2022 Swift Escape 640 motorhome

Season 2022 sees Swift move its whole Escape motorhome range up a notch, plus the addition of the 640 as an all-new model.

The Great Escape?

It might look like a two-berth initially – with its inward-facing settees lounge and electric drop-down double bed – but it can actually cope with four.

Based on Fiat’s venerable Ducato, this low-profile coachbuilt motorhome also benefits from an Al-Ko chassis extension, which will give a more pliant ride and a lower centre of gravity because the coachbuilt bodywork sits lower, which also bodes well for superior handling. One added bonus of this is it’s low enough for just an inset step at the habitation entrance.

This new Swift Escape 640 motorhome has the latest 2.2-litre, 140bhp engine as standard, with Swift also offering power upgrades as well as automatic transmission options – although you will want to check the situation with prices if you go ahead with any of these. That 140bhp unit should prove powerful enough for most.

Latest Escape motorhomes sport some rather extravagant graphics, too, again helping to lift the overall appeal as well as giving the feel of a luxury vehicle. Fittings such as the black alloy wheels, opening cab sunroof, fixings for a bike rack – even the metallic grey cab – all contribute to the 640’s distinctive air. Swift’s bodywork uses a timber-free construction with GRP outer walls, all backed by a 10-year warranty.

There’s smart styling inside the Swift Escape 640, too, with lots of colour co-ordination as well as good use of mouldings and curves to the furniture. But there’s plenty of practicality, too.

That lounge uses the cab seats swivelled to face the settees, while the table has a fixed pedestal leg with electric powered height adjustment and manual fore and aft movement as well as a hinged top that can be folded out of the way for easy lounge to kitchen access.

At night, it’s all so easy bringing the bed down from its overhead location, with just the turn of a key and flick of a switch. Remove the lounge uprights and you really can lower this bed to a height that makes for the easiest of access. With four on board, you’ll need to make a second double bed from the lounge seating, while the drop-down bed can be kept at a height that makes for comfort for all sleepers.

The main kitchen section is along the offside of the Swift Escape 640 motorhome. L-shaped – for that bit more storage and worktop (there’s also a flip-up extension) – it houses a Thetford Triplex Plus cooker (three gas rings, electric hotplate, combined oven and grill) plus a large diameter stainless steel sink, with the usual loose chopping board and drainer covers (they stow in the locker below for travel).

Above, a microwave oven is flanked by lockers that are easy to open and boast racking for plates and mugs.

Across the corridor is a slimline, 133-litre Dometic fridge with removable freezer box and dual hinges (i.e. it can be opened from either side) plus automatic energy selection.

The washroom takes up the whole of the back of the Swift Escape 640 and it’s quite a gem. Not only is there space for a separate shower cubicle, with water-efficient Ecocamel shower,  as well as the usual swivel-bowl toilet and fixed basin (inset, in this instance), a simply massive wardrobe sits over the equally extensive garage storage area – you can access it via a sliding panel in the washroom, or external doors on either side.

The wardrobe itself has a hanging rail, of course, and although it doesn’t offer the greatest depth there’s extensive shelving to three sides which is surely going to cope with all your garments.

The Swift Escape 640 doesn’t lack for kit, either. As standard it comes with a Status 570 TV aerial, 100Watt solar panel, Truma heating and hot water (with the facility to use whilst travelling), lots of USB ports, reversing camera and more. You can expect a small discount on your motorhome insurance for the reversing camera.

An Escape that’s great for two, then. But it can also cope with four when called upon.

Verdict: Escapes move up a class

Plus: All-round aesthetic appeal, space-friendly layout thanks to electric drop-down bed, generous washroom and garage storage

Minus: Only one drainage point in the shower, small kitchen cutlery drawer

In-a-nutshell: Escape heads up the style route

There’s more information on the Escape range on the Swift website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance page.

Alternatives: Bailey Adamo 69-4, Benimar Tessoro 483, Chausson 640 Titanium VIP