Swift Voyager 494 (2024 – ) review

The typically dependable Ford chassis cab the Voyager is built on provides a solid driving experience and fuss-free manners. A long-standing favourite of commercial users for its functional, no-nonsense ergonomics, strong engine and easy driving manners these qualities translate well to motorhome usage even if the dash and displays are nothing especially fancy. The 155 horsepower 2.0-litre diesel engine is smooth and up a tad on power against the Fiat-based Escape further up the Swift range and settles easily to a steady cruise on motorways, scoring 26mpg or so in our hands on the 400-mile round trip from Swift’s Hull base to our chosen campsite in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Ford’s standard infotainment system is, meanwhile, swapped out for a Swift-specific Zenec head unit with a 9.0-inch touch-screen and built-in navigation if you don’t want to use your phone via the built in CarPlay and Android Auto. It also displays the image from the reversing camera when required.

The Voyager uses a tried and tested Luton style configuration for the front over-cab bed, this folding on gas struts when not required. Driver and passenger have captain style swivelling chairs while two forward-facing travel seats behind are close enough to the main cab to keep up conversation with all four occupants on the move, though side visibility from the back isn’t great. Where others in the 4 series range have smaller rear sleeping quarters and a larger saloon with four-seat booth style rear seats the 494 trades this for a larger rear bedroom, perhaps making it more suited to couples than families. As you head through to the rear there’s a kitchen to the right and toilet/washroom to your left, the Voyager including a 110-litre freshwater tank, 85-litres of capacity for waste water and space for two gas bottles. A large rear garage space at the back has room for all your luggage, camping gear and more, our test vehicle also coming with the optional Thule rack for our e-bikes.

Parked up and with the front seats rotated to face the inside there’s a decent sized space for four, a clip-in table stowed in the rear garage attaching to the wall ahead of the two rear travelling seats. Even slid forwards the driver and passenger seat are a little too far away from the table for comfort, especially the latter. Some small foldable stools or chairs might make meals a slightly more sociable affair if you’re travelling four-up and eating onboard, though of course many will prefer to eat outside anyway. The small wet-room style toilet and washing area is behind a sliding screen opposite the cooking area and is usable enough when required but, we suspect, most people will probably prefer the short walk to the shower block and relative luxury of using proper facilities. If you prefer to ablute onboard the 5 series with its bigger and more luxuriously appointed bathroom may be a better option here. A self-explanatory control panel above the side door means easy monitoring of tank levels, lighting and more while the Truma LCD control unit next to it operates heating, hot water and swapping between gas and electrical power as appropriate. Even as relative newbies to motorhome life we found it all easy to get along with and figure out.

See above comments on the interior layout if you regularly dine onboard, the bigger saloon area on the other 4 series models perhaps worth considering if this is your default. Not a problem if you’re instinctively al fresco diners, of course. Cooking-wise there’s a Thetford cooker/oven with three gas rings and a single electric hob, plenty of cupboard space with secure and high-quality fittings, a fold-out worktop and a 133-litre Dometic fridge. It’s an admittedly cosy cooking space for the designated chef, the advantage being they won’t have to reach far to grab ingredients or implements from the fridge or cupboards! There’s also an external barbecue point already plumbed in for cooking outside.

So long as they’re on reasonable terms with each other the above-cab double bed should be sufficient for a couple of younger kids, and fine for adults who don’t mind a low ceiling. We’ll call it a cosy space, though comfy. Others in the 4 series range use their bigger saloon area for an additional single berth but the over-cab bed is your only option for additional sleepers, one bonus being the speed with which it can be prepared with no need for moving internal furniture around. It’s better news in the main sleeping quarters with the longitudinal ‘island’ style double bed with shelving and cupboards either side, plenty of storage and a couple of full height wardrobes as well. It’s a lovely space, managing to feel both spacious and cosy at the same time.

Any motorhome is a big investment, and Swift’s UK-built provenance and fact it manufactures much of the vehicle itself rather than buy bits in might have you worrying there’s a premium to be paid. Thankfully this doesn’t seem to be the case, with all 4 series models creeping in just under the £70,000 threshold. A lot of money still, but seemingly reasonable when compared with equivalent four-berth coachbuilt options. This includes Swift’s 10-year guarantee on its in-house manufactured bodywork.

There’s a certain pride in buying a British-built product from one of the biggest names in the business, the fact that if you should have any issues you’re dealing with company based here a big confidence booster. Swift’s huge experience shows in every detail on the Voyager as well, the fact it has full control over the design and manufacturing self-evident in the way it’s all put together. Ford foundations, if not the fanciest, are also solidly dependable and mean the Voyager drives as well as it looks.