Riviera 395 SUV Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Riviera 395 SUV is the smallest model in Riviera’s range and sits just under the 12-metre mark at 11.99m (39.4ft). It forms the entry point to the brand’s SUV line, the hardtop deck saloon series that also includes the 445, 465, 505, 585 and 645. In scale and intent, this is a compact family cruising boat designed to be straightforward to own and easy to manage.

A fixed bathing platform spans the stern, with a concealed swim ladder and enough space to take snap davits or carry a small tender if required. This example is fitted with a passerelle, reflecting Mediterranean use rather than a standard specification. A deck shower sits nearby for rinsing off after a swim.

The transom is laid out with usability in mind. A barbecue and sink are tucked beneath a lift up lid, while a separate locker handles ropes, fenders and general deck gear. A transom door leads into the cockpit, which can be closed off from the platform when needed.

The cockpit is simple and adaptable. Seating is arranged to one side, with the aft space on this boat set up mainly for storage, though flip out seating can be specified. Joystick docking control is fitted here, allowing close quarters manoeuvring from the cockpit rather than the helm.

Side decks are secure and easy to move along, helped by solid handrails and proper non slip surfaces. Forward, the foredeck is set up with adjustable backrests that lie flat underway and angle up individually at anchor. The anchor and windlass sit neatly on a short bowsprit, and the deck hatch above the forward cabin provides light, ventilation and an additional escape route.

The roof carries radar, antennas, navigation lights and a TV aerial, with sliding roof panels mirroring the openings in the saloon below.

Inside, the deck saloon layout delivers good light and a strong connection to the outside. Large windows, a lift up side window and sliding roof panels allow the space to open up, while blinds and insect screens keep things controlled when needed.

The dinette table is height adjustable and can be lowered to form a daybed with an infill cushion, giving flexibility between dining and lounging. Stainless steel fittings feel robust, and overhead grab rails reinforce the sense that this is a boat designed for use underway rather than static marina living.

The galley sits to one side and includes a double fridge, hob, small oven, sink and practical storage for cruising gear. This boat is finished in high gloss walnut, with matte walnut or lighter oak offered as alternatives. The emphasis is on durability and ease of use rather than decorative excess.

CZone control provides access to system monitoring and onboard services such as lighting and air conditioning. Storage is a strong point throughout the saloon, with drawers and lockers wherever space allows.

Opposite the helm is a compact seat and nearby storage for the quick start guide. Riviera’s broader documentation package is unusually comprehensive, with full wiring and plumbing diagrams supplied in print and on a flash drive, which adds real value for long term ownership and maintenance.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin sits forward and works well for a boat of this size. Natural light comes from the deck hatch and side glazing, and the hatch also acts as an escape route. Riviera have gone a step further by fitting clear escape route diagrams inside the cabin, showing both the main exit and an alternative route through the hatch. The same system appears in the guest cabin, which is unusual and genuinely sensible.

Storage is generous. There is a hanging locker, multiple drawers under the bed and good use of space throughout. Practical flooring runs through the traffic areas, with carpet reserved for the sleeping space, which makes sense when people are moving around the boat during the day.

Guest Accommodation

The guest cabin sits aft and uses the full beam. One of the standout features here is the three berth layout. Two single berths plus an additional bunk make it ideal for families with children or friends along for the weekend. It feels like a proper little den rather than a compromise cabin.

There are opening portlights on both sides for ventilation, along with drawers, a hanging locker and bedside storage. High wear areas are finished in tougher materials, and everything feels solid enough to stand up to real use.

There is a single shared heads serving both cabins. It includes a toilet, basin and a separate shower compartment rather than a combined wet room. The space feels sensibly proportioned, and again the practical flooring extends into this area so people are not worrying about carpets every time they nip below.

Engine access is through a large hatch beneath the aft cockpit table. The table folds away to create more room, and the hatch opens far enough to give proper access. As you would expect on an 11.99m (39.4ft) boat, this is not a stand up engine room, but you can get down between the engines and work around them without drama.

Power comes from twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 600 engines, rated at 440hp each. Riviera quote a top speed of around 35.9 knots and a cruising speed of about 31.4 knots. In real terms, that means a comfortable 30 knot cruise and a mid 30 knot top end. Range at those speeds is roughly 300 nautical miles with reserve, with significantly more available if you slow things down.

The installation is tidy and sensible rather than showy, which fits the boat’s character perfectly.

With a new price typically sitting around USD 750,000 to USD 850,000, depending on specification and market, the Riviera 395 SUV sits in a familiar place for buyers stepping into their first serious cruising boat. It is large enough to feel substantial and capable, yet remains firmly owner-operated. On the international used market, late-model examples generally trade lower, with values shaped by hours, condition and fit-out. That spread sets expectations early. This is a boat that depreciates, particularly in the first years, and ownership needs to be approached with that reality in mind.

Buyers in this size range often cross-shop the Riviera 395 SUV against models such as the Sundeck Yachts 430 Sport and the Bavaria Yachts Virtess 420 Coupe. All three target private owners who want enclosed cruising comfort without moving into flybridge scale or crewed operation. The Riviera’s appeal sits less in styling or headline pricing and more in conservative engineering, global dealer support and predictable ownership, which shapes both new-boat pricing and behaviour on the used market.

Running a boat of this size marks a clear step up from smaller cruisers, but it remains well short of the cost profile associated with larger flybridge yachts. Fuel is the most visible variable expense. With twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 600 engines, consumption depends heavily on speed. At a sensible cruising pace in the mid-20-knot range, fuel burn typically sits around 110 to 120 litres per hour total, allowing roughly 300 nautical miles of range with reserve. Push closer to the boat’s 30-plus-knot capability and consumption rises quickly. The performance is there, but it comes at a cost.

Berthing is often the largest fixed annual outgoing. In many established marinas worldwide, a berth for a boat just under 12 metres represents a meaningful annual expense, with pricing varying widely by region and demand. Alternatives such as yacht clubs or swing moorings can reduce costs, but often add inconvenience or reliance on a tender.

Maintenance and servicing are where the practical side of ownership settles in. A commonly used guideline for boats in this bracket is 5-10% of the boat’s value per year to cover servicing, insurance, berthing, haul-outs and unplanned work. Twin IPS drives simplify handling and remove some mechanical complexity compared with traditional shafts, but pod servicing, anodes, filters and scheduled engine work remain part of the routine.

The Riviera 395 SUV is a compact, practical cruiser that focuses on usability that delivers the core Riviera approach in a manageable size, with solid construction, sensible layouts and systems designed to be understood and used by an owner-operator.