Swift Sundance 630L vs. Bessacarr E435

Bessacarr E435

This month we take a look at two new models from the Swift Group – the Bessacarr E435 and the Swift Sundance 630L.

The Bessacarr E435 may be more conservative in décor than its Sundance equivalent but it still offers a lot of living space in a fairly compact body, while the new kitchen and washroom designs are a huge advance.

Meanwhile, the Sundance 630L is a true six-berth with room for all the family – at a remarkably sensible price.

Swift Sundance 630L

Add cab air-con and the Winter Pack to complete the spec, and upgrade to the 130 Multijet engine where applicable, and these new Sundance and E400 models have everything you’d get in more expensive rivals.

Forthcoming Low-Line models are likely be more even more successful, though buyers seeking both fixed beds and rear travel seats will still have to head to imports such as Adria, Bürstner and Chausson.

More sophisticated styling is not the only news, the interiors (especially in Sundance trim) are the most modern and stylish we’ve yet seen from the Swift Group. Up-to-the-minute curved-fronted and frameless doored fridges with grey colouring are mated to brushed stainless steel finish on the standard-fit Sanyo microwave and a granite-look GRP sink, while kitchen cupboard doors are in contrasting cream.

Swift Sundance 630L interior

And the good news continues in the washrooms where separate showers may be off the menu but stylish new grey basins come with a much more solid feel to most of the fittings.

Features like remote central locking including the habitation door, concertina flyscreen across the doorway, interior sprung mattresses, and domestic-style dual-fuel cookers were already part of the Sundance/E400 recipe but for 2010 you can add a passenger airbag, LED lighting, extra mains sockets (four or five in total, depending on layout), a neat drop-down flatscreen TV holder and microwave oven as standard in all models, while underfloor battery compartments now have space to install a second leisure battery.

Bessacarr E435 interior

The new Winter Pack option adds water tank heaters, insulated pipes and fridge vent covers.

The E435, with its traditional rear kitchen floorplan, feels exceptionally spacious for its modest 6.47m length. There’s plenty to like here – exterior access to the under-settee space, a sprung hinged lid to the settee too, plenty of washroom storage with a useful wooden locker behind the loo, the tip-up overcab bed on gas struts and concealed ladder storage, and the attractive half-leatherette cab seats.

The 7.49-metre 4-tonne 630L is a genuine six-berth with six seatbelts and two lounge areas. Its interior looks plush, almost German in style, and offers huge living space. The winning feature of this model is the huge rear lounge with the option of 6ft 2in singles or a big transverse double bed.

 
Swift Sundance 630L kitchen             Bessacarr E435 kitchen

Verdict:

From the continent there are still some good-value ‘vans to be had from Adria and Chausson, but only with fixed bed layouts, not the more traditional rear lounge and family floorplans. In fact, many of the most direct competitors to these two Swift Group motorhomes exclude themselves on price. You’ll find it hard to get this much kit in such a good-looking package elsewhere.

Fact Files:

Bessacarr E435 vs. Swift Sundance 630L

£37,959.46 OTR price £43,987.72
Base vehicles: Fiat Ducato
Engines: Diesel Multijet 130bhp
4 Berths 6
£229.75* Insurance cost £232.75*

*Motorhome insurance cost based on 2010 Swift Sundance 630L valued at £43,987.72 and 2010 Bessacarr E435 valued at £37,959.46. Swift Sundance fitted with Thatcham CAT 1 alarm, both fitted with manufacturers immobiliser, and kept at home behind 24 hr locked gates at TD9 8ED. Motorhome owners – professionals over 50 years old with no claims, convictions or health conditions in last 3 years. 4 years no claims bonus mirrored from car policy and 2 years motorhome driving experience. Members of motorhome club doing less than 7000 miles annually. £250 excess applies. European cover £17 extra on the Sundance and £11 extra on the Bessacarr, European Breakdown £42 extra. Premiums include insurance premium tax at 5% and are correct as of 17.02.10.

Source: outandaboutlive.co.uk