Avida Explorer LX 4x4 2025 Review

It’s taken 60 years for Sydney’s Avida RV to release its first off-grid-ready, off-road motorhome, and on first impressions you could say it’s been worth the wait.

Based on the highly-specified mid-wheelbase, all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van, the new rough-road camper comes loaded up with lithium battery and solar power, above-average water storage, and enough off-road kit and home-away-from-home features to make camping life off-the-beaten track a very comfortable experience indeed.

It’s not budget-priced however, with its circa quarter-million dollar pricing putting it out of reach of many ‘vanlife’ enthusiasts, while appealing most to cashed-up couples after a stylish 'turn key' Outback adventure vehicle.

Pricing for the Avida Explorer LX 4x4 campervan starts at $234,998 (drive-away Victoria), with our tester from Melbourne dealer Roberts RV World coming in at $259,998 drive-away, thanks to the addition of a few options including a front adventure ‘brunt’ bar with Warn winch and Stedi driving lights, upgraded 16in alloy wheels with Maxxis Razr 265/70R16 all-terrain rubber, a Fiamma F450 electric awning, Bravo air snorkel, rear zipped flyscreen, two extra seatbelts and child restraints for the dinette seats, and an additional 200Ah lithium battery.

Painted in a premium blue grey paint, the base vehicle is the 6.33m long, 2.145m wide and 2.97m high, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 419 AWD MWB panel van, powered by the up-rated 140kW/450Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with nine-speed automatic transmission.

Being the range-topping Sprinter van variant, it comes well equipped with a 10.25in colour touchscreen with in-built navigation, digital radio and smart phone mirroring, leather covering for the multi-function steering wheel and front seats with lumbar support, dual padded driver's arm rests, plus other niceties like climate control, auto wipers, keyless entry and a starter button.

The latest 'Benz Sprinter is also one of the safest vans on the market, with thorax-protecting airbags as well as frontal and side head-protecting airbags for both driver and passenger, and a long list of driver electronic aids including auto emergency braking, active lane assist, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tyre pressure monitoring, parking assist and a 360 degree camera.

Like all 60th Anniversary Avida motorhomes, the Explorer LX model is backed by an extended five-year factory warranty, roadside assistance and capped price servicing program.

While obviously designed for rough-road adventures, the Explorer LX 4x4 camper is also a very pleasant and refined vehicle for cruising on smoother highways or just zooming around town, while the 4.1 tonne GVM also makes it standard car licence-friendly.

If you're hoping to step out in relatively good shape after all-day stints behind the wheel, and enjoying your favourite tunes or podcast from a decent stereo, this is definitely a good choice.

Apart from some tyre noise it’s pretty smooth and quiet behind the wheel, with the punchy turbo-diesel (peak torque kicks in from 1400 revs) and responsive auto transmission propelling the motorhome to 100km/h and beyond with little fuss, although it works a bit harder up steeper inclines.

A fuel economy reading of just over 11L/100km during our test drive also bodes well for the travel expenses, although expect around 15L/100km or more when spending more time on the dirt. That figure also delivers a theoretical range of around 800km, thanks to a 93L fuel tank.

The 'Benz electronic driving aids are excellent too (helpful rather than annoying!), including the rear camera view and traffic alert feature which make it easier to back out of a carpark, or turn around on a narrow bush track.

The Explorer LX also feels surprisingly composed on bumpy, unmade tracks for a largish high-roof van. The torque-on-demand permanent AWD system, together with decent ground clearance (around 200mm) and grippy tyres, easily handled the dry, sometimes slippery and undulating terrain we encountered during the photo shoot.

However,, the lack of a two-speed transfer case and diff locks, as you find on many 4WD trucks and utes, would make us think twice before tackling trickier routes like the Blue Rag Range Track. We did experience some pronounced wheelspin when setting off up a steep dusty track, while the first gear ratio (5.354:1) provided insufficient gear reduction when returning down the same hill.

At around 3.0m tall and with its bulging, driver's side 'sleeping pod', you also have to keep a close eye on overhanging branches to prevent scratches.

Head deeper into the bush and the optional Bravo snorkel provides extra confidence when tackling creek crossings (fording depth is reportedly around 610mm), while the optional front electric winch will help pull you out of trouble if you get bogged.

While the optional wheels and tyres add a little more ground clearance, for additional peace of mind we'd like to see some underbody bash plates fitted, either standard or as an option, to protect vulnerable engine and transmission components against knocks.

Avida has also beefed up the Explorer LX for off-roading with a 50in LED front light bar, custom full length 'rock slider' side protection steps, with a spare tyre and ladder and a couple of high-mounted working lights at the rear.

There’s an external light to go with the powered box awning on the passenger side, and opening the powered sliding side door (there's a handy dash switch to do that from the driver's seat) provides access to the drop-down picnic table, with the internally mounted Fusion sound panel and drawer for the induction cooktop nearby. There's also a kitchen bench extension, that further adds to the seamless indoor/outdoor camping experience.

The rear barn doors open up nice and wide, with a rear step to help climb up into the van, or jump up on to the bed if it's set up.

The review camper also has the extra-cost rear flyscreen, which takes a few seconds to roll down and zip into place. It's a worthwhile option to prevent the bugs from spoiling your night when you have the rear doors open for ventilation, although we're not sure if it's fully midge-proof.

The attachment for the driver's side hot/cold external shower outlet is stored in one of the storage pouches on the inside rear doors, as is the electrical cord for the front winch. The Explorer also comes Starlink-ready, with both pre-wired external and internal connections, while the Victron batteries are neatly stored in an outside locker.

Like many motorhomes these days, both front seats in the Explorer LX swivel around to face the dinette seating and table immediately behind, with flat walk-through flooring through to the camper fit-out.

The test vehicle was fitted with the folding, floor-mounted manual hand brake lever that when engaged, allows the driver's seat to fully swivel around and face the rear.

The review camper also has the optional two extra seat belts with child restraints for the bench seat, so up to four people can be legally transported in the two-berth camper. The removable table with expandable tabletop is big enough for a couple of laptops or a small Happy Hour gathering.

The Explorer’s floorplan is also typical of many van-based campers, with its flexible front seating, shower cubicle and toilet, kitchenette with extendable benchtop, and multi-function rear section for sleeping, lounging and storage.

Avida has packed a lot in so there's not that much floorspace to move around inside, although the 1.92m interior height means you shouldn't have to stoop much.

For cooking there's the portable Westinghouse single hob 2000W induction hotplate and a high-mounted NCE microwave, plus a small sink with glass lid and both mixer and filtered water taps.

The Vitrifrigo Slim Series 82L upright compressor fridge freezer is on the small side, but there's the option to plug another camping fridge in the back section to help keep the beer and bubbly chilled. 

It’s a pretty tight squeeze inside the wet bathroom, but it's all in there including an opening window, mirror and vanity with sink and a tap that pulls out to double as a shower rose. There's also an on-off trigger to help preserve water, a shower head hook and a shower curtain.

The combo ensuite also includes a swivel cassette toilet, a 12V LED roof hatch and cupboards, plus this area doubles as a drying room with its own outlet for the diesel combi heater, which takes up space in a cupboard under the bed.

Setting up the rear double bed is pretty easy, with a strap holding up the central drop-down base and foam insert during transit, and to allow room for carrying larger items like a bicycle. There's also a cargo net and floor-mounted tie-down points to hold items in place. The main gripe is you'll need to make the bed up every time you move, if transporting taller items back here.

The thick foam mattress seems reasonably comfy, and the driver's side pod with window provides extra room for taller folk to stretch out on the east-west bed. However, there's slightly less headroom closest to the rear doors, and it's quite a leap up into bed, although a small pull-out step at the base comes in handy. I recommend giving it the full lie-down test, to avoid any buyer regret...

The Explorer LX doesn't include a rear lounge or seating, like you find in some similar-style campervans. Although we were told a 'digital nomad' couple has already put in an order and requested a modification to the rear folding base, to allow a second work-station to be set up at the back.

Otherwise, enclosed storage spots are at a premium, and include some open nooks under the bed that are also accessible from the outside, plus a few overhead cupboards and kitchen drawers. Also cutting into some potential under-bed storage space are the Victron battery electrical components – it's the price you pay for a campervan with very good off-grid capability.

Internally, the Explorer LX also gets a 12V fan, reading lights and screened, opening windows along both sides and a rear door. Also standard is a 28in Smart TV, Webasto rooftop air-conditioner and a tablet-style Victron touchscreen manager to keep an eye on power and water usage, along with various charging sockets and inside as well as outside LEDs.

Otherwise it all appears nicely finished with soft-close drawers, mood lighting and leather upholstery part of the premium package. A full set of privacy screens are also provided for the windows and windscreen.

Avida has loaded up the Explorer LX with off-grid power, with our optioned-up test vehicle getting the bigger 600Ah lithium battery system (400Ah batteries is standard). The base package also includes a 3000W inverter and 400W of rooftop solar, with the option to add extra solar blankets that plug in to twin Anderson plugs at the rear.

The Explorer also comes standard with 125L fresh and 45L drinking water tanks and a 95L grey water tank, which is above average for this type of motorhome.

The standard Truma diesel hot water and space heater has a number of outlets throughout the van to keep it nice and cosy on chilly Outback nights. There's also enough battery power to run the Webasto 2.4kW roof-top air-conditioner at night, at least for an hour or two, so you could also use that to warm as well as cool the interior.

The Explorer LX also comes Starlink-ready, with pre-wired connections inside and out so you can keep in touch with the outside world.

The Avida Explorer LX won't take you quite as far into the bush as a purpose-built, truck-based expedition vehicle, but its fuss-free all-wheel drive traction should get you in and out of many less visited camping spots around Australia, weather and road conditions permitting.

Judging by Avida's promotional video, it will also cope with the odd mud hole and creek crossing, at least up until the sills.

It's also very civilised to drive around town, with the mid-wheelbase platform making it easier to park than long wheelbase campervans. Although you pay for it, Avida has also loaded up the camper with plenty of creature comforts, so you shouldn't have too much to complain about once you arrive at camp.

The biggest bugbears are the cramped layout and overall lack of dedicated storage space, although there's enough floorspace at the front and rear to devise an appropriate storage system to suit your needs.

Price: From RRP $221,990. As tested: $259,998 (drive-away Victoria)
Options fitted: 16in alloy wheels with AT tyres, electric awning, extra battery, front adventure bar with winch, snorkel, driving lights, rear flyscreen, two extra seatbelts
Base vehicle: Mercedes-Benz 419 AWD MWB panel van
Dimensions: 6.33m long, 2.145m wide, 2.97m high
Weight: 3300kg kerb (approx). 4100kg GVM. 6100kg GCM. 2000kg towing capacity
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.5L/100km (as tested)
Safety rating: Platinum 89 per cent (ANCAP van testing)