all Bailey caravans, there’s a full range of Phoenix Black-related accessories available from its Prima Leisure retail side.

To find out more about insuring a Bailey Phoenix Black Edition 420 or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance page.

Verdict: Lots of best things in this small package

Plus: Classic user-friendly two-berth floorplan, modern styling

Minus: Just one shower plughole, narrow single beds

In-a-nutshell: Black magic

Alternatives: Coachman Acadia 460, Elddis Whirlwind 520, Swift Challenger 480