Swift Bolero 744 PR - Practical Motorhome

How do you improve a motorhome range that's been popular for 10 years? The new twin-lounge 2016 Swift Bolero 744 PR shows how it's done

Verdict

The SMART Plus construction in the Bolero should give years of trouble-free service, while the gloss finish adds to its appeal. The enormous end lounge can easily handle four – or even six! And don’t forget the attractive interior, or the high spec throughout. The 2016 Swift Bolero 744 PR is a winner. And to see other Swift motorhomes for sale, click here.

Pros

Rear lounge seats six
Twin lounges are ideal for families
Full oven, grill and four-burner hob
Microwave
Easy to drive
Swift’s SMART construction means it’s built to last
High spec, including Alde heating
Two big double beds
Sun canopy
Solar panel to boost your mains power

Cons

Wardrobe hanging space is limited
No window (just a rooflight) in the washroom

Motorhomes with end lounges are popular for all sorts of reasons, such as their spaciousness and the oceans of daylight that flood in. Another benefit is their flexibility, and Swift adds to this by offering a choice of two seating arrangements in its new Bolero 744 PR.

This is the 10th year for the Bolero, a popular range in Swift’s 2016 motorhome line-up. And what this model has in common with the three others in the range is the new-design GRP walls inside and outside, which clad Swift’s timber-free and water-resistant SMART Plus construction.

The Bolero is built on a Fiat Ducato base vehicle. What distinguishes it most is the end lounge, where you can specify either parallel or wraparound seat benches when you order.

The enormous end lounge can easily handle four – or even six!

Living

The interior is as plush as the exterior is smart, and its parade of features is led from the rear. Our test ’van had a wraparound lounge, in Nirvana upholstery, part of which is SwiftShield – the manufacturer’s velvet-feel, stain-resistant fabric. Despite having only two loose cushions – four cushions would be better – it is comfortable for four.

Large side windows contribute plenty of natural light, while the LED units provide superb illumination at night. Ample overhead lockers and corner shelves are finished in oyster and Aralie Sen gloss, which gives the Bolero an upmarket feel. Mains and USB sockets round out the features.

The front lounge is just as inviting; the cab seats swivel to face rearwards, and the dining table pivots for use by those in the cab or parallel seats – all with excellent night-time lighting. If you’re touring as a family, this layout gives parents and children their own living spaces.

Kitchen

Swift’s nearside kitchen excels as well, led by its illuminated splashback and grey, scratch-resistant worktops, which are in generous supply. Also plentiful are the storage options, comprising overhead lockers, drawers and a cupboard.

The high-level of specification includes a microwave oven and a Dometic oven that is designed not to rattle while in transit. We felt the lid was quite stiff in use if you want to cook on the dual-fuel hob. The 190-litre fridge/freezer is big enough to take all the perishables you need for weekend breaks. The stainless-steel sink comes with a clip-on drainer.

Washroom

Opposite the kitchen is a washroom comprising a good shower cubicle with an Ecocamel showerhead, an electric-flush toilet and a cupboard under the corner basin. Shelves bolster the storage provided, while well-planned night-time illumination and a radiator are fitted. The roof vent is the only source of daylight and ventilation, though; a window would have been a worthwhile addition.

Beds

The main rear lounge area is easily converted into a 2.01 x 1.85m (6’7″ x 6’1″) double bed using frames that are slid out from the parallel seat benches into the aisle. Alternatively, the seats can be used as 1.85 x 0.68m twin single beds.

The front lounge seats are made up into a double bed measuring 2.01 x 1.51m (6’7″ x 4’11”) using slide-out bases like those at the rear. Both lounges have TV brackets.

Storage

Overhead lockers and shelves line almost every inch of ceiling, while the bed boxes at both ends have room for bedding and more. The wardrobe is the only real storage compromise; its hanging space is limited for two and stingy for four.