Autocruise Starfire - Practical Motorhome

Check out the Practical Motorhome review of the Autocruise Starfire, an entry-level low-profile coachbuilt from the Swift Group

Verdict

The all-new Autocruise Star range is the biggest news for the 2011-season from Britain’s leading motorhome manufacturer, the Swift Group. The baby of the three-model, entry-level line up of low-profile coachbuilts is set to cost around £37,000 OTR at launch. This brings ownership of an Autocruise – still a prestigious brand – within reach of a new audience. Definitely a hit!

Pros

Well specified for a mid-market motorhome
It’s the welcome return of a classic layout

Cons

We’re nit picking, but we’ve never been fans of wood-veneered lockers in washrooms
We’ve found shower water finds its way past partition doors…

Living

Step inside the caravan body and, again, the styling is a notch more upmarket than that found in the sister brands: the lockers over the lounge area have traditional dark walnut effect trim, all with push-button positive locking doors.
Drop-in carpets overlay the vinyl flooring. The lighting throughout is LED, including two directional reading lights over each of the facing sofas, extra lights above the cabin B-pillars for those seated in the cab seats, and one ceiling light over the lounge. And we were pleased to see that backboards reside behind the backrest cushions, to avoid condensation in colder climes. An adjustable bracket for a 15-inch. flatscreen TV is neatly concealed above the dresser. By day, then, it’s a sociable layout suitable for up to six people, with a free-standing table  that stashes in the wardrobe.

Kitchen

The end kitchen layout is hugely popular, and it’s well specified: there’s a granite-look moulded GRP sink with clip-on drainer and chopping board. A microwave is fitted as standard, while the fridge gets a wood-look face to match the furniture. A full oven, grill, three gas burner hobs and one electric hotplate should satisfy most cooks.

Washroom

In the washroom, a toilet bench seat is backed by wood-veneered doors to shelved storage space, with a plastic partition door to deflect water at shower times. Small practical details, such as two plugs in the shower tray to aid draining and the white, waterproof lining to the washroom door interior are welcome touches.

Beds

By night, the sofas slide to meet and make-up into a double bed across the width of the ’van. Alternatively, they make two generous and comfortable single beds, thanks to two moulded overlay cushions that rest on the squabs of the swivelling cab seats to form a flat sleeping surface.

Storage

The low-line mould is specially designed to create internal space for a large locker for bedding. There’s external access to storage beneath the nearside sofa too, which contains an underfloor storage bin for up to two leisure batteries. Elsewhere, under seat benches, in the wardrobe and in the overhead lockers, there’s plenty of space for a touring couple’s camping kit.