First look: Adria Altea Dart 622DP
Stylish fixed-island-bed four-berth
THE ALTEA RANGE has been around for 16 years, and in that time, it’s brought entry-level buyers into the Adria brand, often as a stepping stone to the more expensive Adora.
The Altea has proved a solid performer for Adria in the UK and 2020 sees the range receive an interior freshen-up. It’s been a while since the last revamp, and the Altea was probably ready for a new look.
The exterior seems pretty much the same, apart from new graphics, but Adria buyers tend to be attracted by the almost bullet-proof build, rather than the latest interior design developments.
But don’t let that lead you into thinking the Altea isn’t up-to-date, because it is, although it still has that entry-level feel.
For 2020, the spec has been beefed up to keep up with the competition. Will the new Dart woo buyers from UK brands?
Pitch and set-up
The Dart is on an Al-ko chassis, with Delta axle for improved towing, helped in this by the AKS hitch and extra-long drawbar. Adria retains the single front window, although this is quite small.
Heavy-duty corner steadies are fitted, which does tend to add to the overall weight.
The Dart comes with a Status TV aerial, while the glass fibre sides offer more toughness.
A spacious front gas locker allows extra storage and on the nearside, a large flap allows access to the front seat locker.
The LED awning light is just aft of the axle line, and you also get a stable door, although this is not glazed. There is a really excellent opening sunroof – one of the best we’ve seen, in fact. Alloy wheels are standard-fit, but the front and rear moulded ABS panels are not full-height. It all works well and the profile remains typically Adria.
Lounge
The lounge offers wraparound seating, so you won’t find the traditional central chest of drawers here. Instead, you have a small fold-down table. The seating is also new for 2020, offering more comfort with armrests and two scatter cushions, while the sunroof allows natural light to flood in, and also opens – another bonus.
Two corner spotlights offer concentrated light, and the integrated overhead lighting is good for general illumination.
The Dart is fitted with Truma Combi 4E heating, allowing for comfortable use in winter.
There is one heating duct in the lounge, centrally placed, while speakers for a radio are on either side under the two overhead lockers.
Although this is likely to be more of a couple’s tourer, four or five folk could sit here in perfect comfort.
Kitchen
The kitchen provides excellent storage, with large drawers and cupboards. Overhead, one of the two lockers is taken up with the now-standard microwave.
You get an oven/grill here, while the three-burner gas hob and sink design remains the same as the layout that Adria brought out some years ago.
The hob is stainless steel, but the sink isn’t very big. Worktop is scant, too, but could improve if an extension flap were fitted.
The LED striplight should be fine for night-time, and there is a Thetford 142-litre fridge/ freezer placed opposite.
On the side of the fridge by the entrance door is a useful adjustable hook-plate.
The kitchen comes better equipped now, but worktop is still a bit limited and only one mains socket is fitted.
‘The new-look lounge has wraparound seating and a small fold-down table’
Beds
Although it is classed as a fourberth, we reckon most buyers will be couples who might want to use the Dart occasionally as a four-berth – the lounge seating converts to a double.
The Dart doesn’t use slats to convert the seating to a double bed, but pull-out sections from the seat bases, so it is easy and quick to make up. The cushion thickness is supportive and will make a comfortable double.
The rear bedroom (which can be shut off with a door) houses the fixed-island-bed. This is a very comfortable size and the mattress also feels supportive. Of course, beneath the double is plenty of storage, too.
Washroom
The Dart’s washroom is split into two sections – the shower cubicle is on the offside, while the toilet and handbasin are placed opposite.
The shower has glass doors and is a one-piece sealed unit. It has a roof vent for natural light and ventilation. It is spacious enough to use with ease and ideal if you are on a site with no showers.
The toilet is a Thetford electric flush, and there is a good-sized opaque window in the washroom too, a welcome touch in an entry-level tourer. The handbasin is quite shallow, positioned on the wheel arch, which has a cupboard below.
A wall-mounted cabinet with mirrored doors offers extra storage. A minor criticism here would be down to the finish. The wheel arch cover would look better as a moulded unit, rather than a box construction. But you do have the benefit of blown-air heating in this area.
Storage
The Altea Dart isn’t short on storage, although in the lounge, there are only two overhead lockers. The kitchen comes with deep drawers.
The toilet room isn’t bad on storage, either, with a useful cupboard under the handbasin and of course, that handy wall-mounted cabinet. But it’s the rear bedroom that has the trump card in storage.
The fixed bed allows extra storage, but the Dart also has twin wardrobes and lockers over the bed. So for two, there is more than enough capacity.