This year, the event will take place at Wye River, on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, with a FREE public showcase in nearby Apollo Bay on Wednesday, October 12.
Australia’s biggest caravan test, Best Aussie Vans celebrates the RV industry in Australia and all that it stands for. We aim to acknowledge the best caravan manufacturers in Australia, and we set the bar high for competition.
For the fourth year running, up to 16 of the country’s best new caravans will be join us, to vie for the title of Best Aussie Van across four categories:
- $50K-$65K
- $65K-$80K
- $80K-$100K
- $100K-plus
Caravan World’s expert team of reviewers and tow-pros, including Editor Laura Gray, Field Editor Malcolm Street, Tech Expert Philip Lord and Staff Journalist Peter Quilty will put each van through its paces.
Each van will be tested and rated across 10 criteria, including:
- Value for money
- Self-sufficiency
- Setting up and hitching up
- Suitability for intended touring
- Layout
- Quality of finish
- Build quality
- Creature comforts
- Innovation
- X-factor
CHECK OUT THE FULL RESULTS FROM BEST AUSSIE VANS 2016 HERE.
The results of Best Aussie Vans 2016 were published across issue 558 (on sale Dec 1, 2016) and issue 559 (on sale Jan 5, 2017) of Caravan World magazine.
Here’s a recap of last year’s results:
Pop-Tops
It all began with the Pop-Tops category, with an upset win by the Golf Savannah 402. The impressive Coronet FS2, which scooped top honours last year, was pipped at the post by the compact 402, with its rough-road cred and slide-out external kitchen.
Read the reviews:
- Best Aussie Vans Winner Golf Savannah Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Olympic Javelin Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Roma Sov’reign Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Coronet FS2 Test Review
$50-$65K
This category was a four-way contest between the New Age Manta Ray, Jurgens Narooma, Option RV Tornado Equippe, and the Retreat Spinnaker. Each van presented well and performed brilliantly, but in the end, one van stood out: the Spinnaker, all new for 2014 and looking the goods with thoughtful underpinnings, clever storage and even an aqua splashback.
Read the reviews:
- Best Aussie Vans Winner Retreat Spinnaker Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Jurgens Narooma Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Option RV Tornado Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist New Age Mantra Ray Test Review
$65K-$80K
Each caravan in this category brought something different to the camp kitchen. The Goldstream Australis showed off its clever 12V system, refined cabinetry, and even a front bathroom. The Jayco Silverline - a classy slide-out (the only rig on test to have one), and that classic Jayco interior. Finally, we have the JB Scorpion, a high-riding offroader with the deliberate stance of a prize fighter at the peak of his career. But it was the brand-spanking new Avida Topaz that ultimate took top prize.
Read the reviews:
- Best Aussie Vans Winner Avida Topaz CV6634D Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist JB Scorpion Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Jayco Silverline Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Goldstream RV Australis Test Review
$80K+
These vans were a mixed bag. The Paramount Studio Streamline offers more internal cabinetry storage than you can shake a stick at, and a charming layout. In contrast, we have the bush-bashing Grenade Series II from On the Move. This van has the lot and more, from a rear roof rack with dedicated ladder to an inbuilt rotisserie, and was deemed the ultimate winner.
Read the reviews:
- Best Aussie Vans Winner On the Move Grenade Series II Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Majestic Trailblazer Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Roadstar Safari Tamer Test Review
- Best Aussie Vans Finalist Paramount Studio Streamline Test Review