Concept Caravans has made a serious foray into the budget end of the caravan market with its Innovation 590M. It’s not the biggest van in the caravan park, but that’s the point. To keep the price as sharp as possible, Concept has reduced the length – but not the features.
CONCEPT INNOVATION 590M RATING CARD
VALUE FOR MONEY
Does the Innovation 590M offer bang for buck? In a word: yes! It mightn’t be a hamburger with the lot, but it’s still a very tasty burger. At $53,500 (RRP), very little has been left out of the Innovation, and it’s put together with the typical Concept style and attention to detail. You don’t become Australia’s sixth largest manufacturer by building rubbish, after all.
TOWABILITY
Our test Innovation came with a loaded weight (ATM) of 2461kg, putting it beyond the abilities of the family station wagon but well with range of mid-weight 4WDs, such as the Prado. It runs very well behind the Mitsubishi Pajero, we know from experience. The van was a picture of composure as we towed it around the hills and along the straights of Eildon.
SETTING UP AND HITCHING UP
Nice and easy. A roll-out awning, Al-Ko quick-drop corner stabilisers, centre-mounted jockey wheel are all part of the package.
SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
The Innovation does a great job of providing comfortable, fuss-free accommodation on the road. All the necessary features have been fitted and, generally speaking, most components are located where they should be.
LAYOUT
Concept seems to have given a fair bit of thought to the van’s design and layout. The manufacturer has not provided a cut-out entry step because of its proximity to the foot of the bed. From a safety point of view, this makes a lot of sense.
QUALITY OF FINISH
In recent years, Concept has invested a lot of money in CNC machinery, allowing it to assemble its own contemporary furniture inhouse from imported plywood rather than particle board. The result is a precise finish for the cabinetry that looks the part, too.
BUILD QUALITY
The Innovation makes a strong first impression in this department. Of particular note is the additional bracing behind the silver cladding at the front of the van, designed to withstand high wind pressures when towing. We gave it a good thump with open hands and the cladding didn’t bulge inwards as much as a millimetre.
CREATURE COMFORTS
For the price, the Innovation covers almost every base. From a telly to a washing machine, the van as you covered.
INNOVATION
This van doesn’t employ any new digital gadgetry, but it does present as a solid, well-rounded tourer with a quality fit-out.
X-FACTOR
The silver-over-black exterior makes quite an impression. Inside, the precision-cut furniture and sensible layout all but beg you to hitch up and head off.
THE CARAVAN WORLD VERDICT
Concept set about building a van for budget prices without skimping on the comforts and attention to detail. In most respects, it has delivered. The Innovation is a reminder that good things come in (relatively) small packages. The Innovation is a combination of well-packaged features and values that will appeal to budget-conscious travellers.