Review: KEA Nomad M700 Elite

A refined take on a proven favourite, the KEA Nomad M700 Elite brings together local build quality, smart design, and a touch of personal style. Claire Smith steps inside to see how this elevated version of a much-loved layout stacks up on the road.

KEA is a name many New Zealanders will recognise – whether it’s from a rental trip years ago or the steady presence of those familiar white vans winding through the backroads and highways of the country.

Known for practical, purpose-built campers that hold up to real-world travel, KEA has long had a strong footing in New Zealand’s motorhome scene.

The Nomad M700 has been a popular part of that lineup for good reason. It’s a compact layout that’s functional, flexible, and tailored to how Kiwis like to travel. And the new Elite version takes things a step further. Built right here in New Zealand by Action Manufacturing, the Nomad M700 Elite adds a layer of personalisation and polish to an already proven platform.

With demand for campervans continuing to grow, particularly those that combine comfort with genuine self-sufficiency, the Nomad M700 Elite offers something that stands out: a practical, well-built layout with a welcome touch of individuality.

Layout

At a decent seven metres long, the Nomad feels generously roomy inside with smart use of space and separation between living zones. A rear U-shaped lounge acts as the main living, dining, and sleeping area, while the front seating zone behind the cab doubles as a second lounge or a single bed setup.

Natural light plays a big role here, too. The rear is surrounded by windows, so even when you’re inside, you’ve still got that all-important connection to your surroundings. This is especially nice if you’re parked up lakeside, at the beach, or in one of New Zealand’s stunning DOC campgrounds.

Where the Elite range really sets itself apart is in the styling. Buyers can choose from three colour and decal palettes, each inspired by a different part of the country – from the cool blues and silvers of Queenstown to the rich umbers of Rotorua, or the soft gold tones of Raglan. These are more than just paint jobs. The interiors reflect the chosen theme too, with subtle shifts in cabinetry finish, fabric tones, and visual texture that make the space feel more curated and personal.

In a market where so many campervans feel stamped out from the same mould, it’s a welcome change to have a van that feels like it’s been designed with a bit of identity and more importantly, some choice.

Cab and Driving Experience

If you’ve ever driven a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, you’ll know it’s one of the more civilised ways to get around in a campervan. The 2L turbo diesel in the Nomad M700 is responsive and relaxed. It’s happy cruising at open-road speeds, but just as content winding its way around tight city streets. With Tiptronic auto transmission, the driving experience is designed to feel akin to a cruisy SUV.

The high driving position gives a great view of the road ahead, something you’ll appreciate on winding coastal stretches or when backing into a tricky site. It’s helped along by the reversing camera, which takes the guesswork out of parking. The cab is also kitted out with a tidy infotainment setup: navigation, Bluetooth, USB, and steering wheel controls all built in.

Once you’ve parked up, the swivel cab seats earn their keep. It’s a simple feature that makes a big difference, especially when you’re dining up front or just want somewhere else to perch with a coffee. Like much of the Nomad’s layout, it’s a little thing that adds a lot.

Kitchen and dining

The kitchen is centrally positioned and has been designed to make daily use simple and efficient, without taking up more space than it needs to. It includes a two-burner gas stove, a microwave, a 130L fridge/freezer, and a 9kg gas bottle to run the cooking gear. It’s all set into a stainless-steel benchtop that’s easy to clean and feels built to last.

Storage is generous for a mid-size van, with overhead lockers and drawers below for all the essentials. The rangehood is a nice touch too.

At the rear, the lounge doubles as the main dining area, with a removable table that’s slightly larger in the 2025 model – giving you a bit more room to spread out, whether you’re eating, working, or playing cards.

Sleeping areas

There’s something pretty special about pulling up somewhere like Ray’s Rest or Gentle Annie’s – wide-open views, plenty of space, and the kind of quiet that only exists once the engine is off.

Ending the day stretched out in a full-sized bed, rear doors open, with fresh air rolling through and nothing but the sound of the sea or the mountains – that’s where the rear lounge in the Nomad M700 really earns its keep.

By day, it’s a generous U-shaped seating area, but by night, it transforms into a genuinely comfortable double bed. It’s wide, flat, and doesn’t feel like a compromise. You’re not working around lumps or joins or balancing on narrow foam. And with those big windows and the option to swing open the rear doors, it turns the whole back of the van into a kind of indoor-outdoor retreat.

The second bed, located just behind the cab, is narrower and a little more compact, but it’s not an afterthought. It gives you the flexibility to bring along a third person without anyone having to sleep in a makeshift setup. Whether it’s a child, grandchild, a friend, or just someone who likes their own space at night, it means everyone gets a proper bed. And if you’re travelling as a pair, it’s still useful – a dedicated spot to keep gear handy, or somewhere to stretch out with a book while the other person has the rear bed set up.

Bathroom

The bathroom sits right in the centre of the van, and it’s nicely executed for a space that doesn’t dominate the layout. You get the full setup – shower, toilet, and handbasin.

This year’s model brings a couple of thoughtful updates. There’s now moulded storage built into the bathroom walls, which helps keep your soap, shampoo and bits and pieces nice and handy. They’ve also added a clever bracket to hold the tap in place, turning it into a more user-friendly fixture.

Privacy is solid, the materials feel up to the task, and everything’s easy to clean. More importantly, it’s a genuine bathroom, not a token gesture, and it’s part of what makes the Nomad fully self-contained. If you’re planning to spend time freedom camping, this is the kind of setup that makes those nights off grid far more comfortable.

Exterior

The outside of the Nomad M700 strikes a good balance. It looks smart, feels solid on the road, and sits just as comfortably on a main street as it does in a remote campsite.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base gives it that solid, road-ready presence, and the KEA styling keeps it simple and confident without overdoing it.

One of the most practical features on the outside is the built-in slide-out barbecue. It’s neatly integrated into the side of the van and pulls out in seconds. There’s no extra setup, and no extra gear to pack. Whether you’re frying up a hearty breakfast or sizzling juicy steaks for dinner, it’s a much easier and more enjoyable way to cook when you’re in the great outdoors.

Storage hatches are easy to access, fittings are solid, and everything’s laid out in a way that feels considered, rather than just convenient.

Buyers looking to personalise the setup can add in optional extras like an awning. A bike rack comes installed as standard. The rest of the exterior layout is fuss-free and functional.

Noteworthy mentions

While the layout, build quality, and drivability are the big-ticket features, the Nomad Elite M700 includes plenty of small touches that round out the experience.

The diesel heater is one of them. This is a must-have for winter trips or those cooler mornings in spring and autumn. It warms the rear of the van quickly and makes the space feel cosy without needing to rely on campground power.

The 185W solar panel, combined with both 12V and 240V systems, means you’re not tied to powered sites. When paired with the 70L fresh and grey water tanks, the Nomad becomes a solid option for some off grid exploring.

On the peace-of-mind front, the Mercedes chassis comes with a 3-year or 200,000km warranty, backed by on-road assist, and RV Super Centre includes their own 12-month RV guarantee. With service centres around the country and finance options available, it’s a setup that’s designed to support buyers well beyond the showroom.

The Nomad Elite M700 is sold exclusively through RV Super Centre, which means buyers also get access to their full support network, accessory range, and servicing – a real plus for first-timers or anyone who values a bit of backup after they’ve hit the road.

KEA Nomad M700 Elite specifications