Verdict
It’s no wonder that Adria has won a string of awards, and you can really see that pedigree in this great tourer for two.
It’s well equipped and robustly built, and the designers have made the end washroom very practical and a great size.
The storage is very good and the new-look interior is more contemporary in style. The bright, spacious lounge, with comfortable seating – which makes up a generous double bed – and that airy sunroof are further plus points. Adria has done its homework and come out with (almost) top marks!
Pros
Excellent sunroof
Well equipped and high-quality build
Spacious lounge
Cons
No twins mains sockets in kitchen
No central chest of drawers
Adria has given the Altea a bit of a lift for 2020 – the interiors have a lighter feel and a more contemporary design.
There are also some new models added to the line-up, and one layout we found of particular interest was the new two-berth Aire 492DT.
Back in 2014 Adria tried adding this rear-washroom layout (much loved in the UK) to the Adora range, naming it the Loire. It didn’t quite come off, mainly because the washroom was cramped and the shower was unlined. It was quietly dropped a few years later.
But the new Aire looks as though the lesson has been learned – these improvements should make all the difference. This established range now offers a carefully planned and designed end-washroom caravan for two, which could make an excellent alternative to UK-produced brands.
It's no wonder that Adria has won a string of awards
Pitching & Setting-up
The Altea profile has change little over the years; they still have that Continental look, especially with the single front window and lack of full-height moulded panels.
However, the Aire does come with a big front gas locker, and the front and rear mouldings have been redesigned. You also get a large, openable sunroof.
The Al-Ko chassis is used and it has that typically long drawbar, ideal for carrying bikes. The sides have a tough polyester finish and Adria fits heavy-duty corner steadies and an AKS hitch. There’s no alloys or spare, but it does have the latest Status TV aerial.
On the nearside front is an exterior-access locker; always good to see. The door is not glazed, but it is the tried-and-tested stable type. There’s also a handy awning light just forward of the door.
Living
The lounge in the Aire could easily seat four or five. The large sunroof adds to the feeling of space, although we would have preferred a slightly longer front window.
Adria doesn’t fit a front chest of drawers, having instead a small table that folds down when not in use. There’s also a freestanding table for dining. The three blown-air outlets will keep this area snug on colder days.
Two LED corner spots, overhead locker integral lighting and twin ceiling lights provide good night-time illumination.
Overhead storage is excellent, although the corner units are blanked off. A small shelf is fitted above the front window. There are no access flaps on the seat bases, though.
Kitchen
The kitchen, on the offside, is fitted with a Thetford oven/grill, a microwave and Adria’s signature L-shaped three-burner hob and sink unit. The sink is a good size and there’s a slim fridge/freezer next to the wardrobe.
Night lighting is good, although you only have one mains socket here. There’s plenty of drawer storage, too. Worktop is in shorter supply, but the supersized dresser opposite can help with that. The side window allows more light to flood in, and you get two overhead lockers, mains and TV aerial sockets and a clever fold-out TV stand. By the door is a neat storage rack, which can be altered by moving the hooks
Washroom
This is a very generous and practical washroom, a far cry from the Loire. The electric-flush toilet is on the offside, just by the oblique window, while the handbasin is centrally located, with brilliant storage below, two wall cupboards and a big mirror.
LED downlights provide plenty of good illumination, and the shower is lined and large enough to use without feeling short of space. A blown-air outlet will help to keep the washroom warm, while the roof vent offers excellent ventilation.
Beds
Seating in the lounge converts into a large and comfortable double bed, using slide-out bases. If you prefer, you can easily make up two singles here.
Storage
Overall, the Altea Aire has very good storage; in particular, the kitchen and side dresser offer generous capacity, with all of those drawers, and the overhead lockers in the lounge also can’t be faulted. Some buyers might notice the lack of a central chest of drawers in the lounge, but instead, you get that superb side dresser. The wardrobe, which is placed next to the fridge/freezer, offers plentiful hanging space for clothing. The washroom benefits from that sizeable central cupboard, and the slim wall-mounted cupboards.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 2 |
| MiRO | 1256 kg |
| Payload | 244 kg |
| MTPLM | 1500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.96 m |
| Width | 2.30 m |
