New Age Manta Ray 2023 Review

As a 16ft caravan for couples (or singles) riding on standard road suspension, it would be easy to slap an ‘entry-level’ tag on the New Age Manta Ray MR16E, and set your expectations accordingly.

However, you’d be making a mistake in doing so because, despite its modest dimensions, this recently refreshed model has just about all the features you could want, including a sublimely stylish interior.

Melbourne-based and Walkinshaw-owned New Age has made its caravan selection process easy. While there used to be a contrast between the Manta Ray and Road Owl lines in terms of specification, the latter being the more budget-oriented option, the two are now similarly equipped premium offerings and the Manta Ray is the brand’s couples van, while the Road Owl is New Age’s family model.

For those heading off sans kids, the Manta Ray comes in three layouts, three lengths (16ft, 18ft, or 19ft) in single or tandem-axle formats, and with either standard road (leaf spring) or Adventurer (independent) suspension. And, because these vans come with a high level of standard spec, you could potentially hit the highway without even mentioning the word ‘options’, because most of the major bases are already covered.

Like New Age’s Road Owl family van line, the Manta Ray has come in for an update, with all 2024 model-year examples now boasting several revisions.

For starters, Bosch Trailer Safety Control is now standard and combines ABS with sway mitigation. An illuminated status light on the front of the van is clearly visible in the driver’s side mirror, giving added peace of mind when you’re on the road that there’s an extra layer of safety should plans go awry.

Inside, the Manta Ray now sports ‘hidden’ perimeter LED strip lighting up high in place of downlights, enhancing the ambience, while the interior also benefits from some new colour options, a slight lift in cupboard space, and wireless charging for devices in the cubbies either side of the bed.

Our review van is a new Manta Ray MR16E – the standard road-going model, in standard trim – priced from $79,990. For those wanting to push beyond the bitumen, the equivalent Manta Ray 16ft Adventurer – with independent Cruisemaster XT suspension, DO-35 hitch, thicker 6-inch drawbar, and chunkier 16-inch rims, among other extras – adds $7000.

The single-axle test van has a tare weight of 2160kg and an ATM of 2560kg, giving a payload of 400kg, while it’s just over 7m from tip to tail. That sort of weight opens up a fairly broad spectrum of tow tugs, and our Walkinshaw-warmed Volkswagen Amarok W580X ute barely broke a sweat when shifting the Manta Ray through Melbourne’s busy northern suburbs, and then up the Hume Highway.

It’s a handsome rig, both on the road and at rest, and we like the smooth aluminium cladding and striking blue front and rear sections. The dark lower sections contrast nicely with the white sides and graphics, though the latter does show up road grime, as we discovered after a short downpour.

The van rides on a Walkinshaw-designed galvanised chassis, with a centrally located jockey wheel just forward of a twin-compartment storage bin – the offside compartment housing two 9kg gas bottles, the nearside one for general storage. These bins appear to have a durable outer coat but, with no stone guard present, we’ll have to wait and see how they stand up to the usual hardships of towing.

The tough-looking 15-inch alloys are shod in all-terrain rubber and they ride on AL-KO 10-leaf suspension. It’s a basic set-up but hey, it’s simple and robust.

Up front there’s a massive tunnel boot with handy LED lighting over the hatch, while moving back we find the pull-out step and illuminated grab handle for easy entry, an Aussie Traveller Sunburst awning, overhead LED lighting, a Fusion All in One Sound Panel for outdoor entertainment, and Ezi Lift stabiliser legs at all four corners.

The rear has a modern look thanks to its moulded sections around the LED taillights, the striking blue colour scheme and graphics, and the moulding around the spare wheel. And it’s all overlooked on our test van by a Safety Dave reversing camera.

Step inside and an aura of contemporary style and elegance permeates throughout the traditional forward bedroom, mid kitchen/dinette, and rear ensuite layout.

With natural light only it’s perhaps a touch dark around the bed because the forward nearside window is quite compact and the overhead skylight is located further back, just ahead of the bulkhead leading to the ensuite. But it’s not a big issue, because flicking on the new LED strip lighting bathes the entire interior in a pleasant glow, in a win for both form and function.

We also like the reading lights on either side of the bed and at each end of the dinette, as they have three different modes that cycle through warm light, cool light, and the brightest output at the press of a touch-sensitive button.

And while taller types like my lanky (188cm) self will have to take care not to bump their head when exiting the van (although cushioning is in place just in case), the interior of this Manta Ray feels quite spacious given the 16ft body length. Much of that, I suspect, is down to the generous ceiling height; there’s no need to stoop even when passing under the centrally located air-con unit.

This is a functional yet still eminently stylish space, with our test van’s mix of relatively neutral tones and the ‘Vegas Flint’ upholstery, together with the dark tapware and fittings, creating something of a luxury apartment feel.

The user-friendly design also manages to cram in a healthy amount of storage. Now while 400kg of available payload is probably par for the course in a touring van of this size, bear in mind that figure will shrink by 110kg when you fill the water tank, but the remaining 290kg still affords a decent choice of clothes and provisions.

And you won’t run out of cupboard space, either – there’s a mass of storage around the bed, including generous hanging wardrobes, and we love the cubbies with device charging (as well as a USB outlet and a powerpoint).

The innerspring island bed is comfy and there’s a heap of storage below, and it’s a short and direct passage down the centre of the van for pesky dark-o’clock ablutions runs. It’s a pleasant spot to be, and the 28-inch Smart TV is mounted on the offside bulkhead, where it can be easily swivelled for viewing from either the bed or dinette.

The mid-offside kitchen is a practical if pragmatic space, with everything within easy reach. We found the benchtops and the microwave over the fridge/freezer to be at a sensible height, which is to say we didn’t have to stoop or splay our legs to prevent a sore back.

Food-prep real estate is at a bit of a premium, and when using the four-burner cooktop you’re pretty much limited to the tri-fold dinette table when it comes to chopping vegies. The cooktop is complemented by a grill and the aforementioned microwave, but no oven. However, there’s plenty of storage here, and the three-way Thetford fridge/freezer is the 175-litre model, with good space for a travelling couple.

The dark square sink and flick-mix tap emphasise the luxury feel, and the Subway-tile splashback adds its own flair (even if it is plastic, not actual tiles). And serving is a snap – simply turn around and plonk your gourmet treats down on the dinette table opposite.

Described as a ‘café-style dinette’, this sumptuously upholstered two-seat affair is comfortable and cosy, but not cramped. And if you do want to add a couple of guests to proceedings, the drawers that pull out from under each seat also house an additional cushion that sits on top of the drawer unit to effectively give some extra (if modest) seating. It’s a neat solution, although it does block most of the main thoroughfare through the van.

Over the sink you’ll find the cupboard housing the BMPRO battery management system, which controls the two 100Ah AGM batteries fed by a 200W solar panel on the roof. It’s all neat and tidy, and there’s a BMPRO touchscreen by the door to control the lighting, monitor tank levels and more (also accomplished via the complementary smartphone app).

And that leaves the rear ensuite, which is yet another compact space that still delivers all the amenity you need for comfortable living. It’s a bit of a stretch to reach around to the loo-paper holder for bigger folk, but the shower cubicle opposite is quite roomy, and again features stylish dark tapware and brackets.

The overhead cabinets in here don’t encroach too far into the upper section of the vanity mirror – an aspect taller types will appreciate – and there’s good storage here too. There’s also room for a washer on the rear wall, which is one option many buyers will tick.

While $80k isn’t by any means an insignificant sum for a 16ft caravan, and perhaps especially one with leaf-spring suspension, the New Age Manta Ray is made right here in Australia and with all the backing of the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, which applies stringent automotive production-line principles and processes to its caravan and camper operation.

That level of quality and attention to detail shows in this Manta Ray MR16E, which in 2024 trim now benefits from several modest updates that add up to a solid step forward. Add in the fact it’s relatively easy (and now safer) to tow, and this van represents a complete package for many couples looking to head off in style, and with a minimum of fuss.

Price: $79,990 RRP
Options fitted: N/A
Travel length: 7085mm
Body length: 4900mm (16ft)
External body width: 2500mm
Travel height: 2950mm
Internal height: 2030mm
Tare weight: 2160kg
ATM: 2560kg
Ball weight (Tare): 200kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, polystyrene insulation, marine ply floor, smooth aluminium composite side panels, fibreglass roof
Chassis: Galvanised six-inch with extended five-inch A-frame
Suspension: AL-KO 10-leaf spring with 50mm ball coupling
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Stability control: Bosch Trailer Safety Control
Wheels: 15in alloy with LT235/75R15 all-terrain tyres
Water: 110L (fresh), 110L (grey)
Battery: 2 x 100Ah AGM
Solar: 1 x 200watt rooftop panel
Air-conditioner: Gree 240V rooftop
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Gas/electric
Cooking: Thetford four-burner gas cooktop, grille
Fridge: Thetford 175L compressor fridge/freezer
Microwave: NCE 240v
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: 28in Smart TV
Audio: Internal/external Fusion All-in-One Sound Panel
Supplied by: New Age Caravans, Epping, Victoria