2019 Swift Elegance range review

Going Grander

Swift’s Elegance range has obviously struck the right chord with lovers of luxury caravanning. That’s why it’s been extended for 2019 – in more ways than one.

The news

Swift’s flagship tour range has been extended to eight models for 2019, with two new layouts and significant improvements across all. But, there’s more. There are also going to be three extra-wide Swift Elegance Grande models – one will even have a drop-down bed (illustrated below)!

What’s different?

It’s all shifted even more upmarket from 2018’s six-model line-up, with two island bed model additions to the standard-width Elegances. The 8ft/2.44m-wide Elegance Grande models are all-new – two transverse island bed four-berth and a range-topping six-berth.

Among the upgrades

Swift is introducing the next generation of its Smart bodywork construction. Called Smart 3, now with a timber-free floor featuring a structural foam core, it’s all backed by 10-year bodyshell and lifetime water ingress warranties – the latter a first for the caravan market!

Also new are:

• The Swift Command system has been completely re-designed, with a larger touchscreen that’s easier to use, plus it now comes with DAB radio. Swift Command also has a pre-installed Thatcham Category 6 approved, proactive tracker that alerts you should your vehicle start moving. This will attract some healthy caravan insurance discounts with Caravan Guard once the owner has activated the tracker by paying the annual subscription.

• Washrooms now have shaving mirrors and speakers (on selected models).

• New Dometic cookers have a cut-out safety feature to their glass lids.

• A rear view monitoring system will mean safer towing – and could save you money on your caravan insurance premium.

• Other details include illuminated curtain pelmets, premium jockey wheel, on-board fresh water tank and more.

What Swift says

“Elegance is the epitome of luxury caravanning. This season, we have re-defined the meaning of Elegance with this stunning make-over of our flagship range. Leading the future of the caravan industry, our engineers have pioneered the latest, timberless construction with a revolutionary new floor composition, which delivers a lighter, yet stronger, Elegance. The introduction of the 8ft-wide Elegance Grande takes luxury to a new level, with the remarkable 655 layout (drop down bed) offering customers something completely unique.”

Pick-of-the-range

There’s little to choose between the newcomers we’ve seen in the new Elegance line-up. Both have island beds at the back. But, we’d pick the transverse double of the 635 over the more conventional longitudinal 560… just.

From the Elegance Grande trio, the 655 – with L-shaped front lounge, L-shaped kitchen, central wraparound seating and drop-down bed, plus longitudinal bunks, really does offer something a bit different.

And the rest

480, two-berth, end washroom, side kitchen

530, four-berth, side dinette, full-width end washroom

560, four-berth, rear island bed, central washroom facilities

565, four-berth, single beds, full-width end washroom

580, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width end washroom

645, twin axle, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width end washroom

650 twin axle, four-berth, rear island bed, central washroom facilities

635 Grande, four-berth, rear transverse island bed, central washroom facilities

645 Grande, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width rear washroom

Interesting fact

Swift announced its first Elegances in 2014, the same year as it celebrated 50 continuous years of caravan manufacturing and a year after it introduced its Smart construction system. Today, Swift claims to be the single largest leisure vehicle brand (caravans and motorhomes combined) in the whole of Europe.

There’s more information on the Elegance range on the Swift website. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.

In other Swift news…

The Eccles will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary, which can only mean one thing – a range of special edition caravans. They’re sleek and modern, with a unique dark woodgrain on the lockers and a funky new moniker on the outside.

There will be eight models and three new layouts:

480, two berth

645, twin axle, four berth

650, twin axle, four berth

Watch this space for a review of the Swift Eccles 480 coming soon…