2014 Newmar Essex 4553 Review
Redefining road trips, the Newmar Essex is a marriage of beauty and performance.
Five floorplans are available to choose from and all feature elegant villa seating and two-toned accent treatments. Our favourite option is the Essex 4553, which has a residential layout and two washrooms. It has an exterior length of 44’11”, exterior height of 13’1”, exterior width of 101.5”, interior height of 84” and interior width of 95.5”. It has a grey water capacity of 65 gallons, sewage capacity of 45 gallons, water capacity of 45 gallons, fuel capacity of 150 gallons, and propane capacity of 22 gallons. Its gross vehicle weight rating is 52,000 pounds and gross carrying capacity is 67,000 pounds.
The Spartan K2 Tag Axle Chassis is built specifically for Newmar and houses a 500-horsepower Cummins ISX engine. As well, the Newmar Essex features an Allison 4000 MH Transmission and remote engine start station. To make driving safe and comfortable, there’s automatic traction control and Comfort Drive. The cockpit’s most convenient feature is the memory setting for the driver’s seat, pedals, steering wheel and mirrors. Other features include cruise control, back-up alarm, anti-lock braking system, and electronic chassis information display in the dash. Finally, the chassis service centre holds all your filters in one location and makes it easy to service your motor coach.
The Essex proves that although beauty comes from within, first impressions draw us in. The Essex is a “Full-Paint Masterpiece”, which means it has cut and buff finish with Nano Shield Protection on its front cap. Graphics blend from the top down. Keyless entry is equipped with a doorbell and a touch pad. The 20,000-pound front axles and 365-degree tires provide more carrying capacity. An exterior pumping center, which is insulated, allows you to check your tanks easily. The Oasis heat system is quiet and clean – you won’t smell the diesel. Small details, like the hidden windshield wipers, make the Newmar Essex as beautiful as it is functional.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Itasca Solei 38R
Climb three steps and you’re in the cockpit, equipped with a driver and passenger seat. Both include separate heating systems. When the driver needs a break, he can park the Essex and turn his chair around, into the living room. The revolving seat makes it easy to spend time with family and relax.
Inside the Essex resembles a modern condo. Polished solid surface windowsills compliment the auto motion power dual window shades and lambrequins. Polished porcelain floor tile in the living area, bathroom and kitchen make sweeping and washing an easy task. All countertops – kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom – have polished solid surfaces. All slide-outs are carpeted. The interior is defined by its elegant Saple Maple Hardwood unitized cabinets, which have fully overlaid cabinet doors. Adding to the beauty, all hinges are concealed. If you’re picky about your cabinetry, you can swap for Amaretto Glazed Cherry hardwood cabinets, Rattan Maple Glazed hardwood cabinets or Ginger Glazed Cherry hardwood cabinets.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2013 Coachmen Encounter 34TA
Unwind in the living room, which features a Sony 46” LED TV on a Televator. Equipped with high definition component wiring, satellite dish prep and a Sony Surround Sound System with a sub-woofer, your entertainment experience will make you forget that you’re on the road. If you prefer relaxing to a good book, then you might want to do that by the fireplace. With two sofas in the living area, your only problem will be where to relax.
Essex’s kitchen will turn any fast food junkie into a chef. With spacious counters and modern appliances, the kitchen is a comfortable spot to tag-team a turkey with your significant other. The fridge is probably better than the one you have at home; it’s a Whirlpool bottom freezer French door refrigerator, equipped with an icemaker and water dispenser. Newmar also outfitted the Essex with a 30” convection microwave over and two-burner gas cooktop. When dinner is ready, enjoy it at the cozy dinette.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Entegra Coach Aspire 42DEQ
Unlike many motor coach bathrooms, the Essex’s will not injure you due to little space or sharp corners. It features polished solid surface shower walls and decorative inserts. There’s a Domestic Concerto china bowl in the centre bath and a Macerator flush stool in the rear bath. For extra comfort, you can request a fold-down shower seat.
When you’re finally ready to call it a day, escape to your bedroom. Collapse on your King-size bed and turn on the Sony LED TV. The bed comes with a quilted bedspread, bed skirt, bed scarf, and accent pillow. The bedroom wardrobe is equipped with a safe, which gives you piece of mind when you’re spending the day hiking in the mountains or swimming in a lake.
The 2014 Newmar Essex sells for around $730,000. Visit NewmarCorp.com for more information.
