Aussie vans get thumbs up

Victorian manufacturers Coronet, Concept, New Age and Roadster were the big winners in the inaugural Best Aussie Vans awards conducted by Caravan World.

The long-standing magazine tested 13 vans in a marathon seven-day shoot-out to determine the best vans in each of four categories, from economy pop-tops to luxury liners.

The brand new Coronet FS2-5950 was driven straight from the factory to win the $30-$50K (pop-tops) category.

Beating tough competition from the Jurgens Jindabyne and Goldstream 16ft pop-tops, the Coronet was declared by the judges as “just begging to be shown around Australia”.

In the $50-$65K category, the Concept Innovation proved that “good things do come in (relatively) small packages” to outpoint the Billabong Grove 186 in a tight two-way tussle.

Four dual-axle vans were pitched against each other in the $65-$80K category, which the New Age Oz Classic won with “all the touches and technology for comfortable long-term touring”.

Other contenders were the Jayco Sterling 21.65-1 OB, Evernew E900 Series and Regent Monarch, all of which impressed with their equipment, quality and value.

Completing the awards was the $80K-plus category, where four big luxury vans – one of them even with a standard slide-out – vied for the accolades.

The fully updated Roadstar Safari Tamer scored “five out of five” for build quality and finish, to take first place ahead of the Paramount Utility, Nova Pride Platinum and Retreat Hamilton.

Caravan World editor Max Taylor said every van in the Best Aussie Vans shoot-out brought “something different to the table” while several of them were totally new or radically updated.

For more check out the January (#521) issue of Caravan World.