Coromal Appeal 2020 Review

What’s the Coromal Appeal 554 all about?

Since taking over the well-known Coromal brand in 2018, the Apollo group has relaunched an updated and revised range of full-height Coromal caravans, all now built at Apollo's Brisbane factory.

Aside from the luxury Princeton, the latest Coromal range is topped by the off-road oriented Element Evolution and Pioneer Evolution XC models, with the entry-level Appeal aimed at less adventurous buyers on tighter budgets.

Starting around $45,000, the stripped-back Appeal is available in two layouts: a 21ft 6in (body length) family bunk version, which costs around $7000 more than the slightly shorter and lighter 19ft couple's variant.

Designed to compete with the likes of the Jayco Journey as well as cut-price imported composite caravans (including the Apollo distributed Adria range), the Coromal Appeal 554 is a smooth road touring van kitted out with most of the comforts expected in a modern couple’s van. At under two tonnes fully loaded, it's also light enough to be towed by smaller tow vehicles including many popular mid-size SUVs.

Adding the Trak-Pak option (as fitted to our review van), which includes bigger steel wheels, all-terrain tyres and raised suspension, should make owners a bit more confident dragging the van down the occasional dirt road or bumpy bush camp without causing damage to the underpinnings.

How much does the Coromal Appeal 554 cost?

The Coromal Appeal 554 Trak-Pak we towed away from Apollo RV Sales in Melbourne costs $45,490 drive-away – that’s relatively cheap for a full composite caravan, even compared to some of the more impressive Chinese offerings.

Reassuringly, it's pieced together in a similar manner to the other Coromal, Winnebago and Windsor vans built at Apollo’s Brisbane factory, including one-piece 29mm thick fibreglass sandwich panels for the front wall and roof, as well as rear and side walls, and a single piece 33mm structural composite panel used for the floor.

You also get an FRV welded Duragal steel chassis with the basic Esy-Tow Tourer leaf spring suspension and 12in electric brakes, with an AL-KO off-road pin coupling up front (not quite as good as Cruisemaster's DO-35, but a step up from a basic 50mm ball coupling).

For a full-height, two berth ensuite van, the Appeal 554 is relatively well equipped with just about everything you need for a holiday getaway including two 59 litre (gal protected) fresh water tanks, instant gas hot water and 12V water pump, two 9kg gas bottles, and a 100Ah AGM battery and 25amp charger,

On the accessory and appliance side, it also comes with a roll-out awning and roof-top air conditioner, 150 litre fridge/freezer, four burner cooktop/grille, rangehood and microwave, audio unit with internal speakers, and a cassette toilet and separate shower.

You also get other niceties like a roof hatch, double glazed windows with built-in screens/blinds, internal USB and 240V sockets, external as well as internal ceiling and reading lights, plus 12V fan hatches in the bathroom.

However, the Appeal 554 is missing a few obvious external items like a gas bayonet (to hook up a portable BBQ), drawbar tap, drop-down picnic table, outside speakers and any sort of front stone protection. There’s also just enough space in the front boot locker – the only external storage option available -- for hoses, cords and a couple of compact chairs.

There's a pressurized town water connection on the offside wall and 12V and aerial sockets to hook up a TV under the awning, but the van doesn’t come standard with a TV or rooftop aerial.

You have to pay $1300 for the optional Entertainment pack, which includes a 22in TV/DVD (which can also be set up inside), King Jack antenna and two external speakers.

Why should you buy a Coromal Appeal 554?

Despite the many advantages – smooth, strong, lightweight construction, superior insulation properties and, in the case of the Coromal, tough gel coat finish, inside and out – full composite caravans are few and far between in Australia, and where available, often on the pricey side. The Appeal 554 would certainly have to be one of the most affordable locally-built full composite vans available in Australia.

The couple's layout is familiar but appealing, including a good-size, north-south facing queen bed up front that’s reasonably comfortable (despite the lightweight foam mattress), and a leatherette-lined cafe dinette with enough room for two to stretch out. The large table with fold-down leg looks flimsy, but feels quite sturdy once slotted into the wall and is easily removed and used as a base for another bed for a (short-legged) guest.

The kitchen has all the essentials for indoor cooking, with a microwave above the 150 litre fridge instead of a conventional oven and, while benchspace is at a premium, there's enough storage in the lightweight ply cabinetry scattered around the kitchen for a few pots and pans.

In fact, interior storage is surprisingly good, with a huge space under the bed (where the battery and charger are also located), some big empty cavities under the seating, and enough overhead lockers, cupboards and drawers around the bed for all your clothes.

Who will the Coromal Appeal 554 appeal to?

Couples who want a spacious, comfortable and solidly built touring van, with good internal storage and a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom, should find the entry-level Coromal very appealing.

While the plain Jane decor won't win any design awards, the full width rear bathroom ticks boxes for size and practicality, with a solid, lockable sliding entry door, well-positioned cassette toilet, vanity with plastic sink and big mirror, lots of storage shelves and an extra-large shower cubicle with smokey glass door.

Buyers seeking a washing machine should look elsewhere, with no option (wall or floor mounted) available.

With its sub-2000kg ATM, the Appeal 554 is also perfect for those with smaller tow vehicles, as well as larger ones like our Mitsubishi Triton, which made light work of towing the van even up some steep inclines.

Coromal also gives buyers the option to spend a few extra grand and fit an optional grey water tank, solar panel and regulator, and an additional battery for some more free camping flexibility.

So, what do you we think of the Coromal Appeal 554?

Having spent lots of time in other Apollo vans, we're big fans of full composite construction, and this cut-price Coromal shapes up as a great little getaway van for the price – ideal for first-timers or nervous drivers who'd prefer not to lug around a heavy van.

Although there’s a few noticeable cost-cutting measures, like the absence of a front window and a pretty rustic galvanised entry step, none are deal breakers, although a gauge for the water tanks and battery levels would be nice.

And while Apollo has also saved costs by omitting minor items like clothes hangers in the half wardrobes and only four 240V internal sockets inside, we found few unfinished edges and overall build quality including hinges and cabinetry seemed up to scratch for a smooth road van.

Like other Coromal vans, it's all backed up by a reassuring three-to-five year warranty and roadside assistance program.

The biggest gripe is the lack of external storage, with many caravans this size featuring a full tunnel boot, so we can’t imagine too many Big Lap travelers buying one.

But if that’s an issue, Apollo has plenty of other full height, full composite caravan options, although prices and weights will go up accordingly.

How much does the 2020 Coromal Appeal AP554S cost?

Price (as reviewed): $45,490 drive away (Victoria)
Options fitted: Trak-Pak (75mm riser, 16in steel wheels and AT tyres), black ‘carbon fibre’ decals, external USB/12V sockets
Travel length: 7500mm
Body length: 5700mm
Overall width: 2440mm
Travel height: 3030mm
Interior height: 1980mm
Tare weight (plated): 1526kg
ATM (plated): 1950kg
Ball weight (at Tare - plated): 155kg
Body: Fibreglass composite walls, floor and roof
Chassis: 150mm x 50mm galvanized steel
Suspension: Ezy-Tow Tourer leaf spring
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Stability Control: Optional
Wheels: 16-inch steel with Double King DK788 265/75 AT tyres (Trak-Pak)
Freshwater: 2 x 59 litres
Battery: 100Ah AGM with 25A charger
Solar: Optional
Air-conditioner: Dometic B3200 roof-top
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Camec gas instant
Cooking: Camec 1 electric/3 gas hob, grill
Fridge: Dometic 150L AES three-way
Microwave: Camec 240V
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: Optional
Supplied by: Apollo RV Sales, Campbellfield, Victoria
More info: Coromal Caravans