Review: KEA Platinum Elite 2025

With its clever new pop-out windows and well-loved six-berth layout, RV Super Centre’s 2025 KEA Platinum Elite brings the outdoors in like never before. Claire Smith takes a closer look. 

It’s been a big year for RV Super Centre. If you’ve visited their impressive new premises near Auckland Airport, you’ll know what I mean – it’s massive. The expansive undercover showroom has the kind of scale that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a motorhome expo, only without the entry fee and crowds. It’s easy to spend a few hours taking your time and wandering through the latest motorhome offerings and RV accessories.

Among the many familiar names in the showroom, KEA continues to hold its ground as one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands. Built by Action Manufacturing in Hamilton, KEA motorhomes are built especially to suit Kiwi conditions.

The Elite range takes things a step further, bringing a more refined interior, smarter layouts, and well-considered design details. The result is a motorhome that feels polished, practical, and just that bit more luxurious.

The KEA Platinum Elite isn’t new to the scene; it’s been a solid favourite for years. But the 2025 model brings a few key upgrades, the most noticeable being the cleverly redesigned windows (more on that later). Add in three double beds, a generously sized lounge area and separate dinette, and a generously open layout that gives everyone room to spread out, and you’ve got a six-berth that still earns its place in the spotlight.

Make yourself at home

Step inside the KEA Platinum Elite and it’s the sense of space that hits you first. Up front, there’s a cosy dinette with two face-to-face seats and a table, ideal for meals, a quick coffee, or a bit of admin on the go. At the rear, you’ll find the real crowd-pleaser – a spacious U-shaped lounge. It’s an inviting, comfy space that suits just about everything, whether that’s a game of cards, a relaxed afternoon read, or a glass of something cold after a long drive.

The kitchen sits in the middle, with an all-in-one bathroom tucked opposite. It’s a layout that keeps everything within easy reach without feeling cramped. At night, the rear lounge converts into a roomy double bed, while the dinette folds down to form another. Add the over-cab Luton bed, and you’ve got space for six to sleep comfortably. The beds are generously sized too, with the Luton and rear beds both measuring 2.10m by 1.45m, and the middle bed coming in at 1.84m by 1.15m.

And because it’s part of the Elite range, you can tailor the interior to suit your style. There are three colour palettes to choose from, each one inspired by a different part of the country – Queenstown’s cool silvers and blues, Rotorua’s deep earthy tones, or the warm, golden hues of Raglan. It’s a subtle touch, but it gives the interior a more considered, customised feel.

Comfort up front

At 7.21 metres long, the KEA Platinum Elite is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter RWD chassis, so it already starts with a solid foundation. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and paired with an automatic transmission, making it an easy, confident drive.

The driving position feels high and clear, with good visibility all round, and a reversing camera is included as standard – a welcome addition when you’re backing into campsites or reversing out of the driveway.

There’s a good level of tech here too. The cab includes central locking, dual front airbags, and ABS brakes for added peace of mind on the road. Media and navigation are well covered with Bluetooth, AUX input, GPS, and integrated speakers. And yep, there are plenty of cup holders for that all-important coffee on the go.
While the cab is unfussy and practical, it still feels modern and tidy. Everything you need is right where you’d expect it, and there’s not much of a learning curve if you’re new to driving something this size.

Bringing the outdoors in

The standout feature in this year’s KEA Platinum Elite is the newly designed pop-out windows, which completely transform the living space. Top-hinged and opening out to a good 75 degrees, they’re held in place by sturdy gas strut arms that lock into position with no fuss.

The effect is instant – the whole space opens up. You can sit back with your feet up or prep a meal and still feel completely connected to whatever’s happening outside. It’s almost like having a side of the motorhome peeled back.

The lounge itself is a full U-shape, a favourite with Kiwi motorhomers. There’s enough room to stretch out for a snoozy afternoon or pile in with friends and family. More importantly, the seating is comfortable. You could easily settle in here for the evening and not feel like you’re perched on a benchseat. For a space that does double duty as a social zone and a bed at night, it’s been really well thought out.

With the windows wide open, the whole back end feels light, airy, and genuinely relaxing. The interior styling will vary depending on the palette you choose, but whichever way you go, the overall look is tidy and modern without feeling sterile.

I also love the addition of New Zealand wool carpet underfoot. It’s warm and soft for winter, but you can pull it out easily once summer rolls around, which is great if you’re dealing with sand, dust, or dirty paws.

A kitchen just like home

If you’ve ever tried preparing meals on the road with a couple of hungry teens or tired kids underfoot, you’ll know the difference a good motorhome kitchen can make. Some feel more like an afterthought – a narrow bench, a tiny stove, and not much room to move. The KEA Platinum Elite is the opposite. It’s clear this motorhome was designed with real family travel in mind, where cooking still needs to be practical, even enjoyable, and nothing should feel like a compromise.

The kitchen runs along the side wall and offers a generous amount of bench space, both in depth and working height. There’s enough room for two people to move around without tripping over each other, and the layout feels more like a compact home kitchen than something shoehorned into a vehicle.

Appliances are spot-on for family use, with a stainless steel 3-burner gas stove, a range hood extractor fan, microwave, grill, and a filtered water tap. The 130-litre fridge/freezer under the bench will comfortably handle several days of supplies between stops. There’s also a big window behind the bench that lets in plenty of light and fresh air, and, like the lounge windows, it pops right open.

Storage has been really well considered. There’s a slide-out drawer for jars and bottles, proper holders for wine glasses, and even a custom drawer insert that keeps plates and cups from rattling their way down the motorway.

The ambient strip lighting under the overhead cabinets and along the bench gives the kitchen a warm, practical glow in the evenings. There’s also a wireless phone charger built right into the benchtop – so handy! No cables, no fuss. Just pop your phone down while you prep breakfast, and you’re good to go.

Just across from the kitchen is the dinette. Having this separate from the rear lounge works really well. You’ve got a dedicated spot for meals, games, or a quiet cuppa, with a good-sized table, comfy seating, and another big window to let in light and views.

Wash and go

The bathroom in the KEA Platinum Elite is an all-in-one setup, which makes good sense. Keeping everything in one space means the rest of the motorhome benefits – more room for lounging, cooking, and sleeping, without compromising on the essentials.

It’s compact, but it’s got all the bits you’d expect. There’s a toilet, a basin with a proper mirror, and a shower with a sliding shower handle and a small built-in shelf for your shampoo and bits. A skylight above lets in plenty of natural light and helps keep the space dry and steam-free after a hot shower. The overall feel is clean and tidy. It’s not oversized, but it’s easy enough to manage the essentials of life on the road.

Other features and final touches

One of the benefits of the KEA Platinum Elite is how much comes included as standard. You don’t have to scrutinise the spec sheets to see what’s optional, most of the good stuff is already there.

A security door and electric step make getting in and out easier and more comfortable. The fitted awning is a big bonus, too, giving you an instant outdoor living space – somewhere to sit with a morning coffee, take cover from the midday sun, or shelter from the odd passing shower. And for exploring more on two wheels, a double bike rack is fitted and ready to go.

The off-grid setup is solid too. With two 120Ah AGM house batteries, a pair of 145W solar panels, and certified self-containment, it’s well equipped to support life off the grid for a few days at a time. The fresh and grey water tanks (82L each) are paired with a tank gauge, so you’ll know exactly when it’s time to refill or empty, no guessing required.

Around the back, a rear storage locker handles the usual travel gear: hoses, power leads, tools, and a few extras.

Inside, a standout tech upgrade is the Fusion RA60 Marine Stereo with SM Series speakers. It’s a serious step up, both in audio quality and in how it fits with the rest of the design. The sound is clear and full, whether you’re streaming music via Bluetooth or tuning in to the radio over breakfast.

A reversing camera also comes standard – a must-have for reversing into a campsite or backing down the driveway.

Summary

The KEA Platinum Elite isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and that’s part of its appeal. What it does do is take a proven layout and refine it in all the right ways. The 2025 model keeps everything that’s worked in the past but adds just enough polish to keep things feeling fresh. The new pop-out windows in particular bring a whole new level of openness to the living area, and the layout still hits that sweet spot for families or couples who like a bit of extra space.

It’s solid, it’s well built, and it’s made here in New Zealand for New Zealand conditions. Add in the roomy layout, comfy sleeping for six, and thoughtful design touches throughout, and you’ve got a motorhome that still holds its place at the front of the pack. If you’re after something that’s practical, comfortable, and just that bit more refined, the KEA Platinum Elite is well worth a look.

KEA Platinum Elite 2025 specifications