If you’re looking to buy a model for between £20,000 and £25,000, there are some brilliant options on the market, as our best caravan under £25,000 guide reveals.
It can be a daunting prospect to find the right tourer for you though, with a wide range of models available, each coming with their own pros and cons. That’s where the Practical Caravan Awards 2023 come in, as we use our collective decades of industry experience to pick out the best caravans across a number of categories.
This year, we’ve selected the Swift Sprite Major 4 SB as the top model on the market in this category – we think its excellent layout and the spec you get for the price are both two excellent features in the van. In this guide, you can see what we made of it, as well as the models we shortlisted for the category.
You can find out more about these two brands in our guide to the best caravan makes.
The best caravan under £25,000 is:
Swift Sprite Major 4 SB
- Price: £24,995
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1442kg
- MiRO: TBC
- Payload: TBC
- Shipping length: 7.54m
- Width: 2.25m
Reason to buy:
- Great layout, loads of spec for price
Reason to avoid:
- Overall weight on the high side
The Sprite’s transverse fixed bed layout creates an excellent tourer for two, even though it sleeps up to four.
The new Sprites come with bold graphics and a black front locker lid, while the GRP sides and the roof provide a durable exterior finish. The Major 4 SB comes with a front lounge, side kitchen and transverse bed with a full width end washroom.
The comfortable front lounge is well lit, thanks to the sunroof above. The kitchen comes with a fold-out extra worktop and includes an oven and a fridge, as well as a microwave. The Truma heating will keep the Sprite cosy.
The rear transverse bed provides good storage and a comfortable mattress. In the end washroom, you get a separate shower and a Thetford toilet. We’re impressed at just how much is packed into this caravan, considering the price.
The best caravans under £25,000 – our shortlisted models:
Swift Sprite Compact
- Price: from £20,695
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 1094kg
- MiRO: 980kg
- Payload: 114kg
- Shipping length: 5.37m
- Width: 2.03m
Reason to buy:
- Great spec if you are limited for space
Reason to avoid:
- Beds are too short for very tall people
Offering excellent value, the Swift Sprite range was extended in 2021 to include a new compact lightweight caravan that was designed for two. With a refreshed interior that has a light grey wood finish, the Compact feels more spacious than its dimensions – and name – suggest.
The caravan layout follows the traditional couples’ design. The front lounge can be used as twin single beds or alternatively can be made into a double by using slats. The rear kitchen comes with an offside corner washroom and a large wardrobe, while the specification includes blown air dual fuel heating, an oven, a TV aerial, a radio and a Dometic fridge, plus a shower.
The small caravan looks as good as it is and fills what is a niche sector of the caravan market.
Full review of the 2022 model: Sprite Compact
Freedom Carpento 410
- Price: from £21,595
- MTPLM: 1000kg
- MIRO: 780kg
- Payload: 220kg
- Shipping length: 5.4m
- Width: 2.21m
Reason to buy:
- Loads of flexibility at a great price
Reason to avoid:
- Rather basic kitchen
Those looking for a well priced starter or small family caravan should certainly consider the Carpento 410. It’s practical, has plenty of accommodation options (including five berths) and has a smart and contemporary look. Perhaps even more importantly, for the newbie or those who prefer a smaller outfit, it has an MTPLM of 1000kg, making it lightweight and easy for towing.
We liked the almost completely panoramic window, which filled the lounge with light aided by a skylight. While the compact kitchen provides a two-burner gas hob, a sink with locker storage below, and a 50-litre 12V fridge.
The washroom is small, but that compromise allows for more sleeping options. The front table and seats turn into a 1.3 x 2m bed and at the other end of the van, it’s a similar system, with a pull-down bunk up above. At this price and size inevitably there will be compromises, but the 410 ticks a lot of boxes.
- Looking for a towing car instead? Our guide to the best tow cars will help
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