At just short of seven metres long, the Lido A45 DK strikes that tricky balance between spacious living and manageable driving. You’re looking at a motorhome that could handle everything from weekend breaks to extended European tours, with enough sleeping space for a family of six and the payload to carry what you need. The question is whether Adria’s approach to maximising space works in practice.
The 2015 model year puts this motorhome in that sweet spot where you’re getting modern conveniences without the premium price tag of brand-new units. Let’s see if the Sun Living Lido A45 DK delivers on its promise of affordable family motorhoming.
Size and Practicality of the Sun Living Lido A45 DK
At 6.99 metres long, 2.33 metres wide, and 3.08 metres tall, the Lido A45 DK sits comfortably within most European camping restrictions whilst offering genuine family space. You’ll find the length manageable on UK roads; it’s shorter than many large estate cars with trailers, though you’ll need to think ahead when choosing parking spots or navigating narrow village streets.
The 3.08-metre height means you’ll clear most car park barriers, though you’d want to check before diving under anything that looks borderline. Width-wise at 2.33 metres, you’re well within standard lane widths, but you might find some of those tight Cornish lanes a bit nerve-wracking until you get used to the dimensions.
What’s particularly clever about the Lido A45 DK is how Adria has managed to squeeze six berths into this footprint without the motorhome feeling cramped. The A-class layout helps here – that distinctive over-cab area provides sleeping space without eating into the main living area below.
Driving the Adria Sun Living Lido A45 DK
Under the bonnet, you’ll find Fiat’s proven 2.3 JTD engine producing 130bhp, paired with a six-speed gearbox. This combination should provide adequate performance for a 3.5-tonne motorhome, though you’d want to be realistic about overtaking opportunities, especially when fully loaded with family and gear.
The Fiat Ducato base is reassuring – it’s the foundation for countless European motorhomes, so parts availability and service knowledge shouldn’t be issues. You’d likely find the driving position comfortable enough for longer journeys, with electric windows adding a touch of convenience that’s particularly welcome in stop-start traffic.
With a 642kg payload, you’ve got reasonable scope for loading up with clothes, food, and holiday essentials for six people, though you’d need to be mindful of weight distribution. That’s enough for a family holiday but requires some planning (you can’t just throw everything in and hope for the best).
Living Space in the Sun Living Lido A45 DK
The interior layout makes clever use of the available space, with the main living area featuring a mix of seating arrangements. You’ll find two single seats (one rear-facing and one forward-facing) plus two rear-facing seats with lap belts and two forward-facing seats with three-point belts. This gives you seven belted seats in total, which is handy for larger families or when you’re giving friends a lift to the campsite.
The seating arrangement means you can have proper conversations around the table area, rather than everyone facing the same direction. When you’re settled for the evening, this creates a more sociable atmosphere than some motorhome layouts manage.
Storage throughout the living area appears well thought out, with a TV cabinet suggesting Adria recognised that families often want entertainment options for rainy days or evening wind-down time. The LED lighting (part of the Sun Living Pack) should provide good illumination without draining the battery too quickly.
Sun Living Lido A45 DK Sleeping Arrangements
Six berths in a sub-seven-metre motorhome is ambitious, but the Lido A45 DK tackles this challenge with a combination of permanent and convertible beds. The over-cab area provides what’s likely a double bed, taking advantage of that distinctive A-class profile without impinging on living space below.
The real cleverness lies in the rear bunk bed arrangement. The lower bunk converts into garage space when not needed for sleeping, which means you can prioritise storage or sleeping depending on your current needs. If you’re touring with four people, you’d have the over-cab bed plus the upper bunk, with the lower area freed up for bikes, outdoor gear, or bulky items.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for families whose needs change; perhaps you need all six berths during school holidays but prefer the extra storage space for weekend breaks with fewer people. The convertible nature means you’re not locked into one configuration.
Kitchen Space in the Lido A45 DK
The kitchen area features a three-burner hob and microwave, giving you decent cooking options without taking up excessive space. You’d find this adequate for family meals, though you might need to be a bit more organised than you would be at home; no room for multiple pots bubbling away simultaneously.
Regarding the fridge – you’re looking at reasonable cold storage for a family, though you’d need to shop more frequently than you might in a larger motorhome. The smaller capacity encourages fresher eating, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re touring.
Storage around the kitchen area would need to be well-planned, as you’re working within the constraints of a compact layout. You’d likely find yourself using every available cupboard and perhaps investing in some clever storage solutions to maximise the space.
Bathroom in the Sun Living Lido A45 DK
The bathroom combines shower, sink, and cassette toilet in what’s presumably a compact but functional space. For a six-berth motorhome at this price point, you’d expect some compromises, and the bathroom is likely where space constraints are most noticeable.
You’d probably find the shower adequate for quick washes, though longer, more luxurious showers might be better saved for campsite blocks when available. The cassette toilet is standard for this class of motorhome and generally reliable, though you’d want to familiarise yourself with emptying procedures if you’re new to motorhoming.
The compact nature means you’d need to be organised about toiletries and towels; there’s unlikely to be space for everyone’s full bathroom kit to live permanently in the bathroom itself.
Water and Power Systems
With a 100-litre fresh water tank and 85-litre waste capacity, you’ve got reasonable autonomy for a family, though you’d need to be more water-conscious than you might be at home. The Truma heating system should keep you comfortable in cooler weather, whilst the Gas flow LPG system provides fuel for cooking and heating.
The electrical system would benefit from the LED lighting upgrade, which reduces power consumption compared to traditional bulbs. You’d still need to be mindful of battery usage, particularly if you’re planning to wild camp rather than staying on sites with electric hook-ups.
Water capacity is adequate for shorter trips but might require more frequent filling for extended stays, especially with six people using the system. The waste tank capacity is proportionally smaller, which means more frequent emptying, something to factor into your site selection.
Additional Features and Equipment
The 2015 Lido A45 DK comes with several thoughtful additions that enhance its practicality. The awning provides valuable extra living space, particularly important when you’re accommodating six people in a compact motorhome. The bike rack acknowledges that many motorhome users want to explore their destinations on two wheels.
The reversing camera is a welcome safety feature, particularly valuable given the motorhome’s size and the fact that rear visibility is limited in A-class layouts. The radio CD player might seem basic by today’s standards, but it provides entertainment options without the complexity of more modern systems.
ISOFIX child seat anchors show Adria was thinking about family users, whilst the driver airbag provides additional safety reassurance. The Sun Living Pack with alloy wheels adds a touch of style whilst potentially improving handling characteristics.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
If the Sun Living Lido A45 DK has caught your interest, you might also want to look at the Adria Coral A660 SP Review: A-Class Space Alternative, which offers a different approach to A-class layout with potentially more space but at a higher weight category.
The Adria Coral S650 SP Review: Alternative Layout Philosophy provides an alternative layout philosophy, whilst the Adria Twin 640 SGX Supreme Review: Van-Based Adventure offers a completely different approach with van-based construction that might suit different touring styles.
Each of these alternatives brings different compromises and benefits, so it’s worth considering how your priorities align with what each model offers.
Final Thoughts
The 2015 Adria Sun Living Lido A45 DK represents an honest attempt to provide six-berth accommodation without breaking the 3.5-tonne barrier or stretching to unwieldy lengths. It’s clearly aimed at families who want to tour together without needing specialist licences or enormous budgets.
The convertible rear bunk system is genuinely clever, allowing you to prioritise sleeping or storage as circumstances require. The overall package suggests Adria understood their target market – families who want to get away together but need to balance space, practicality, and affordability.
You’d need to be realistic about the compromises involved in fitting six berths into this footprint, particularly around bathroom space and storage. But if you’re looking for an entry point into family motorhoming that doesn’t require a lorry licence, the Lido A45 DK deserves serious consideration. Just make sure you’ve seen one in person to confirm the layout works for your particular family dynamics.
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