Avida Explorer LX 4x4 campervan: off-grid in comfort

Avida is marking its 60th year in the Australian RV game with something a little different: the all-new Explorer LX 4×4 campervan. It’s not built to take on Gunshot, and you won’t be using it to recover mates from the depths of the Tele Track. But for those who like their off-road adventures a little less…vertical, it could be just the ticket.

Based on the Mercedes Sprinter AWD 419 MWB, the Explorer LX is Avida’s first real foray into the 4×4 off-grid world. This one’s aimed at the comfort-first crowd. People who want to get well and truly off the beaten track but still want to sleep on a real bed, boil the kettle without tripping over a jerry can, and avoid brushing their teeth with warm creek water. If this sounds like you, the Avida Explorer could be for you.

Off-grid ready

Let’s be clear. This isn’t a rock-crawling beast. It’s a stylish, adventure-ready campervan for those who prefer their ruggedness with a side of leather upholstery and Victron tech. And to be fair, it’s packed with gear. There’s 400W of solar on the roof, with the option to double it via solar blankets, 400Ah of lithium power (expandable to 600Ah), a 3,000VA inverter, diesel water and cabin heating, and enough mod-cons to make a tiny house feel jealous. A full bathroom (that doubles as a drying room), a slick kitchen, rooftop A/C that runs off-grid, and 170L of fresh water – this thing’s set up for real off-grid stays.

From the outside, it looks ready to take on the outback with a full roof rack, spare wheel carrier, side steps, and a whopping 50” light bar. And for those wanting a bit more kit, you can option things like a winch, snorkel, and adventure bar. Though again, let’s not kid ourselves into thinking you’ll be winching through bog holes in this on a regular basis. The Avida Explorer is more about convenient adventure.

It’s not a build for the die-hard off-road crowd. If your idea of a weekend away involves lockers, maxtrax, and body panel regret, this probably isn’t your flavour. But for those who love to roam, chase a horizon, and maybe park up at a river somewhere remote with a wine in one hand and a remote in the other, the Avida Explorer could be a comfy, capable alternative to towing a van.

How much?

Avida’s Explorer LX 4×4 will start showing up at dealerships in early 2025, priced from $221,990 plus on-roads. Not cheap, but neither is building your own off-road van to this spec, and that’s assuming you don’t blow the budget on lithium and LED strip lighting at week two of your DIY journey. The Avida Explorer is worth considering, given its extensive features.

It’s good to see an Aussie manufacturer giving the soft-roading adventure crowd a high-spec, off-grid alternative to the usual option and we can’t wait to try this one out in person. And hey, if it gets more people exploring the dirt roads of Australia without needing to crawl under their rig with a spanner every 300km – I’m all for it.