Let’s get this straight. You want to sleep six? In a twin axle tourer? With an extra-wide body. And a maximum weight around the 1,700kg mark? That costs less than £30,000?
Swift might just have performed the impossible here, with this new-for-2023 Sprite Quattro Grande FB. Formerly titled Super, the Grande name is new for 2023, offering a line-up of three models with 8ft 1in wide bodies – with the FB variant here surely the largest caravan ever to sport a Sprite badge.
The budget-friendly £29,995 price is what Swift quotes as ex-works (i.e. when the vehicle leaves the factory), with the manufacturer leaving it to its own dealers to set any on-the-road charges.
Typically, then, you’ll probably need to add some £500 more, although a quick scan shows many retailers are happy to not add anything extra. Shop around, then, but do take into account the levels of aftersales service you’re going to get. And we’d always suggest buying from a dealer as local to you as possible.
It might be Swift’s budget marque, but every Sprite rolls off the same production line as its pricier stablemates. All have GRP bodywork that’s backed by Swift’s usual 10-year bodyshell warranty, too.
Hit for six
In latest guise, these Sprite Grandes have quite the upmarket look to them. And the FB variant here really can cater for up to six.
A criticism that can be levelled at any tourer calling itself a “family caravan” is its kitchen provision. Larger families are more likely to keep their meal costs down by eating out less and cooking in more, surely?
Whilst more upmarket ‘vans boast full cookers with dual-fuel hobs plus large fridge/freezers, it’s easy to keep prices down with facilities such as smaller cookers and fridges.
Top marks, almost, to Swift then for including a cooker with separate oven and grill and three gas rings (falling shy only of an electric hotplate) as well as a microwave oven.
The biggest compromise is the small capacity fridge you get here – 98 litres, with a removable freezer. On the plus side, there’s a decent amount of permanent worktop.
Washrooms are just as important when it comes to families, of course. The facility to wash down younger children especially in the caravan is a real boon.
This Sprite Quattro Grande FB’s washroom has a shower cubicle with folding doors at the back, swivel bowl toilet in the centre and a fixed basin in the corner just inside the solid door.
Storage is the main compromise – there’s some open shelving, and the only locker is under the basin. A rooflight provides the only ventilation, while the Ecocamel showerhead has a water-saving on/off switch.
As for sleeping, it probably goes without saying mum and dad will bag the permanent double bed at the back, with its one-piece Duvalay mattress on a slatted base.
There are two further doubles to be made – from the U-shaped central seating and the front lounge, the latter could provide, as an alternative, two singles (at 1.80m, for slightly shorter folk). Curtains provide privacy for the rear and central beds.
Elsewhere, this Sprite Quattro Grande FB caravan has two wardrobes, Truma Combi heating and hot water, LED lighting inside and out (including the awning strip), a DAB/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity, Status TV aerial, mains and USB sockets and more – making it a far cry from the pared back nature of the earliest Sprite caravans.
To find out more about insuring a Swift Sprite Grande or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance page.
Verdict: Sprite for six? Book right here
Plus: Stunning value, full six-berth accommodation
Minus: Small fridge (for a six-berth). only one shower plughole
In-a-nutshell: Bring the family
Alternatives: Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Turin, Coachman Acadia 660 Xtra (five-berth),Elddis Avanté 840
Swift Sprite Quattro Grande FB factfile
Model | Swift Sprite Quattro Grande FB |
Dimensions | 7.98m L, 2.46m W, 2.59m H |
Internal length | 6.27m |
Berths | Six |
MTPLM | 1,704kg |
Payload | 180kg |
RRP | from £29,995 ex-works |
Safety & security | Spare wheel and carrier, VIN Chip, CRiS, Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, two Al-Ko Secure receivers |
Key options | Chassis weight upgrade (£50), wrap-around front seating (£175), Al-Ko ATC (£475), bike rack (£315), solar panel (£275), Yuasa leisure battery (from £174.63), alarm (£260), Al-Ko Secure wheel lock (£295) |
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