Adria Matrix Axess M 590 ST motorhome

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg

The Matrix Axess M 590 SG was one of the Adria’s most popular motorhomes on the British market, representing the popular six-metre drop-down bed low-profile format with a large front lounge. Now it has a successor, the 590 ST, with a revised layout

It keeps the compact dimensions but feels more spacious and, crucially, the longer-wheelbase chassis makes it look more balanced and should give it much more surefooted handling.

For a six-metre motorhome – despite the inclusion of a fixed table – this feels like a really big space in which to relax. There’s a nearside L-settee and a long, straight settee opposite, plus two swivel cab chairs.

Although the drop-down bed in the ceiling above prevents the fitment of a big, daylight-flooding rooflight directly above, there is a large overcab sunroof, so it’s never gloomy in here. We liked the smart, velour-style, quilted fabric, too, which is new this season.

The old SG layout had its entrance door to the rear, so you walked straight into the kitchen area, possibly disturbing the chef in the process. Now, with the rear wheels further to the, erm, rear you enter and turn left for the cook’s quarters, right for lounging central. There’s a step up into the seating area but, once there, the floor is flat right into the cab. Headroom is 1.86m under the drop-down bed and a top-hat-permitting 2.03m in the kitchen.

Another benefit of the new floorplan is the more expansive space in the culinary department. There’s an L-shaped kitchen running aft from the doorway and across the rear wall and it offers plenty of worktop. Open shelves at the rear, though, will need their contents removing before you set off.

The three-burners-in-line hob frees up extra preparation space for the cook, while drawer-based storage is good, too. And the Matrix retains the semi-garage-style locker of its predecessor – a large cupboard in the kitchen that can be loaded from inside or outside. Here, it measures 1.38m by 0.56m, with an internal height of 0.92m. It looks ideal for folding bikes or outdoor chairs.

The corner washroom completes the layout and is an all-in-one affair with a bench cassette toilet. It seems a good-sized room, despite some wheelarch intrusion, and comes with screens to cover the loo and door for showering. There’s enough storage for all your toiletries, while the basin is a modern-style, drop-down design, hidden behind a mirror. A hanging rail for wet clothes is provided, too.

The main berth is a transverse double, which lowers over the lounge, while those needing an occasional extra bed can convert the seats into a second double bed.

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