• Home
  • Reviews
  • Advice
  • News
  • Buying Guides
  • Travel
  • For Sale
  • Forums
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics
    Your browser is out-of-date!

    Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

    ×

    NewsletterWinHave Your SaySubscribe
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics

    Home › Reviews›Swift›Charisma›535

    Swift Charisma 535 2011

    £13,875

    By Claudia Dowell
    Published: January 25, 2011

    Verdict

    A fixed-bed design is always a challenge for those tasked with designing a caravan’s interior layout, and although the Charisma provides ample wardrobe and kitchen worktop space, overall it doesn’t exude the spacious feel managed by some rivals.

    The bedding, however, has been cleverly designed, and those who appreciate a user-friendly, well equipped kitchen may well want to beat a path to Swift’s door.

    Pros

    Despite the squeeze on space, the Charisma packs a lot into the kitchen, including an ample worktop
    The special TV compartment is well thought out, as is the wardrobe
    There’s plenty of light and storage.

    Cons

    The washroom is too cramped, even though pressure has been taken off by the vanity unit
    The lack of a central chest of drawers and the provision of only two bolster cushions may bother some buyers.

    Pitching & Setting-up

    Swift supplies the Charisma with an Al-Ko chassis and stabiliser, a buttonless handbrake and 13-pin electrics. The front locker is large, although access is slightly restricted by a small door that is supported by two gas struts.

    Winding down the steadies is simple, thanks to guides at the front and exposed winding bolts at the rear. External access to the storage area under the fixed-bed and an LED awning light are also welcome features. Improved controls are above the doorway. The waste pipes and an external locker are at the offside rear.

    Living

    New fabrics are featured this season, along with light woods and neutral curtain materials, to keep the Charisma looking fresh and modern. This is accentuated by a huge Heki rooflight above the space. There is enough room for four to sit comfortably, with two bolster cushions included as standard.

    For night-time illumination there are two spots, two corner lights and one overhead lamp. The four front lockers are solid and provide good space; one of them houses the radio/CD/MP3 player. The seat and back cushions are very comfortable, and can be lifted easily to access the switchgear beneath.

    Kitchen

    You won’t be left wanting in the Charisma’s kitchen. A 112-litre fridge, separate oven and grill, hob with three gas burners and an electric hotplate, and a microwave are all part of the package. There is a cupboard below the cooker, a cutlery drawer, one overhead locker with cup and plate holders and a tall cupboard for transporting the table safely.

    Worktop space is very generous and an extendable work surface can be opened to provide extra room. The removable drainage board means this space is even more flexible. The new pull-out wire baskets fitted in the kitchen cupboard are very handy.

    Washroom

    Space is tight in the washroom, but four people will be able to cope. The toilet is accessed through the shower and these can be divided with a folding glass door. Storage is poor, with only three small shelves.

    However, outside the washroom in the vanity area, a good-sized cupboard has all the space you’ll need for toiletries. A neat basin and large mirror complete the package. While you won’t be able to dry off in the washroom with any ease, there is room for dressing between the fixed bed and vanity unit.

    Beds

    The front double is easily put together using pull-out slats on runners and all the seat cushions. Although the cushions are a tight fit, this ensures a stable platform for sleeping. Thanks to the cushions and the bed’s 2.08m x 1.34m dimensions, sleeping in the front lounge is comfortable.

    At the rear is a sprung-mattress fixed bed, measuring 1.88m long and 1.37m wide. The bed can easily be lifted using gas struts to access the storage space underneath. The area is well lit thanks to a Heki rooflight, large side window and twin spotlights. The front lounge and rear bed can be kept separate with a folding fabric divider.

    Storage

    Four lockers can be found in the lounge, three at the rear and one in the kitchen. All are deep with removable shelves. The storage space beneath the front benches can be reached via either a fold-down front flap or by lifting the cushions and slats. The huge space under the fixed bed is accessed safely by lifting the frame, which is held up by gas struts.

    At the top right of the kitchen, on one side, is a useful raised area for mugs or cups. Opposite this is a space for a flat-screen TV, which can be manoeuvred using the extendable wall bracket. To finish things off, a very large wardrobe provides ample hanging space and drawers beneath it.

    Technical Specifications

    Berth4
    MiRO1167 kg
    Payload155 kg
    MTPLM1322 kg
    Shipping Length5.52 m
    Width2.23 m

    Related Reviews

    Accessories

    Specialised Covers Towing Protector

    £100.00

    UNLIKE THE towing skirts we’ve featured in previous issues of the magazine, this protector by Specialised...

    Large front window in lounge
    Caravans

    Swift Challenger 480 SE 2023

    2-berth
    1435 kg MTPLM
    £28,795

    Superbly revamped for the new season, this stylish two-berth offers relaxed, value-for-money touring

    The settees in the lounge
    Caravans

    Swift Challenger Grande 560L 2023

    4-berth
    1665 kg MTPLM
    £32,995

    With a revamped finish both inside and out, this comfortable, popular four-berth has much to offer...

    As a dealer special, the Fairway has its one exclusive upholstery
    Caravans

    Swift Fairway Classic Compact 360 2022

    2-berth
    1109 kg MTPLM
    £21,485

    This impressive special edition adds valuable extras that turn a basic van into a more upmarket...

    Even with a TV set positioned on the sideboard, there is plenty of shelf space
    Caravans

    Swift Challenger X 860 2022

    4-berth
    1660 kg MTPLM
    £30,995

    This comfortable new single-axle makes the most of its extra width, but remains a lighter-weight tow

    Comfortable settees, and you get plenty of scatter cushions
    Caravans

    Swift Conqueror 480 2022

    2-berth
    1477 kg MTPLM
    £29,395

    Contemporary styling and a focus on the kitchen and lounge make this a great choice for...

    You can choose from eight distinctive graphics in black, orange and grey
    Caravans

    Swift Basecamp 6 2022

    6-berth
    1331 kg MTPLM
    £25,995

    Active families will love the new, larger version of this popular van, which now accommodates six...

    Elddis Crusader Tempest
    Caravans

    Elddis Crusader Tempest 2023

    6-berth
    1880 kg MTPLM
    £39,899

    Now expanded to 8ft wide, this smart, spacious six-berth has plenty to offer larger families on...

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Content Funding
    • Cookies Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Authors
    • Privacy Settings

    © 2023 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
    Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.