Motorhome Review: Avida Esperance

Article by · May 5, 2017 ·

Avida’s Esperance is the biggest Aussie motorhome you can drive without upgrading your licence.

TODD MAGUIRE put it through its paces in the Gold Coast hinterland.

While debate continues to rage over whether people who tow should get a special licence, for many the safer option is to get a spacious motorhome. It means there are no towing issues and with the benefit of the latest sophisticated “mini truck” powertrains, you’re guaranteed a comfortable driving experience that wouldn’t have been thought possible just a few years ago.

Thanks to the recent advent of slide-out living areas, now you also get more room to move.

Avida Esperance

Suddenly in a country full of caravan lovers, a B class motorhome is a whole lot more attractive than ever before.

For those with a motorhome in their sights, The Avida Esperance is one of the best locally built packages available.

Upfront there’s a very responsive Iveco three litre turbo engine managed by an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The dual rear wheel drive makes for a great ride on challenging roads. The cabin is comfortable, with a stylishly simple layout and everything at your fingertips.

The driving position is well positioned with an excellent field of vision all around. Generous mirrors and the automatic reverse camera assist in those tight spots whilst the walk through from the 180-degree swivel seats is ingenious.C7923SL (3)

Structurally, the vehicle feels almost unbreakable. There’s a one-piece laminated floor on a foam insulated fully welded metal frame to fibreglass sandwich panel insulated walls and a one piece insulated domed roof.   It has a quality feel and you get peace of mind with a five-year structural guarantee.

By clever engineering and design, The Esperance is the largest motorhome on the market you can drive on a standard licence. Having road tested a few much smaller motorhomes of late, I have to admit being slightly in awe when I first swivelled the driver’s seat around and set my eyes on the interior.

The quality fit out, elegant design and extra living space created by the side slide out would be hard to beat. The electronically operated slide out increases the floor space by almost 20 per cent.

The plush café styled dining area with ultra leather seating is complemented by one of the best equipped kitchens I’ve seen in a motor home. It has a four burner gas and electric cooktop, a generously sized electric oven, a microwave, and a three way powered 190 litre fridge. Add to that generous kitchen storage and two large extra fold out bench spaces, this kitchen is as close as you’ll get to a motorhome gourmet’s dream come true.

C7923SL (1)In the sleeping department, the oversize double bed sports a memory foam mattress – a brilliant addition by Avida. Memory foam allows for two people to get a good night’s rest without disturbing their partner. Priceless for a snooze or watching the pop up television with built in DVD player.

The Esperance has a good sized shower, flushing toilet and stylish vanity. The bathroom is as generously proportioned as you’ll find; well ventilated and illuminated. It comes with two 100 litre tanks for fresh and grey water.

Storage spaces throughout are abundant, accessible and conveniently located. Top quality hardware on cupboards and drawers means there was no unwelcome opening and closing as I gave the vehicle a serious run for its money. The winding, bumpy Gold Coast hinterland roads were never a problem.C7923SL (9)

The sheer luxury and quality of this motorhome is testament to the painstaking design experience and innovation from Avida. The generous proportions of the Esperance and the attention to detail make this one of the best motorhomes available in the Australian marketplace.

The Esperance combines luxury, reliability, and an unequalled warranty and support network with one of the best quality fit outs in Australia.

Tested: Avida Esperance C7922 SL

Price: $181,800 drive away QLD

Link: Read the full review in Issue 16 of Time to Roam Australia.

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About Time To Roam

Australia's premier magazine focused on the people and culture of caravanning and camping.


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