2020 Swift Elegance Grande 850 caravan

8ft wide and Grande-some!

Grande seems to be the name to look out for it you want an extra wide caravan. An increasing number of manufacturers are adopting the name as they board the Grande-wagon. Among the leaders here, Swift unveiled three Grande additions to its flagship Elegance line-up for 2020 – all twin axles, with the same starting price.

It’s the orientation of the island bed and the washroom arrangements that are the main differentiators between each. Plus, the 850 here is the only model with an L-shaped front lounge.

Like all its stablemates, the Swift Elegance Grande 850 caravan is made using the latest version of Swift’s SMART construction technology. That GRP-sandwiched bodywork is timber-free, with a floor comprising dual density foam core made from recycled plastic bottles, all backed by a lifetime water ingress warranty (conditions apply, of course).

It’s a distinctively sleek front, with its flush-fit windows and black finish to the gas locker as well as the roof area.

Side-on this tourer looks conventional enough – although the graphics in lieu of a nearside front window (a possible boon when it comes to adding an awning and not having to worry about impeding a glazed area) suggest things are going to be different inside.

Key standard features range from reversing camera to key fob-operated awning light to exterior gas, shower and mains electricity points.

Inside, and all the key Swift pointers are here, too. The Fenix kitchen worktops, two-tone gloss finish to the upper lockers, chrome-effect trim around sockets (a generous mix of USB and mains) and switches etc.

As you’d expect at this level, too, drawers have a soft-close action, there’s a more supportive feel to the foam upholstery, plus extensive LED lighting, good quality plastic mouldings and more. It all aids to an unmistakable air of caravan luxury.

And it is a big lounge! That L-shaped front seating allows for a TV-watching area on the nearside. Two sunroofs mean you get plenty of daylight streaming in, too, whenever you want it.

The kitchen along the offside is, as you’d expect, extensively equipped. The full cooker is set right, the microwave oven an arm’s length away has lockers either side.

The stainless steel sink is inset, while a large drawer underneath includes a built-in cutlery tray. Plus there’s a flip-up worktop extension.

Across the corridor, at 190 litres, the Dometic fridge/freezer surely has all the capacity you’ll need. Access is that bit easier, too, thanks to its off-the-floor setting.

Aft of the kitchen area, the washroom facilities stretch across the full width of this Elegance Grande 850 caravan, with a swivel-bowl toilet and oval basin, plus a window, even a shaving mirror, grouped on the offside.

On the other side is a part-circular shower with water-efficient Ecocamel Orbit outlet.

The master bedroom completes the floorplan. At 1.89m long, sleeping is on a longer than average double bed, with its exclusive-to-Swift Duvalay Apollo Luxe mattress.

The bed is flanked by wardrobes with mirrors on their doors (not just handy, they make the whole room feel more spacious), plus small ledges over the bedside cabinets (drawer and locker).

The Heki overhead allows for generous day and starlight and features like stereo speakers add to the opulence.

This tourer does indeed boast extensive equipment levels, topped off by the all-encompassing Swift Command monitoring system – operating virtually everything from touchscreen and/or app. Each Swift Elegance Grande also has all the fittings to make your towing as safe and secure as possible, such as ALKO ATC, an alarm, axle wheel locks and a tracking device for a healthy discount on your caravan insurance.

Swift broke ground with its earliest Elegance caravans back in 2014. Adding wide-bodied variants makes sense, keeping everything as fresh, modern and stylish now as they were at the start.

In this video, we take a look inside the Swift Elegance Grande 850 caravan at it’s unveiling.

Verdict: A space race winner

Plus: Modern feel throughout, extra living space

Minus: It’s a true heavyweight

In-a-nutshell: Dressed to impress

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

Alternatives: Bailey Alicanto Grande Porto, Buccaneer Barracuda