Adria Izola S687SP - Practical Motorhome

Verdict

Come the end of the Practical Motorhome Adria Izola S687SP review, we think this is a capable and commendable ’van. However, there are better-specified motorhomes out there for less money.

Pros

Great base vehicle
Well specced
Nicely built
There’s a good range of storage options

Cons

Some close rivals are cheaper

Living

As lounging layouts, the ’van’s half-dinette is limited. The cab seats offer the most relaxed perch in the evening, but the price you pay for a permanent bed is a lounge of limited size.
You get a half-dinette with a two-seater sofa facing the end of the table. This provides lounging space for four and a dining area for two – but ultimately it’s a pretty poor way to relax for the evening. For that reason, the cab seats swivel and provide a far more flexible space for relaxing. This gives access to the table for a minimum of four, or maybe five, diners and comfortable lounging space for four. There’s a dining table that slides out to extend the length and allow six people to sit down to eat.
The Renault impresses due to its cab seats, which are endlessly adjustable and offer more supportive than those fitted to Fiat Ducatos. The lounge seats are pleasantly comfortable, too, thanks to tall backrests, but the seat bases could be a bit longer.

Kitchen

The kitchen is L-shaped, with the base of the ‘L’ running along the back of the dinette seating. There’s a sink behind the seat and a hob against the wall, which leaves precious little space for food preparation unless the sink and hob cover is employed. The corner void between hob and sink offers a limited amount of worktop space. The Adria has a removable bin under a cut-out in its worktop. This thoughtful approach to storage continues with a dedicated place for bottles in a large drawer under the hob. The SMEV grille is under the sink. A separate Thetford fridge and freezer comes as standard.

Washroom

The washroom fixtures are set into smart wooden enclosures and the overall feeling is warm and of good quality. With windows and rooflights, the Izola’s washroom is light and bright, with plenty of artificial light and storage space. The solid shower screen door is nicer than a curtain, but we’d like that window to be frosted to save our modesty on site.

Beds

Fixed beds guarantee a certain level of comfort thanks to a dedicated mattress, which does not have to double as a seat base. The Adria has a one-piece mattress with a cover that matches the rest of the interior. There are reading lights over the bed heads.
At the front of the motorhome, the dinette bed has a puzzling series of cushions to arrange, meaning it didn’t lie totally flat.

Storage

When looking at fixed-bed low-profile ’vans, you know that storage is unlikely to be a major issue. Having a fixed bed running down the ’van guarantees a certain amount of space will be available and so it proves here, with all the acres of storage space underneath.
Because the Izola has its boiler right at the front of the bed, you can’t get to much of the bed locker from inside (a gas strut supports the bed base). On the plus side, there are two outside access doors to the under-bed storage area.
The variety of storage options offered is impressive. As well as a combination of smaller lipped shelves by the door, the mesh trays and wine bottle storage in the kitchen are also useful. The soft pocket storage above the fixed bed is ideal for night-time nick-nacks. The small hatch under the dinette floor is novel and the extending arm with standard LCD TV mounting above the cab is a useful item.