Verdict
The 2017 Swift Escape will give the competition something to think about. We really like the comfortable lounge area, and the contemporary fabrics.
The washroom is a touch small but it is practical, and most users will use on-site facilities anyway. All said, the Escape is a stylish entry-level ’van that punches well above its weight.
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Pros
It is a stylish, contemporary-looking ’van inside and out
Swift Command is a great bit of standard kit
The island bed is a good size and easy to access
Cons
The washroom isn’t awfully big
Although launched as a budget motorhome range, these days Swift Group’s Escape line-up has far less of an entry-level feel about it.
It has positively flown off dealer forecourts, giving Swift a little problem in the process, namely how to keep improving on it. But the Hull-based behemoth has pulled several rabbits out of the hat for the 2017 touring season.
The new Swift Escape continues on the Fiat Ducato chassis, but gets the latest, Euro 6 compliant, 2.3-litre engine – here in 130bhp flavour.
The 2017 Swift Escape will give the competition something to think about
Living
The interior bears little resemblance to that of the outgoing model. It now has a contemporary appearance with genuine wow factor through its curvy styling and white door panels.
The Swift Escape 694 layout comprises a front lounge area with L-shaped seating on the offside. A swivel table is used for mealtimes, and the front seats swivel around to face this.
LED integrated lighting underneath the overhead lockers adds to concentrated lighting all over the interior, so the ’van will be very well lit, even after dark.
Kitchen
The Swift Escape 694’s kitchen is placed on the nearside by the entrance door. It is L-shaped and features good worktop space, especially with the additional fold-up worktop extension.
An oven/grill cooker is fitted, along with a three-burner hob with an 800W microwave above. The slimline Dometic fridge/freezer sits opposite the side washroom.
The kitchen area also comes with reasonable storage, comprising a large cupboard and two smaller ones, plus an overhead locker. Night lighting is well taken care of with LED lights, while two power sockets are provided as well.
Washroom
Escape washrooms have been redesigned and the 694’s centrally sited unit comes with a Thetford electric-flush swivel toilet and a corner sink.
The shower room is part-lined and has a shower curtain. It also has an eco shower head to maximise water use.
The 694’s washroom has a mirror, too, and there’s a blown air outlet. Storage wise, there’s a cupboard below the sink and a locker above the loo.
It’s not the biggest washroom, but we think it should prove practical.
Beds
At the rear of this motorhome is a bedroom with an island bed and twin wardrobes. As is the case with all Swift Group fixed beds, a Duvalay mattress comes as standard and also slides out to extend the bed size for night use.
The bedroom is a good size. In addition, access around the bed is easy, so there’s no need to try to squeeze through a narrow gap.
Side wardrobes are fitted, but they don’t come with any drawers. However, two overhead lockers add to the storage here.
The bedroom comes with a Heki and two large side windows that have full-frame pelmets. We’re sure that couples will find the Swift Escape 694’s roomy, well-planned rear bedroom layout perfect, even for the rigours of longer tours.
Have guests? No problem! The table area in the living room can also be turned into a double bed when the motorhome is being used as a four-berth.
Storage
There are large overhead lockers throughout the Swift Escape 694. There’s also a shelf over the front cab that’s fitted with two convenient side cubby storage holes.
There’s a decent amount of storage for a couple’s belongings under the bed, too, although parties of four would most likely have to leave some things behind.
Underneath the bedroom is a storage area that’s accessible from an exterior hatch, as well as storage for two gas bottles.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 620 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.41 m |
| Width | 2.31 m |
