Bailey Alora 69 review

Built on the tough Ford Transit large van platform, the Alora is a pleasure to drive. The Transit’s 2.0-litre, 130bhp engine is responsive and hard-wearing - available as standard with six-speed manual transmission, but upgradeable at cost to the excellent automatic gearbox. The Alora also features four travelling seats - the static driver and passenger seats, and two fold-out travel seats just behind them hidden under the living area’s sofas. I drove the Alora on main roads and thin country roads, and found that the vehicle’s slim width made negotiating parking spaces and width barriers a doddle. The vehicle also features Ford’s latest infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat nav, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The driver and main passenger seats are fully upholstered captain’s chairs with armrests and headrests, and the travel seats behind them fold out and feature cushions and ISOFIX points. This is a very pleasant vehicle to drive - which is as much on Ford for creating a great platform, and on Bailey for selecting and converting the platform so well.

Take a look at the main review image and you’ll see what I mean when I say the Alora is a sleek vehicle - thanks in part to the iconic Ford Transit cabin and to the excellent conversion job done by Bailey. This vehicle manages the difficult job of building a mobile home into a vehicle that isn’t too wide or that just looks like a box on wheels. I’m sold on how it looks. Inside, Bailey has also done a good job with its stylish use of space with lots of attractive storage, a very decent washroom and a nice kitchen space. The choice of white and grey surfaces is bold and modern, complemented nicely (in my loan vehicle) with grey, beige and brown fabrics. I felt very at home and comfortable, which sometimes isn’t the case with these vehicles that need homely touches to make them feel lived in.

Starting at the front, the driver and passenger captain’s seats spin round to face into the living space, coupling with the two sofas immediately behind them to make a comfortable lounge area. Under those sofas is where the travel seats are stowed and also the base of whatever front sleeping solution you choose - either a single or double bed. Storage is everywhere in most models, lining walls, hiding under sliding surfaces or built attractively into units or under the beds. Wardrobe solutions are also very well integrated with floating solutions making the most sense in this kind of vehicle. All catches on storage doors are very positive and make a reassuring ‘click’ when locked closed. At the very rear of the vehicle is a spacious garage area (accessible from outside) featuring carpeted sidewalls and a durable vinyl floor - which looks smart and is very easy to keep clean even if full of kit. The garage also has hooks and hanging solutions, perfect for wetsuits or similar gear. With the right connections on the campsite, you can utilise the integrated Truma Diesel Combi D4E heating and hot water system for hot showers and washing, which are entirely possible and easy to enjoy inside the vehicles attractive washing facilities that can be hidden by a clever sliding wall. The interior is a nice place to spend time and the only real differences come from which layout you choose. Head to the Bailey site to see the full living spec of each Alora vehicle and their floor plan. I was impressed with how much was packed into the Alora’s interior - I’d wager many viewers would be too.

Dining solutions are pretty standard in the Alora. You get a free-standing dining table in what’s called a ‘White Quartz’ finish with dedicated storage clips to stow it in the rear garage. The table itself is pretty strong and I didn’t find any issues retrieving it from the garage and setting it up inside. As for the kitchen area, the vehicle comes with a Thetford 138-litre compressor tower refrigerator with 12-litre freezer compartment - a really useful addition allowing you to take a few meal types with you. The kitchen itself is fully-equipped with a three-ring gas hob and hotplate, and combination oven and grill, perfect for cooking - just make sure you pop open the sky lights to filter out the cooking smells. The sink is also nice and easy to use, making washing up a simple affair. I always say that if you’re eating inside a motorhome it’s because the weather is bad, so I imagine most will be eating outside on a folding table and chairs (both easily stored in the garage) in sunnier weather. If you are inside due to weather, you’d be just as comfortable on the sofas eating off your laps or from the table. What’s great is having the choice - but then that’s what the Alora is all about.

The three different layouts available make sleeping in the Alora very versatile. You can spec the vehicle in three layouts called ‘4I’, ‘4T’ and ‘4S’. The 4S model features a deployed double bed at the back with a second fold-out double bed behind the driver’s cabin to sleep up to four people. The 4I model features a deployed larger double bed and a deployable single bed behind the driver’s cabin to sleep up to three people. The 4T model features two deployed single beds in the back, with a single bed that can be folded out behind the driver’s cabin to sleep up to three people. The supplied mattresses are surprisingly thick and springy providing an excellent sleeping surface. For me, it’s the versatility in the range that provides three great options for families and friends to enjoy the Alora - tying yourself to one of the three-berth models limits sleeping space, but if you’re a family or group of three then three beds is all you need. If you want to future proof your vehicle for maximum sleeping space, the 4S with its two double beds might be the best option of the bunch.

First up, the Alora is built on the Ford Transit platform, which is very reliable and the top-spec version Bailey uses is packed with safety tech and equipment. Next, all three configurations are the same price - £75,499, which is very good for the market where £80,000 starting prices are quite prevalent. The storage on offer, as well as the appliances in the dining area, and the excellent washroom are also great value for money. Additionally, the redesigned interior with its modern colours, durable and comfortable fabrics, and high-quality sleeping surfaces make this, in my opinion, one of the best-value motorhomes on the market.

For an excellent single price, you can have one of three interior layouts in the Bailey Alora. Sleeping solutions are comfortable, the kitchen is well equipped, the vehicle easy to drive, the living space well thought out. I’m hard pushed to find anything to pick at in a vehicle of this size that does so much so well. Take a look through the pictures and the vehicles available in the Alora range, because if you're looking for a well-priced motorhome for up to four people to enjoy then starting your search here is a great choice.