• Home
  • Reviews
  • Advice
  • News
  • Buying Guides
  • Travel
  • For Sale
  • Forums
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics
    Your browser is out-of-date!

    Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

    ×

    NewsletterWinHave Your SaySubscribe
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics

    Home › Reviews›Abbey›Vogue›2 530

    Abbey Vogue 2 530 2008

    £13,195

    Published: December 23, 2010

    Abbey has upped the ante with its latest Vogue 2 range. That means more equipment and a more modern look; facets that should appeal to young families looking for a compact five-berth layout.

    Verdict

    We have some reservations about the practicality of the layout, but overall this is a great family van. And, at just over £13,000 and laden with equipment, it’s good value too.

    Pros

    Good-looking, well-finished van that has generous levels of standard equipment
    Contemporary yet cosy feel inside
    Good value for money.

    Cons

    Layout is limited because rear dinette isn’t as flexible as an L-shaped lounge
    Shortage of shelving in locker spaces.

    Pitching & Setting-up

    Smart-looking vans aren’t much good if they are impractical, but the Vogue manages to be easy on the eye and easy to set up. The steady points and waste pipes are easy to access and the gas strut on the front locker allows the door to open high.

    A buttonless handbrake makes positioning the van a relatively easy task, and that’s important as Vogue owners could have anything up to 1485kg to move around.

    Inside, the regulator is high and to the back, so it is out of the way.

    Living

    Curved edges are a furniture design theme throughout the Abbey’s interior, creating not just an attractive look but also an environment where you’re less likely to collide with a sharp corner.

    A big, central Heki rooflight provides ample illumination, backed up by the smart moulded corner lights, and the fixtures and fittings are well made.

    The drawers in the central chest are nice and deep, but the top of the chest is of the fold-over, rather than slide-out, variety. Slightly annoying that, particularly as the chest top is one potential place for a TV. At least there are two TV aerial points in the lounge, so you have a choice of location.

    Kitchen

    High levels of equipment is the order of the day in the Abbey’s kitchen. Cooks who run out of gas while cooking can always turn to the electric hotplate, and there’s a fair amount of room on the hob for large pans or saucepans. There’s a big fridge, too; easily large enough for a family’s provisions, and having a microwave is great when you have kids.

    The removable drainer is a good way to free-up workspace, especially because it can be used on the worktop or, if you need the space, on the hob’s glass lid. There is only one socket in the kitchen, but because there are another two in the lounge, owners can leave the kettle plugged in all the time.

    As well as being very practical and packed with kit, the kitchen looks good. We like the finish of the worktop, and the inclusion of shelves to break up the bank of overhead lockers. There are one or two small niggles though. We’d like to see the cutlery drawer on the outside. It can be annoying having to open the cupboard if you just need to grab a spoon to make tea.

    Washroom

    Side washrooms are often cramped, but the Vogue has a few surprises in store: a separate shower unit along with a new Thetford swivel, electric flush toilet, and a recessed basin.

    It’s a spacious area, and two can move around easily inside. There is plenty of room to move in the shower as well. The wheel arch protrudes into the space, but it has been designed as a shelf for soap and shampoo, which is useful. The lip of the shower tray is quite high and the door is inside the stall. This way it overlaps the lip to keep water from escaping into the dry area.

    You do need a swivel-bowl toilet in a side washroom like this. The new electric flush model looks good and the larger, wheeled storage is practical as well. The towel rail, soap dish and loo-roll holder are thoughtfully placed; they are within easy reach when you need them. A solid, domestic-style door completes the picture, and our only complaint is that the mirror is a bit low, but that’s been done to accommodate a shelf above it.

    Beds

    The rear dinette converts into a double bed with a single bunk above it. It’s very space efficient, but you do need to convert the bottom bed into a double if more than one person is sleeping in the area. Most children will be able to sit up in the top bunk though, even if the reading light can be a bit close for comfort.

    Up the front, the bed slats slide out to accommodate the cushions, which fit together snugly to create a firm, but comfortable, support.

    Storage

    The overhead lockers feel sturdy and the strong metal hinges should weather the wear and tear of families. It is a shame there aren’t more shelves, though; that would make better use of the space.

    The rear dinette houses three large lockers for clothes, while toys and books could go on the shelves so they are easy to access. Bedding and any bulkier items will find a suitable home in the storage below the seats. The front-lounge bedding could easily fit in the storage in the front bed boxes with room to spare.

    Technical Specifications

    Berth5
    MiRO1263 kg
    Payload222 kg
    MTPLM1485 kg
    Shipping Length7.29 m
    Width2.23 m

    Related Reviews

    The VW Multivan 2.0 TSI 204PS Style DSG
    Tow Cars

    VW Multivan 2.0 TSI 204PS Style DSG 2022

    2000 kg Max. Tow
    236 lbf-ft Torque
    £58,253

    If your budget will stretch to it, this big MPV is very impressive, whether towing or...

    The full-hybrid Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV 190PS ST-Line X Edition FWD Auto
    Tow Cars

    Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV 190PS ST-Line X Edition FWD Auto 2022

    1600 kg Max. Tow
    148 lbf-ft Torque
    £38,045

    Reassuringly stable and well equipped to handle regular towing, the full-hybrid Ford has promise

    The Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4x4 DSG
    Tow Cars

    Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4×4 DSG 2022

    2100 kg Max. Tow
    266 lbf-ft Torque
    £38,515

    This capable and practical family SUV is great to tow with and comfortable when driven solo

    Mink's distinctive exterior has yellow trim, alloy wheels and large round doors
    Caravans

    Mink 2.0 Sports Camper 2021

    3-berth
    750 kg MTPLM
    £15,295

    Stylish, smart and cleverly designed, this quirky mini-caravan is bound to turn heads on the road

    The big Highlander offers plenty of space; in the front, drivers and passengers of all sizes have ample room to get comfortable
    Tow Cars

    Toyota Highlander 2.5 Hybrid AWD-i Excel 2021

    2000 kg Max. Tow
    149 lbf-ft Torque
    £50,610

    Solo or hitched up, the quiet and comfortable Toyota Highlander 2.5 Hybrid AWD-i Excel is ideal...

    Large front window in lounge
    Caravans

    Swift Challenger 480 SE 2023

    2-berth
    1435 kg MTPLM
    £28,795

    Superbly revamped for the new season, this stylish two-berth offers relaxed, value-for-money touring

    Knaus Azur 500 FU on display at a show
    Caravans

    Knaus Azur 500 FU 2023

    1800 kg MTPLM
    £37,830

    If the minimalist contemporary interior appeals, this surprisingly spacious four-berth might be for you

    The ID.5
    Tow Cars

    Volkswagen ID.5 77kW 204PS Pro Performance Style 2022

    1000 kg Max. Tow
    229 lbf-ft Torque
    £52,100

    It looks good and has plenty of room, but you’ll need a big budget and a...

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Content Funding
    • Cookies Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Authors
    • Privacy Settings

    © 2023 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
    Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.