"It looks a bit old-fashioned but clearly gets the job done well"
The Coaster has been on the road in Australia in one form or another for nearly 40 years, and in that time has sold more than 20,000 units.
A six footer on the old scale can stand to their full height inside the Coaster, which you wouldn’t pick by looking in from the outside.
The deluxe model’s cloth seats are very comfortable, with backs which are if anything a little too high, in terms of blocking the driver’s vision of naughty kids up the back. But better to be too high than too low in case of whiplash.
There is good lumbar support in both the driver and passenger seats.
There are two passenger positions over the rear wheel humps, which would be no problem to a small person, but for others it feels like your knees are tucked up to your chin.
On the other hand there is a huge amount of leg space in front of the single passenger seat up the front. At first glance it looks like a wasted space, but it’s no doubt a very handy and safe spot to put luggage.
After all, luggage space is at a premium, with no room behind the rear row of seats. That’s why you see so many Coasters pulling a trailer. Towing capacity is two tonnes (braked).
The privacy windows are quite large, and can be opened – which is a great thing for adults but maybe not so good for kids.
The sliding cabin door in the deluxe model can be operated either in manual mode or in auto from the driver’s seat, and worked well either way. There is a buzzer to let everyone know it’s in action.
There is good three-point contact for the driver to easily get in behind the wheel through their own door.
Video: Barry Ashenhurst