Is the New Thor Talavera a Game-Changer for Luxury Off-Roading?

Are you on the lookout for a sturdy yet luxurious Class B RV? Thor Motor Coach just launched the Thor Talavera; an impressive off-road rig based on the Ford Transit Trail.

We’ve all heard of the new Transit Trail; it’s an off-road version of the classic Transit designed specifically for campervan conversions. But let’s quickly recap its core features for those who missed the memo. 

The Transit Trail comes with intelligent all-wheel drive and the twin-turbo gasoline 3.5L EcoBoost V-6. This means it has 310 hp and a 400 lb-ft torque. The 10-speed transmission with 5 selectable drive modes makes it easy to tackle any terrain. The special exterior trim features 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires, thick fender flare cladding, slider-bar side steps, robust splash guards and much more. Pretty impressive, huh?

What Thor did with the Ford Transit Trail

Established RV manufacturer Thor Motor Coach decided to turn the Transit Trail into the ultimate adventure camper van. And we think they might have done it…

The Talavera is equal parts ruggedness and luxury. It has the upgraded 31-gallon gas tank, so you can travel further and stay off-grid for longer. Even though the rig comes with 22-gallon (fresh) and 20-gallon (gray) water tanks, the ground clearance of the finished rig is still excellent. Plus it can hitch up to 3,500 pounds. So you’re still good to venture off-road.

Scoping Out the Thor Talavera

The Talavera comes in two floor plans – the 1910 ($178,500) and the 1920 ($182,700). The 1910 features a couch that turns into a double bed, a generous-sized wet bath at the back and a swivel table. The 1920 has a fixed double bed, a more compact wet bath, a smaller couch and a removable table. Both floor plans come with a European-style 4.75-gallon cassette toilet, cupboards and shelves throughout, and dual lap belts in the dinette. 

The advantage of the 1910 is that it comes with a more spacious shower room, which opens up completely at the back. However, the bed is slightly smaller and you can’t pull it out while you cook. The 1910 features a larger fixed bed at the back from which you can enjoy the view, but the bath is rather small.

The kitchen features spacious solid surface countertops, a sink, a microwave oven and a single-door 12-volt electric refrigerator. There’s also a portable single-burner electric induction cooktop, which you can use inside the RV or on an exterior fold-out table. This set-up is perfect for van lifers who enjoy spending most of their time outdoors.

The Thule lateral arm power patio awning with integrated LED lighting allows you to cook and relax outdoors while sheltering you from the elements.

When it’s too cold to hang out outside for long, you can still enjoy the views through the large opening side windows. The little window in front of the kitchen sink is a nice touch – you can look out while washing the dishes.

The Talavera has four heated 1,260Wh lithium batteries (5,120-watt total), a 200-watt rooftop solar charging system and a 3,000-watt inverter, allowing you to keep your devices topped up while off-grid via a modern electronics station.

You can also charge the batteries via shore power and by driving, of course. A dedicated 170-amp charging alternator with an auto-start function turns the engine on when voltage is too low. That can come in pretty handy if you forget to check the battery levels.

The only thing we’re not a huge fan of is the convertible bed. You’ll have to make your bed every single night. This setup is also challenging if you’re traveling with someone who gets up or goes to bed at a different time.

Ready for the luxury features of the Thor Talavera?

A 11,000-BTU low-profile air conditioner and a Truma Combi Eco furnace plus water-heating system will keep you comfortable throughout the seasons, no matter where you go. Depending on the floor plan you choose, there’s also a 24-inch TV in the bedroom or a 22-inch screen in the living room. For all your music and podcasting needs there’s a JBL FLIP Speaker and Wall Mount.

For the interiors you can pick between Alpine White II and Charcoal Fusion II. We think both options look great and make the camper look bright inside. Exterior color options include Avalanche Gray, Carbonized Gray or Oxford White. 

One last thing. If you come across the Thor Palladium at your local dealership, it’s the Talavera under a different name. 

So what do you think? Is the Thor Talavera a game-changer?