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quoteHow low can a drop-down bed go?
For 2020, Adria’s Matrix Axess 590 – the compact coachbuilt motorhome with a drop-down double bed – has morphed into the model you see here, the 520 ST. It’s more than just a name change, though.
Like all 2020 season Adria motorhomes, the Matrix Axess 520 ST comes with Fiat’s latest Euro 6d engine, in this instance starting with the 140bhp version as standard – if you trade up the 160bhp variant, which also has fuel-saving stop-start technology, you can also consider the all-new, nine-speed automatic transmission.
Talking of extras, you’re going to need to be flexible with your budget. That £56,865 on-the-road start price only brings you the basics. Quite simply, the £3,060 Luxury Pack and either Pack 2 (£2,590) or Pack 1 (£1,820) are essentials in terms of the extra specification, including the safety and security features they bring. Investigate for yourselves. Plus, if you want to go further, there’s also the £890 Safety Pack.
That’s before you get to individual extras such as a solar panel, metallic paint for the cab, leather upholstery and more.
Matrix, of course, means this Adria motorhome comes with a drop-down bed (Adria is offering five such models this season, such is their ever-growing popularity).
For the baby of the range, the 520 ST, the bed is set over the lounge that takes up the front of the living quarters. It’s electrically-operated; indeed, it can go even lower than the previous version, for easiest possible access.
Some underbed locker storage is retained, thankfully, and there’s a neat little flip-out step to help you up.
Also, set it higher and you can still feasibly use the lounge seating below… or convert that into a double bed – admittedly, a bit less convincing – for berths three and four.
The flat floor throughout will be seen as another bonus by many. There’s improved interior lighting across the Adria motorhome range for 2020, too. Primarily, though, for sub-6m long vehicles like this, it’s all about clever, space-saving interior design, whilst still offering all the facilities you’d expect in any coachbuilt motorhome.
There’s plenty of note in both the kitchen and the washroom. In the latter, items like the fold-away basin and the hanging rail in the shower cubicle do indeed save space, as does the mirror-fronted vanity unit.
It’s unusual to find a bench toilet (rather than a swivel-bowl variant), but it works well in this scenario.
For the kitchen, the hob and sink combination again helps optimise worktop space.
The location aft of the habitation door also means other occupants won’t be tripping over the chef while he or she is at work.
Plus, there’s a good choice of storage – including two overhead lockers, as well as a series of drawers and open shelves – while the fridge/freezer excels with its generous 167-litre total capacity.
Adria backs all this up with a build quality that’s well above par, inside and out. The coachbuilt bodywork features a tough GRP shell and – although Fiat’s Ducato chassis-cab is predictable enough – it’s all very much tried-and-tested whilst, in latest 520 guise, this clever, compact coachbuilt looks set to deliver even more than before.
Verdict: Packs it all in without feeling cramped anywhere
Plus: Small dimensions versus excellent use of space
Minus: “Essential” Luxury Pack ramps up the price
In-a-nutshell: Compact is cool
There’s more information on the Matrix Axess range on the Adria website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Burstner Lyseo TD Harmony Line 590, Chausson 520, Swift Escape Compact C205
Adria Matrix Axess 520 factfile
| Model | Adria Matrix Axess 520 |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato |
| Dimensions | 5.97m L, 2.29m W, 2.86m H |
| Berths | Four |
| Travel seats | Four |
| Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
| Payload | 516kg |
| MPG estimate | 30-36 |
| RRP | From £56,865 on the road |
| Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, twin airbags, ABS with EBD (electronic braking distribution), day-running lights, Fix&Go kit (no spare wheel). |
| Key options | Luxury Pack (£3,060), Pack 2 (£2,590), Pack 1 (£1,820), Safety Pack (£890), 160bhp engine (£1,850), automatic transmission (£2,950, with 160bhp upgrade only), solar panel (£490), metallic paint (£890), leather upholstery (£1,360), towbar with electrics (£1,190). |
Couple of things I don’t understand from your review, your specification says it has 4 travel seats and is 4 berth but excepting the cab driver and passenger seats do the other two seats have seat belts as can’t see any sign of them also would I be right in thinking to sleep four two would be sleeping under the drop down bed. I should also have liked to know the length of the lounge seating as we like to put our feet up as we get cramp sitting in the captains chairs especially after a couple of hours or more of driving.
Hi Barry, the L-shape of the settee is removable for when you want to use the forward-facing bench for travel for two – complete with three-point seat belts and head restraints.
As the review states, there’s a drop-down double bed and the lounge seating below can be converted into a double bed.
As for the length of the lounge seating, we’re not sure, but the Adria website gives the following dimensions for the front dinette in cm: 200×145-120.
The Adria website also provides links to dealers where you could arrange to go and view a motorhome to check if it suits your specific needs.
Thanks for your comments.