Adria Altea 390 DS

WE LIKED:

• Excellent towability for shower/toilet van
• Flexible interior with up to four berths
• Quality build including five year water ingress warranty

NOT SO MUCH

• Beds aren't permanent, so some fiddling required
• Front boot the only external storage locker
• Limited kitchen bench space

Like houses, four-wheel drives and waistlines, caravans seem to be getting bigger as the years roll on; not to mention heavier and more expensive.

So it's a nice change to come across a new model that's got just about everything you need, albeit in a relatively compact, affordable and easy-to tow package, like Adria’s new entry-level 390 DS van.

Priced at just over $30,000 tow-away, the 390 DS is the new baby in Adria Australia’s line-up. Like other Adrias sold here, it’s built in Europe but has a toughened chassis and a few other changes to make it suitable for Australian conditions.

Like other Adria models the 390 DS has a couple of things going for it up front: classy European styling and weather resistant construction, with an emphasis on weight reduction.

With an ATM of just 1100kg, it can be towed by a number of mid-sized, four-cylinder cars, including the Mazda6 and Toyota Camry.

Despite its compact body length – 4.43m or 14.5 feet in the old scale – it manages to pack in a shower and toilet, decent-sized kitchen, and has the ability to sleep four.

LIGHT FOOTPRINT

With a towing length of 5.81m, 2.07m width and 2.58m height, the 390 DS is one of few 'full size' caravans that can comfortably fit in many garages.

It might be the cheapest in the range, but this single axle van shares similar construction with other Adrias, including galvanised chassis, full insulation, independent rubber suspension, and mechanical over-ride braking system.

While the Al-Ko chassis features directional steering, the 390 DS misses out on the anti-sway coupling fitted to bigger Adria vans.

Stylewise, it features an attractive curved front panel, and has a hailstone resistant GRP outer skin with front and rear mouldings.

Up front, there's a white plastic fairing on the A-frame, situated behind the Al-Ko hitch, easy-off handbrake and sturdy jockey wheel.

Apart from a small locker holding the 105aH house battery, there's only the front boot for external storage, which has space for two, 4.5kg gas bottles, a spare wheel and a few other odds and ends.

Hitching up, towing and setting up the 390 DS is about as easy as it gets, and to make life easier it's light enough to be manoeuvred by one person on flat ground.

Our Nissan X-Trail had little trouble hauling it around our suburban course. It tracked easily behind and took u-turns and reversing in its stride.

The only inconvenience noted during set-up were the four corner mounted stabiliser legs, which are wound down manually resulting in a little more time and effort.

JAM-PACKED INTERIOR

Befitting this van's budget status, the two-piece Hartal door located towards the rear misses out on a window, but it does have a handy bin attached on the inside.

Stepping up into the van via the pull-out step, you're faced with a modern, light-filled layout that makes the most of what is a pretty compact, 3.95m long interior space.

The 390 DS model was recently updated and features the latest Euro-style dark woodgrain finish with contrasting white walls and laminate benchtops.

While not to everyone's taste, it feels modern and fresh, and the six, goof-sized tinted Dometic pop-out windows (plus central skylight) help create a light and inviting atmosphere.

Most windows have internal slide-up blinds and flyscreens, as well as draw-pull curtains for additional privacy at night.

The 390 DS can sleep up to four (not overly big) people in reasonable comfort, and it does this by having two dining/living areas at either end of the van that can be converted to beds.

The front of the van is occupied by a cafe diner-style lounge with seating for four people. There’s a small, flimsy occasional table, or a folding, portable table (stored in a nearby cabinet) can be set up for dining duties.

Squeezing my legs underneath the low-height portable table proved an issue though, and the firm, upright bench seats seem better suited as dining chairs rather than night time lounging.

The front lounge area easily converts to a double bed measuring 194 x 124cm, and the thick foam cushion base makes it a reasonably comfy if not overly spacious bed for two. The person sleeping closer to the front will have to clamber over his sleeping partner to get to the toilet at night, too.

The rear of the van features a small dinette, which is strictly for two but features a sturdier, more practical table. If there are just the two of you, this area could be used for eating, etc, allowing the front section to be kept permanently in bed/lounging mode.

It takes a couple of minutes to convert the rear dinette to two bunk beds, via a pull-out Pullman bunk and using the table as part of the lower bed base – supplied cushions are used for mattresses. As the tiny top bunk can only support 50kg, it's really only suitable for kids.

COMPACT KITCHEN

The small kitchen area, located in the van's centre, includes a Smev cooktop with three gas burners, rangehood, and stainless steel sink with mixer tap. 

There's only a 15cm strip of benchspace though, so the laminated glass tops on the sink and stove are the main options for food preparation when not in use. A microwave is optional, and there’s space for one in a slot under the stovetop.

There are good options when it comes to storing cutlery and utensils however, with a number of drawers and overhead lockers for pots and pans and food items.

In fact, interior storage is one of this van's biggest surprises, with eight overhead lockers in total as well as various cupboards and temporary shelving. There's also some space available under the front and rear bench seats.

Directly opposite the sink is the 97 litre Dometic fridge, above which is a half-size wardrobe, which could also be used for bulkier items.

SQUEEZY SHOWER

The all-in-one, enclosed bathroom area, somehow manages to cram into a tiny space, a Thetford swivel cassette toilet, as well as a sink and vanity with a flexible hose that doubles as a tap and high-mounted showerhead.

There's also enough shelving and cabinets to hold all your toiletries, a big mirror, shower curtain, window, light, and air vent in the roof to let out moisture. But with little room to move, you’ll probably only use it for teeth brushing and night-time emergencies, particularly when staying in a caravan park.

A Truma gas hot water system, hooked up to a 50 litre water tank (80 litre tank optional), services both the kitchen and shower.

12V electrics are taken care of by the 105aH house battery, and we counted one 12V and four 240V sockets inside the van.

Lighting includes two roof-mounted LED units at either end of the van, plus two spotlights in the front lounge and nightlights for each rear bunk.

There's also a TV antenna connection point in the front lounge area, if you wanted to set up a TV in this area.

VERDICT

There's a lot to like about the 390 DS, which packs in a lot within its compact dimensions. While those used to bigger vans might find it a bit squishy, it's versatile layout does manage to cover off most camping requirements.

While it misses out on some of the standard features, like awning, microwave and TV, of bigger Adria models, it doesn’t seem to be lacking the structural quality or smooth finish that Adria's renowned for. And you still get the five year water ingress warranty.

For caravanning couples or young families on a budget or those wishing to downsize, or grey nomads who want to accomodate the grandkids on holidays, it could be just the ticket.

ADRIA ALTEA 390 DS

Length (overall): 5.81m
Length (internal): 3.95m
Length (body): 4.43m
Width (overall): 2.07m
Height (overall): 2.58m
Height (internal): 1.95m
Tare: 906kg
ATM: 1100kg
Ball weight: 100kg
Chassis: galvanised
Suspension: Al-Ko independent
Cooktop: Smev three-burner gas
Fridge: Dometic 97 litre
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Freshwater: 50 litres
Price: $30,790 (tow away, Vic)
Supplied by: Melbourne & European RVs, Frankston, Vic
More info: Adria Australia