Auto-Sleeper Broadway EL - Practical Motorhome

Get the full story on the compact, low-profile Auto-Sleeper Broadway EL in the Practical Motorhome review

Verdict

A classy little compact, low-profile, that’s well equipped and well made. Ultimately though, it’s an evolution of the Sigma and is unlikely to turn the head of anyone not already swayed by the former model. That said, we were always fans of the Sigma, so why throw out the baby with the bath water?

Pros

Dark interior furniture veneers and chrome detailing ensure the Broadway oozes class

Cons

It’s short on storage, particularly externally accessed lockers.

Living

Amarti wood furniture throughout is darker and classier than that in the outgoing Sigma on which it’s based, and the chrome detailing on the overhead lockers look smart.
The wrap-around rear lounge is comfortable thanks to arm rests and scatter cushions, and is well illuminated by three generously-sized windows, a Heki rooflight, and an abundance of directional and fixed lighting. There is LED lighting hidden above the overhead lockers, too. A pair of ceiling-mounted speakers do the ‘surround-sound’ job.
Best of all, though, are the drop down storage units (from the underside of the overhead lockers). Reach beneath and behind the lockers to release a catch, which lowers the spring-loaded shelf on runners: a simple but effective mechanism. There’s one each for a flatscreen TV, a drinks cabinet that houses four crystal wine glasses and two wine bottle slots, and a bookshelf.
A freestanding table has its own storage space in the wardrobe, which five diners can eat from in the rear lounge. There’s a second, smaller table, too, which mounts onto a single leg and fits behind the two swivelling cab seats. This is probably better used as an occasional table for one, and makes for a good coffee cup resting place, or somewhere to spread a newspaper.

Kitchen

Another strong selling point is the kitchen, which has everything a chef might need for cooking a feast, including three gas burners and a mains hotplate, plus full oven and grill.
The sink and drainer have a glass lid, and there’s a neat kitchen roll holder, and waste bin in the door. You can expand food preparation space thanks to the slide-out surface over the fridge, or the smaller hinged flap that extends across the entry doorway.
An optional microwave oven (£75) slots in overhead, and there’s the full complement of Auto-Sleeper crockery in its trademark moulded tray.

Washroom

The swingwall washroom is a clever arrangement: simply swing the wall with the washbasin unit to the left, and complete the enclosed shower by joining the plastic partition to meet it. The cubicle it creates is plenty big enough for a vigorous scrub, and it has twin plug holes for better draining on uneven pitches.
The chrome detailing in the washroom, including toilet roll holder, towel ring and coat hooks is impressive. There’s a neat, pull-out washing line that allows wet clothes to drip dry. Two ceiling lights, a roof vent and a decent mirror completes the set, although the toiletries locker might be a squeeze on an extended tour for a couple.

Beds

Concertina blinds and curtains do the job of making the interior feel cosy at bed time. The sofas aren’t long enough to do the job as single beds, so a transverse double is the only option here.
The slatted bases slide together, and the two backrests help to fill out the sleeping surface, making a 1.67 x 2.1m double bed.

Storage

One of the Broadway’s shortcomings is the lack of externally accessed storage space. The single locker is big enough only for smaller camping items and won’t swallow chairs or tables.
Bedding can stash underneath the offside seat via a locker front to the seat box, or in the massive overcab locker, and there’s a slide-out drawer under the rear seat bench.