Verdict
Upmarket without being ostentatious, it’s easy to see the appeal of Bessacarr motorhomes.
The Bessacarr 494 has lots to offer buyers who are tempted by an island bed, a sociable lounge and fully equipped kitchen and who won’t mind the substantial rear overhang. This ’van feels well screwed together and the specification is worthy of the £50,000 price tag. And to see other Bessacarr motorhomes for sale, click here.
Pros
Comfort and convenience of an island bed
Pleasing interior ambience and sociable lounge
Well-equipped kitchen with work surface
Generous equipment levels for the price
Double leg for dinette table to quickly facilitate operation at two heights
Extendable dinette table
Excellent storage
Cons
Substantial rear overhang is not ferry-friendly
Extension cushion means fixed bed has to be adjusted rather than being left in situ
Lack of CD player will inconvenience those who prefer physical audio media
So farewell, then, to the Swift Esprit range – deleted at the end of the 2015 model year, despite enjoying a strong performance in its first season. Conceived to replace the Swift Sundance, which had started to fade, Esprit was arguably overshadowed by sister range Bessacarr, which featured the same model numbers and layouts but with a bump in style and specification for just £1500 extra.
And buyers clearly regarded Bessacarr as a more tempting offer, as a sales uplift last season saw it almost outsell Escape, the Swift Group’s wildly popular entry level offering.
Eight models feature in Swift’s Bessacarr range for 2016, covering two-berths all the way up to six-berths, delivered via make-up or fixed beds.
One of two new models unveiled at the start of 2015, the Bessacarr 494 sports a desirable island-bed floor plan, with a half-dinette reached after passing through the midships kitchen.
The Bessacarr 494 sports a desirable island-bed floor plan, with a half-dinette after the midships kitchen
Living
With seating for up to six, the front lounge is a sociable environment. The default layout is a half-dinette, although a parallel lounge can be specified instead, free-of-charge, if required. Windows on both sides, plus the large cab sunroof, allow plenty of light to enter the area. For mealtimes, a folding-leg table can easily be inserted; an extension can be added to include diners on the nearside of the ’van.
Kitchen
Galley provision is generous and the specification comprehensive. A long work surface can be extended if necessary via a tip-up flap – ideal for serving plates to the dinette area. Cooks get the benefit of dual-fuel hobs, separate oven and grill and a microwave oven, with a circular sink standing by for washing-up. A dual-fuel fridge with freezer compartment completes the equipment count.
Washroom
Next to the master bedroom resides the washroom, split into ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ zones. Enter through the domestic-style door to find a swivel toilet and vanity unit, next to a dedicated shower compartment. There’s plenty of illumination in both areas, and a blown-air vent.
Beds
The 494’s rear bedroom features a transverse island bed to save space. This has a ‘day’ and ‘night’ position – insert the filler cushion to extend the bed for sleeping, and remove it to increase space around the foot of the bed when not in use. Like all Swift Group fixed beds, it gets a Duvalay memory foam mattress. The Bessacarr 494’s fixed double bed is 1.95 x 1.33m (6’3” x 4’4”).
Other bedroom fittings include a ‘dressing table’ with task lights and half-length mirror, on the offside.
Another double bed is provided, in the lounge, and makes up easily using pull-out slats and the lowered dinette table. It measures 2.13m x 1.23m/1.04m (7’ x 4’/3’5”).
Storage
A payload of 505kg means you can take a fair few items on tour with you, and the Bessacarr 494 has plenty of places to put them. The rear fixed bed is the top storage location, ably supported by eight overhead lockers, two wardrobes and a generous smattering of cupboards and drawers. You even get a cubby in the floor, to keep valuable items out of sight.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 505 kg |
| MTPLM | 3700 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.75 m |
| Width | 2.38 m |
| Engine Size | 2300 cc |
