Review: Roller Team Kronos Compact 590

Compact motorhomes tend to come with a compromise or two, usually around space, storage, or how well the layout works day to day. The Kronos 590 sets out to balance all three –and succeeds. Claire Smith takes a closer look.

Manufactured in Italy by Roller Team, the Kronos range has earned a strong following for delivering contemporary styling and a well-spec’d finish at a competitive price point. In New Zealand, the Kronos range is distributed by European Motorhomes, with the Compact 590 sitting as the most manoeuvrable option in the line-up.

At 5.99m long and built on a Ford Transit chassis, this tidy RV is aimed at buyers who want the convenience of everything a motorhome offers, but without the bulk.

The configuration is designed to suit couples well, while still giving small families or occasional guests a workable four-berth option. More to the point, it offers a way into motorhoming that doesn’t ask buyers to jump straight to a larger vehicle.

Nothing sacrificed

At just under six metres in length, the Compact 590 delivers a lot for its size. Up front, the cab flows into a face-to-face lounge and dining area, which converts into a double bed when needed, while a second double drops down from above. The kitchen sits centrally, and at the rear, you’ll find a full-width bathroom with a separate shower and loads of room – a nice surprise indeed. The décor follows a clean, modern European style, with a mix of light cabinetry and darker accents that gives the interior a fresh, contemporary feel.

Easy to park and drive

The Compact 590 is built on the Ford Transit platform, and it’s a combination that most drivers will feel comfortable with from the outset. The 2.0L engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth, predictable performance, well matched to the compact footprint.

At just 2150mm wide, it’s noticeably narrower than many motorhomes, which makes a real difference when it comes to manoeuvring around town or fitting into a driveway at home.

In terms of day-to-day comfort, the cab is well sorted. Both driver and passenger seats swivel to become part of the living space when parked, and up front you’ve got cab air conditioning, cruise control, and steering wheel-mounted controls all included. Visibility is good, and a reversing camera makes parking simple.

Safety and practicality are covered too, with features like electrically operated mirrors and a passenger airbag included as standard.

Dinner and drinks

Set centrally within the layout, the kitchen makes smart use of space. There’s a good section of bench area for a motorhome of this size, with a large round sink and cover helping to keep things flexible when prepping meals. The 135L fridge sits within easy reach, and cooking is handled by a gas oven, plus a two-burner hob, again with a cover to extend the usable work surface when needed.

Just alongside, the dinette is where this space really comes into its own. With two seats on one side and three opposite, plus the cab seats swivelling around, it quickly becomes a relaxed, social hub. It’s easy to picture the table set, plates out, drinks poured, and everyone gathered in without feeling squeezed in.

Upholstery is high quality and hard wearing, and the table is both extendable and mounted on a telescopic base for added flexibility.

Windows on both sides help keep the space feeling light, while the panoramic roof and central skylight above lift the whole area, adding to that airy, European feel. A removable lounge carpet is a nice touch underfoot, particularly in cooler conditions.

Sweet dreams

For a motorhome just under six metres, the sleeping setup here is more capable than you might expect. The drop-down bed above the lounge is the main bed, and at 1990mmx1420mm, is a comfortable double with enough room for two adults. It lowers easily to a normal bed height (780mm) when needed and stows away just as quickly in the morning, so the living area stays usable during the day. Conveniently this also means no ladder is needed when the bed is right down.

The dinette converts into a second double, measuring 2020mmx960mm. It’s a handy, well-sized option that adds flexibility to the layout, particularly when travelling with family or having the occasional guests on board.

It’s a layout that suits a mix of travel styles. Couples can stick with the drop-down bed and leave the rest of the space untouched, while families or occasional guests can make use of the second bed when needed.

Big bathroom a bonus

Set across the rear and closed off by a solid door, the bathroom is one of the standout features in this layout. Rather than the typical space-restricted all-in-one setup, you’ve got a properly defined room that adds a whole lot of comfort and practicality to life on the road.

The vanity runs across the middle, with a large round sink and enough bench space to set out all the bits and pieces you like to have on hand. Storage is well covered too, with cupboards above and below, a mirror, and good lighting that makes the space feel bright rather than boxed in.

To the left sits a full-size separate shower with its own door, so the rest of the bathroom stays dry. It feels just like home with a slide shower head, towel rail, and space for the shampoo and soap. To the right is a swivel toilet alongside an access door to the rear garage, a practical touch that adds a bit of extra functionality. Up above, a skylight and ventilation help keep the space fresh.

Room for bikes and baggage

From the outside, the Compact 590 keeps things clean and well proportioned, with a low-profile body that suits its sub-six-metre length. The silver cab and red and grey decals give it a smart, modern look without going over the top, and the 16-inch alloy wheels add a nice finishing touch.

Around the back, the rear garage provides a useful amount of storage, measuring 1450mm high and 520mm wide, with shelving to help keep things organised. The fact that it’s also accessible internally from the bathroom adds another layer of practicality, particularly when you don’t want to head outside to grab something.

In terms of setup for travel, a bike rack comes standard, which will appeal to those wanting to explore some of New Zealand’s incredible tracks. You’ve also got a 200W solar panel on the roof to support off-grid capability, along with an outdoor shower and external gas fitting, both handy additions when you’re parked up for a few days.

Noteworthy extras

A few extras round things out nicely and add to the overall sense that the Compact 590 is well specified for its size. A built-in Wi-Fi router is a useful inclusion, particularly for those working on the road or wanting to stay connected while travelling.

The 714kg payload is worth noting too, sitting well above what you’ll often find in this category and giving you more flexibility in how you load the vehicle for longer trips.

Heating and hot water are handled by the Truma system, paired with the Truma iNet X control panel, which brings everything into one place and is straightforward to manage.

Behind the scenes, Roller Team’s EXPS Evo construction and Breathe technology focus on insulation and ventilation, helping to regulate temperature and reduce condensation in a range of conditions.

Taken together, these features add a bit more depth to the package and support the Compact 590’s role as a practical, well-rounded option for touring New Zealand.

Summary

The Compact 590 strikes a neat balance between size and usability. It’s easy to handle on the road, yet once parked up, the layout feels complete rather than pared back.

Highlights include the roomy rear bathroom, flexible sleeping options, and a light, open living area. Add in a strong payload, good off-grid capability, and a solid level of standard equipment, and it shapes up as a practical, well-rounded option for a range of buyers.

For those wanting a compact motorhome that still delivers where it matters, this one is well worth considering.

Find out more at europeanmotorhomes.co.nz

Roller Team Kronos Compact 590 specifications