Chris Fincham•14 Jun 2017

REVIEW

Adria Aviva 472 PK

Euro brand injects some fun into the lightweight family caravan market

While caravans appear to be getting bigger and heavier, the light and nimble side of the market is also picking up. Led by the Euro brands -- which are compelled to offer lightweight composite vans to match the typical, small four-cylinder tow vehicles in their home markets -- it’s also good news for Aussie ‘vanners who don’t want to upgrade to a big tow tug.

While grey nomads are well covered, the light-van market for families is also growing, including bunk vans with ensuites that offer many of the features of much larger vans, but in a sub-two tonne package.

Enter the Adria Aviva 472 PK Sport, which turned more than a few heads when it broke cover at this year’s Melbourne Supershow. With the Aviva, Adria has managed to combine twin rear bunks, a shower/toilet, large double bed, generous-sized kitchen and a number of small, funky features, into a 17ft 4in (body length) full height, single axle van with a mid-$40,000 price tag (that’s since been reduced).

Light enough to be man-handled on flat ground, it boasts a Tare of 1230kg and 1600kg ATM, thanks to its lightweight Al-Ko chassis and rubber torsion suspension, polyester sides and roof and ABS walls.

Fresh approach

Like all Adria vans sold down under, the 472 PK is based on a European design but features a number of changes including a ‘Sport’ pack in this case, to make it more appealing to Australian buyers.

As well as a beefed up chassis, there’s some thin checker plate protecting the sides and more road clearance than your traditional, low slung Euro van. You still wouldn’t take it far off the blacktop (the twin 65 litre exposed poly tanks slung behind the axle are other clues to its on-road personality), but it does provide some margin for error on undulating ground.

In our case, the raised chassis had little effect on towing, with the Adria van barely noticeable behind our Mazda BT-50 dual-cab ute, even at speeds up to 110km/h. We can’t think of too many full-height family ensuite vans that are so easy to tow, making this a great option for first-timer caravanners or nervous towers, as well as those with smaller tow tugs.

It’s also a cinch to set up, with the ‘big foot’ Al-Ko stabilisers wound down, the Thule Omister awning wound out and all hoses and cords connected within minutes of arriving at the caravan park on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, at the start of our week-end family getaway.

Decent storage

Exterior storage is better than expected, thanks to a large space under the front double bed that’s also accessible from a side hatch. We managed to fit in a table and four camping chairs with room to spare.

Lifting the big front locker door reveals two plastic-covered 4.5kg gas bottles, flanked either side by green painted metal racks for hanging various tools as well as two Ikea plastic tubs supplied. Another interesting feature is the built-in clothes line under the lid, which has three cords for drying wet towels or washing, while protected from the elements.

It’s one of a number of novel and flexible storage arrangements featured in the Adria, which include more removable, slide-out plastic bins under the dinette seats and kitchen bench, along with flexible cords and buttons on the walls for hanging utensils, magazines or toiletry bags. Apart from adding some colour to the van, it provides more options when packing and storing items.

Otherwise, the Aviva comes with other neatly-positioned external accessories including a gas bayonet and outside TV ‘locker’ with 240V/12V/USB points as well as a socket for the wind-out Winegard antenna.

Room to move

The Aviva has a typical Euro-style, two-piece barn door, which includes a handy internal bin. While it works well in practice, some people may prefer more security than that provided by the relatively flimsy fly screen that pulls out from inside the wall, with the door open.

Stepping inside, there’s not much in the way of floor space but it never feels cramped, thanks to the open plan and fresh, light timber décor, plenty of natural light from two skylights and a big dinette window, and relatively generous seating and bedding along with good storage options to reduce clutter.

Big enough for four adults, the dinette and table easily collapse down to form another single (or two young kids') bed. Both rear cushions come with removable velcro tabs so you can customise the backrest positions – another novel touch.

An adjustable arm for the 19in TV/DVD is also located here, swivelling around far enough for viewing from most positions in the van (except perhaps the toilet!).

Big beds

The rear bunks, at 196cm x 76cm, are big enough for teenagers and offer decent headroom, at least on the top bunk. A portable alloy ladder slots in to allow top bunk access, while a couple of pop-up ply barriers and mesh netting held up with buckles will ensure young ‘uns don’t roll out of the top bunk.

Fitted with a foam mattress, each bunk is rated to 70kg and has its own LED light and window with pull-down flyscreen and shade.

Also providing plenty of stretch-out space and comfort is the 200cm x 140cm queen ‘french’ bed located up front. Sharing the front section of the van with the combination shower/ toilet, it runs north/south which makes it possible for either bed partner to climb out of bed at night without disturbing the other – quite a feat in a van this size.

Like the bunk area, there's a curtain that pulls across to provide some privacy when sleeping.

Cramped cleaning

While the combination/shower toilet is quite cramped, there’s a decent ‘powder room’ in front of it with good-sized vanity cabinet, large mirror and light, and 240V outlets located close by to plug in a hair-dryer or electric shaver.

While there’s only really room for one, the shower/toilet cubicle has just about everything you need including a small sink with flick-mixer tap, towel rail, toilet roll holder, and a Thetford swivel, electric flush toilet.

There’s a shiny tub floor with drain plug and two shower curtains, but you'll still struggle not to get water on the exposed ply cabinetry, rear shelving or toilet roll, when showering using the extendable tap/shower hose.

There's no 12V fan or roof hatch, so you’ll need to open the window to let out the moisture.

Kitchen basics covered

While small in size, the Aviva’s kitchen has the basics covered including a three-burner gas cooktop, 100 litre three way fridge and enough closed storage for pots and utensils. There’s also a nifty green cord running across the window that can be used to hang a soup ladle or tea towel, or slot in some condiments.

Partly for space reasons but also to keep the price down, the Aviva misses out on a couple of standard items often seen in modern vans including a microwave, rangehood, grille and oven.

The cooktop has a glass lid to expand the food prep areas, while doubling as a splashback, and you’ll need to open the window and take a bit more care when cooking up a smokey meat or fragrant curry dish.

Interior storage options are very good, including a narrow but full height wardrobe/cupboard near the bunks, open areas under the bunks and dinette, good-sized cabinets and shelving in the kitchen, a high open shelf and half wardrobe around the double bed, and further options in the kitchen and in and around the shower/toilet.

That's not to mention seven overhead lockers throughout the van, and a shelf behind the double bed for books, phones, etc, below the two reading lights. The main LED light is located above the dinette, and there are plenty of 240V sockets throughout the van.

Funky features
While the interchangeable, cabinet door handles are a bit quirky (the choices are green or brown), the other Ikea-style features are more practical including wall-mounted, elastic cord magazine racks, slide-out removable storage bins and portable toiletries ‘pouch’ that hangs on the shower wall,

Adria’s lightweight ‘monocoque’ composite construction is definitely no gimmick, delivering excellent insulation and a comfortable interior temperature, even without running the ducted air-conditioner on cold nights.

We liked:

>> Lightweight and easy to tow

>> Funky but practical design

>> Good-sized bedding

Not so much:

>> No rangehood, microwave or radio

>> Bitumen touring only

>> Would like USB/12V interior sockets

Verdict

Daring to be different, the Adria Aviva is a breath of fresh air in a sea of often overweight Aussie family ensuite vans. Sure, it’s a mostly smooth road/caravan park proposition but the fact it will tow behind smaller vehicles while still offering many ‘big van’ features is a real plus.

The lack of some standard items like a radio and microwave can also be forgiven when sharp deals like $42,207 drive-away pricing are currently being offered.

Adria Aviva 472 PK Sport

Travel length: 6718mm (22ft 8in)

External body length: 5284mm (17ft 4in)

External body width: 2300mm (7ft 7in)

Internal body length: 4920mm (16ft 2in)

Internal body width: 2170mm (7ft 1in)

Travel height: 2580mm (8ft 6in)

Interior height: 1950mm (6ft 5in)

Tare weight: 1230kg

ATM: 1600kg

Ball weight (Tare): 100kg

Body: Polyester sides and roof and ABS walls

Chassis: Al-Ko hot-dipped steel

Suspension: Single axle Al-Ko rubber torsion

Brakes: Mechanical over-ride drums

Stability Control: Al-Ko anti-sway coupling fitted

Wheels: 16in alloy with 205/75 R16 C108 tyres

Fresh water: 130L

Battery: 1 x 100Ah deep cycle AGM and Waeco 15amp charger

Solar: 150W panel and regulator

Air-conditioner: Truma 2.4kW Saphir Comfort RC

Gas: 2 x 4.5kg

Hot water: Truma 14L gas/electric

Cooking: Dometic three-burner gas cooktop

Fridge: 100-litre Dometic 3-way manual

Microwave: No

Toilet: Thetford swivel cassette with electric flush

Shower: Combined shower/toilet

Washing machine: No

Lighting: LED

TV: RV Media 19in LED TV/DVD with Winegard Sensor antenna

Radio: No

Price: $42,207 (Vic, drive-away)

Supplied by: Apollo Caravan & RV Sales Melbourne, Campbellfield, Victoria

More info: Adria Australia

Adria Aviva 472 PK

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