Full review

Swift launches the new-layout Sprite Major 6 in September 2009, for the 2010 model year, into a growing family caravan market that demands ever higher standards yet seeks to stay within low budgets and low weights.

The Major 6 fulfils those criteria amply, with lots of new features and bags of style – the sort of style and character you’d associate with Swift’s more expensive Charisma and Challenger ranges.

Sweeping bronze and silver graphics will catch your eye first, together with a new-style “S” Sprite badge on the front of the gas locker. Step inside and this under-£12,000 caravan will impress you even more.

There’s a long list of changes for the 2010 Sprites compared with the 2009 models to look at... We’ll start at the top. A Status 530 aerial gives you directional rather than omni-directional reception. All lockers get concealed positive metal catches. The front bed access has been improved: as well as hinge-up top access you now have full-length front access drop panels.
But the major – yes – difference between Major 6 2009 and Major 6 2010 is the layout. This model now has fixed triple bunks. The bottom bunk folds upwards against the wall to give you storage space. This family section gives you a wedge-shaped table and seating that accommodates three comfortably.

The kitchen’s most outstanding feature is its granite-effect sink. It’s huge and circular, in typical Swift style – but this new grey granite look is utterly stunning. It makes a design feature out of the most ordinary of pieces of equipment. Surface space, so often a compromise in a caravan that’s only five and a half metres long, is good in this model.

The lounge makes a big contribution to the new Sprite’s quality-above-its-price image by the introduction of knee rolls for extra comfort. The fabric leaps ahead in quality terms, too. You get plain fawn weave edging to the backrests to contrast with the main fabric which moves away from the sea of fawns that has characterised ’09 caravans. The Sprites get cool greys, in dark and light shades, to inject a more modern look.  

Woodwork gets a new look, too. It’s a mellow shade, enhanced by pale metal-look edging. With no handles to interrupt the clean lines, the effect is to make the caravan look larger. Also new for 2010 is the centre front light, a large square structure that sits between the front two lockers.

Were we to buy a Major 6, we’d opt for the optional Diamond Pack. It gives you an AL-KO Secure wheel lock receiver, alloy wheels, stabiliser hitch, spare wheel and carrier, door flyscreen and more. The pack adds only 30kg to your caravan’s weight and £390 to the price – and when you consider you are getting near-on £600-worth of equipment for that money, it’s unequivocal good value.