New for 2006 is Adria’s Van-M, the ‘M’ standing for Master, a super-competent Renault heavy van. The make immediately puts the Adria on a good footing, blessing it with ABS brakes, central locking and a driver’s airbag.

It also means the Adria is great to drive and even in standard Dci100 trim, has enough poke to trot along with aplomb. And, having a simple Blaupunkt sat-nav fitted as standard is generous in a vehicle of this price.

While the overwhelmingly white exterior is plain, Adria’s done a fine job inside. The large, full-height sliding side door, complete with electric step, opens onto a large dinette that will comfortably seat four on either side of the sliding table. The table is lit by a couple of surface-mounted downlighters. The two forward-facing seats have three-point belts for carrying passengers and turn into a wide double bed with minimal fuss.

The Van boasts a kitchen along the nearside and a washroom in the offside rear corner. Although the kitchen is a simple affair, it has everything you need. The SMEV two-burner hob has a built-in grill underneath, which provides plenty of cooking options. The kitchen unit widens beyond the cooker to provide some working space around the square sink. A fold-out work surface provides further space and makes the preparation area positively generous.

With windows in the back door and side panel, the kitchen is bathed in natural light, but there are also lights under the roof lockers. The fridge is mounted across the walkway, underneath the wardrobe. Unfortunately, this makes accessing food a bit tight.

However, it’s nice to find a usable washroom in a high-top ’van. Rather than the plastic that characterises smaller washrooms, the high-level wooden lockers give the Adria a solid feel. The tip-up sink seems sturdy and the pull-out shower-head tap provides enough reach for six-footers. We did fear for the toilet roll, however, which looks to be in serious danger of a dousing.

The whole ’van has a feel of pragmatism and function, rather than fine design, and is none the worse for it.