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quoteBig berther with a budget advantage
When it comes to building budget motorhomes, Swift has few peers. So, when the UK’s largest producer announced a whole new range of cut-price coachbuilts for the 2020 season, there was more than a bit of curiosity aroused.
Enter Swift Edge, a range of five coachbuilts – two low-profiles, three overcabs.
The new line-up comes into the spot originally vacated by the Escape motorhome range, which has moved stealthily upmarket. The Swift Edge 476 is a full six-berth and it’s an easy “spot” that cutting costs has been a major factor in bringing you a cut-price coachbuilt – it’s a frill-free, all-white, GRP exterior with low-key graphics, window-less habitation door etc, all based on Fiat’s standard Ducato chassis-cab.
Bear in mind, however, Edges go down exactly the same production line that’s responsible for all Swift motorhomes – thus benefitting from the same expertise as well as economies of scale from the UK’s largest leisure vehicle producer. All Edges use Swift’s SMART bodywork construction, for example, backed by the usual warranties.
Swift hasn’t just kept prices down. All Edges are on a chassis rated at a driving licence-friendly 3,500kg.
The 476 interior keeps things frill-free with flat furniture and basic soft furnishings, albeit aspects like the door catches are the same as you’ll find in many another upmarket Swift motorhome. Equipment levels haven’t been cut to the core either, although you’re going to have to give serious consideration to the two major options packs – Drivers and Living.
As standard, though, the Swift Edge 476 has the ability to provide travel and sleeping accommodation for up to six. A double dinette behind the driver caters for four, converting to a double bed at night.
There’s also a generous overcab double bed that’s hinged to allow easy access from the cab to the living quarters.
Plus, at the back, two ready-made single beds (that can also be converted to a double), are set high over a garage accessible from the outside. Both single beds are 0.68m wide, with the offside some 1.86m long, while the nearside only manages 1.75m.
That hinged overcab double is a veritable whopper, though, at 1.93m x 1.27m, with decent headroom space, too. There’s just a single reading light up here, and a sole window.
All this leaves the washroom and kitchen to occupy the mid-‘van area. The former, along the nearside, comprises a Thetford cooker with three-ring hob and combined oven/grill, with a stainless steel sink immediately to its right and a Dometic 8-series fridge with removable freezer section below.
Storage between fridge and oven includes the smallest of cutlery drawers. The flip-up worktop extension will come in handy.
Opposite, the washroom includes a swivel-bowl toilet and fixed basin with a faucet that pulls out for showering. The room is part-lined, plus there’s a curtain. Storage includes a high-level shelf plus locker under the basin.
That starting price might seem high, but you need to bear in mind the latest generation of Euro 6d engines as well as a current move that’s about to see new motorhomes taxed at the same levels as company cars. As the 2020 season unfolds, you’ll see the way these latest Swift motorhomes really do give you the Edge!
And don’t forget the Swift Command system includes an approved tracking device, which will get you a healthy discount on your motorhome insurance with Caravan Guard.
In this video we take a look inside the Swift Edge 476 motorhome:
Verdict: Budget-plus makes this a very family - and wallet - friendly unit
Plus: Priced to attract first-timers, six-berth feasibility
Minus: Of course corners have been cut, options packs need to be factored in
In-a-nutshell: Enough to push you over
There’s more information on the Edge range on the Swift website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Benimar Mileo 346, Elddis Autoquest 196
Swift Edge 476 factfile
| Model | Swift Edge 476 |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato |
| Dimensions | 7.32m L x 2.39m W x 2.88m H |
| Berths | Six |
| Travel seats | Six |
| Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
| Payload | 509kg |
| MPG estimate | 28-32 |
| RRP | From £50,125 on the road |
| Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, remote central locking to cab doors, ABS and EBD, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, Swift Command (including tracking device), VIN CHIP. |
| Key options | Drivers Pack (£1,195), Living Pack (£545), 140bhp engine (£1,295), 140bhp engine with automatic transmission (£3,495), alloy wheels (£395), towbar (£695), Swift Command tracker subscription (£95), satellite TV systems (from £1,945), awning (£530) |
Are you serious? Entry Level? at £50,000! I doubt that many people could enter the market at that price.