Verdict
A well-equipped and comfortable van but the styling may be too much for some – 8/10
Pros
Specification, inside and out, is good
The kitchen boasts excellent equipment, as does the lounge with a radio/CD/MP3 player, speakers and two TV points
Outside, the mains socket and awning heater vent enable you to use the van year round.
Cons
Storage in the Odyssey could be more practical
The overhead lockers are shallow and only one has a shelf, making it difficult to use the space effectively
Although the wardrobe is large, without shelves it is difficult to use all the available space.
Pitching & Setting-up
The Odyssey is a striking van, with dark windows and bold black and red graphics. It has a BPW chassis and stabiliser, buttonless handbrake and 13-pin electrics. The steadies are easy to access and even the rear two have a guide channel for ease of use. Other external equipment includes a mains socket, a barbecue point and an awning heater vent.
Inside there are two coat hooks and a full-length mirror at the door. Most of the controls are just a couple of steps away above the sideboard.
Living
The Odyssey’s styling won’t be to everybody’s taste. The woodwork throughout is light and warm, and the design of the lockers is traditional. However, the furnishings are bold and modern.
But the lounge is comfortable. The sofas are deep and have knee rolls as well as bolster and throw cushions. The lighting options are also good, with four lights around the rooflight as well as four spotlights for reading and two corner lights for a softer light.
There is a TV point below the chest and the chest extension table pulls out, which makes using this area more convenient. There is also a second TV point above the sideboard opposite the kitchen. A Radio/CD/MP3 player and two speakers are provided as standard.
Kitchen
The kitchen is very well equipped, with a 115-litre fridge, separate oven and grill, three-burner hob, microwave and extractor fan. But the recessed drainer means there is little worsurface.
Elddis has given the van a small flap of worksurface to compensate, but as it extends over the offside sofa it cannot be left up all the time. The worksurface on the opposite sideboard is handy for the kettle as there are two power points nearby, but it is too low for meal preparation.
Washroom
The Odyssey’s washroom has many home comforts. The large shower has a solid single-piece door and shelves for soap and shampoo. The Thetford C250 toilet has plenty of legroom around it. And a loo-roll holder, toothbrush holder and soap dish are all provided. There is also a rail and hook on the back of the door for towels.
Above the basin there is a large mirror, which has a light above it. A rooflight and window ensure the area is light during the day.
Washroom storage consists of a cupboard below the basin and an overhead locker. The wardrobe is also here, which makes it easy to get ready in the morning. The wardrobe has a large hanging space as well as three drawers.
Beds
Pull-out slats mean the Odyssey’s sofas convert into a large double bed. The cushions are a snug fit and make a comfortable bed. At 1.82m, the lounges are just long enough to use as two single beds. And with four spotlights, both people can read in bed no matter which set-up you prefer.
Storage
Storage in the lounge is quite good. There is front access to the two large under-seat storage areas, which provide good space for heavier items. The lids are slatted and supported, however, lifting the lid of the offside seat box is a hassle as the cushion gets caught on the extension flap of kitchen worktop. There are also six overhead lockers in the lounge, though these are very narrow and only one shelf is provided.
The kitchen is lacking in storage space. The main area has just one overhead locker and that is filled with plate and cup racks. There is also just one narrow cupboard, which has four drawers. These are good for large cutlery, such as can openers and wooden spoons, and also for tins, but little else will fit in them.
The sideboard opposite also has an overhead locker, but, like those in the lounge, it is very narrow and would benefit from a shelf. There is a shelved cupboard as well and the cutlery drawer is here, though as it is above the heater, watch out for hot utensils.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 2 |
| MiRO | 1198 kg |
| Payload | 162 kg |
| MTPLM | 1360 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.39 m |
| Width | 2.28 m |
