2017 Adria Alpina Missouri 613 UC caravan review

Hey, silver lining

Goodbye Astella, hello Alpina. Adria’s 40-plus year’s history of exporting caravans to the UK has never seen it afraid to challenge our perceptions – whatever the price level. Here, we’re looking distinctly top-end, as the previous Astella models are superseded by something equally arresting – the Alpina.

There are two Alpinas for the season ahead – the Missouri 613 UC, here, with an island bed at the back; same-size sister the Colorado 613 UL has twin single beds. Both are Al-Ko’s premium Delta chassis – it’s little seen here in the UK, but it’s key premise is superior handling, especially as Adria’s UK Pack gives us such essentials as Al-Ko stability control, plus a spare wheel with holder.

The all-silver bodywork is certainly striking. As has become the norm for Adrias, it boasts a tough GRP finish to the walls and roof. The front and rear panels are ABS and there’s aluminium sideskirting. There’s 10 years’ water ingress protection, too. The “stand-on” drawbar may look a bit “continental”, but the extended A-frame is another portent for better towing. This is a tourer that’s getting on for 8m in total length.

It’s wide, too – at 2.46m – something that translates into a genuinely spacious feel as soon as you step inside.

It’s a very open front lounge, with three-window front and a huge opening sunroof. As well as high backrests, the U-shaped seating includes corner head restraints.

The concave furniture, with lockers in a high-gloss cream finish (that will also be easy to wipe clean), adds to the elegance.

There’s a distinctly contemporary visage to the extended kitchen, too, with Dometic three-ring hob and sink combination and a noticeably less modern-looking Thetford Midi Prima separate oven and grill unit. There’s a white drainer piece that sits over the hob, plus a sink cover that also doubles up as a chopping board.

It’s all rather sleek, with plenty of worktop space, too. Storage is courtesy of two large soft-close drawers and a floor locker, whilst Thetford’s narrow but generous capacity (142 litres) fridge should cater for all your chilling needs.

The lounge’s free-standing table has a convenient, dedicated locker next to the oven.

There’s also plenty of innovation in the washroom. The bench toilet may seem a bit of a throwback, but in reality it fits in here far better than a swivel-bowl model – it’s also far easier to maintain hygiene, because everything’s sealed off at a higher level.

The shower cubicle has just the one, small plughole and – surprisingly – there’s no riser bar for the shower itself. It’s on the wheel arch, too, which means you either get a handy foot rest or floor space is a bit compromised. It depends on your point of view.

In honesty, the shower facility is the one area that disappoints. You’d expect proper plastic lining at this price level and there’s nowhere obvious to put your soap, shampoo etc.

If you’ll forgive the pun, the bedroom is a dream. That bed is set at a convenient height and there’s good space around both sides, with same-size wardrobes and lower-level lockers (but no bedside tables, as such). It also comes with an adjustable backrest.

Strangely, only a pleated divider separates it from the rest of the ‘van.

That UK Pack also provides the flyscreen door, loose fit carpets, sink drainer plus cover/chopping board and Bluetooth connectivity.

Adria prefers to leave the optional extras with dealers, but you could consider a stereo (speakers are pre-wired), air conditioning (all the wiring is already in place), smart controls for the Alde system and plenty more before you encroach too much into that sub-200kg payload. If you want a bit more payload, and have the towcar to cope, there’s a chassis upgrade option to 2,000kg.

Having come this far, though, you’ll surely want to turn on the style that bit further.

Verdict: Adria adds a dash to its new range-toppers

Plus: Contemporary design and fittings, quality bodywork

Minus: Shower not the most practical

In-a-nutshell: Style meets substance

There’s more information on the Alpina range on the Adria website. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Coachman VIP 545, Elddis Crusader Aurora, Sterling Elite 560/Swift Conqueror 560