New Age Jewel

There have been a lot of changes in the Australian RV industry in the past five years.

Full ensuite bathrooms are now standard in just about every caravan or pop-top from 16ft upwards; TVs and sophisticated sound systems are obligatory, as usually is solar provision, air conditioning, energy management systems and LED lighting.

Meanwhile washing machines have become a regular sight in most caravans costing more than $55,000 and Jayco's recent adoption of independent trailing arm suspension across many of its models has sounded the knell on roller-rocker leaf spring suspension.

Little wonder then that New Age's pinnacle Jewel range of 18ft, 21ft and 24ft luxury caravans introduced in 2009 was being caught and in some cases passed in its standard equipment level by a number of rival and even New Age caravans.

Amongst the latter was the Oz Classic, which on a ratio of 3:1 is the Melbourne manufacturer's best selling van.

Not surprising then that the Jewel range recently had a major refresh and upgrade, with a new 22ft mid-range model replacing the former 21ft Jewel in the process.

Priced at $94,990 delivered in Victoria, the Jewel JE22E comes at a price premium over its predecessor, which sold in the high $80,000 range, but there’s also a lot more to like.

For a start, like other 2015 Jewel models, it’s distinctive, with its exclusive ‘White Glass’ aluminium cladding, exclusive colours for its double-glazed door and European DLUX double-glazed windows.

Combined, they certainly make a style statement and contrast with the extensive black propeller-plate cladding around the van. Otherwise it’s a fairly conventional-looking luxury caravan.

A large propeller-plate toolbox on the van’s 150mm x 50mm powder coated A-frame houses twin 9kg gas bottles on one side, while there’s room for the jockey wheel, tools, hoses, etc – or even a 2kVa generator on the other – as both sides are vented.

At the pointy end of the A-frame there’s a rugged Hitchmaster DO-45 hitch (same as fitted to New Age’s off-road Commando model), indicating that owners are expected to take their fully laden Jewels on some serious travels, although the standard Al-Ko independent tandem rubber suspension is not really designed for severe off-road use.

There’s also a new full tunnel boot in the front section of the van for extra storage, although our review Jewel had a slide-out hotplate BBQ installed on the door side that limited its usefulness.

However this was more than made up for by the twin, fully galvanised lockers in the rear quarter of the Jewel that could also house a generator or a range of things you’d prefer not to carry or store inside.

A drop-down picnic table and a pair of underslung plated boxes housing the JE22E’s twin 100Ah deep cycle batteries and a single spare wheel on the van’s substantial rear bumper complete the external picture.

Entry via the double-glazed Camec centre door with its solid mesh security screen is made easy by the electric operation of the aluminium Techno Step via a switch just inside the door. You then step into an inviting, spacious and elegant caravan.

As is New Age’s style, the tonings are principally white, or off-white for walls and upper cupboards, ranging through progressively deeper silver and grey tonings as you approach the floor, which in the case of the review van had a dark grey timber look.

The decor might lack a little warmth for some, but it offends few, many people love it and it helps New Age sell nearly 1000 caravans a year!

The layout is pretty straight forward – front island queen bed that lifts up for under-bed storage, central galley and café dinette opposite and a full ensuite, stretching across the entire rear of the van.

It’s a layout favoured 20:1 by New Age customers across their entire caravan range and which provides good space for everything in this mid-sized caravan.

For example in the bedroom there’s plenty of room to move around and to make the island bed and lots of room to store your clothes in its twin flanking robes, overhead cupboards and the two large sliding drawers under the bed.

The lounge/galley is also a good size, with the leather upholstered and heavily-bolstered L-shape of the dinette creating an inviting luxurious ambiance.

The kitchen opposite, with its stylish LED pelmet lighting, is also large and useable. Its centerpiece, the latest model Thetford Caprice four-burner cooktop, grill and new fan-forced oven is flanked on the left by a 184-litre Dometic AES fridge-freeze, while there’s a large stainless steel sink and drainage board on the right and good bench space for plating up gourmet meals.

And there are plenty of drawers and cupboards below and above, including a couple of large pot drawers.

My only quibble with the kitchen is its slightly pokey window, which is limited in size by the overhead cupboards.

A solid sliding door leads you into the generous-sized ensuite, which along with its Thetford swiveling cassette toilet, central vanity with ceramic island basin and separate fibreglass shower cubicle, also houses one of the wall-mounted Mini washing machines that New Age fits exclusively. 

If you think that a washing machine in a caravan is a fad, you haven’t used one of these. It’s simple to operate, efficient in both use of water and space – a ‘must have’ in the modern caravan these days and totally in keeping with the Jewel’s luxury specification.

VERDICT

Now with revised layouts, exclusive features and a new 22ft model in its 2014 armory, New Age’s crowning model has rightfully resumed its place as the leader of the New Age pack.

There’s a lot to like in the luxurious, well-equipped Jewel 22-footer for those planning an extended touring trip and, although out of reach for many, its size and high quality construction and finish can happily justify its $95,000 pricetag.

However, we have to question the addition of hardcore off-road features like the DO-45 hitch and grey water tank, on what is essentially a 'made road' tourer.

Potential buyers should also keep in mind the 400kg load capacity, which with all three water tanks full leaves just 180kg for all the other things you want to carry…

WE LIKED: 
>> Build quality
>> Excellent use of space
>> Big ensuite
>> Wall-mounted washer

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Limited load capacity given all the space to carry things
>> Too much external ‘plating’ for our liking
>> Off-road features on an on-road van
>> Requires heavy-duty tow tug

NEW AGE JEWEL 22FT

Travel length: 8.96m
External body length: 7.215m
Internal body length: 6.888m
Interior height: 2.03m
External body width: 2.51m inc awning
Travel height: 3.15m
Tare: 2940kg
ATM: 3340kg
Ball weight: 220kg
Body: Meranti timber frame/aluminium cladding/polystyrene insulation
Chassis: Powder-coated steel/150mm A-frame and 50mm hangers
Hitch: DO-45 off-road
Suspension: Al-Ko independent rubber tandem axle
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Stability Control: Al-Ko ESC standard
Wheels/tyres: 16in alloy/265/75R16
Water: 2 x 80 litre (fresh), 1 x 60-litre (grey)
Battery: 2 x 100Ah deep cycle
Solar: 1 x 120W panel roof-mounted
Air-conditioner: Air Command Ibis
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Cooking: Four-burner gas/electric cooktop, plus gas grill and oven
Fridge: 184-litre Dometic AES three-way
Microwave: Standard 
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate fibreglass cubicle
Lighting: LED
Price: $94,990 (towaway, Vic)
Options fitted: None
Supplied by: New Age Caravans, Epping, Vic