Full review

Launched last year, Swift’s innovative Rio range included a large tailgate in the rumps of both of its models. You won’t find a tailgate in either of the two new Rios, yet although both original Rios were actually longer than the panel van-based motorhomes they were trying to imitate, the two newbies are the notional ‘ideal’ length of just six metres.

The 310 has a front end parallel-sofa lounge ahead of the kitchen, with – the probable reason to buy – a bathroom with separate shower across the rear.

All current Swift Group motorhomes are built on the Fiat Ducato cab. Here, we get the Camper chassis – a frame that makes for a lower overall motorhome and improved handling.

The living area packs a lot in, so there are a few compromises. Sofas are of unequal length, but both residents can get feet-up lounging, bums on swivelled cab seats, feet on sofas. Dining is simple and effective, with a free-standing table which stows in the wardrobe. But there’s limited headroom in the lounge thanks to a step up from the kitchen.

The lounge easily becomes a transverse double bed that is comfortable, but rather short (just 5ft 5in) on one side. The shape of the bed also means you have to sleep with heads on the offside, while the bed partially blocks the habitation door.

Beneath the seating there’s good storage with a handy external hatch on the nearside.

The cook’s domain is nicely equipped with a full cooker and a microwave. There’s not much working surface, but a flip-up worktop makes up for this somewhat. There’s quite a bit of stowage in here, too, but access into the lower lockers is not easy. The fridge is commendable as it’s tall and slim.

In the bathroom there’s a good basin, plenty of worktop surface, a second wardrobe and a loo set nice and low. A roof vent and large, obscured window make for good ventilation, and there’s a blind and flyscreen to the window.

The shower is narrow, however, and access to the kitchen towards its rear is tricky as the angle of the bathroom wall makes a tight triangle of floorspace.

There are no problems on the kit-count front, though.

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the November 2015 issue of What Motorhome.