The Coral version of this motorhome was a long-term-test ’van of ours in the months before the pandemic. We loved it. But that was the old Axess style – unchanged last season while Plus and Supreme were both upgraded. For 2022, the Adria Matrix 600SL Axess has received an upgrade to bring it into line with Plus and Supreme, but at lower cost.

We had the opportunity to see what this means on a Matrix – just like the Coral, but with a drop-down bed.

The keen-eyed among you will spot some differences on the outside. The rear panel now has a more sloping top and a new LED light cluster.

But everyone should notice a change as soon as you climb inside – the Axess now comes with a double floor. 

That means the floor is flat from the cab through to the single beds at the back. Thankfully, Adria hasn’t allowed that double floor to lead to a reduction in the ample headroom. 

Swivel the cab seats to face the settee and two travel seats, and you get a very comfortable lounge
Swivel the cab seats to face the settee and two travel seats, and you get a very comfortable lounge

The interior has also had a fillip. Our model had the standard Cashmere with Mabel finish. There’s a warmer tone to the wood, and the upholstery is now a darker grey and set off with caramel faux leather scatter cushions. The slate-grey panel behind the two travel seats adds to the modern look.

Dark-grey upholstery complemented by bright caramel scatter cushions
Dark-grey upholstery complemented by bright caramel scatter cushions

This is a Matrix, so you don’t get as much daylight inside as in a Coral, because of the drop-down bed overhead. But there is a fair amount from the sunroof, which you can also open.

Drop-down bed now slightly wider and slides into the ceiling more smoothly
Drop-down bed now slightly wider and slides into the ceiling more smoothly

There’s no fancy light display under the drop-down bed – just a few LED striplights. You get one spotlight in the lounge proper, but impressively, there is one each side in the cab. 

The usual Adria ‘media wall’ column of cubbyholes sits behind the offside seat, near a well-placed mains socket where you could plug in a charger.

The slate grey behind the travel seats is continued on the kitchen worktop, complete with a large extension, and on the wall by the 142-litre fridge.

You also get a two-burner hob and a moderately sized square sink, but there’s no microwave or oven.

The Adria Matrix 600SL Axess comes with a two burner hob
The Adria Matrix 600SL Axess comes with a two burner hob

In the Vario washroom opposite, the partition swings over to turn it into a shower, with the help of the tambour door, held in place by a magnet. The shower tray has two holes for drainage. 

The washroom includes a salad-bowl-style basin that swings out to give you more access. The area is well lit, and there’s a clothes rail fitted here.

Clever design means the smart salad-bowl-style basin swings out to provide shower access
Clever design means the smart salad-bowl-style basin swings out to provide shower access

The beds were very comfortable in our previous test Coral, and the two at the rear here are much the same. It’s good to see a 2m bed in a ’van under 7m long. 

The two singles can easily be turned into a huge double with a panel pulled out from the middle and a cushion. There are two more spotlights here.

Single beds at the rear are 2m long, and easily convert to make up a huge double if you prefer
Single beds at the rear are 2m long, and easily convert to make up a huge double if you prefer

The drop-down bed has also now been updated, providing a marginally wider bed with more slender cables, which slides up into the ceiling more effectively. The bed has an LED light.

The double floor improves storage options. That applies to the rear garage, where there is more room for bicycles, and inside, where a trapdoor cubbyhole in the aisle offers shoe storage. There is another locker under the travel seat, but it opens forwards, so is a bit of stretch from the habitation door. 

You get a small storage area under the side seat, with three overhead lockers here and shelving either side of the cab.

There's plenty of storage up front in overhead lockers and corner cubbyholes
There’s plenty of storage up front in overhead lockers and corner cubbyholes

The two huge wardrobes (one featuring a hanging rail) under the rear beds have doors designed to slide back inside, so they shouldn’t get in the way. There are two cubbyholes in the steps to the bed, and three overhead lockers here.

The kitchen may lack an oven or microwave, but it does come with four large drawers and a big pan locker, plus two more overhead lockers. 

The only area where storage is a bit tight is the washroom, which has just one small cupboard. 

Practical Motorhome Says…

The 600SL was always a great package, and now with Axess spec upgraded to fit in with the rest of the range, it’s an even more attractive proposition, especially given the lower price. The only potential drawback here could be the absence of an oven or microwave, but if you’re happy to live without those, this model should definitely be on your shortlist.

Our judging panel shortlisted the Axess for three categories at the Practical Motorhome Awards, including the best 4 berth motorhome, which was ultimately won by the Auto-Trail Grand Frontier GF 88.

Or you could try these…

Swift Select Compact C500 – this beat the Axess to the best low-profile motorhome category, with our judging panel impressed by the airy interior on offer.

Adria Matrix Supreme 670 SL – this Adria ‘van is a fixed single-bed four-berth with clever touches throughout.

Are you taking to the road and want a hand with your navigating? Then take a look at our guide to the best motorhome sat-navs.

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