Xplore reappears for the 2025 season as a separate brand within Erwin Hymer and with a radical new look, designed to attract a much younger audience.

None of the three vans launched as part of the range have strikingly new caravan layouts, so are the changes worth it? To find out, I took a look at the Xplore XC Quad, with the ever-popular transverse-bed and end-washroom layout, at Whitfords Caravan Centre in Burnley, Lancashire.

Pitch and set-up

Priced at £25,499, the XC Quad is at the top end of what might be classed as the market for budget caravans. Yet it doesn’t look it at all – certainly not on the outside.

This is no white box: the GRP side panels have strong grey decals and interesting contour patterns. There’s also an exterior barbecue point and mains socket, two external locker doors and a rear bike rack.

ATC is fitted as standard, so I don’t think towing this already lightweight van should be an issue. The Quad also comes with onboard fresh- and waste-water tanks, unheard of in this type of caravan – a budget-priced, UK-built tourer – these days.

Lounge in the Xplore XC Quad

You might think the Quad does look like a budget model, with just one front window and no sunroof. But when I saw it, on an overcast day, it didn’t feel dark inside.

That’s partly because the designers have set a large mirror on the outer washroom wall. But it’s mainly because of the interior décor.

There is a huge amount of white – brilliant-white work surfaces and off-white locker doors – contrasting with charcoal grey for the furniture and upholstery, and black for the drawer handles.

There are some colour accents – sky-blue buttons on the settee cushions, and chevron-pattern scatter cushions. But otherwise, this interior is monochrome. In another fairly radical departure from tradition, new Xplores will not have carpets as standard.

Also worthy of note is that this caravan comes with a Maxview Antenna and a 3G/4G router as standard, making it easier to get Wi-Fi in a caravan. However, as a result, the designers seem to have decided there is no need for any USBs.

The lounge area
Shelf on the front chest provides a table for two

Although it is bright, the lounge is small. I don’t think you could squeeze more than four people in here. You couldn’t, for example, create more space by pulling out the shelf on the front chest to use with the foldaway table, as the table would block the fridge.

But I think the top of the chest on its own could work as a table for two, and I thought the settees were comfortable. There are two spotlights, and plenty of LEDs in the ceiling.

Two mains sockets, a 12V and an aerial socket are above the sideboard by the door, so that would be a suitable place for the best TV for a caravan to go.

Kitchen in the Xplore XC Quad

There is no need for a kitchen extension, because there’s a large workspace on the left, with two mains sockets close by.

The kitchen area
Microwave is fitted opposite the kitchen

Beyond the rectangular sink is the three-burner, dual-fuel hob and combined oven and grill, with the caravan microwave opposite and an Omnivent above. The fridge is only half-height, but it is two-way opening.

Washroom in the Xplore XC Quad

The colour contrast continues in the end washroom, with its black shower riser bar and white salad-bowl-style basin. The shower tray only has one drain, but it is deep.

The washroom
Elegant washroom provides a salad-bowl-style basin with a large mirror set above it

Beds in the Xplore XC Quad

I thought the transverse island bed was a bit basic, with a small, brightly coloured headboard. There are spotlights at the head of the bed, but no dresser in the front corner. If you wanted to sit in front of the large mirror and use a hairdryer, I also realised you would have to trail the lead from the TV sockets in the corner.

The settees up front, at only 1.50m long, would really only be suitable as singles for small children. The double bed is easy to make up, although it’s not the widest double I’ve seen, and on my test model, the backrest cushions didn’t fit that snugly.

Storage in the Xplore XC Quad

One benefit of not having a sunroof is the additional overhead lockers up front: six of them, two with shelves.

Neither underseat area provides internal access. The slats stay up when lifted, but to do this on the nearside you have to remove all the backrest cushions first. Just as well there is external access.

The storage under the bed
The vast storage area under the bed is accessible from both inside and outside

Fortunately, I found the vast area under the bed is easily accessible from both inside and out. There are also two shelved overhead lockers back here, plus a wardrobe with drawers beneath.

The kitchen has two overhead lockers, two drawers under the sink, a cutlery drawer and a double cupboard. There’s also the sideboard, and a locker above the microwave.

The double cupboard in the kitchen
Smaller oven means there’s space for a large double cupboard in the kitchen

The washroom has one shallow double cupboard under the handbasin and another above the toilet.

Alternatives to consider

The Swift Sprite Exclusive Alpine 4 is a comfortable and compact four-berth which has a large bedroom at the rear and a great spec for a Sprite. Alternatively, you could consider the Hobby Beachy 450 – it’s a smart van which is well-specified, although it has no heating as standard.

Techhnical specification of the Xplore XC Quad

  • Price: £25,499
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1226kg
  • Payload: 154kg
  • MTPLM: 1380kg
  • Interior length: 5.74m
  • Shipping length 7.38m
  • Overall width: 2.18m
  • Web: xplore-rv.co.uk

Spec list includes

  • Al-Ko galvanised steel chassis
  • ATC
  • External BBQ and mains socket
  • Rear rack for two bikes
  • 90-litre underslung fresh-water tank
  • 45-litre underslung waste-water tank
  • Steel spare wheel
  • Maxview Antenna
  • Wi-Fi router
  • 4kW Whale heating
  • Blinds and flyscreens on all windows
  • Teleco Teleplus X2/39U directional aerial
  • 98-litre Dometic Series 10 two-way opening fridge
  • Three-burner dual-fuel hob
  • Eco Camel Jet Storm shower head
  • Front double bed: 1.98 x 1.03m or two singles: 1.50 x 0.68m
  • Rear double: 1.83 x 1.34m

Are you on the lookout for a new towbar? Then don’t miss our tips on how to choose a towbar to ensure you get the one that’s right for you.

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