COTY REVIEWS: WONDERLAND RV SOLARA 2006
Queen of hearts
Words COTY judges, Pics Josh Hanger, Allison Watt, John Ford
With its offroad-capable build, stunning decor and effortless attitude, the Wonderland RV Solara 2006 claimed the hearts of the COTY judges and took home a new and well-deserved award.
Our Judges’ Award goes to the Wonderland. As Tim has described elsewhere in the issue, we have decided on this award to recognise that, as much as the judging process is as fair and objective as we can make it, sometimes it doesn’t reflect the judges’ favourite entrant — the one they would take home if they had the wherewithal.
So, we are recognising the emotional impact the van had on us, rather than the cold process of judging. And both Allison and I would choose the Wonderland Solara 2006 as our forever van.
Customer care
If anyone has said anything negative about how the Wonderland RV team looks after customers, I’ve yet to hear it. From what I have seen over the years, Wonderland’s owners are committed to customer loyalty through exceptional service. This starts with ensuring the vans are built properly to minimise warranty issues.
Wonderland provides a three-year structural warranty which covers the integrity of the body and chassis (5-year chassis warranty) under offroad conditions, on gazetted roads Australia-wide. The warranty, however, applies only to the original purchaser. The warranty document is clear and comprehensive and meets the statutory requirements of the Australian Consumer Law. It covers virtually all considerations aside from misuse or abuse.
Appliances are typically covered by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty provided by the component brands. Wonderland has a dedicated customer care staff member who ensures a seamless remedy for any appliance failure or manufacturing fault. The Arizon electrical system has a dedicated phone portal for help. Arizon can remote into the system to troubleshoot as long as the system is connected to the internet via Starlink or phone data.
Suitability for intended use
The Solara 2006 is an upmarket outback touring van with supreme comfort, room to move and enough off-grid capacity for most couples.
In some ways, the Wonderland brand misses out on the accolades it deserves as a reputable, capable offroad caravan manufacturer. Over the years, the team has delivered groundbreaking interior design, which has become the focus, even though vans like the Solara 2006 we see here have all the ingredients to take on outback travel head-on. This is especially true of the new composite body construction. (Although I don’t want to dis the thousand or so jigsaw ply models already out on the track.) The monster double-box chassis and Cruisemaster XT Level 3 airbag suspension put it up there with the best in towing and durability.
I like the practical ergonomics inside, the roomy lounge and the balance of comfort and equipment, all while offering an ATM at a sensible 3500kg and no need for a trophy truck to join the party. Our review van was the 4500kg version, which offers a monster payload but requires a suitable tow vehicle when loaded.
X-factor
I can imagine slowly pulling into the sailing club campground at Nhulunbuy or Mount Barnett Roadhouse on the Gibb River Road at sunset in the Solara 2006. There’s little fanfare because the understated Wonderland isn’t covered in flashy decals that scream for attention. It’s just out there doing its thing, and that’s what I love about it. If there’s another Wonderland in camp, the owners will simply send that knowing nod that says it all. The Wonderland Solara 2006 is the real deal, and welcome to the club.
Inside, everything you need is laid out in style and symmetry. It’s an interior that’s easy to navigate and live with, and one of the best finished and colour coordinated in the industry. Unpretentious does it for me. That’s all the X-factor I need. I might start buying lottery tickets in hopes of a Solara in my future.
Build quality
Wonderland’s build quality has long been a benchmark in the industry. And having reviewed multiple examples from Wonderland over the past five years, that consistency has always stood out. This is a brand that only recently, in 2024, took out Caravan of the Year with the impressive XTR 2211, and that level of confidence in its construction hasn’t come by accident. The Solara 2006 marks a significant shift in direction, moving away from traditional CNC-cut structural ply construction to a fully composite build — and it’s a transition that’s been executed with confidence.
The composite panels, supplied by Creative Composites, use XPS (extruded polystyrene) insulation and are well resolved in their integration. With 29mm walls, a 35mm roof and an 18mm honeycomb floor, the structure feels solid and well insulated. The joining method is particularly noteworthy, with high-density polyethylene PVC edging allowing for both mechanical fastening and extensive bonding between panels, resulting in a rigid, well-sealed shell.
Underneath, the S&M-built chassis reinforces that quality-first approach, paired with Cruisemaster XT Level 3 airbag suspension. Internally, laminated ply cabinetry remains a smart, durable choice. They have also built the Solara in composite W-Lite furniture, but stated the weight saving was negligible and more targeted to customers wanting a full timberless caravan.
This isn’t a reinvention — it’s an evolution of an already proven formula, and it shows.
Towability
Towability is where the Wonderland Solara 2006 inevitably carries a small penalty. At 4.5T, it sits in a category that demands a serious tow vehicle, and that reality can’t be ignored. In our case, it was paired with a RAM 2500 Heavy Duty, and while that made the job feel effortless, it’s also a reminder that you’re likely looking at a $150,000–$190,000 tow vehicle, often with further modifications, to get the most out of a van like this. A Ford Ranger Super Duty will do the job, but you’re still firmly in big-rig territory.
On the road, however, the Solara 2006 proves to be a capable and confidence-inspiring tow. The combination of an S&M chassis and Cruisemaster XT airbag suspension is well sorted and widely trusted. The XT system, slightly lighter than ATX but still more than capable at this weight, offers adjustability for load and terrain, which is important in an offroad van.
It carries its weight low, remains stable and avoids unwanted movement. It may not be the standout tow of the field, but it’s a reliable, predictable and well-understood package.
Self-sufficiency
The Wonderland Solara 2006’s self-sufficiency is well aligned with how its buyers are likely to use it. On paper, the numbers are strong. With 400Ah of lithium onboard, you’re looking at around 4.8kWh nominal or roughly 4kWh usable supported by 1000W of solar. In good conditions, that solar array can realistically return 4–6kWh per day, which means the system can comfortably keep up with typical use, including running the Dometic air-conditioner for shorter periods.
That balance is important. While the system can support off-grid living, this isn’t a van designed for indefinite stays in one place. It’s better suited to multi-day to week-long stays where you’re moving between locations and giving the system a chance to recover. The presence of gas cooking options also helps manage power draw when needed.
Water capacity reinforces that use case, with 190L of freshwater plus a dedicated 90L drinking water tank supported by a 100L grey water tank. In real terms, that gives a couple four days to around a week of comfortable use, depending on habits.
The Thetford separation toilet is a smart inclusion, extending usability compared to a traditional cassette.
Overall, it’s a well-judged system that supports extended touring without pushing into unnecessary extremes.
Value for money
As we have noted elsewhere, our mantra at this year’s Caravan of the Year, when it came to the initial cost of a new offroad caravan, was that “$150,000 is the new $100,000. Whether it’s a caravan, camper trailer, motorhome or the latest dual-cab ute, $100,000 simply does not go very far in today’s recreational vehicle market.
The reasons for increased costs are many and varied: higher labour costs, more expensive materials, the general cost of living crisis and, not forgetting, customer expectations. Customers want luxurious caravans with all the comforts of home but with a tough, high-quality build to go down any rugged offroad track in remote Australia and the ability to pull up at camp, turn on the air-con, make a latte and fire up the air-fryer to cook dinner.
Wonderland RV is very much pitching itself at the premium-quality end of the offroad caravan market — competing with the likes of Titanium, Kokoda, Mountain Trail, Lotus and Masterpiece, for example. Regardless of where it sits in a crowded market, a $188,143 caravan is a significant financial investment.
But value for money is not just about initial outlay. The Solara 2006 is an Australian-made caravan boasting a lightweight and strong composite construction, with good suspension, a more than adequate battery system and a spacious interior and decor that is akin to a five-star hotel. And that quality build means it will last the distance.
Liveability and Ease of Use
The Solara 2006 is practical and beautiful at the same time.
Outside it has everything you would expect from an offroad van, plus a bit more. Right up front, you’ll find spaces for the diesel fuel tank, gas bottles and firewood. The tunnel boot has a slide-out big enough for a Weber barbecue and a cute little Ninja Crispi air fryer (included). Next to this is a long pull-out table with drawers for storing the portable induction hotplate, crockery, and cutlery, plus a handy shelf above it. There’s potential to do more with this outdoor kitchen — such as adding a small sink and a tap for washing up. I did like that it was white, not black.
An external pantry has plenty of shelves for condiments and items such as insect repellent, and it also houses the controls for the Cruisemaster airbag suspension, as well as multiple 240V and 12V power outlets. The drop-down picnic table has a stainless-steel finish, which will be easy to keep clean.
We were gobsmacked at the amount of living space inside the Solara 2006 — don’t forget this is a 20ft 6in (6.28m) couple's van. We’re talking rear door access, full split ensuite at the back, a queen-sized bed with pillowtop mattress up front and a huge living area/kitchen in the middle. The kitchen bench alone is 2.1m long, boasting an antibacterial acrylic stone-look benchtop (which apparently doesn’t absorb any nasties). The bench is unencumbered by the traditional hotplates and sink draining board, which take up a lot of space. Instead, there is a portable induction hotplate, a deep, white sink and dusk bronze tapware. Ample cupboards above and drawers below have a matte, fingerprint-proof finish and the drawers have soft closing catches. There’s a full height slide-out pantry and 220L Dometic compressor fridge with doors that open both ways. Cooking is aided by a three-way microwave/air-fryer/convection oven.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a big club lounge -big enough for four adults. Cleverly, this becomes a king single bed, so if you want to take some grandkids away with you there’s space for two small ones or a big one.
The internal decor features a neutral fawn/Miami colour palette, just one of several colour boards to choose from, put together by an interior design expert. The floors are timber-look herringbone, and the recessed lighting creates a warm and moody atmosphere.
Interior features are seemingly never-ending — multiplate USB and USB-C points, reading lights, insect screens on the windows, ample wardrobes/shelves/cubbie space on either side of the bed, multiple magazine pouches, a dust reduction system and a good size bathroom with the new Thetford separation toilet.
Innovation
My first impression when I saw the Solara 2006 was: “It’s white!” A welcome surprise. In fact, the majority of vans of this year’s COTY were white or mostly white, which makes sense in Australia’s climate. I think we’re seeing a trend away from black or dark caravans.
Having said that, the Solara 2006 featured lower panels with a textured black protective coating, which is an optional extra.
The innovation in the Solara 2006 is the amount of space Wonderland has created inside, making it appear and feel much bigger than it is. And the thought that has gone into some of the smaller details adds to its innovation: twin windows beside the bed for privacy, security and airflow; the full amount of space under the bed for storage; the capacity for an extra bed inside; and that gorgeous decor.
Once you’ve locked eyes on the Wonderland Solara 2006, it’s not hard to see how it quickly became a fan-favourite and claimed the Judges’ Award for COTY 2026.
Overall length 8.7m (28ft 5in)
External body length 6.31m (20ft 7in)
Internal body length 6.28m (20ft 6in)
Width 2.48m (8ft 1in)
Travel height 3.1m (10ft 2in)
Tare 2981kg
ATM 4500kg (3500kg option)
Payload 1519kg (519kg option)
Ball weight at tare 160kg
Ball to tare ratio 5.4% (calculated)
EXTERNAL
Frame Frameless fibreglass and XPS composite panel
Cladding Fibreglass
Chassis S&M 150mm x 50mm x 4mm A-frame, double box 100mm x50mm x 3.2mm steel chassis, polyurethane coated
Suspension Cruisemaster 4.5T XT L3 airbag trailing arms
Coupling Cruisemaster DO45 (DO35 Option)
Brakes 12in electric drums
Wheels 16in Dirty Life alloy with 285/75 R16 Cooper AT3 tyres
Water 190L freshwater, 90L drinking water, 100L grey water
Battery 400Ah lithium
Inverter 3000W
Solar 1000W
Air-conditioner Dometic FreshJet 7 Series FJZ7
Gas 2 x 4kg
Sway control Tuson (optional)
Cooking Slide-out kitchen (optional) with barbecue provision and Ninja Crispi air-fryer
INTERNAL
Cooking Portable induction cooktop
Microwave Camec three-way microwave/air-fryer/oven
Fridge Dometic 220L compressor
Bathroom Full-width ensuite with separate shower and Thetford separation toilet
Washing machine 3.5kg front loader
Hot water Hydronic diesel heater and hot water
PRICE FROM $170,127
OPTIONS FITTED
Protection pack
Rear bar storage
Dusk bronze tapware
Antibacterial solid surface benchtops
Renegade slide-out external kitchen
Tuson sway control
DO45 & Upgraded Safety Chains
PRICE AS SHOWN $188,143
MORE INFORMATION
Wonderland RV
46 Lara Way
Campbellfield Vic 3061
P: 03 8692 0032
E: sales@wonderlandrv.com.au
W: wonderlandrv.com.aU
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure, having the right resources can make all the difference when you're out of range. To help you navigate with confidence, you might find it useful to pair your journey with a detailed set of topographical road maps or a comprehensive campsite guide. Explore some of the maps below or visit our store for a full range of products.
COTY REVIEWS: WONDERLAND RV SOLARA 2006