Full review

The Rio is the most radical Swift motorhome ever. ?Most of the firm’s products have been pretty standard in terms of layout and concept, although Swift has been quite quick to grasp continental ideas. Back in 2007 it was ahead of the game, producing a genuine low-profile motorhome with a fixed French bed before the UK competition.

?But here is something very different – a fact soon discovered as you spot the big lifting door set into the rear panel. Again, Swift is following, rather than leading, as Bürstner and Hymer launched the tailgate-equipped Brevio and Compact ranges a couple of years ago. As with its other continental-style ’vans, though, Swift has grasped the concept and Anglicised it, adding features likely to appeal to UK motorhomers.

Fiat’s long-wheelbase Ducato Camper chassis supports this Swift, while the recently facelifted cab can be recognised by its sharper external styling, with redesigned headlights.

Rio gets the black grille, black skidplate below the bumper and LED-strip daytime running lights. Rear lights and indicators too, are powered by LEDs, which look superb. Shame the rest of the lamps are lit by old-fashioned ‘glowing wires.’

In the cab, the optional but must-have Lux Pack adds air-conditioning and cruise control, while a passenger airbag and central cup/phone holder come as standard, as does the radio. It’s a Fiat unit and you’ll search for a CD slot in vain as this set has none. It’s really easy to find your favourite radio station, though, with a ‘twisty’ tuning knob, and you can pair your phone via Bluetooth for hands-free calls. You can’t, however, squirt music in via Bluetooth – this unit has both mini jack and USB sockets for this purpose, located next to the cup/phone holders. The USB socket will also charge your device.

Half-dinette up front, rear lounge, drop-down bed: all these features are provided by the continental competition. It’s in the kitchen where the new Rio scores over the foreigners, with a level of equipment and practicality that’s difficult to match.

The first benefit is a simple one and it’s surface area. Swift’s neat GRP sink is partnered with a section of worktop that’s big enough for just about all culinary operations, up to and including a full Sunday roast dinner. And the cooker will easily cope with beef and all trimmings too, as this latest-model Thetford has a separate grill and oven, and a hob with three gas burners and one mains hotplate.

This stove has a hinged glass lid – its surface a bonus. Above, a very nice microwave adds yet more cooking power to an already well equipped department. The fridge ain’t huge, but it’s a good enough size, with automatic energy selection and chilled-space-expanding removable freezer box.?Three drawers and good cupboards up and down round off a galley that’s difficult to criticise.

Truma’s terrific Combi is here equipped with the new LCD display and control that makes it easier to use, and now you can program on and off times too. A Winter Pack comes as standard, adding heaters to the underfloor fresh and waste tanks, as well as insulation for the waste water pipes.

You’re unlikely ever to see a Rio without the Lux Pack fitted, leaving few other options to choose. Swift likes to keep things simple, so there are no external colour options like on a Bürstner Brevio. No alloy wheels either, though you could get your dealer to source some. That just leaves awning and reversing camera options, or Swift’s easy-clean, stain-resistant Impala upholstery. If you add a towbar the rear step is deleted.

This is an abridged version of the full review which appeared in the January edition of Which Motorhome.

• For great digital Which Motorhome subscription deals, click here.
   
• For great digital MMM subscription deals, click here.