Verdict
With its user-friendly rear island bed, the Elddis Encore 254 will appeal to many touring couples. And they’ll want for little, except from a side flap extension for the kitchen worktop.
The low-line chassis and the Euro 6 engine are welcome spec bumps for 2017.
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Pros
The rear master bedroom with its extendable island bed is the star feature
The washroom is small but practical
The lounge is comfortable and offers good storage
Cons
Food preparation space is limited in the kitchen
The new model year brings further enhancements for the Encore range of Elddis motorhomes.
Encore continues as a four-model line-up but with a Peugeot-based low-line chassis and the latest Euro 6 engines.
Here we review the four-berth Elddis Encore 254, which sports a transverse rear island bed. At less than £49,000 and with a decent spec, it looks good value.
The 254’s big feature is that rear-end bedroom, the fixed transverse bed now with an adjustable sliding design
Living
Taking in the lounge area first, it’s a typical layout with caravan-style parallel sofas. There’s a free-standing table that can be used for meal times.
Overhead lockers are placed on both sides of the lounge, with LED corner spots and dimmable back mood lighting.
The Savanna-Aquaclean upholstery is new for 2017. It’s rather smart and classy, with four domestic-sized cushions and arm rests.
A TV stand is conveniently sited in the front offside corner of the lounge. Elddis also fits a TV aerial as standard, while an external socket allows a satellite dish to be connected without the need for cable to be trailed through a window.
There is room beneath the seats and in the overhead lockers, so good storage is available overall.
Kitchen
Although the 254 carries four berths, it’ll be bought mainly by couples. But even with four people on board, mealtimes should prove easy, thanks to the well-equipped nearside kitchen design.
For 2017, the drawer handles have positive catches and are easier to use than last year’s push-in design. There are three drawers and two lower cupboards in the kitchen.
You also get a Thetford oven with a dual-fuel hob in this Elddis motorhome. Worktop is limited, though – a fold-up flap at one end would help out in this area.
The sink is finished in black enamel and comes with a clip-on drainer. A splashback and new kitchen cupboard styles have been introduced for 2017.
The microwave oven is set low in the overhead locker, which makes it easier to use and provides room for a small locker above for more storage. The 189-litre fridge-freezer is fitted opposite the main kitchen area.
Night lighting here comes in the form of two low-energy LED ceiling-mounted down lights.
Washroom
The Elddis Encore 254’s side washroom has a Thetford electric flush loo and a redesigned basin. Gone is the old-style moulded unit – for 2017 it’s a larger basin set on its own with a new style of tap. It’s a real improvement.
The washroom also has a chrome radiator, heated by the Alde 3020 combi boiler unit. There’s no window, but a roof vent lets in light and provides ventilation.
A wall-mounted cupboard is placed just above the loo, while the large mirror is now back-lit. The washroom is practical enough, and there’s a shower curtain.
Beds
The 254’s big feature is that rear-end bedroom. And for 2017, the fixed transverse bed now has an adjustable sliding design.
The bed’s normal 6ft position can be extended by a further three inches. There’s also improved access and added floor space when the bed is retracted, which really does make quite a difference.
The fixed bed comes with two side wardrobes offering enough hanging space for a couple, but probably not enough for four. Drawers are fitted in the wardrobe bases while two overhead lockers look down on the bed. Ample storage is also provided beneath the bed.
A corner cupboard plus an overhead cupboard with a mirror is fitted in the rear nearside corner of this Elddis motorhome, and there’s a fold-up dresser top at the end of the bed.
LED spots, a Heki roof vent and windows provide good illumination for this bedroom area.
At night, the lounge easily converts into a good-sized double bed, using sliding slats in the parallel sofa boxes, measuring 1.94 x 1.24m (6’4” x 4’1”).
Technical Specifications
Payload | 450 kg |
MTPLM | 3500 kg |
Shipping Length | 7.4 m |
Width | 2.35 m |