Full review

Back in 2009, Escape was an all-new entry-level brand representing affordable (mainly overcab) coachbuilts for the mainstream market. Almost a decade on, the Swift parent company branding is stronger, the overcabs are completely gone and drop-down beds make their first appearance.

This is an all-new line-up of eight models and it marks the most significant change to Escape since its debut. There are island bed and fixed single bed floorplans for the first time, but here we have the shorter of two twin-lounge layouts. The 685 is a sub-7m model that comes with the drop-down bed as standard and thus offers three double beds.

Before we go inside, let’s note that the 685 has a pleasingly short rear overhang and an Al-Ko lowline chassis that means no external step is required. The door comes with a flyscreen but no window, though a more glaring omission is that of any external locker doors – chairs, mains lead, etc, will have to be carried through the interior. Oh, and that flyscreen is actually part of the Comfort Pack – as are cab air-con, cruise control, a passenger airbag, a pleated windscreen blind, a TV aerial, an overcab sunroof, a heated waste water tank and reversing sensors.

It’s Hobson’s choice when it comes to engines, too. The 130bhp unit can be ordered with a Comfort-Matic gearbox. In manual form (and lightly loaded), the new Euro VI unit was never found wanting but it didn’t seem to rev quite as eagerly as the old Euro V+ model. Economy still seemed good (at 26mpg) and the combination of a low, wide-track chassis and minimal rear overhang results in road manners way ahead of some taller rivals.

For motoring, the half-dinette provides two rear seatbelts for forward-facing passengers in typical style, but the rear-facing seat on the nearside – with a very narrow backrest – is much less convincing. On site, that single seat extends to become a side-facing bench for two, while the half-dinette transforms into a more sprawling-friendly L-shape and the cab chairs (at a higher level because the floor rises 140mm) swivel through a full 180 degrees.

With its greater headroom (2.04m), skylight and triple windows, the cosy rear lounge might be downsized compared with some but this is still the preferred place to put your feet up. Mum and dad could unwind in comfort, despite the rather thin backrest cushions along the back wall and the overhanging wardrobe, which allowed my size 7s underneath but might preclude larger loafers.

The 685 boasts three double beds, but all the Escape’s residents will likely be fighting over the bed that lowers from the front lounge’s ceiling. It’s manually operated and as easy to raise as it is to lower. It leaves sufficient gap between its mattress and the roof for bedding to stay put and it comes with one of those soft, cossetting Duvalay mattresses that we’ve come to associate with Swifts.

By comparison, the lounge bed underneath is not so good. For a start, it is quite complex in its make-up, with a series of flaps and the table acting as support and no less than 11 cushions forming the mattress. Worse than all the joins, though, is that headroom reduces from 750mm to just 370mm at each extreme of the bed, under the lockers which are attached to the drop-down bed’s base. As such, this bed is only really suitable for small children.

The double at the rear is better, though it, too, requires a pair of infill cushions and has rather more joins than we’d like. Here, the centre of the bed is supported by rather flimsy roll-out slats usually associated with caravans. They came off their rails when first deployed.

Open the washroom door and facing you is an angular, moulded, white plastic basin atop an integral locker. There’s a tall mirror behind, a swivel loo to your left and, above that, a cupboard that you’ll need to be well over 6ft tall to see into properly. There’s plenty of room to use the loo or basin. If you want to take a shower, though, you’ll have to pull the clingy curtain around past the door and loo. And, while the shower tray moulding appears to have been designed for twin drains, only one is fitted.

In the new L-shaped galley the equipment tally of three gas burners, combined oven/grill, microwave (not too high up) and a worktop extension by the doorway bodes well. Then there’s a slot-in chopping board cover for the sink, a removable draining board and a decent amount of storage (including a crockery rack up top). The shelf with a hockey stick curve above the sink (where there are two mains sockets) is just a bit of (rather stylish) icing on this very British cake.

While galley stowage is pretty good, the 685 doesn’t fare so well in swallowing your gear elsewhere. Up front, the half-dinette’s base accommodates the fresh water tank, which is a very good thing for winter camping. In the rear the Combi boiler fills much of the offside seat base and the nearside, which will be required for bedding, can only be reached from above.

There is a good selection of rather stylish top lockers, although we think you’ll have to pack light if you want to use the 685 as a five-person ’van. In fact, considering the versatility of the layout, it may be best seen as a flexible motorhome for two with plenty of room to relax and entertain.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the July 2017 issue of MMM magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of MMM magazine here.