Review: 60454 Holiday Camper Van
Posted by CapnRex101,
42633 Friendship Camper Van Adventure looks excellent, based on Megan's recent review of the Friends vehicle. However, Friends is not the only theme to introduce a new camper van this year, as LEGO City offers 60454 Holiday Camper Van.
Although both were launched at the same time, these two sets are quite different. This one contains far fewer elements and lacks the Friends camper's complex functions, but arguably looks more realistic and packs a surprising level of detail inside, greatly improving on other City camper vans.
Summary
60454 Holiday Camper Van, 385 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 6.5p / 7.8c / 7.8c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Despite a couple of faults, this is comfortably the best LEGO City camper van yet
- Attractive design and colours
- Relatively spacious interior
- Lots of realistic details
- Good, if simple, functions
- Bathroom lacks detail
- Needed something on the back, like a bike rack
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Two minifigures and a baby are included, each comprising relatively common parts. Even so, these characters are suitably dressed for a countryside holiday and their double-sided heads are well-chosen, looking cheerful on both sides.
The baby includes an undecorated body and legs element, which is a missed opportunity for something new, although I am glad a baby is provided at all. The baby carrier is welcome too, with enough space to stand the baby inside, while the other figure comes with a printed guitar and a croissant.
The Completed Model
Camper vans have appeared a few times in LEGO City, normally following the basic format of 7639 Camper from 2008. This model is completely different though, larger in every dimension than its immediate predecessor, 60283 Holiday Camper Van. Detail has improved accordingly, especially inside, although the vehicle's size could be problematic beside some City cars.
The dark red and white livery is appealing, featuring a mountainous design across both sides, while the cab is more uniform in colour. This part of the vehicle is narrower, but its proportions look realistic. In addition, I like the rounded shaping, brick-built headlights and textured radiator, although the clips used on this radiator are unusual.
Unsurprisingly, this is because those clips contribute to a function, allowing the bonnet to open. There is not much space or detail inside, although the designer has managed to include a very simple engine. Regardless, I appreciate the feature, which adds another option for play.
The doors open too although you still need to remove the roof for proper access. However, the working doors are interesting because the tabs on 1x3 wand boxes serve as stoppers, keeping the doors from folding into the cab. This is one of my favourite details in the set, saving as much room as possible for the minifigures and living space behind the cab.
A steering wheel and printed dashboard are also included, plus two pearl silver mugs. Jumper plates on the floor provide studs where the minifigures can sit and there is easily enough room for two seated side-by-side, as pictured below.
The mountains on either side of the camper look superb overall, although these designs cover multiple elements, so there are awkward gaps between them. For example, the door is printed, which came as a pleasant surprise to me, but that printing has to accommodate the hinges and copyright information, which leaves various conspicuous white gaps.
Nice though the mountains are, I think these compromises mean a simpler design would have been preferable. Also, this livery leaves the back completely plain, so perhaps some stripes or the like could have been used instead, with a bike rack on the back. However, the water points are a great inclusion, hidden behind a small door.
A matching door on the other side houses the battery, represented by a printed 1x2 tile. Similar to the opening bonnet, these are small features, but splendid ones for storytelling. I should also mention the wheels, which make clever use of black plate elements as hubcaps, again adding a little extra detail.
You may have noticed a seam on the back of the camper, needed because its whole right side opens. Rather than traditional hinge plates, this panel uses rounded plates for the pivot. These work equally well, but do leave that gap. The roof can also be completely removed and you can open a sunroof over the cab, featuring the same new part as 60447 Off-Road Mountain Truck.
Compared to many LEGO camper vans, this model is quite spacious and easily accessible to place characters inside. Additionally, all the expected features are present, including a kitchen area, a separate bathroom, a dining table and bunk beds. Space is reserved for steps down to the door too, which previous LEGO camper vans have sometimes lacked.
The kitchen comprises a sink and a stove, with room for the baby's bottle alongside. I like the use of a roller skate for the kettle, although its position directly behind the driver is concerning because there is nothing to divide the cab from the living area. I can imagine the headline now: CAMPER VAN DRIVER DOWSED IN BOILING WATER; MAN IN RIVER UNHARMED.
The bathroom features a sliding door, decorated with a stickered photo of the minifigures. The door function lacks any mechanism to keep it closed, sadly, but it works well enough. Similarly, while the toilet inside is very basic, particularly when compared with the version found in 42633 Friendship Camper Van Adventure, there is little space for much more.
Furthermore, minifigures can lie on the bunk beds towards the back, while the baby rests in an orange crib. I like the colours chosen for these beds, although I wish you could transform them into extra seating. For example, the top bunk could be removed and reattached to studs on the rear wall, becoming the backrest for a sofa.
Though that would have been a neat feature, I am still impressed with the use of space inside. There is even a stickered television on the folding wall panel, showing a program about one of the gorillas from 60437 Jungle Exploration Helicopter, which was released last year.
The table and chairs are designed to be removed and placed outside the camper, around a fire pit also included. This seems out of place, as everything else can be stored aboard the camper van. Nonetheless, the fire is a fine addition, giving another option to create a scene.
Overall
60454 Holiday Camper Van is definitely my favourite LEGO City camper van produced to date. Its size is an advantage, with more interior space than earlier sets, which is used effectively on the whole. There are plenty of realistic details on the exterior as well, such as the battery, water points and a television antenna, represented by a white boomerang, on the roof.
The level of detail is inconsistent, however. The back of the camper looks bland and I think the bathroom could be improved, despite its evident need to remain compact. Otherwise, this is an excellent addition to the selection of vehicles from LEGO City and the price of £24.99, $29.99 or €29.99 feels reasonable to me, as usual for this price range in the theme.
129 likes
36 comments on this article
He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference
That interior is amazing! LEGO has a long history of producing excellent camper vans and caravans and this one looks like another worthwhile addition. Excellent minifigs, too!
The color scheme is vaguely reminiscent of 4435, which was my first LEGO set!
I approve of this trend of engine detail inside the bonnet.
Do I need a 3rd? (Or 4th maybe?) Lego RV? I wasn't planning to, but the price is right and i love the little details!
This is a great set - my son bought it and loved putting it together. I was very impressed with all the detail that went into it. Worth buying for sure!
Am glad the review agreed with me :D
The level of play offered in this set is very impressive. I think this may just be a day-1 purchase. Thank you for the excellent review!
An excellent looking camper van, especially at under half the price of 31052.
Perfect to park alongside your local grand prix circuit!
@Ridgeheart said:
"Fun fact (Van fact?): Mustache Man over there most likely IS the baby from 60283 . The dad in that set, was the baby from 60134 , who grew up to become the boy from 60182 ."
They age so fast
I'm always excited when Lego automobiles have the hinged door elements, and this has two left and right doors in two colors *swoons*
Those old 1x3x1 doors have a special place in my heart, I've known them since my very first Lego set, 722.
Honestly the best City set of the year so far. I like it's fresh design.
What a cool camper! I wasn't planning to buy this, but I'm now very tempted.
@Ridgeheart said:
"Fun fact (Van fact?): Mustache Man over there most likely IS the baby from 60283 . The dad in that set, was the baby from 60134 , who grew up to become the boy from 60182 ."
Don't take this the wrong way, but you complete me.
Amazing camper with a clever use of Harry Potter wand boxes as stoppers for the doors in front
Son got this set and loves it, however the one flaw we both noticed is that given it has the look of a class c camper, it should really have the bed over the driver.
"I can imagine the headline now: CAMPER VAN DRIVER DOWSED IN BOILING WATER; MAN IN RIVER UNHARMED." That is one of the best sentences I've seen in a Brickset review.
I like it, though I think, LEGO vehicles are Göttingen too big recently. Many that go into 8-wide territoriale get larger than some buildings. It' ridiculous.
@stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set.
Looks like a Maverik promotional set.
@Tc99m said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set."
I'm a bif Trekkie too, and I don't get it either. The van doesn't look like a shuttlecraft or anything, and his outfit doesn't look like a Starfleet uniform.
Love how Lego makes men weak.
@yellowcastle said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"Fun fact (Van fact?): Mustache Man over there most likely IS the baby from 60283 . The dad in that set, was the baby from 60134 , who grew up to become the boy from 60182 ."
Don't take this the wrong way, but you complete me."
We could take the Brickset out of Ridgeheart but gosh I hope we never take the Ridgeheart out of Brickset.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @Tc99m said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set."
I'm a bif Trekkie too, and I don't get it either. The van doesn't look like a shuttlecraft or anything, and his outfit doesn't look like a Starfleet uniform."
So, in the Robin Williams comedy "RV" there is an obnoxious other family with a red RV whose horn is the star trek fanfare. The father of this obnoxious family is played by Jeff Daniels, who had a massive reddish mustache. The campfire build with the guitar also reminded me of the scene where Jeff Daniels and his family sing an uncomfortable love song around the campfire, much to Robin Williams's chagrin. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It's not one of Robin Williams's emotional comedies, but it is one of his classic dumb movies.
It's a very good looking set with nice overall design and color. Still, Lego has to come up with a solution for offset steering wheel position. I can't help not seeing it.
@stevild3 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @Tc99m said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set."
I'm a bif Trekkie too, and I don't get it either. The van doesn't look like a shuttlecraft or anything, and his outfit doesn't look like a Starfleet uniform."
So, in the Robin Williams comedy "RV" there is an obnoxious other family with a red RV whose horn is the star trek fanfare. The father of this obnoxious family is played by Jeff Daniels, who had a massive reddish mustache. The campfire build with the guitar also reminded me of the scene where Jeff Daniels and his family sing an uncomfortable love song around the campfire, much to Robin Williams's chagrin. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It's not one of Robin Williams's emotional comedies, but it is one of his classic dumb movies."
I consider myself a movie/movie trivia fan, and I have literally never heard of this movie until now. Poster looks like a fan photoshop invention. But now I want to watch it.
On topic. Lego camper is nice. But yes, could have ditched the fire and added a bike/bbq or something on the back of the van.
@stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
The camper looks like it got Optimus killed...
@classicstylecastle said:
" @stevild3 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @Tc99m said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set."
I'm a bif Trekkie too, and I don't get it either. The van doesn't look like a shuttlecraft or anything, and his outfit doesn't look like a Starfleet uniform."
So, in the Robin Williams comedy "RV" there is an obnoxious other family with a red RV whose horn is the star trek fanfare. The father of this obnoxious family is played by Jeff Daniels, who had a massive reddish mustache. The campfire build with the guitar also reminded me of the scene where Jeff Daniels and his family sing an uncomfortable love song around the campfire, much to Robin Williams's chagrin. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It's not one of Robin Williams's emotional comedies, but it is one of his classic dumb movies."
I consider myself a movie/movie trivia fan, and I have literally never heard of this movie until now. Poster looks like a fan photoshop invention. But now I want to watch it.
On topic. Lego camper is nice. But yes, could have ditched the fire and added a bike/bbq or something on the back of the van."
It has pre-hunger games angsty teen Josh Hutcherson kick a professional businessman in the crotch, and that alone makes it worth the watch
@RobA said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
The camper looks like it got Optimus killed... "
I didn't phrase it that way in my head, but yeah, I thought it looked like him, too.
Where I went to school, you could get “Burritos as big as your head!” In LEGO City, you can get a croissant as big as a baby.
this is a neat set
it's too bad it seems to lack the connecting theme of the minifigures from the previous campers
@stevild3 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @Tc99m said:
" @stevild3 said:
"He looks like his van has the star trek fanfare for a horn. Bonus points if you get the reference"
I’m a big Trekkie and I don’t get the reference, please enlighten me. ;-)
I know that you can get car horns that do the opening notes of the classic theme, but I don’t get the connection to this set."
I'm a bif Trekkie too, and I don't get it either. The van doesn't look like a shuttlecraft or anything, and his outfit doesn't look like a Starfleet uniform."
So, in the Robin Williams comedy "RV" there is an obnoxious other family with a red RV whose horn is the star trek fanfare. The father of this obnoxious family is played by Jeff Daniels, who had a massive reddish mustache. The campfire build with the guitar also reminded me of the scene where Jeff Daniels and his family sing an uncomfortable love song around the campfire, much to Robin Williams's chagrin. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It's not one of Robin Williams's emotional comedies, but it is one of his classic dumb movies."
Thanks for the explaination! :-)
I can't wait to build mine. I do have one gripe. I am based in the US. If I wanted to invert the model so it matches what we see around here, I would have to order new stickers from a 3rd party. It would be great to be able to make it both ways. This is the same problem I have with most food trucks as well. Everyone would be standing in the street trying to get food or the cards would be parked in the opposite direction.
Hi!
I don't know why it has the "house door" on its left side. It's absolutely wrong! (it has the steering wheel mounted on the left side too).
I love LEGO camper vans, happy to see another one! Really love the mountain design along the sides.
I don't see how they could have made the top bunk bed removable without compromising it's sturdiness for play.