Swift Voyager 485 overcab motorhome

A family-friendly motorhome with a keen price

The Swift Voyager 485 motorhome

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

First came the Voyager 5 Series, Swift’s first-ever Ford-based coachbuilts. Now, for 2024, they’re followed by the Voyager 4 Series, a range of overcab models, also on the Transit. 

The 475 (rear lounge) and 485 (twin beds over a garage) are both five-berth motorhomes with five belted seats, so these are aimed right at the heart of the family market. 

The new 4 Series models aren’t just replicas of the 5 Series with the addition of an overcab bed, although that feature is a key part of the 485’s family appeal. The big double up top (1.92m by 1.34m) has an opening window at one end and a reading light at t’other. 

As is typical, headroom reduces towards the front of the motorhome (so check it out carefully), but, of course, using this bed doesn’t in any way reduce the usability of the lounge below.

The options

They’re priced right, too, at just under £70k. 

You don’t need a second mortgage for the options, either, with no expensive packs to add, although you might want to consider Ford’s automatic gearbox.

Otherwise, it’s just dealer-fit accessories, such as a microwave, habitation air-con or a bike rack. 

The lounge

That lounge is also a change from the norm, as, rather than a half-dinette, it’s a pullman arrangement. These can often be too formal but Swift has put extra effort into the shape and rake of the seating to make it more comfortable, and, with the table stowed away, it feels spacious, too. 

There’s a swivelling passenger cab chair but no inward-facing lounge seat, creating a more open feel with a wider aisle. Instead, where you might have expected the extra seat, you’ll find a slim storage cabinet with TV point above. 

Importantly, as the Voyager 485 is a full five-berth, the dinette makes into an additional berth and the rear-facing seat offers the fifth seatbelt. Isofix is fitted on the forward-facing bench, too.

The spec

In manual gearbox form, this is a 3,500kg motorhome (to suit any driver) and it comes with a rear garage fitted with twin loading doors, fixed lashing hooks and 12V, 230V and USB power points. 

The bike locker sits over a new Sawiko lightweight chassis extension but the floor level is quite high for loading, and, if you need both five belts and an automatic gearbox, then you’ll also require a C1 licence as the maximum gross weight has to be increased.

Other external features include a cold water shower point, barbecue point and 100W solar panel, while the gas locker accommodates two 6kg cylinders.

A reversing camera is also standard equipment, along with a 12in touchscreen incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ford cab is spec’d with the 155bhp engine, Magnetic Grey paint, 16in alloy wheels, ESC, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Stability Control, front fog lamps and stop/start. 

Back inside, the Sangallo Elm woodwork is mated to cream gloss upper lockers and the Sousel soft furnishing scheme with stain-resistant fabrics. 

The kitchen

The kitchen isn’t huge but it has a Thetford Triplex cooker (with combined oven and grill, three gas rings and a  mains hotplate) and a 133-litre tall/slim fridge. 

Better still, all the main storage is in soft-close drawers, while a folding flap provides the essential extra worktop space. 

The washroom

Opposite, the washroom is a completely new design. It’s an all-in-one type but you don’t have to endure a shower curtain, and the washbasin folds to give you more room. An Ecocamel Jetstorm water-saving showerhead is fitted, along with twin drains in the shower tray. 

The bedroom

Completing the floorplan are high-level single beds (1.91m and 1.95m long), each with Duvalay mattresses with memory fibre for increased comfort. Crucially, there are no overhead lockers, so you can sit up with the Sunday papers, too.

Where to buy

Swift has a large network of dealers, as you’d expect from the UK’s biggest manufacturer.

In Scotland, it is represented by Perthshire Caravans, Knowepark Caravans and Burnhouse Caravans. In Wales, it has Spinney Flintshire, Newport Caravans and 3 A’s Leisure. In Northern Ireland, Swift vehicles are sold by Thompson Leisure. 

Then, around England, there are 31 dealers, so you should never be far from your nearest Swift retailer while you tour the UK.