Verdict
Thanks to its compact and relatively simple body shell, combined with Lunar’s legendary lightweight construction, the Quasar 462 can comfortably be towed by cars with kerbweights less than 1400kg. For many that will outweigh its somewhat dated external appearance. On the inside, it’s well equipped for the £14,995 price ticket and does most things very competently, provided you are not too tall for the 1.91m headroom.
Our few criticisms are only minor and, at the end of our review, we would not hesitate to recommend the Lunar Quasar 462.
Pros
Much lighter than the competition
There’s spacious and detailed storage
It has a well-equipped washroom
Cons
The exterior styling is a touch dated
The corner seats are a little restricted by the front shape
There is limited headroom
Lunar’s Quasar range battles for the mid-price sector of the touring caravan market with the Bailey Olympus, Elddis Avanté and Swift Group’s Challenger Sport and Eccles Sport. Although their model line-ups differ, all include the popular two-berth end-washroom layout. Prices are competitively packed into an £800 range, starting with the Quasar 462 at £14,995.
Lunar’s more upmarket Lexon, Clubman and Delta ranges sport a striking new body shell for 2013, but the company has opted to retain a tweaked version of the older shape for Quasar. This may appear to be a weak hand to play against freshly shaped competition, but the ace up the Quasar’s sleeve is weight. It saves about 75kg on an equal length basis, and that really counts as cars get ever lighter. We took a closer look to see what else the Quasar has to offer, if you are busy browsing the caravans for sale pages.
The ace up the Quasar’s sleeve is weight
Pitching & Setting-up
Lunar has increased the Quasar’s front glazing area by 25%. That’s helped create a balanced and pleasing overall appearance, but it’s still dated by the classically styled three-quarter height ABS front and the gas locker door is narrow by today’s standards. The shapely rear has a full-height moulding.
Looking closer, there are pleasing details like the body-coloured awning channel, the combined porch light and drip guard and a tough Al-Ko hitch cover. And it’s unusual to see a wet locker, an outside 230V socket and a shower connection point on a caravan of this price, but these could well be handy on your caravan holidays.
Setting up the electrics is easy – the power supply unit is just behind full-length flap under a front seat – and there’s a satellite TV connector in the battery compartment.
The 12V control panel and Truma Combi 2E heater panel are conveniently sited by the entrance door. Not surprisingly for a small van, the heating and insulation combination qualifies for Grade III by calculation. That should ensure rapid warm-up and winter comfort using the Combi’s gas and 230V power.
Living
The lounge, with its four soft armrests and two large scatter cushions, looks cosier than its competitors. The oatmeal and chocolate-toned fabric selection coordinates well with the wood colour and door highlights. Those who find it plain could upgrade to the livelier Lexon scheme for £250.
Both seats are plenty long enough for a daytime nap or for accommodating several guests at mealtime, but corner seating comfort is restricted by the closeness of the front windows compared to contemporary, more upright body shapes. On the subject of space, headroom is restricted to 1.91m – but it’s an issue for tall people only.
Sockets are provided to watch television on the front drawer chest or central cupboard, and lighting choice (all LED) is comprehensive.
Kitchen
The Lunar Quasar 462’s kitchen unit is long enough to accommodate the main table and a cupboard with cutlery drawer. A removable drainer maximises available work surface and a sink bowl and chopping board are also provided. The dresser unit opposite supplements both worktop space and storage, especially as the heating system now fits under a front seat. Roof lockers on both sides are well equipped with shelves to maximise storage and they carry LED strip illumination underneath.
The electronic fridge is one of the latest 8-Series by Dometic and the combined Thetford oven, grill and hob unit has a 230V hotplate. The microwave oven, now expected in this price range, is fitted rather high. It would be better sited over the dresser opposite, as in the sister Ariva model.
Washroom
The washroom door slides. It’s a neat and space-saving solution, but it eliminates use of the wall near the main entrance for coat hooks or a full length mirror.
However, the washroom itself is hard to fault. It’s spacious and pleasingly designed, well lit and well ventilated with a window and Mini-Heki roof light. There are two wardrobes, one with three drawers, a generous shower cubicle and a neat washbasin over a two-door cupboard. Our only gripe is the shelf over the washbasin, which obstructs use of the basin for face washing. If the basin cupboard were deeper it would solve this problem and provide more surface for toiletries.
Beds
The front seats, used as single beds, measure 1.87m. That’s about an inch shorter than domestic size, but will be adequate for most. Taller people can sleep double, across the van, on a generous sized bed of 2m x 1.48m with the drawer chest left in place.
Reading lights are fitted in all four corners and there are handy surfaces nearby, whichever direction you lie. Typical of this price level, the cassette blinds are the roller type with plain plasticised material, so it’s best to draw the curtains for a cosy atmosphere.
Storage
Under-seat stowage is good: the right hand side houses the Combi heater, battery box, water system and power supply unit, but these items are arranged to offer a reasonable free space which is accessed through the front flap or the sprung-hinged, aluminium-framed seat base. On the left, only the wet locker takes space, so there’s lots of room for bedding or large items.
Given the Quasar’s light weight, it’s impressive to see mid-shelves fitted in most roof lockers to maximise use of space. And that philosophy continues in the kitchen, dresser unit and two wardrobes. Overall there’s more than enough storage for two people.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 2 |
| MiRO | 1069 kg |
| Payload | 129 kg |
| MTPLM | 1198 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.2 m |
| Width | 2.16 m |
