Full review

Most twin bed layouts sit in the 7 to 7.50m category and the vast majority have high-mounted beds over a bike-swallowing garage. There are shorter alternatives but they are relatively few and far between. Certainly, we can’t think of another that’s quite as compact as this new Swift, especially as it’s a tad narrower, too.

The C502 is the latest addition to the company’s Escape Compact range. It was announced back at last summer’s trade show but only now has it made its public debut. It is the only model in the range that’s over 6m long but it’s still only fractionally longer than an extra-long Fiat van conversion.

Inside, it shares its half-dinette lounge, plus the central washroom and kitchen, with the existing Compact models. It also benefits from a makeover for the 2020 season – upgraded exterior graphics, new soft furnishings, and Aralie Sen upper locker doors.

The USP here is the rear bedroom and especially the fact that the beds are positioned at a normal seat/bed height, with no steps or ladder to climb. They are comfortable Duvalay Apollo Luxe mattresses – 1.93m by 0.76m on the nearside and 1.80m by 0.75m on the offside. In between the beds, under the rear window, is a convenient bedside cabinet with a drawer and 230V socket, plus twin USBs.

These beds may not be high enough to squeeze a cycle underneath (a folding one might fit), but they still hide a decent amount of storage. The bases hinge up and are supported by gas struts, revealing the boiler and habitation electrics plus some storage on the offside, while only the wheelarch intrudes into the offside space where there’s also an external hatch for loading.

The bedroom is open and spacious and comes with three windows and a small rooflight, while mini spotlights are recessed into the top lockers.

At the opposite end of the motorhome is the Fiat cab with entry-level 120bhp engine (the 140bhp unit with manual or automatic gearbox is optional). The cab seats, with twin armrests, swivel to face a half-dinette (offering two more seatbelts) and there’s an opening sunroof over the cab. The island leg table used here for dining stores away for a more spacious feel.

Aft of the windowless habitation door, the kitchen has a practical amount of worktop even before you deploy the extra flap by the entrance. A Triplex cooker includes an oven/grill and there’s a microwave as standard, too.

Only the fairly modest 85-litre fridge might be seen as a disappointment, but it should be adequate for this two-berth motorhome. A cutlery drawer is provided and a larger drawer is sited under the oven.

On the opposite side, the washroom looks reasonably roomy but needs a curtain to be deployed for showering. There’s also a swivel cassette toilet here, along with a large mirror, roof vent, toothbrush mug and wall cabinet.

Completing the spec is the £1,895 Comfort Pack of cruise control, panoramic sunroof, windscreen blind, TV aerial, reversing camera and Winter Pack. Alloy wheels, a towbar and awning are factory options.