Mike Le Caplain
See other caravan reviews written by Mike Le CaplainThe Swift Conqueror 645 seems to have all bases covered in its quest to be the best luxury caravan for couples – read Practical Caravan's expert review
Overview
The Swift Conqueror was, for many years, Swift’s luxury range-topper. These days it is sandwiched between the top-of-the-range Elegance, and the more affordable Challenger – a range that includes twin-axles.
The Conqueror 645 may appear ostensibly similar to the Challenger SE equivalent, but encountering one first hand soon quells any doubts that it is worth the extra £1940.
The 645 is one of just three Conquerors on offer in the Swift Group's 2015 caravan ranges (and the only twin-axle). The question is: does it fall between two stools?
Pitching and setting up
The alloy wheels are broadly the same, but the Conqueror boasts Al-Ko Secure wheel locks as standard – so much easier to fit than a wheelclamp.
All steadies are easy to reach, and all the major service points are on the offside wall, away from the awning. As well as the gas barbecue point, there’s an external shower point and a mains socket for powering TVs and stereos within the awning.
The 645 also has a dual-role water filling system that includes a 30-litre onboard fresh tank. This allows you to draw water from an external container, and provides added internal capacity.
Lounge
The overall ambience is very pleasant, too, with fashionably neutral biscuit-coloured soft furnishings and a high-gloss finish to the cabinetry. Less impressive, although useful, since it contains a couple of power points, is the plastic unit on top of the centre chest.
There is no factory-fitted mounting point for a TV in here. The split-level dresser by the door is the obvious place to put one (the 230v/12v sockets and aerial points are the giveaway), but you’ll have to stow it away every time you hit the road.
Kitchen
Kit levels are good. The 190-litre fridge/freezer sits opposite the main galley and incorporates a separate 35-litre freezer box. The new-for-2015 Thetford Aspire 2 cooker has a dual-fuel hob and separate oven and grill, plus there’s a microwave oven.
Washroom
The separate shower cubicle is fitted with a bi-fold door, a dedicated light and a towel airer.
Beds
The transverse island bed in day mode facilitates easy access to the end washroom and is big enough for daytime snoozes, but pulling the bed base out and dropping in an infill cushion near the headboard creates a rear double island bed that measures 1.85m x 1.33m (6’1” x 4’4”).
The mirrored vanity unit, with dedicated pin light, is a second TV spot (again it lacks a permanent fixing), with mains, 12V and aerial points.
Up front, the parallel settees make up easily into a double 2.07m x 1.56m (6’9” x 5’1”), but aren’t quite long enough to serve as adult single beds, being 1.56m x 0.72m (5'1" x 2'4") . They’re fine for kids, though, and are long enough for putting your feet up.
Storage
The kitchen’s various doors open to reveal all manner of stowage, including slide-out metal baskets and two jumbo-sized cutlery drawers.
The bedroom’s twin wardrobes are a good size (with one bolstered by three low-level drawers) and the bed base lifts to reveal a huge void.
Technical specs
Berth | 4 |
MiRO | 1622kg |
Payload | 278kg |
MTPLM | 1900kg |
Interior length | 6.27m |
Shipping length | 7.99m |
Width | 2.31m |
Verdict
The case for buying a Swift Conqueror 645 over the equivalent Challenger SE seems – on paper – a bit wobbly, but closer scrutiny reveals that the Conqueror has enough to justify its price premium. Looking at Swift's 2015 caravan ranges, if an Elegance is out of your league and the Challenger SE isn’t quite special enough, the Conqueror is a fine choice.
Conclusion
Pros
- Stylish
- Spacious
- Lavishly equipped
- Ideal for couples with occasional visitors
Cons
- Needs a big tow car
- Not visually distinct enough from cheaper range
- No fixed TV mounting points