01422 396 769 
quoteAll-seeing is all-believing
Flagship. Icon. Classic. Swift’s Kon-tiki responds to all those names, and more. So, when the motorhome range gets an overhaul, you know to expect something even more special.
The latest batch – five models, four of which are in Low as well as High versions – can also claim to be the biggest Kon-tikis yet.
This is the Low version of the 9m-plus long 650 motorhome – the High (ie overcab) variant ups the berths to six at no extra cost – based on the Maxi version of Fiat’s Ducato with 150bhp engine (upgrades are available). Use of Al-Ko’s chassis extension means Swift can give the Kon-tiki a double-floor construction, optimising insulation as well as giving extra lowest-level storage.
There’s the best part of a tonne of payload here, so you might well want to make the most of the luggage-carrying capabilities. Just note, it’s all rated at 5,000kg.
But, it’s as high a specification as you’ll get in any British-made motorhome. Equally, it has the kind of kit we Brits expect. That’s especially true in the L-shaped kitchen, where the full cooker and 190-litre fridge/freezer are courtesy of Dometic – the latter is the latest 10-series model with doors that hinge open to either side.
A microwave oven is standard, too, while the sink is inset into the Corian worktop. Storage space here is compromised by the Alde boiler, but points are won back for the locker with slide-out racking, as well as the illuminated splashback panelling.
At the front, the lounge has a fixed pedestal-leg table, but the top is hinged so it can be folded over for easier access through to the rest of the living quarters.
It’s a step up and through a solid door to the en-suite facilities in what is, in effect, a full-width washroom ahead of the rear island bed. There’s a part-circular, plastic-lined shower cubicle with Ecocamel showerhead on the nearside, while the offside is home to a swivel-bowl toilet as well as a fixed basin. The central section has a heated towel rail set under a large, illuminated mirror with a shallow shelf.
There’s a surprise in the bedroom, where the central window section curves down to headboard level. The bed boasts a Duvalay mattress, plus hanging his and hers wardrobes, set over extended bedside tabletops, with a choice of sockets to hand.
Bed height is such that access should be easy enough, while there’s still some garage space below, accessible from either side outside. Swift has inched out the bed size, too – officially, it’s 1.92m x 1.43m.
There are all kinds of luxury fittings throughout. The electric sunroof over the cab, underfloor heating in the lounge, heated cab seats, built in wi-fi, and Swift’s ever-improving Command system for controlling major appliances and all-round monitoring (including pre-installed Thatcham Cat 6 tracker), for starters.
You also get sat nav, hill-hold and ESP, plus Isofix for the rear seating. Plus, it also benefits from the very latest VIN Chip system, which will help identify your vehicle if it were to be stolen.
The stand-out feature, however, just has to be Swift Vision – a system of cameras – two at the back, one looking along each side, for all-round vision when you’re driving. This, combined with rear parking sensors, really does put you in full control of a motorhome you really can see out of… as well as wanting to be seen in. Plus, it will knock you some money of your motorhome insurance premium.
Verdict: A black-cabbed, tag-axled behemoth
Plus: High kit count topped by Swift Vision, loads of living space
Minus: Price, weight
In-a-nutshell: Best of British
There’s more information on the Kon-tiki on the Swift website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Auto-Trail Comanche, Moto-Trek Euro-Treka IB
Swift Kon-tiki 650 factfile
| Model | Swift Kon-tiki 650 |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato Maxi/Al-Ko |
| Dimensions | 9.01m L x 2.35m W x 3.05m H |
| Berths | 4 |
| Travel seats | 4 |
| Maximum weight | 5,000kg |
| Payload | 943kg |
| MPG estimate | 24-28 |
| RRP | From £96,145 on the road |
| Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, Swift Command with Cat 6 tracking device, remote central locking to all doors, ABS and EBD, EBA (emergency brake assist), twin airbags, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguisher, Swift Vision, twin-lens colour rear-view monitor, VIN Chip. |
| Key options | 180bhp engine (£2,345), 180bhp engine plus Comfort-Matic automatic transmission (£4,095), leather upholstery (£1,495), roof rack and ladder (£550), detachable towbar and electrics (£595), Swift Command tracker annual subscription (£95), Oyster satellite TV system (from £2,293), Cytrac satellite TV system (from £1,945). |
Just purchase 2019 Swift kontiki 650 wow really impressed with it. the side black roof trims have popped up on either side any idea on how we can either fix or replace please
Speak to your local dealer/service centre Wendy. Great to hear you’re loving your Kon-Tiki
was wondering if that table at the front can be removed
Hi Lucy – it’s a fixed table. You can find out more about the range of features here: https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/motorhomes/swift-kon-tiki
What a lot of tosh!! This is a magnificent example of British innovation. And as such should be supported especially at this time.
I’ve ordered one this week at Birmingham after 12 good years with my Bessacarr E765 Elegance
We’re sure you’ll love this motorhome Nigel.
I have a 669 2012 brilliant van a few niggles but nothing serious. Don’t like the washroom arrangement it means the bedroom is out of bounds if an occupant is using the loo or shower
New model looks good. We currently own a two year Kontiki 669 from new. This layout has everything we want in a motorhome and we love touring in it. However, the build quality is appalling ! We are still having issues put right by our dealer after the factory sent out what we can only describe as a ‘Friday afternoon’ model. We are currently awaiting our fifth roof repair due to shoddy workmanship. Quality control must be non existent at swift and the ‘made in Britain’ label means nothing anymore. We have spoke with other Kontiki owners on tour who have had build quality issues with theirs, one returning his to swift for eight weeks to rectify build problems. Hope the new model build is better ? We still love our motorhome. Would we buy another swift. . . . NO !
Hi Steve, the Customer Services Team at Swift will be able t provide support and advice if you’re having problems with your vehicle:
Their contact number is 01482 875740 and phone lines are open Monday – Thursday 9am to 5pm; Friday – 9am to 2pm. (They are closed weekends and bank holidays)
Swift also has an online team and Swift Talk Forum (https://www.swift-talk.co.uk/). Their hours of work are: Monday – Thursday up to 10pm and Friday up to 5pm (They are closed on weekends and bank holidays)
Swift encourages owners to register and log on to their Swift Connect Direct account which is available to all owners from 2018, where they can use live chat to contact them between:
Monday – Thursday 8.30am to 10pm
Friday – 8.30am to 5pm Friday
(we are closed weekends and bank holidays)
Their Connect Direct login page is: https://www.swiftdirect.co.uk/login.aspx
If owners would prefer to contact Swift via e-mail they can do this through the contact page on their website or by e-mailing [email protected]
You would be very restricted on U.K. sites, most have an 8 metre maximum.
Hi had swift Konkiti 699 for 7 years
Had some wonderful times in it Did not like the kontiki Black .SO change to the AUTOTRAIL COMANCHE. 2019 MODEL. have so far Been so impressed. To tell you there is not much in it ..!! The price is cheaper. And the quality warranty. Are a lot better .Am Well impressed.cheers tugboat
this van incorporates all the features my wife and I have looked for in 15years of motorhoming it looks fantastic pity we cant afford it run it yes afford to buy no chance
Looks fantastic. Our motorhome is getting on a bit now and I’ve had poor health. We’d be off to France in this…What a beauty
This is a bit out of my price range and probably a bit too big for my liking, but you have to say it looks like a pretty impressive machine. As the owner of a two year old Swift Bolero 724FB, would I buy this Kon Tiki as a replacement if money was no object?
The answer is I might, but probably not. Why? Because I consider the bathroom arrangement totally bizarre. The notion that one must walk through an open bathroom, with the throne much in evidence, to get to the bedroom is something of anathema to me. This motorhome would be almost perfect in my eyes if the bedroom and bathroom were reversed so the bathroom was across the back (as in my Bolero). The bathroom then becomes private, accessed last of all, after the bedroom rather than being a public room. Imagine having to walk through a bathroom to get to a bedroom in a house. No one would buy it surely. I know you have to make compromises in a motorhome but, for me, this is one compromise too far – especially if I am paying £100k.
I accept it would be a shame to lose the dramatic rear window and the island bed would need some re-thinking, but I am far happier with the layout in my Bolero than I would be with this – great though the van plainly is (if you have that kind of money).
Thanks for the report though Caravan Guard.
A great article on the best motorhome on the road. Completely disagree with the last comment. I would love one if only I could afford it.
What’s not to like about this Motorhome!
We own a Bolero 724fb,this has raised the bar again.
Maybe one day,great article anyway.
Microwaves up high are dangerous! Our Motorhome was chosen specifically because my Wife’s shoulders are replacements and the Microwave is at waist level. There must be many buyers with similar incapacity who would welcome microwaves at a sensible level.
We loved our Kon-Tiki and traveled all through Europe with it – a fantastic vehicle, and this looks so much better. We traded in this year for a Knaus Sun I – we should have stuck with a good old British van – far too many problems with the German A class, and awful service from the factory!!
Where is the draining board, where do you put your washing up?
It comes with removable drainer. Sorry it wasn’t made clear in the review and photos.
Wow what a motorhome in my dreams maybe
Great Motorhome thanks for review Caravan Guard
I would not like to win this van because it’s to big and to expensive to insure , Most peovple that own a van only use it a few . weeks a year ,apart from the odd day out so a more practical van would be better offered