First Impressions of the All-New Winnebago Elora: Small RV, Big on Features

First Impressions of the All-New Winnebago Elora: Small RV, Big on Features
Find out why this new option blends the best of a van and small Class C!

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

My favorite phone calls from Winnebago are the ones that start with, "Kenny, do you have time to take an upcoming vehicle out for testing?" I will literally drop everything to be part of the testing process, and this time it was for the all-new Winnebago Elora RV.

When I first saw the Elora, I had to ask: "Is it a van, or is it a small Class C?" 

And the answer I received was: "Yes." Haha

We picked up the Elora in St. George, UT, and drove it to Needles, CA, and back. Later, I did a second round of testing, driving from Forest City, IA, to Costa Mesa, CA, to work the Overland Expo, then back to Forest City. One of the highlights of that trip was stopping in the small town of Idaho Springs, CO, to meet up with Chris Bienert, the product manager for the Elora. We had breakfast and chatted about how well this little RV travels, even through the mountains of Colorado. 

All told, I put more than 5,000 miles on the Winnebago Elora during testing, and I'm going to share everything I love about it with you here!

Note: This article is based on an experience testing a prototype vehicle. Some of the photos shown will not represent the final product. View the final version of the Winnebago Elora/Resa here.

Top Reasons Why the Winnebago Elora/Resa Stands Out

I think the best way to describe the Winnebago Elora/Resa is that it has all the advantages of a van when it comes to driving and parking, with the added bonus of Class C cargo space and capacity. The first thing you notice about this new cost-conscious vehicle (the current advertised price is $153,772) is how spacious it feels inside compared to how small it looks from the outside. The exterior looks very sleek and modern, and you don't usually expect so much functionality in such a small package.

Small Size & Great Drivability

The Winnebago Elora/Resa is only 20'4" long, 10'3" tall, and 7'6" wide, and it weighs a little over 9,000 pounds. This combination of size and weight makes it the zippiest RV I have ever driven. Compared to my Winnebago Vista, the Elora felt like a sports car on the road—handling corners and stop-and-go traffic like a champ.

This is my number one pick for drivability in an RV so far. I had a smile on my face everywhere we went, and we went to a lot of places!

Living Space with Plenty of Storage

You enter the Winnebago Elora through an entry door located behind the two captain’s chairs. As you step inside, there is a tech cabinet directly in front of you. We used it to store our computers and hotspots. Because there are outlets inside the cabinet, it is also the perfect place to charge cameras, computers, and other electronics. It would be a great location for a router!

Just below the tech cabinet is a large wardrobe/pantry. We primarily used this cabinet for dry goods, and our dog Belle’s food and treats, but it also includes a clothing rod, allowing it to function as a wardrobe closet as well.

Directly to your left is the galley, which offers ample countertop space, a good-sized sink, and plenty of cabinets and drawers for pots, pans, utensils, cleaning supplies, and extra appliances such as a coffee maker or air fryer.

Innovative Wet/Dry Bath

Across from the galley is the bathroom, and this isn’t just any ordinary bathroom. This is the ever-popular wet/dry bathroom made famous in the Winnebago EKKO. It is actually identical in size and function, and it will definitely be a wow factor for shoppers. Every time I give someone a tour of an EKKO for the first time, they grab their spouse and say, “You have to see this bathroom.”

This bathroom is not exactly a dry bath, but it’s not a wet bath either. It’s really a hybrid. A curved swivel wall allows you to keep the toilet and sink area dry while showering. In fact, you don’t even see the toilet when using the shower. It really is a crowd-pleaser at shows and expos!

Two Options for the Sleeping & Dining Space

Moving past the kitchen and bathroom, you enter the dining and sleeping area. The Winnebago Elora offers a couple of options for configuring this space. Upon purchase, you can choose extra storage and convert the dining area into a large bed, or you can delete the cabinets and opt for a powered drop-down bed similar to the one found in the Winnebago Revel, only larger.

We were able to try both versions and, to be honest, it is tough to decide which one we would choose. It’s nice to have the extra cabinets, but we didn’t feel we absolutely needed them. While the dinette easily converts into a bed, nothing is easier than pushing a button and having your bed lower from the ceiling with all your pillows and sheets already in place.

We would also like to mention that the mattress on the drop-down bed is a WinnSleep mattress, and it is very comfortable. In fact, it is our favorite RV mattress!

Extra Storage Options for Bikes or Larger Items

The dinette area is large and could easily seat a family of four. Another cool thing about this space is its ability to store larger items, such as bicycles. The two benches that fold down into a bed can also be pinned against the wall, opening up the floor space. Picture something similar to what you would find in the rear of a toy hauler. This is the kind of flexibility and functionality that I like to see in an RV, and in my opinion, nobody does it better than Winnebago.

Abundance of Natural Lighting

One of the great things about the Elora is the number and size of the windows that Winnebago has included throughout the coach. No matter where you are sitting or standing, you have an amazing panoramic view of the outdoors. These windows and the views they provide really elevate the camping experience. You are essentially bringing the outdoors inside without having to deal with the weather or the bugs.

Great Features for Camping in the Winnebago Elora/Resa

We were fortunate on these trips to experience a variety of camping styles, from staying at Cracker Barrel to an RV resort and, my favorite, dry camping in the middle of nowhere. This is where the Class C space really becomes noticeable. Sabrina and I never needed to do the “van dance” while camping in the Winnebago Elora. There is enough room to move around each other without constantly being in one another’s way.

Ample Cargo Capacity

I think part of the reason for this is the ample storage throughout the RV. As I mentioned earlier, everything has its place and can be put away out of sight rather than being left underfoot. 

You may be wondering just how much cargo space the Winnebago Elora really has, and you will probably be surprised to learn that it can carry more than 2,000 pounds. That is a massive amount of cargo capacity, not only for a rig of this size, but for almost any RV. (Learn more about RV weight ratings and carrying capacity here.)

Lithium Power Comes Standard

The RV is also a 30-amp coach, and you can use that power whether you are plugged into a campground pedestal or completely off-grid. That’s because the standard power system includes a 5,000-watt-hour lithium battery paired with a 3.6-kilowatt inverter. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this system is standard and not an upgrade.

This setup allowed us to cook meals using the included microwave, air fryer, and convection oven, cool the RV with the air conditioner, and make my morning coffee, all without needing to start the generator. 

Note: Our test models did have generators installed, but they will be optional when you purchase one. Honestly, because the batteries can be charged by both the solar panels and the engine’s alternator, I only ran the generator for testing purposes. I never felt like I actually needed it.

The power system can also be expanded by a dealer to three times its standard battery capacity, giving you up to 15,000 watt-hours of lithium power. With that kind of energy storage, a generator would never be on my radar as something I needed.

Gas-Powered Heating

Winnebago also makes the camping experience very convenient by using the Truma Combi G to provide both heat and hot water. The “G” stands for gas, meaning the Winnebago Elora does not have any propane on board. This was something I came to appreciate very quickly. 

I enjoyed knowing that fuel was the only resource I needed to manage. It made traveling and camping much simpler. Without the need for propane, there were no extra stops or additional tasks before heading out to camp.

Having the Truma Combi G as a standard feature was another pleasant surprise. I have always considered Truma to be a premium choice. It is quiet, efficient, and capable of heating the coach quickly while also providing plenty of hot water for showers.

Plenty of Tank Capacity

Speaking of hot showers, we found the Winnebago Elora to have plenty of water capacity. With 30 gallons of fresh water and 30 gallons of gray tank capacity, we were able to camp off-grid for several days. Because it uses a cassette toilet, we also had the convenience of emptying it at rest areas and pit toilets, making extended stays away from traditional campgrounds even easier.

Parking is Easy

At the end of a long driving day, it was simple to pull into a Cracker Barrel, park in a normal parking space, make a meal, and get a good night's sleep. 

The ease of use of this RV really sets it apart from many other RVs. I think about our Winnebago Vista, for example, and how we sometimes need to search for a place large enough to accommodate us. The Winnebago Elora/Resa, on the other hand, fits in virtually any standard parking space, and that was a total game changer for us and how we normally RV.

Watch a video walkthrough of the Winnebago Elora/Resa here!

Final Thoughts on the New Winnebago Elora/Resa

I really believe this is going to be one of those RVs that you see everywhere! I think the Winnebago Elora/Resa checks the boxes for so many people, including some who may have never considered owning an RV before. For example, I can easily see families purchasing this RV for kids who play on travel sports teams. It provides a fun way to travel to sporting events without needing a hotel, while also allowing families to prepare their own meals and have a private bathroom available throughout the day. 

This is an absolute winner from Winnebago, and I look forward to seeing how people use this new RV and customize it to fit their needs!

After thousands of miles behind the wheel, what impressed me most was how successfully Winnebago blended the drivability of a van with the space and practicality of a Class C. That's not an easy balance to achieve, but I think they nailed it with the Winnebago Elora/Resa.