2021 Adria Compact Supreme SC motorhome

Rich pickings in a slim motorhome

If you want the extra space and superior aspects, such as insulation, of a coachbuilt motorhome, but are worried about the width, how about a narrower model?

Choose from four Compact Supreme models from Adria for the 2021 season, with the SC here the latest addition (all are also available in lower specification Plus guise). Not only is it that (often) crucial bit narrower than a typical coachbuilt, Adria has performed a miracle in offering an island bed layout in an overall vehicle length just one centimetre shy of 7m – it’s not particularly tall, either – and yet there’s little indication of these width and length compromises when you’re inside.

It’s no surprise to see Fiat’s Ducato is the base vehicle here. It’s been an almost unassailable favourite across Europe for decades now. You get the latest 140bhp engine with six-speed manual transmission as standard, with options to upgrade in terms of power as well as (at last) a decent automatic gearbox.

This Compact’s Supreme billing means it comes with all-silver bodywork, with flush-fitting windows to the coachbuilt sides, including the habitation door (which is on the UK offside – which could be an issue for some). Note, also, that door’s three hinges and two locking points.

It’s the Luxury Pack option that gives you attractive features such as the black alloy wheels, padded steering wheel with controls, awning, touchscreen DAB radio with sat nav and rear-view monitoring, (for a small discount on your motorhome insurance) and more, that you see here.

Indeed, there are lots of items on the extras list that you’ll probably want to add – starting with the £1,820 Pack 1 that gives you cab air conditioning, passenger airbag and cruise control.

That rather smart exterior look is matched by the clean lines to the interior of the Compact Supreme SC. You get a choice of three upholsteries (shown here is Mabel fabric, the options are leather), while furniture finishes remain the same.

Up front, the lounge has a side-fixing table with a swing-out extension – so, it’s happy to cope with four diners – and a white gloss finish which promises to be easy to wipe clean.

There’s plenty of daylight to the lounge in the Compact Supreme SC, thanks to a large, fixed sunroof followed by an opening one. The side windows have cassette blinds and flyscreens.

Moving mid-‘van, Adria’s “classic” kitchen top arrangement of an L-shaped combined three-ring gas hob and sink, all in stainless steel, is complemented by a Thetford combined oven and grill and drawers with easy-to-operate catches.

The fridge has a removable freezer box and key details extend to practical touches like the handy shelf to the wall to the right of the kitchen.

There’s lots of practicality to what looks initially like a small washroom, too. It kicks off with a space-efficient, curved tambour door, sliding back to reveal a swivel-bowl toilet and countertop basin served by a chrome swan-neck mixer tap.

Then, there’s the clever, highly space-efficient hinged wall that swings round to make a shower compartment, complete with a showerhead on a riser bar. In this mode, it’s fully plastic-lined, with a loose wooden duckboard and two diagonally adjacent plugholes (but they’re only small in diameter). A rooflight is the sole source of ventilation.

It’s that rear island bed that is the strong point in this Adria Compact Supreme SC motorhome, though. Bed size is some 1.91m x 1.40m at its maximum, with the facility to retract for more floor space as needed, as well as surprisingly good floor areas to either side.

The bed is flanked by hanging wardrobes under which, at mattress levels, are extended ledges that offer more than adequate room for putting anything you want close by – books, glasses etc. There are also two overhead lockers.

Take a look inside by watching our video:

Verdict: The neatest of narrow-bodied, island bedded motorhomes

Plus: Excellent bedroom, clever washroom, smart kitchen, good mix of quality and practicality

Minus: Pricey (especially with options)

In-a-nutshell: A slimline tonic

There’s more information on the Compact range on the Adria website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Carado V339, Hobby OnTour Edition V65 GQ, Rapido C86, Sunlight V69