Xplore 554 vs Swift Sprite Major 4EB: battle of the budget caravans

If you’re in the market for a solid 4-berth caravan with plenty of storage and thoughtful design flairs, these two caravans are definitely worth considering.

The Swift Sprite Major 4EB is part of the much-loved Major family which has been a trusty part of the Sprite range for decades. Its most loved features include a transverse washroom and well-equipped kitchen. On the flip side, the Xplore range has been shaken up and separated online from their group, Elddis. The Xplore 554 is their most popular layout, seemingly geared towards young families and outdoor enthusiasts.

So, how do these contemporaries fare when put head to head? Read on to find out!

Xplore vs Swift: Pitch and set-up

With colourful blue and amber decals and a mountain range logo, the exterior of the van is fresh and cheerful. Despite its budget price point, the Xplore 554 features flush-fitting handles and locker door for a sleeker look.

Swift’s Sprite Major also exceeds expectations, with chrome grab handles and a charcoal-coloured gas locker contrasting with the smart white exterior and blue decals. 

Swift’s ‘van is a good example of how makes of caravans at the same price point can differ quite significantly, with Swift opting for three front windows on their model, while the Xplore has just one. 

Similarly, both models forgo the external locker door often found on the nearside at the front of the ‘van, but customers who want this feature can pay £81 for it to be added to the Xplore 554.

Xplore vs Swift: Lounge

When it comes to these types of caravans – 4-berth, family-friendly and affordable – space and comfort is paramount. Both of these vans focus on those requirements, with lounges that can comfortably seat four people.

The Swift Sprite features a skylight, whereas the Xplore doesn’t, but both lounges receive plenty of light.

Surfaces

A foldaway table is included with each, but the Xplore’s is stored in the kitchen wardrobe whereas the Swift’s fits into a wardrobe next to the rear bed so is marginally more of a faff. For snacks or cups of tea, it might be preferable to use a pull out shelf which can be found in both models on the front chest of drawers. 

Lighting and power

The Xplore 554 features two spotlights and a striplight fixed beneath the forward locker, each individually controlled by switches, along with a good distribution of ceiling LEDs down the aisle.

There are a few more spotlights in the Swift, built in under the lockers, but they aren’t adjustable. In terms of outlets in Swift Sprite Major 4EB, there are six sockets near the front chest, one with two USB outlets, along with a pair of USB sockets between each spotlight. 

Xplore vs Swift: Kitchen

Space and power

The modern kitchen of the Xplore includes a permanent work space next to the good-sized enamel sink. The Sprite Major also offers a good work surface, with the added benefit of a fold-out shelf for extra surface area.

Both models include two plugs in the kitchen area; the Xplore’s are wall mounted next to the worktop while in the Swift, the plugs are found near the handy shelf installed under the microwave.

Cooking

In terms of cooking, both offer a three burner gas hob and oven option. While the Xplore offers a combination oven/grill, you’re spoiled for choice in the Swift, with a separate oven and grill as well as a flatbed microwave adjacent to the overhead cupboard. There is a microwave option in the Xplore 554 for an extra £255. 

Both kitchens include an unobtrusive half-height fridge within the kitchen units. The Xplore is equipped with a 98-litre model, while the one in the Swift offers an 83 litre capacity. 

Xplore vs Swift: Sleeping

Primary sleeping area

Everyone has their own opinion on the best caravan layouts, and one of the biggest differences is found in bed positioning, apparent in these models. Both caravans feature a retractable island bed, but the Xplore is designed with a transverse bed, whereas the primary sleeping area in the Swift is located at the back of the van.

There is a slight difference in length, with Swift’s master bed being 1.86cm long and Xplore’s measuring 180cm. 

Lighting and power

In Swift’s model, you’ll find two individually controlled spotlights above the headboard along with USB sockets. Similarly, the Xplore option features LED reading lights on either side of the bed. There is also a socket for a second TV in both vans, so you’ve got an opportunity to splash out on one of the best TVs for a caravan.

Swift has also crafted a small shelf between the wardrobe and cupboard on both sides of the bed, so you’ve got something of a bedside table. 

Convertible sleeping area

In the Xplore 554, the front couches convert into two single beds, although they are 150cm long so perhaps better suited for children. With an extra cushion and slats, the bed can be used as a narrow double.

Similarly, the lounge area in the Swift Sprite Major can be converted into two singles – 160 cm long – or a slightly narrow double, which is just over 2 metres long.

Xplore vs Swift: Washroom

Position of the sleeping areas tend to determine the layout of the washrooms, which is why the Swift washroom is centrally located whereas the Xplore counterpart is found in the rear of the van. 

In the Swift, the washroom is set across the width of the van and is accessed by a handled door from the living area and sliding doors to the bedroom. In the Xplore, there is a single sliding door from the bedroom. 

There’s no window in the Xplore 554 washroom but there is a roof vent along with a toilet, mounted basin and cabinet and a shower with a deep drainage tray. In the Swift Sprite, there is a spacious, circular shower, a central pillar with a built-in basin and an opaque window. 

Xplore vs Swift: Storage

Lounge

Even in the best budget caravans, it’s unusual to find such spacious storage like in the Sprite Major’s two underseat lockers. With large flaps they are accessible from the inside, however there is no external access to the clear nearside locker.

At the front of the van you can find a large overhead locker and a corner locker on either side, and the small chest of drawers beneath the window contains 2 drawers. There is also a central chest in the Xplore, equipped with three drawers as well as six spacious overhead lockers.

Bedroom

Either side of the Swift model’s bed is a half-height wardrobe – although the table is stored in one of them – and a cupboard underneath. There is a large under-bed storage area but it is mostly used up by the spare wheel.

Beneath the bed in the Xplore is a similarly spacious storage area which is slightly more functional, but you need to remove the cushions and slats so it’s recommended that you add the external door for £81. There are also two lockers and a large wardrobe featuring draws along with two more lockers. 

Kitchen

The Swift kitchen is equipped with overhead cupboards and an adequate pan locker underneath the oven. The lower cupboard features two metal storage baskets while the upper cupboard includes racks for crockery and mugs. There are another two cupboards by the door that sit above and beneath the TV shelf.

The kitchen in the Xplore is not far different, offering two overhead cabinets with a crockery rack along with a pair of drawers and a large cupboard under the counter, a spacious cupboard under the oven and cutlery drawer above the fridge. Like the Swift, it has supplementary storage cupboards by the door, too. 

Washroom

In the well-designed bathroom of the Swift Sprite is a shelved basin cupboard along with a slightly shallower cabinet above the toilet as well as a shelf near the corner shower. In the Xplore 554’s washroom, you can make use of two cupboards – one under the toilet and one beneath the sink. 

Final word on the Xplore 554 vs Swift Sprite Major 4EB

All in all, when you’re sifting through the best 4 berth caravans, deciding what’s best for you depends hugely on the kind of layout you prefer. Transverse beds aren’t for everyone, but neither is a transverse washroom – it’s worth thinking about how many people will be using it most of the time.

In terms of comparision, both of these vans are great for storage and offer fantastic kitchens as well as comfortable and attractive lounge areas. If you’re buying as family of small children, either would make a great family van but if you have teenagers, they might struggle with the shorter beds in the Major 4EB.

The Major 4BE offers marginally better accessible storage and impresses on a spec level, but the 554 offers great value for money if you don’t mind forgoing some of the add on options. 

Swift Sprite Major 4EB specification

Technical

• Price: £24,995
• Berths: 4
• MiRO: 1320kg
• Payload: 156kg
• MTPLM: 1476kg
• Interior length: 5.83m
• Shipping length: 7.54m
• Overall width: 2.25m

Spec list

• Al-Ko chassis
• LED awning light
• Edge alloy wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• Thetford three-burner gas hob
• 83-litre Dometic Series 10 two-way fridge
• EcoCamel shower head
• Truma dual-fuel heating
• USB ports
• DAB radio
• Status 570 aerial
• Rear double bed: 1.86 x 1.33m
• Front double: 2.02 x 1.15m (allowing for front chest)
• Front singles: 1.60 x 0.70m

Elddis Xplore 554 specification

Technical

• Price: £22,399
• Berths: 4
• MiRO: 1199kg
• Payload: 176kg
• MTPLM: 1375kg
• Interior length: 5.75m
• Shipping length: 7.38m
• Overall width: 2.18m

Spec list

• Al-Ko galvanised steel chassis
• 4kW Whale heater with 8-litre water heater
• Thetford Triplex combined oven and grill with three-burner gas-only hob
• 98-litre fridge
• Teleco Teleplus X2/39U directional aerial
• Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms
• Removable carpet runner
• Ecocamel shower
• Electric flush toilet
• Rear double: 1.80 x 1.32m
• Front double: 1.98 x 1.10m or two singles: 1.50 x 0.68m