Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Swift Hi-Style 684

Swift’s Escape range has changed almost out of recognition this season. With the company’s entry-level Edge now battling Elddis in the budget-priced stakes, the Escape has moved further upmarket with a reduced range of layouts for 2022 and a much more European feel, including popular continental floorplans such as the twin bed arrangement of this 684 model.

Here, though, you won’t see any Escape badging, for this is a Hi-Style, the Lowdhams special edition with a claimed £6,000-worth of extras included in the (admittedly slightly higher) list price. The upholstery is different, too, but otherwise this is simply an Escape with more. 

What’s included

That includes Fiat’s digital dashboard and the factory 10in touchscreen for the radio as well as the sat-nav, rather than a cheaper aftermarket alternative. Oddly, though, it doesn’t include the reversing camera’s display – that has a separate screen where the centre mirror would usually be. Under the bonnet, it’s still the 140bhp unit (add £2,995 for the automatic), while alloy wheels are standard. More importantly, the Swift sits on an Al-Ko chassis for a more poised performance on the road, but it’s worth noting that this is a longer motorhome than most of its rivals – at 7.84m, it’ll occupy about 35cm more of your driveway. Built as standard on a 3,500kg chassis, its payload is not particularly generous but, unusually, the auto’ version offers more (539kg) as it comes with a 3,700kg gross weight.

That could be a critical factor as a big garage is a key part of the layout. With two doors and 12V, 230V and USB sockets, the garage offers 1.11m headroom, but note that the tie-downs are in fixed positions and the base of the locker is high above the road because the floor level is not dropped here as in the best rivals. Some compensation will be the spec, which includes a 100W solar panel, a TV aerial and exterior barbecue, shower and mains points.           

The interior

It’s inside that the Hi-Style will win you over, with a super-sized lounge. Side settees are becoming increasingly de rigueur but, here, they’re extra comfy with raked backrests and well-judged cushioning. Headroom is huge, too, enhancing the feeling of space, but the internal height of up to 2.22m is only possible because there’s no drop-down bed. Instead, you’ll have to convert the seats if you need four berths. However, occasional touring with a quartet is possible because there are also fold-away travel seats hidden beneath the side-facing benches.           

The kitchen

You’ll not complain about preparing meals for the mob, because everything you could wish for is fitted, including a large worktop extension overhanging the offside sofa. Cooking is done on a Thetford Triplex Plus with three gas rings, a mains hotplate and combined oven and grill, while ready meals can be nuked in the microwave above. A removable draining board and plastic chopping board are provided, too, while the fridge is a 139-litre model with automatic energy selection. There are large drawers under the fridge and below the oven but the small cutlery drawer is less convenient as its concealed in a cupboard.       

The washroom

Beyond the galley, you step up into the ablutions zone, which is very spacious and includes a separate shower with 1.99m headroom and marble-effect walls (just one drain, though).       

The bedroom

At the very back comes the bedroom with twin Duvalay mattresses each measuring 1.94m by 0.79m. It’s an attractively designed bedroom with a large push-up rooflight and a wardrobe under the nearside bed. Best of all, the omission of lockers over the beds means you can sit up with the essential morning cuppa.