Jayco JRV 2022 Review

I’ve owned three Jayco camper trailers, a Jayco pop-top caravan and a proper compact off-road caravan, but never a campervan. Now I concede that perhaps I’ve been missing out.

Lots of people obviously agree with me, or are suddenly discovering travel, which is why RV market leader Jayco recently set up a new dedicated 14,000 square metre motorhome production facility in Melbourne to meet rising demand.

At this stage we should define the difference between a campervan and a motorhome...

The former, as its name implies, is based on a commercial 'delivery' van, so it has a more domestic footprint, making it easier to thread through traffic and to park. The disadvantage is that its fixed size means compromises on interior space in some models.

So the double bed may also need to serve double duties as table seating before being reconfigured as a bed, in many cases by re-arranging seat cushions and fitting infill panels before you can slumber.

Because of their larger area, larger van-based motorhomes may have dedicated beds and dining areas, so you need to be honest about which format works for you and your partner.

Clearing the dining table and re-arranging things during a howling rain storm may not work for everyone, nor does leaving the bed set up for days on end in chilly travelling weather.

Motorhomes are generally built on a larger truck- or van-based commercial cab-chassis, so they usually are more caravan-like inside, with separate sleeping and dining areas.

Being wider, they do require additional effort to guide through heavy traffic and are harder to park and so less spontaneous when it comes to impromptu lunch-stops to take in a great view.

Entry-level Jayco campervan

The 19ft (6370mm) long Jayco JRV campervan that we have just reviewed here is one of the former – a van-based campervan.

Based on the proven Renault Master cab chassis, it's currently the entry point to the three-model Jayco JRV campervan range, coming in at a very sharply priced $97,990 (drive away), plus options at the time of this review. However, factor in a price hike when an upgraded 2023 Jayco range hits the dealers soon.

Other Melbourne-built campervan options from Jayco offer different interior layouts on the Fiat Ducato and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis at elevated prices, while there are also all-terrain 4x4 versions of the Sprinter with an increased ride height for more adventurous travelers, but at a much higher price.

Given its retail cost, which is less than the cost of most two-berth caravans and their tow car, the entry-level JRV Renault is a tempting choice for a touring couple.

Although 6970mm long overall, the Renault cab is very driver-friendly, although a grab handle would be appreciated on the A-pillar to haul yourself into the driver’s seat (and on the sliding entry door to the living area behind).

Once installed behind the wheel,  it all feels very car like, offering a commanding view of the road, while its large electrically adjustable wing mirrors with a lower wide-view convex pane give you a clear picture of the campervan’s sides and your surroundings.

Apple CarPlay and a digital (DAB) radio are both standard in Renault’s car-like dashboard layout, making you feel instantly at home, even if you’ve come from a small hatch.

The selector lever for the six-speed automatic transmission with its separate manual mode is an easy hand-drop to the left of the steering wheel, which is set at a car-like angle, rather than at the more horizontal rake found in many vans.

Easy to drive

Driving the Renault-based Jayco JRV camper is super easy, although the auto changes are a bit leisurely, but the combination of power-assisted front-wheel drive and a tight turning circle make maneuvering easy.

You just need to remember that the vehicle is relatively large, so while the campervan is not easily upset by side winds, at 2150mm wide it does occupy a lot of the lane on a freeway. In reality it can park like a regular car, although I’d advise a careful height check when entering undercover car parks...

Pulling over and setting up for the night

Once on site, or if you’ve decided on a road-side lunch stop to admire the view, as many campervan travellers do, you can walk through the cab to the central rear table located between the Jayco JRV’s long seat cushions, where there's comfortable seating room here for up to six adults.

The kitchen’s two-burner gas cooktop and its adjacent circular sink with its fitted cutting board are opposite the JRV’s standard 85-litre fridge/freezer with a microwave oven above.

With its standard reverse-cycle air-conditioner and rear bolster cushion, it’s a comfortable place to while away the afternoon or evening in any weather, perhaps watching the standard TV, which mounts on a wall bracket to the right of the fridge. But it’s all a major upheaval when it’s time for bed.

When it’s that time, you need to remove the table and its eccentric single pole support, reposition the table top between the seats and remove another section of bed base from its secure storage behind the driver’s seat.

Then, re-position the cushions to fill the gap and lay out the pillows and quilt that normally are stored in lockers below one of the banquettes. It’s not really all that hard, but it could be a hassle if you're tired, or if the weather is bad, meaning you have to juggle all the cushions inside.

Finally, there are all the block-out blinds that attach to the inside of the windows with suction grips.

My guess is that many Renault JRV owners will leave the rear bed set up and use a portable fold-up table and chairs to dine out under the broad 4.0-metre long wind-out passenger-side awning or, even better, the stars.

The alternative is to spend around $25,000 more and get the ($124,990 RRP) JRV campervan on the more powerful nine-speed automatic-transmission Fiat Ducato cab/chassis, in which the layout provides a permanent transverse rear queen bed.

A forward-facing twin seat dinette is located between the ensuite and driver’s seat with this layout, while the Fiat’s front passenger seat also swivels to accommodate a guest.

Shower and toilet inside

A welcome feature of the Renault JRV is its combined shower/cassette toilet ensuite opposite the sliding left-side entry door. While compact in size, this bathroom is fully usable, although preferably for one person at a time.

A small quibble: I know the Renault JRV is the entry model to the Jayco campervan range, but I would have appreciated an electric awning and electrically deployed aluminium step, as well as grab handles to aid entry, but price is critical at this entry level.

While the Renault JRV is only licensed to carry two people, it provides good storage in the large top-hinged caravan-style overhead cupboards that line its rear dining/sleeping area, as well as the deep cupboards below the stove and sink.

Things like a folding table and chairs are stored easily in the long rear tunnel ‘boot’ formed between the rear seats, with access to them made easy by the rear barn-style doors that fold almost 270 degrees to be secured by magnets against the rear body sides, although care has to be taken with the left-hand door to avoid it snagging the awning.

A hatch underneath the passenger side seat houses the Jayco’s 4kg gas bottle, while its opposite right hand rear hatch conceals a handy rear hot/cold shower.

The Renault JRV is also reasonably well-equipped for free-camping, with its optional 2 x 120Ah lithium batteries (a 100Ah AGM battery is standard) and single 200W rooftop solar panel that are good for at least a couple of nights without 240V power, as are its 60-litre fresh and 40-litre grey water tanks.

Summing up

Compact motorised campervans are an easy way to access the great Australian outdoors and Jayco’s well-equipped Renault JRV Campervan is an excellent 'starter' RV, with its attractive, sub-$100,000 entry price and its ability to easily perform double duties as an everyday car at other times.

How much does the Jayco JRV RM.19-1 campervan cost?

Price: From $97,990 drive-away
Engine: 120kw/360Nm 2.3-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Transmission: Front-wheel drive via 6-speed automatic with manual shift mode
Body length: 6370mm
Body width (travelling): 2150mm
Travel height: 2740mm
Tare: 2750kg
Payload: 925kg
Wheels/tyres: 6.5in diameter steel, with 225/65R16 tyres
Brakes: Discs on all wheels
Fresh water: 90L fresh plus 80L grey tank
Battery: 1 x 100Ah AGM (Optional 2 x 120Ah Lithium batteries fitted to review vehicle)
Solar: Single 180W rooftop panel
Air conditioner: Dometic Harrier rooftop reverse cycle
Gas: 1 x 4.0kg
Hot water: 14L Truma gas/electric
Cooking: Internal twin gas burner cooktop, plus microwave
Fridge:  Vitrifrigo 85L compressor fridge/freezer
Shower: Combined internal shower/toilet
Lighting: LED throughout
TV: 24in
Audio: Furrion 3300 CD/USB/Bluetooth
Supplied by: Brisbane Camperland, Tingalpa, Qld
More info: Jayco Australia