Verdict
The Lunar Lexon 590 has a bright interior, aided by that fantastic, long rooflight. The kitchen spec and storage are good, and the lounge is comfortable.
It’s also got the best payload in its class, which will come in useful if you are migratory caravanners, preferring to spend your winters in warmer climes.
It makes a great couple’s van and will accommodate occasional use by grandkids.
Pros
Bright front and back sections, with plenty of light coming in from above
There’s a good amount of space in the kitchen – and it’s well kitted out
Cons
The island bed is on the short side if you are over six feet
Having the cutlery drawer tucked behind a cupboard door could be irritating
The arrival of the Lexon 590 means that Lunar’s popular mid-market range is the latest to benefit from a layout that is the height of fashion.
Of course, that means a layout with an in-line island bed and a tranverse washroom amidships, featuring a central washbasin on the wall separating it from the bedroom, with sliding doors to either side of the bed.
In fact, the Lexon may have one over on rival models that feature this layout, because it also has an internally and externally accessed storage locker that goes right across the back of the van beneath said bed.
Storing bulky items there shouldn’t necessarily affect balance on the road too much, because most of the heavy weight in the van itself – the washroom, but also the heavier kitchen utilities – are positioned either over the axle or slightly forward of it, thus forming a counterbalance.
So does this tourer set a new standard for others to follow?
And to see other Lunar caravans for sale, click here.
It’s got the best payload in its class, which will come in useful if you prefer to spend your winters in warmer climes
Pitching & Setting-up
That MTPLM of 1495kg allows for a generous payload of 181kg – great for a family, even better for a couple.
The overall length is 7.32 metres (a fraction over 24 feet), so we are talking big, but not unwieldy.
The modest decals won’t necessarily excite too much attention on the road, although the space-age Lexon lettering does look funky.
The flush-fitting windows bring a bit of class, while the gas bottle locker door at the front cantilevers up to give you easy access to everything that is inside. The corner steadies are all easy to reach, too.
The main controls are above the single-piece, glazed entrance door, while the Truma digital control panel is adjacent on the side of the roof locker.
Living
A major issue with all layouts that include an in-line island bed is whether the rest of the caravan must be compromised to accommodate it – is this the case with Lunar Caravans’ Lexon 590?
The lounge here is no smaller than average and is certainly comfy, with large bolsters at the ‘open’ end of each parallel sofa.
The central chest has a pull-out coffee table, and for family meals, the averagely sized freestanding table is stashed away in a dedicated space in one of the kitchen cupboards.
Best of all, this front lounge is drenched in light, not just from the sunroof at the front but also from a huge skylight that runs the length of the front section of the van, including most of the kitchen.
There are six small LED lights within the casing for this, and two larger ones on either side of it, so, along with four individually switched directional spotlights under the lockers, evenings should be well illuminated, too.
The dark grey and purple of the upholstery makes a pleasing contrast to all this brightness.
Kitchen
Cooks will like the decent amount of worktop to the left of the stainless-steel circular sink, even with the removable drainer in place.
And it can be made larger still with the extension flap deployed and the lid of the dual-fuel four-burner hob in the down position.
There’s a mains socket and light switch on the back wall – handy if you prefer to use an electric kettle.
The two cupboards below conceal a cutlery drawer and shelf in one, and a larger drawer and shelf in the other.
The Thetford Aspire 2 separate oven and grill has a small locker beneath with access to the gas taps.
Overhead, there is plenty of space in the three lockers. The longer one in the middle is shelved, while that on the left has crockery racking.
Across the aisle, the 180-litre Dometic fridge/freezer and Daewoo microwave are housed in a unit with a small locker at the bottom that is partly taken up by the wheelarch.
Washroom
A domestic-style door leads into the washroom, which has the shower cubicle on the nearside, the basin at the centre and the toilet on the offside wall.
The shower cubicle has a tiled effect, soap racks and lighting. It’s a good size, too, despite the wheelarch slightly intruding on the space.
The towel ring outside is close by for drying off. It’s slightly disappointing that there is just one drain hole here, and we found the solid shower door a little stiff.
The salad bowl-style washbasin has a large mirror directly above it, a toothmug holder and second towel ring beside it, and a cupboard below.
There is a second small cupboard above the toilet, which has an opaque window behind it.
This area benefits from a well-positioned heating vent for the Truma 6 heating system, but only one off-centre LED light provides night-time illumination.
Beds
The lounge in the Lunar Lexon 590 may not be foreshortened, but the other possible issue with a layout like this (if you are tall) is a short bed.
The island bed can be pushed back to make it a daybed – ideal for watching a TV installed on the pillar that separates the bedroom from the washroom (where TV points and a bracket are already in place), or to read – a large rooflight lets in loads of light.
It has a comfy headboard with a mug shelf, lamp and large bedside tables on each side – good design from Lunar Caravans.
When pulled out fully, the bed is 1.83 metres (6ft) long, but if you are over six feet, it’s toes out to the side for you.
The bed conversion at the front is better in terms of length. The centre chest can be taken out, so with an infill cushion it could measure 2.10 by 1.53 metres (6ft 11in by 5ft).
It’s easy to make up, too: you just pull out a slatted frame from each sofa.
Storage
At the rear, there’s a huge space under the island bed. The wardrobes are a good size, although the TV aerial takes up space in one of them.
The two overhead lockers are shelved, and there are two drawers under each of the bedside tables.
The two wide roof lockers up front are also shelved and, usefully, you get small lockers in the front corners of the lounge.
The offside seat base has the consumer unit and water heater, but that on the nearside is clear and both can be accessed from above or via drop-down flaps.
The chest in the middle also comes with two drawers, and has a locker underneath.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 4 |
| MiRO | 1314 kg |
| Payload | 181 kg |
| MTPLM | 1495 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.32 m |
| Width | 2.33 m |
