Over the summer months, we’ve been to every major caravan launch in the UK and Europe, seeing the new models, layouts and innovations that will be available in the UK for the 2020 season.

Our annual celebration of the best that the caravan industry has to offer took place this evening at Hampton Manor, where we revealed the winners of our Tourer of the Year Awards.

Tourer of the Year 2020

Perhaps not surprisingly, taking the top gong is the Sprite Super Quattro EB, winner of our Best tourer for seasonal pitches category. This 8ft-wide van is a very worthy winner, after appearing in a grand total of two categories (it got a nod in the Best budget tourer category, too) – a feat that no other model has managed this year. 

So what makes it so special? Swift have managed to created a really roomy interior with a more than adequate spec level at a price that’s extremely impressive. 

Category winners 

But what of the other categories? There were plenty of interesting vans to choose from at this year’s launches, making each category hard fought. 

Although the Sprite Super Quattro EB made it to our shortlist for Best budget tourer, it was the Bailey Discover D4-2 that really blew the judges away. It’s the smallest in Bailey’s new back-to-basics range, but it’s got an impressive finish for a budget tourer, without a hefty price tag.

At the other end of the market, our Best luxury tourer category also had some impressive contenders. Beating them all to the prize is the Coachman Laser Xcel 850. This spacious van has got pizzaz, as well as a long list of high spec touches, such as the E&P levelling system that’s included as standard.

Those looking for something a little more edgy and unusual will like the winner of our Best specialist tourer category. The Moto-Trek Trek-Away manages to squeeze a perfectly comfortable two-berth caravan into a super-light-weight package that can be towed by most average-sized cars. It’s perhaps not one for longer holidays, but it has everything you could need for overnighting at events or short weekends away. 

Winner of the Best tourer for couples award is the Adria Altea Dart, the newest addition to the Slovenian manufacturer’s revamped entry-level range. This tidy van has a very comfortable front lounge and an island bed, as well as a spacious washroom that benefits from the entire width of the caravan.

Those wanting a comfortable van to take the family away in have two categories to consider. The Best for small families winner, the Elddis Avanté/Compass Casita 586, is a model that has always proved popular with families, and this year it promises to be even more snug, with the addition of Whale’s new CompleteHeat system. 

Meanwhile, the Coachman Acadia 630 scoops the Best for large families prize thanks to its family-friendly layout, that was previously only available in the Vision range, and a much-improved spec. 

Out of the dozens of new and improved awnings available in the UK, the winner of our Best awning category stands apart as the first air awning from Isabella, a company that traditionally stuck to pole awnings, keeping air awnings separate in their Ventura off-shoot. This new Air Cirrus North 400 is an impressive foray into the air awning market, with top quality materials used in this seasonal porch awning. 

Our final category, Best accessory, celebrates the innovative products that make touring life easier, and there were a lot to choose from when picking this year’s winner. Top of the pile, though, has to be Fit2Go’s Michelin TPMS, a tyre pressure monitoring system that is easy to install, easy to use, and means that there’s one less thing for you to worry about when on the road. 

Find out all about our esteemed winners, and their highly commended rivals in each category, in the next issue of Practical Caravan, where we’ll have a full run-down of the best caravans, awnings and accessories for 2020. Subscribe today to get it delivered directly to your door.