2015 Swift Conqueror 480 caravan review: Two go upmarket

While it’s the newest high tech Elegance line-up that’s been hogging the limelight, Swift’s Conqueror models might just appeal to a slightly more conservative audience who still want the utmost luxury when they’re out in the field.

Sure enough, there’s an Elegance version of the Conqueror 480 we focus on here, but it’s some £2,000 more.

The Conqueror is certainly more restrained, despite having a very upmarket air to it. Very much the baby of a three-model Conqueror line-up, the 480 heads into 2015 with sufficient tweaks to keep it ahead of the offerings of rival manufacturers.

Indeed, is that a knowing smile on the front? There’s more than a hint, with its curved gas locker and window sections, while the rear is a distinctive one-piece rear panel with LED lighting clusters.

Bodywork is, of course, Swift’s latest timber-free SMART construction, backed by a ten-year warranty.

An extra touch of style comes via those wheels – Swift-branded Scorpion alloys – while all Conquerors get a new, one-piece door for this season. A single key suffices for all the exterior locks.

Inside, the theme of restrained style continues, with a gloss front to most of the lockers and lots of use of chrome (door handles, socket surrounds, inserts etc) to remind you this is an upmarket tourer. Furniture is the latest Aralie Sen woodgrain finish that features in lots of Swift products for 2015.

As for the Conqueror 480 interior, it’s a familiar enough two-berth end washroom floorplan, featuring the latest Impala upholstery, with an embossed design. Those 6ft 1in settees are just beckoning you to come and sprawl out on them. Maybe watching TV? Or listening to the stereo?

There’s plenty of scope for the caravan chef, too. The Conqueror kitchen gets the latest Thetford Aspire 2 cooker – dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill – as well as an 80-litre Dometic 8-series fridge (the ones with the removable freezer boxes).

Other than that, the kitchen unit is a proven bit of Swift kit. The sink has a detachable drainer – but note the neat Swift-monogrammed mixer tap – and there’s a useful flip-up worktop extension, as well as the usual generous storage. The locker door fronts here have a different treatment – an off-white matt finish to the upper level, fabric-style fronts to the lower sections.

Meanwhile, across the whole of the back end, that washroom is simply huge. It even includes the wardrobe (with three drawers in its base) and a separate shower cubicle complete with Ecocamel showerhead (the one that saves water and still has a particularly soft yet powerful delivery). Plus, there’s a heated towel rail.

You’ll certainly be tempted to linger a little longer, especially as the stereo system stretches to a couple of extra speakers in here.

The luxuries are almost limitless. It’s probably no surprise to hear there’s heating and hot water courtesy of Alde. Illumination is all-LED and it’s an impressive mix of backlighting, downlighting, spot lamps etc throughout (the main lights are dimmable). There are concertina blinds for all windows. An Omnivent over the kitchen. A solar panel. And more.

Practicalities certainly haven’t been forgotten. There’s a shoe locker as well as coat hooks and even a mirror in the area you could almost call the “hallway” just inside the door. There’s even a welcome mat here!

Security too is fairly generous with a standard fit Tracker Retrieve tracking system, and infra red alarm system. A receiver for the AL-KO Secure axle wheel lock is also present though buyers will need to buy the optional locking mechanism for this. AL-KO’s ATC electronic anti snaking is also fitted. All of these features should lower the costs of insuring this Swift caravan.

Even for a two-berth, a 125kg payload margin is getting towards parsimonious. However, you have to weigh that up (pun intended) against the fact that the Conqueror comes with pretty much everything you’ll ever need as standard. It’s even pre-wired to accept a mover device of your choice.

Verdict: An upmarket air

Plus: Superbly appointed throughout

Minus: A bit weighty

In-a-nutshell: Top-of-the-class Swift is still all-Conqueror-ing

Cost to insure: £289* 

In summary

• Swift Conqueror 480
• Dimensions 6.46m L, 2.31m W, 2.62m H
• Internal length 4.74m
• Berths 2
• MTPLM 1,442kg
• MIRO kg
• Payload 125kg
• Key options: Alternative upholsteries (prices tbc)
• Safety and security Tracker Retrieve, Al-Ko ATC trailer stability control, receiver for Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, infra-red alarm system, AKS 3004 stabiliser, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector

Recommended retail price from £21,540**

There’s more information on the Conqueror range on the Swift Group website and to find out more about our low-cost premiums visit the caravan insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Bailey Unicorn II Seville, Coachman VIP460/2, Lunar Clubman CK

*Caravan insurance cost based on Swift Conqueror 480 caravan retailing at £21,540 fitted with a hitchlock, wheel clamp & axle wheel lock. Kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. £100 excess. 180 days European cover and up to £75 per day for up to 15 days emergency accommodation cover included. Legal expenses cover, extended European cover and other emergency accommodation expenses cover options are available at extra cost. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 13/10/2014.

**On-the-road, including VAT at 20%