Adria Matrix Axess 590 SG

Price from: £40,579 OTR As Tested: £43,682 OTR Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle Berths: 4 Travel Seats: 4

The Matrix Axess 590S G offers four berths, a large lounge, spacious kitchen and practical washroom in a motorhome that’s under six metres long. There’s good storage for bulky items and that’s where it scores over some rivals with the same aspiration. Value seems good too, with the SE Lux pack seemingly an essential extra for modern motorhoming at home and abroad. The lounge is comfy, as is the dropdown bed.

The kitchen is basic, but the truly epic fridge almost makes up for the galley’s lack of a grill or gas oven. I loved the washroom for its space and practicality. So all-in-all, although this new-for-2013 Matrix Axess 590S G is quoted as a four berth, its life will be best spent as a compact and comfy tourer for two (and perhaps for occasional trips with the grandchildren).

INSIDE the Matrix Axess 590S G

The design and layout of the Matrix Axess 590S G is centred around a drop-down roof bed, a feature that allows for a decent-sized lounge, kitchen and washroom. Make no mistake, you should only be buying this motorhome because you want a dropdown roof bed in your ’van, so if you like the idea make sure you try all aspects of it before buying.

It has a modern look, with medium-light wood (plus contrasting dark curvy bits) and chrome fittings betraying the value-for-money brief, but looking pretty good too.


Lounge
The forward-facing half-dinette seats provide the essential extra two belted places in this four-berth ’van. The seat has a strong, full-width steel frame at its back, but the headrests proved floppy - plugging into the backrest cushion, with no connection to that strong frame.

Upholstery impressed, with two types of textured cloth partnered with faux leather, looking stylish too. Roman blind-style nets at the lounge windows were effective and easy to use.

Swivelled cab seats face the half-dinette, with a long sofa opposite completing the lounge in spacious fashion.

There’s seating for up to up to eight – just – and the dining table is generous. It’s big enough to serve a full complement, especially considering that it has a slide-out-and-pop-up extension fitted.


Beds
At bedtime, the four berths are contained in two transverse double beds, one up, one down. This is potentially a great bed, especially given its near-king-sized dimensions. However, there weren’t enough cushions in the test ’van to complete it.

Deploying the upstairs bed is quick and simple. A ladder gives access from the rear, but the agile can hop into bed via the cab seats.

Sadly, I found it impossible to latch the bed in its raised position with my duvet and pillows in place. This means the bed loses desirable ‘pull-down-and-jump-in’ status.


Kitchen
The kitchen lies mainly across the rear but with one section ahead of the caravan door, and another forward of the washroom.
The main unit is basic with just a hob and sink.

The hob has a glass lid and three equally-sized burners with pushbutton ignition. The kitchen also features a microwave and a 189-litre fridge-freezer with auto energy selection (AES).

The square, ‘designer’ sink hides under a drop-in worktop-style cover. It’s a little too deep for easy use with a washing-up bowl.

I found this chunk of galley very nice to use. Maybe it’s the feeling of space, or the wider-than-the rest slab of worktop to the left... but preparing dinner was a pleasure.


Washroom
Most Continental ’van washrooms have a fixed washbasin. Adria has bucked the trend and fitted a drop-down basin.

The washroom features a large wet-room floor and has a shower mixer and a shelf set into the corner. Concertina screens protect the door and loo area.

Thetford’s bench-type loo provides waste disposal services for the Matrix and is a pleasure to use.

Add good LED lighting, a drip-drying rail and rooflight/vent and you have an excellent washroom that’s practical and spacious.

OUTSIDE

The Matrix Axess 590 SG is 5.99 metres long. The overall feel is of a genuinely compact low-profile motorhome, suited to stress-free touring, and even useful as an everyday vehicle.

The low-profile coachbuilt has chunky looks due to its short length and bulging roofline. It’s on a short wheelbase chassis too, so rear overhang (at nearly two-thirds of the wheelbase) is a consideration.

Metallic grey paint (an option at £839) marries nicely with the skirts and the usual graphics.

IN THE CAB

Cab kit does not include an entertainment system, although you can choose from a wide range of systems – including satnav, rear camera monitoring and DVD player.

The SE Lux Pack, as fitted to our test ’van, is a good option to buy. It includes an electric heating upgrade, passenger airbag, cruise control and cab air-con.

ON THE ROAD

The Matrix Axess 590 SG is based on Fiat’s standard chassis-cab. Its rear is around 100mm taller than the more expensive and lower Fiat Camper or Al-Ko chassis.

Power comes from the 2.3-litre 130bhp motor. A 150bhp upgrade is available, however, performance is excellent in standard form - acceleration was good, cruising at motorway speeds was effortless.

Easy handling and good maneuverability were unsurprising, given the short overall length and wheelbase, although there was a tendency towards oversteer, probably caused by the relatively large rear overhang.

An extended version of this motorhome review first appeared in the
October 2012 issue of MMM
 

The Matrix Axess 590S G offers a large lounge, spacious kitchen and practical washroom in a motorhome that’s under six metres long. Although a four berth, its life will be best spent as a compact and comfy tourer for two.