Caravan review: Vision RV Nirvana 16 Hardtop 2024

Vision RV has launched a new lineup of models that retains its superb offroad capability. We ran the new 16ft Nirvana Hardtop version through its paces. 

When Vision RV launched in 2020, the team set itself up as a contender at the top of the offroad caravan tree right out of the blocks. The Vision range’s innovative design and fully functional offroad ability won over owners despite the hybrid manufacturing process that saw the body built offshore and completed on a bespoke chassis at the Coolum Beach factory in southern Queensland. 

The evolution of the range continues, and the brand recently announced a new model lineup to include its smaller vans, including the Nirvana range, and larger models like those in the Elysium offering. The names are borrowed from Eastern and Greek cultures and mean places of extreme happiness. On our recent review we took the new Nirvana 16 Hardtop for a tour around the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Did we find enlightenment on our journey? Let’s see. 

The company

Company owner, Chris Michel and his team are no strangers to hardcore caravanning, and they continually subject the various Vision models to real world testing to prove their strength and suitability for Australian conditions. I was among a group of caravanning journalists when the brand launched in late 2020 and it wasn’t in a swank hotel; it was at the old LandCruiser Mountain Park in Queensland where the scribes dragged the vans around the torture track trying to break them. Nobody did. Since then, Michel has towed various new models to hell and back. Up to the Cape, into the deep outback, out to K’gari (Fraser Island) and even to the top of Blue Rag Range Track in the Victorian High Country for their own testing program and to prove to the consumer the vans are the real deal on tracks the consumer is most likely familiar with. This sort of extreme travel isn’t for everyone of course, and Michel’s LandCruiser 300 Series has thousands of dollars of modifications to optimise its 4WD capability. But he is determined to prove the vans are up to the task of getting you to your favourite remote campsite without trouble. And I suspect he’s had some fun along the way (and broken a few Toyotas).

Vision RV recently consolidated its production into a larger factory where the vans are fitted out with suspension, electronics, plumbing and upholstery. High attention to detail means production sits at around two vans per week, across 10 different versions of pop-tops and full height vans. At the time of our visit, the 300th Vision was sitting in the sales yard at Warana, Qld, so there’s been lots of customer feedback and more real-world testing to support the evolution of the brand.

The build

At the heart of any offroad van is a robust build, but the trick is getting the right balance of strength and weight. Vision’s vans achieve this with a monocoque body built from German composite wall and roof panels of XPS foam bonded between fibreglass sheets, topping a honeycomb composite floor. They are engineered together with aluminium extrusions and top-quality German glue at the edges for a permanent, weatherproof structure. Once completed, these extrusions form a very strong exoskeleton. Internal furniture is combination of composite walls and laser-cut, folded and powder coated aluminium. The furniture members interlock with the body to add strength and rigidity. It's a completely timber free caravan build so there’s no risk of rot from moisture or degradation when travelling over tough corrugated and deeply rutted tracks.

Underneath is a unique 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) hot dipped galvanised chassis with laser cut stiffening bars below and C-section cross members that save valuable weight without compromising rigidity. Down the back, the chassis rises high to support the weight of spare wheels and other add-ons. The suspension boasts newly redesigned and hefty tubular steel trailing arms with air bags and twin Old Man Emu shock absorbers. The airbag suspension also facilitates a huge payload of up to 1000kg. An on-board air tank and compressor quickly activate the airbags to adjust height over rugged terrain and to level the van when parked.

Braking is from discs at all wheels and is powered by an electric over hydraulic system. During our tow test I found the stopping power impressive and well-modulated.

Liveability

Built with adventure in mind more than on-road touring, the Nirvana 16’s compact size gets you to places a bigger van might struggle to access. At first look it might seem like there are compromises around the internal living space, but there’s smart design at play here. There’s more going on inside the Nirvana 16 than you first might think because the Vision team has taken the hybrid concept to new levels of practicality and versatility. Inside is a versatile layout that’s a couples retreat in the Hardtop review model but can be optioned as a twin or triple bunk in the Poptop and Hardtop versions.

The couples van has an open layout with a full width king bed up front and a two room ensuite in the driver side rear corner. A marine grade leather clad lounge extends on the passenger side from the rear door to the bed, while a storage bench runs along the wall opposite. Completing the design is a kitchenette across the back wall, to the right of the entry. It includes a sink, 110L Vitrifrigo fridge and a white Corian bench with space for a 240V induction cooker and a jug or coffee machine. More on that later because the electrical system is impressive. Such a kitchen might sound limiting but it has you covered for days when the weather is grim, because the majority of the cooking will be at the main kitchen outside. 

At the lounge, a long self-supporting table slides out from under the bed for dining or working. The disappearing table is cool, allowing a roomy interior when not needed. Spacious drawers in the storage bench hold the clothing and bedding needs for long distance travel and there’s more storage drawers under the bed.

All cupboard and drawer faces are white powder coated aluminium which, depending on your taste, look either amazingly clean and bright or somewhat stark. I like its simplicity and the extra light bouncing around the cabin. 

Rounding out the interior is the split bathroom tucked alongside the rear passenger side and its design is clever. Many smaller vans have combination shower and toilet setups, but this isn’t universally popular, so Vision’s design choice here makes sense. The shower is towards the back and has more storage lockers, sealed against the water and handy for towels and undies. The toilet is an innovative composting unit designed and built by Vision, collects solids in biodegradable plastic bags, removing much of the unpleasant nature of waste disposal. The system also features a 12V van pushing air outside through a charcoal filter while the collection tank underneath is separated into 14L urine and 75L grey water capacity. 

Those who like spending camping time outdoors — and that has to be most of us — will like the innovations and well considered ergonomics of the main external kitchen laid out in the fresh air under an electric awning. The slide-out kitchen has the usual burners, sink and a large fridge, arranged perfectly for easy access.

Off-grid haven

Right from the outset Vision RV has equipped its vans with suitable off-grid capability and the new models have premium brand Enerdrive electronics that will provide extended emote camping opportunities. Three 200W solar panels for the Hardtop and two 330W panels for the Poptop version feed a 300Ah Volta battery through a 40A MPPT controller. A 40A DC/DC charger lets you top up battery power from the tow vehicle when travelling and an

Anderson plug connects to a portable solar panel when the weather is crook. This setup is a sensible size for most camping situations and there are options for more solar power and battery power if needed.

Three 90L freshwater tanks should be enough for a couple of weeks depending on the weather and the camping situation, but there’s around a tonne of carrying capacity for some extra water drums if longer trips are planned. 

The tow test

A tandem axle setup is unusual in a 16ft van, and I think it adds to the superb way the van tows because it felt remarkably steady and well balanced behind my LandCruiser 200 Series. With empty water tanks and minimum equipment, it was close to its tare weight of 2500kg for our review which included bush tracks and some motorway cruising. The ATM is 3500kg, so there are plenty of suitably rated utes that will do the trick — especially keeping in mind that it is safer to keep the caravan weight at a sensible level. I liked the narrow 2.2m (7ft 2in) width for sneaking down some winding tracks. And although I worried about the awning protruding at the front of the van, it never proved to be an issue.

The bottom line

It might not look like it sometimes, but not everyone loves a big-arsed van towed by a big American ute. They have their place for comfortable long-distance travel and extended life on the road and can I see the attraction. On the other hand, many offroad purists like a simpler life and a van that’s easily towed into out of the way places with minimum bother. Vans the size of the Nirvana 16 Hardtop win followers because they combine enough creature comforts and space with easy towing. 

For me the Nirvana 16’s pared back size and lightweight body makes sense in a world heading to a more sustainable future. Like it or not, climate change sceptic or climate warrior, we face a future of increasing restrictions on big vehicles because the latest emissions rules herald change. Against these legislative changes, a Nirvana 16 packed frugally is a sound choice. All the utes featured in our wrap of Caravan of the Year 2024 tow vehicles on page 94 are all larger SUVs and would be a great match for vans such as this.

At $127k the Nirvana 16 Hardtop couples version is in a very competitive market against some notable Australian made competitors. Buyers will appreciate the highly capable engineering, the timber free body and a suspension made to last many tough miles. Its narrow width is designed for getting to remote locations and there’s a pop top version for an even slimmer profile. 

Have we found Nirvana? Well, camped in your favourite spot alongside the van, coffee in hand and taking in the sunrise, there’s a good chance you will be close.

MEASURING UP

Pros

•  Compact and easy to tow
• Superior engineering for offroad travel
• Competitively priced in its segment

Cons

• I would struggle to find one in its segment

VISION NIRVANA 16 HARDTOP RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY 
Well priced against its peers

TOWABILITY
Sat faithfully behind the 200 Series and suits a range of mid-size tow vehicles

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
Perfectly suits a couple heading off the beaten track

BUILD QUALITY
High level of engineering and finely finished

LIVEABILITY
Compact interior with a very usable external kitchen

SELF SUFFICIENCY
Enough power for extended off-grid camping

CUSTOMER CARE
Great cover with two-year factory warranty and another five years through the Australian Warranty Network

INNOVATION
Clever design and one of the few timber-free vans on the market

X-FACTOR
Looks cool with plenty of adventure cred

VISION NIRVANA 16 HARDTOP SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Vision Nirvana 16 Hardtop price from $126,990

OPTIONAL EXTRAS FITTED

Nil

Also available as 14ft and 16ft pop-top versions from $114,990

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about this range, head to the Vision RV website.
290 Nicklin Way
Warana Qld 4575
P: 07 5491 1888

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