Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition Review (2022 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

The Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition greets you with a hydraulic swim platform featuring slatted cutouts that allow water to pass through when raising or lowering the platform. Though the platform itself isn’t wide enough to stow a tender, the garage directly behind handles that job, comfortably fitting a Williams Jet Tender or a 3.30-3.60m (10.8-11.8ft) outboard-powered RIB. That’s a bit rare in this garage format and a smart use of space. Launch and retrieval are managed by lowering the platform and sliding the tender along a track system with a winch.

The platform also integrates a swim ladder, plus transom showers and saltwater and freshwater washdowns for rinsing fish, gear, or just conserving fresh water when needed. A covered control panel on the starboard side houses switches for the garage, swim platform, table lift, sunroof, underwater lights, and more, with a retractable shore power cable housed just below.

Up in the cockpit, there’s a choice of a fixed cockpit awning (not retractable but highly popular), protected switches under a lid and a practical layout where everything feels considered. This Platinum Edition incorporates many popular options as standard, including black hardtop features, platinum caulking, and darker exterior accents for a sportier-looking profile.

Storage compartments flank both sides of the cockpit, one on either side of the bench seating, offering generous fender storage and access to IPS pods at the transom. Twin joystick stations are set neatly on either side for flexible docking, and the engine room hatch is also accessed here.

An entertainment station/wet bar completes the space, with electric grill and griddle, extractor fan, sink, storage, drinks fridge, ice maker, and beefy lift shocks on the lids that hint at the boat’s overbuilt feel. Battery switches are tucked behind a door at standing height - no crouching required - and there’s even an auxiliary battery bank to back up the house and engine systems. Just in case.

Heading forward along the side decks is easy thanks to wide walkways and plenty of handrails. Up front, the sun pad includes a pop-up bimini, and escape hatches are subtly integrated into the deck. At the bow, there’s a large ultra anchor with a top-mounted windlass, a roomy anchor locker with fender and cover storage, emergency windlass handle, freshwater washdown, and hose stowage with quick connect.

Sliding through the heavy cockpit door, the first impression is quality. Everything feels solid. The interior design balances gloss and matte finishes with waterfall-edge Corian counters in the galley and beautifully matched grain woodwork throughout. The galley itself sits to starboard as you enter, with a two-burner cooktop and cover, extraction fan, deep drawers with soft-close mechanisms, cleverly labelled outlets (AC + USB), and space for the cooktop lid when it’s not in use.

Storage is smart and extensive as corner cupboards go deep, and there’s even a dedicated bin drawer. Twin fridge drawers, a freezer, wine fridge, and a drink fridge are set along the port side. A mounted acrylic glassware set is ready to go. Overhead, the CZone monitor gives you control of the boat's key systems and presets with a single tap.

Moving forward, there's a comfortable salon space with a high-low table and bench seating that doubles as a movie-night lounge or daybed. Opposite, a charming breakfast nook provides a cosy spot for coffee or remote work, with mounted cubbies to keep items secure underway.

The helm is centreline creating room for a wide companion bench so the captain has company underway. The helm seat is uber comfortable, diamond-stitched, and flanked by Garmin electronics, Volvo Penta engine controls, joystick, chain counter, VHF, and the full C-Zone and aircon control suite. A wireless Fusion remote, USB ports, and clever stowage round out the setup.

A second electric sunroof overhead and large manual-opening side windows ensure the space feels open, fresh, and breezy.  

Owner's Cabin

Aft and full beam, the master is unmistakably the owner's domain. The berth is a proper yacht king - large and raised slightly over the fuel bank, which gives a bit of under-bed storage and also explains the slightly elevated platform. Despite that, you’ve still got solid headroom while seated.

There’s tons of storage here. Deep drawers, hanging lockers, and long compartments that could easily double as secure stowage. The lockers are all cedar-lined - an upgrade that does more than just smell nice, helping keep moisture and mildew at bay when you're out on longer trips.

The cabin feels quiet, well insulated, and thoughtfully finished. There’s a pair of windows with opening portholes on either side - each fitted with sensors that alert the C-Zone system if left open when you power up the engines. It’s a valuable safety feature, especially for owners who charter or cruise with guests unfamiliar with best practices. Riviera’s learned from experience - those open porthole disasters that soak bedding and fry electronics are entirely avoidable now.

You’ve got a built-in TV, Fusion stereo, loads of drawers, and generous hanging space. There's also a safe neatly hidden away. The ensuite follows suit - entirely clad in Corian, from walls to vanity to the walk-in shower. There’s indirect lighting, a medicine cabinet with internal outlets, upper cubbies, a full-length mirror, and a shower large enough for one and a half. The built-in bottle shelves in the shower keep things from rattling underway, and the entire look is clean and timeless. 

Guest Accommodation

Down the port side, you’ll find the third cabin. It’s a compact twin-bunk layout - part of the standard three-cabin setup - but Riviera also offers a two-cabin version that converts this into a lounge. That option opens up the lower deck a bit and removes the dividing wall, giving the space a more social, relaxed feel with a fold-out couch that can still double as a bed. In practice, many owners seem to use this cabin as their catch-all storage room, tossing gear, supplies, and spare kit here. But if you need the extra sleeping space, the bunks are well finished and feel just as nicely put together as the rest of the accommodation.

The shared head sits just across the corridor. It’s also the day head and links directly to the VIP cabin forward. A Platinum Edition upgrade, the space is elegant but very usable - with a Corian floor, quality sink, stylish vanity mirror, and a proper-sized shower stall. There’s decent storage, subtle lighting, and nice extras like two towel racks instead of the usual one. Small upgrades that actually make a difference when you're cruising with friends or family.

Forward, the VIP cabin is nicely proportioned with a queen-sized berth set slightly to port. It's not a full walkaround, but access around the foot of the bed is workable. The ceiling height is decent even for taller guests, and the cabin gets natural light from hull windows and a deck hatch. Storage is better than expected - cedar-lined lockers, deep drawers, and mirrored cabinetry on both sides. The padded headboard and fabric wall coverings soften the acoustic feel and keep things quiet. The whole space feels cozy, but not cramped - definitely a spot your guests will be happy to settle into for the weekend.

Access to the engine room is straight through the cockpit hatch and drops you into a deep and spacious compartment - an immediate benefit of the yacht’s high freeboard. There’s even a sensor on the hatch, so you'll get notified if it's ever opened without you knowing.

Battery banks are front and centre - not buried somewhere awkward - and service points are all within reach. You've got twin Volvo Penta D11-IPS 950s (725hp each), an Onan generator, SeaKeeper gyro stabiliser, Racor filters and Mastervolt chargers. All of it cleanly mounted, clearly labelled, and easy to access. It’s the kind of engine room you can actually work in without feeling boxed in.

There’s also standing headroom, built-in shelving, labelled breaker panels, and space for tools or spares. You’ll spot your fuel tank sight glass at floor level, and there are freshwater filters and chiller systems neatly laid out. Even details like rod holders for drying gear have been included - small touches that show Riviera is thinking about real use, not just tick-box features.

In terms of performance, this girl moves. She’ll cruise comfortably at just under 29 knots and top out around 34.5. At displacement speeds, she’s capable of over 1,500 nautical miles of range, and the ride quality backs up her bluewater credentials. She's built for the chop - designed in Australia where the ocean throws more than just light spray at you. You’ve got the hull for it, the power for it, and the SeaKeeper to steady the ride when needed.

Everything about the Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition leans toward the owner-operator. This is a boat designed to be run and enjoyed by the people who own it - not one that depends on a full-time crew to keep it moving. From the clear-headed systems layout to the hands-on engine access and backup power banks, it’s clear Riviera has worked hard to simplify the ownership experience without dumbing it down.

Riviera are a known quantity too. With more than 130 hulls built, the platform has been steadily refined with input from long-time owners. The Platinum Edition wraps up many of the most popular extras as standard, saving you from the usual cascade of option-list decisions just to make the boat feel complete. It’s a clean package - and the warranty support runs deep. You get two years of express coverage, seven years on structural integrity, and five years on the Volvo Penta and Garmin systems, which makes Riviera the industry leader.

Manual where it matters, solid throughout, proper climate control, generous storage - this is a yacht that’s been used, tweaked and evolved over time. Nothing feels rushed. You can sense the maturity in the layout and the logic in the engineering.

With pod drives, the mechanical footprint is smaller and service access is improved; however, IPS does come with its own maintenance rhythm. Plus, the joystick handling and shallow draft make tight harbour manoeuvres noticeably less stressful. Just keep an eye on the bridge clearance - 5.05 metres (16ft 7in) - if you’re heading under fixed crossings.

At a fast cruise of around 22/24 knots, fuel burn sits at roughly 47 gallons per hour. That translates to around £680 per hour at today’s UK marina prices. Over a season that mixes regular coastal hops with the odd longer trip, fuel can easily reach 5-7% of the boat’s capital value. Annual running costs - including berthing, servicing, maintenance, insurance and haul-out - typically land in the 8-12% range. That puts the 5400 comfortably in line with other owner-driven sports yachts in this bracket, like the Tiara EX54 or Palm Beach PB54.

The Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is a bluewater-capable cruiser that blends performance with everyday usability. It’s fast, stable, and built to thrive in real-world coastal conditions, from Sydney to the Pacific Northwest. Add in the layered warranties, the build quality rooted in deep layups and watertight compartments though and you’ve got a yacht that earns its place as a long-term keeper. This is one to run, maintain and actually live with. And enjoy, every step of the way.