Swift Charisma 565
Image
Key Features
Model Year
2011
Product Class
Single Axle
Price from (£)
£15569
Berths
6
Full Review
THE six-berth Charisma 565 has this year matured from triple-bunk, compact-washroom model to something to suit families as they grow.
That’s because it now has two fixed bunks, each of which has adult-height headroom, and it also has a separate shower.
It still has its keynote large family area at the rear, with dining/playing area that makes two more bunks – one rises from behind the table on the offside wall. And, importantly, between the rear settee and the fixed bunks, sits a console with TV connection and two sockets, mounted into the top of a cupboard. That’s the kids’ electronic holiday equipment stashed, then.
Stashing stuff is no problem elsewhere in the Charisma’s family area, either. Under the bottom bunk is a large storage space, although an exterior hatch to this area would have made loading and unloading easier and would have enabled this area to be used for boots (with the protection of a mat, of course).
So, the 565 retains its great family appeal that earned it so much praise over the last couple of years for good value, good build and great family layout. And, now that it has a separate shower, the convenience count goes up.
More importantly, as the children grow, the low-headroom triple bunks of former 565s would necessitate a change of caravan; the new 565 would satisfy family needs for a lot longer.
But height is an issue in a negative sense in this otherwise fantastic family area. It’s the height of the table. It clips to the wall above the folded base of the pull-up bunk – and this makes the table a few centimetres too high for comfortable eating. It’s too high for adults – which makes it very much too high for children.
Kitchen storage is small but surface space is fine when the removable drainer is away in its storage slot and the chopping board is in place over the sink.
Two power points in the kitchen is a great idea – although take care not to use the toaster and the kettle at the same time as you’re likely to trip-out the site’s mains supply.
Small things count in caravans: we love the trigger control on the shower, which enables you to set the temperature then turn the shower off and on, always to the same temperature.
But there’s not a lot of cupboard space in the washroom, though we mustn’t be harsh with comments here, for a superb feature of this caravan is the separate shower.
During our test we noticed that the daytime light level in the family area is just a bit on the dim side because there’s only a small roof light.
A larger roof light, like the one over the lounge, would have made a world of difference. But here we have to admit to straying into wish-list territory.
The same goes for our preference for a fitted carpet in the washroom; that may sound picky, but on chilly days the vinyl’s cold under your feet.
It’s worth noting, though, that this new-for-2011 cream vinyl which extends over the whole floor under the carpet is tougher than that previously used.
It’s designed not to scratch should bits of stone stray in under footwear. That’s very practical when you want to take the carpets up, but this Charisma is a lovely cosy caravan, at its best with carpet down.
Verdict:
Sleeping six in anything less than a twin-axle, eight-metre caravan necessitates compromises.
The new 565 lessens those compromises compared with its predecessor by providing a separate shower, keeping the bunk head height high and giving families full-length.
* This review was first published in the February 2011 issue of Go Caravan magazine.
That’s because it now has two fixed bunks, each of which has adult-height headroom, and it also has a separate shower.
It still has its keynote large family area at the rear, with dining/playing area that makes two more bunks – one rises from behind the table on the offside wall. And, importantly, between the rear settee and the fixed bunks, sits a console with TV connection and two sockets, mounted into the top of a cupboard. That’s the kids’ electronic holiday equipment stashed, then.
Stashing stuff is no problem elsewhere in the Charisma’s family area, either. Under the bottom bunk is a large storage space, although an exterior hatch to this area would have made loading and unloading easier and would have enabled this area to be used for boots (with the protection of a mat, of course).
So, the 565 retains its great family appeal that earned it so much praise over the last couple of years for good value, good build and great family layout. And, now that it has a separate shower, the convenience count goes up.
More importantly, as the children grow, the low-headroom triple bunks of former 565s would necessitate a change of caravan; the new 565 would satisfy family needs for a lot longer.
But height is an issue in a negative sense in this otherwise fantastic family area. It’s the height of the table. It clips to the wall above the folded base of the pull-up bunk – and this makes the table a few centimetres too high for comfortable eating. It’s too high for adults – which makes it very much too high for children.
Kitchen storage is small but surface space is fine when the removable drainer is away in its storage slot and the chopping board is in place over the sink.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Two power points in the kitchen is a great idea – although take care not to use the toaster and the kettle at the same time as you’re likely to trip-out the site’s mains supply.
Small things count in caravans: we love the trigger control on the shower, which enables you to set the temperature then turn the shower off and on, always to the same temperature.
But there’s not a lot of cupboard space in the washroom, though we mustn’t be harsh with comments here, for a superb feature of this caravan is the separate shower.
During our test we noticed that the daytime light level in the family area is just a bit on the dim side because there’s only a small roof light.
A larger roof light, like the one over the lounge, would have made a world of difference. But here we have to admit to straying into wish-list territory.
The same goes for our preference for a fitted carpet in the washroom; that may sound picky, but on chilly days the vinyl’s cold under your feet.
It’s worth noting, though, that this new-for-2011 cream vinyl which extends over the whole floor under the carpet is tougher than that previously used.
It’s designed not to scratch should bits of stone stray in under footwear. That’s very practical when you want to take the carpets up, but this Charisma is a lovely cosy caravan, at its best with carpet down.
Verdict:
Sleeping six in anything less than a twin-axle, eight-metre caravan necessitates compromises.
The new 565 lessens those compromises compared with its predecessor by providing a separate shower, keeping the bunk head height high and giving families full-length.
* This review was first published in the February 2011 issue of Go Caravan magazine.
