The third-generation Suzuki Swift has continued to capitalise on the recognition of its predecessors, and supply a viable alternative for first-time automotive consumers or these in search of a great metropolis automotive that gives excessive ranges of security, first rate know-how and nice driving dynamics.
Suzuki has remained conservative in its design adjustments relating to its very profitable Swift. Many bear in mind the first-generation Swift that got here out in 2004, however maybe gained’t be the inform the second and third generations aside.
This is deliberate on Suzuki’s behalf, as the corporate has determined that the Swift is now an icon and preserving its enjoyable boxy form is a part of nameplate’s enchantment. Automotive icons are laborious to construct, however when you’ve gotten one, automotive firms are sometimes reluctant to throw them away and begin from scratch.
Think of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen or Porsche 911, the Swift is – in its personal method – simply as iconic to a era of consumers that noticed it as the proper first or second automotive, with its trendy but playful styling. At one stage, the Swift was probably the most modified automotive within the Australian market, and also you solely actually modify a automotive you’re keen on.
So there isn’t a lack of affection for the Swift, nonetheless the world has modified and what was as soon as one of many least expensive choices in market is immediately a really mature, protected and fascinating providing priced accordingly.
The Suzuki Swift measures 3845mm in size, 1735mm in width and sits 1495mm excessive on a 2450mm wheelbase.
The mild hatchback competes with not simply the likes of the Mazda 2 and soon-to-be-retired Kia Rio, but additionally the marginally bigger and cheaper MG 3. Still, it has constantly confirmed itself a powerful contender given its construct high quality, reliability and security credentials.
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift value?
The automotive we’re testing right here is the Suzuki Swift GL+, which is a QLD-only version – Suzuki has an extended historical past of profitable distribution particularly in QLD, separate to the remainder of the nation – and is priced from $24,990 with the CVT automated.
For a review of the Swift in different elements of Australia, try our Swift showroom.
This places it inside just a few thousand of the MG 3 (which doesn’t have the protection credentials) in addition to the Kia Rio (or Picanto if you wish to go smaller) and Mazda 2.
You can discover the total pricing for the Swift vary here.
What is the Suzuki Swift like on the within?
If you’re anticipating an ultra-modern inside, look elsewhere.
For the asking value the Swift hits a candy spot of usable know-how, construct high quality and refinement, nonetheless its inside design is conservative at greatest, with conventional switchgear, steering wheel and format.
Everything is strictly the place you need it to be, and not one of the switchgear nor the steering wheel really feel low cost to the touch or use, which is strictly what we’d anticipate from Suzuki.
We discovered the seats snug to take a seat in with no complaints even after an extended drive. One of the issues that made the Swift so fashionable from day one has been the massive quantity of headroom, which stays true immediately.
Taller occupants will discover themselves effectively accommodated, as will these sitting within the again seats, given the beneficiant quantity of knee room.
There are two cup holders within the entrance between the 2 seats in entrance of the gear lever, with extra areas within the doorways for bigger bottles.
We discovered the practicality of the storage areas within the Swift to be greater than sufficient for regular use and the cup holders within the sprint ideally positioned low and in a simple to achieve location.
The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is again within the Swift GL+ because of the chip scarcity sorting itself out, and meaning native Apple CarPlay assist. It does have its personal built-in navigation, however you actually gained’t use it in case you have an iPhone.
The display screen is of first rate decision, and whereas we’d have appreciated wi-fi CarPlay or at the very least USB-C ports for quicker charging, the present system works effectively when plugged in.
If you might be already utilizing or upgrading to a brand new USB-C telephone (such because the upcoming iPhone 15), you’ll need a USB A/B to USB-C cable (slightly than Lightning) to get it to work, nevertheless it should not have any points regardless.
We examined quite a few telephone calls whereas driving and located the microphone high quality to be fairly good. The stereo was additionally affordable for the worth, however lacked a bit little bit of bass. Nothing an aftermarket improve gained’t repair.
This writer measures 179cm tall, and will comfortably sit behind my most popular driving place, suggesting you could simply match 4 giant adults on this automotive with out difficulty.
Five adults is feasible, in fact, however the width of the Swift shouldn’t be going to be that sort in case your passengers fancy KFC just a few instances per week.
Likewise, two child seats within the again are very doable, and with ISOFIX and top-tether latches it’s a easy course of. If you do have only one baby, you’ll be able to match an enormous pram within the again as long as you’re keen to fold down one aspect of the again seats, but when that you must use all the again row, you’ll both want a daily sized pram or an even bigger automotive.
There is 242L of boot house with the rear seats in use, which extends to a considerable 556L when the rear seats are folded down, making the Swift a great Ikea automotive as effectively.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Despite many automotive firms seeking to simplify their line-ups to avoid wasting prices and improve manufacturing efficiencies, the Swift is obtainable in three completely different engine decisions – a really uncommon factor on this section nowadays.
The mannequin we’re testing right here, is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine which Suzuki refers to as K12C. It has 66kW of energy at 6000rpm and 120Nm of torque at 4400rpm.
If you step as much as the GLX, you’re going to get a smaller three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine, nevertheless it will get a turbocharger that sees energy leap to 82kW at 5500rpm and torque to 160Nm between 1500-4000rpm.
Those that basically will need to have the perfect can go for the Suzuki Swift Sport, which comes with a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that pumps out a massively wholesome 103kW of energy and 230Nm of torque.
Apart from the ability variations between the three choices, the opposite notable function change is that the bottom 1.2-litre engine is obtainable with both a five-speed guide transmission or a constantly variable transmission (CVT). The turbocharged motors ditch the CVT in favour of a correct six-speed automated with precise gears, which undoubtedly improves the driving expertise – the Swift Sport can also be out there with a six-speed guide.
CVTs are a unique sort of automated that to most will probably be indistinguishable from a daily auto however are inherently not the identical factor, if you wish to learn extra on what completely different transmissions imply, click on here
| Swift Variant (QLD) | GL NAVI, GL & GL+ | GLX | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Engine Size | 1.2L NA | 1.0L Turbo | 1.4L Turbo |
| Power (kW @ rpm) | 66 @ 6000 | 82 @ 5500 | 103 @ 5500 |
| Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 120 @ 4400 | 160 @ 1500-4000 | 230 @ 2500-3500 |
| Fuel Type | 91 RON | 95 RON | 95 RON |
| Transmission | 5MT or CVT | 6AT | 6MT or 6AT |
| Fuel utilization (L/100km) | 4.6L (5MT) / 4.8L (CVT) | 5.1L | 6.1L |
How does the Suzuki Swift drive?
If you recognize a bit bit about automobiles and engines, you will have regarded on the energy figures above and puzzled if the Swift is a little bit of gradual factor? The reply is totally not.
The basic facet of physics, with regards to acceleration, is all about power-to-weight. And whereas the entry-level Swift engine solely has 66kW of energy and 120Nm of torque, it weighs simply 900kg (kerb), which implies the power-to-weight ratio could be very affordable.
Don’t get us mistaken, it’s not a scorching hatch – you may get fairly heat when you step into the Swift Sport, which solely weighs 90kg extra however affords almost 50 per cent extra energy and virtually double the torque – nevertheless it’s completely enough for the typical individual driving round city and infrequently taking an extended drive from the town out to the countryside.
The little Swift will stand up to hurry and performs the common overtakes with out an excessive amount of trouble, and as long as you may get used to the sound of the CVT, you gained’t really feel such as you’re in a small, gradual automotive. Compared to the MG 3, it’s undoubtedly a extra refined driving expertise and a way more energetic automotive.
While it is probably not a sporty automotive, per se, even the bottom Swift does carry components of sporty enjoyable. No doubt derived from the model’s wealthy historical past in rallying and motorsports, the front-wheel drive metropolis automotive is zippy, well-poised and at all times keen to entice its driver to go a bit quicker across the subsequent nook.
We discovered our time behind the wheel to be each pleasant and rewarding given the automotive’s eagerness for a bit enjoyable. What we didn’t respect as a lot, had been the overly delicate energetic security techniques that warned we had been about to have an accident or go away our lane a bit extra dramatically than we’d have appreciated.
We obtained used to it and really adjusted our driving to be rather less aggressive, however within the metropolis the ahead collision system might sit back a bit – however as they are saying, higher protected than sorry.
Another function we liked concerning the Swift is the energetic cruise management, which implies you’ll be able to set your pace and distance to the automotive in entrance and let little Suzuki take over the acceleration and braking.
This is tremendous useful on lengthy freeway drives and the Swift did an excellent job of sustaining a good way on the set pace. This is a function you completely is not going to discover within the MG 3.
The trip consolation and bump absorption capability of the Swift can also be superb, with Brisbane’s horrible roads proving no problem to the well-engineered suspension system of the Japanese automotive.
Overall, the driving dynamics and dealing with of the Suzuki Swift is definitely certainly one of its greatest highlights, and the arrogance it gives will make driving in any situation or highway a a lot safer expertise.
Suzuki’s claimed gasoline economic system determine for the GL+ is 4.8 litres of normal 91 RON gasoline per 100km, and whereas that could be achievable when you’re tremendous conservative along with your proper foot – we had a model new automotive with 12km on it, so it wanted to be damaged in and managed mid-7s – anticipate to be nearer to 6L/100km when you wish to stand up and go.
What do you get?
Swift GL+ highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Fog lights
- LED daytime operating lights
- 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Power home windows
- Remote keyless entry
- Air-conditioning
- Automatic LED headlights
- Keyless entry and begin
- Climate management air-conditioning
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane-departure warning
- Weaving alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
Is the Suzuki Swift protected?
The Suzuki Swift scored the best five-star ANCAP security ranking again in 2017 and has not been examined since.
Models with out the autonomous braking (reminiscent of the bottom GL) scored decrease, however the basic passive security techniques of the airbags, crumple zones, and construct high quality is identical throughout all fashions.
Back beneath the 2017 rules, the Swift scored 35.13 out of a attainable 37 factors in native security testing.
The Swift’s security credentials are certainly one of its major draw playing cards, given it competes with the MG 3 – which has by no means been examined by ANCAP and rated simply three stars by Euro NCAP.
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift value to run?
In Queensland, the Suzuki Swift is a reasonably low cost automotive to run because of a fixed-price service program that may be sure to pays the identical value irrespective of which authorised Suzuki QLD supplier you go to.
Suzuki says the 1.2-litre Swift wants a service each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever happens first.
Suzuki Swift 1.2 service pricing:
- 1st Service: $299
- 2nd Service: $329
- third Service: $429
- 4th Service: $329
- fifth Service: $299
Suzuki gives a nationwide five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee.
CarExpert’s Take on the Suzuki Swift
Whether you wish to purchase your first automotive or eager to purchase a second small metropolis automotive for the household to get round in, the Suzuki Swift is a superb providing that won’t disappoint.
It’s a dependable, protected and enjoyable automotive to drive and personal. It proves that timeless design doesn’t want to vary for the sake of change itself.
There are issues we love about it; reminiscent of its driving dynamics, inside packaging and house in addition to its trip high quality and luxury. But it might probably additionally do with some minor enhancements, just like the addition of USB-C cost ports, wi-fi Apple CarPlay (although wired works nice), and a extra refined CVT expertise.
The excellent news is that there aren’t any asterisks with regards to shopping for a Swift. It’s not attempting to cover a poor security ranking, unhealthy gasoline economic system, costly servicing prices or another catch.
It’s an excellent alternative that ticks many bins, and that’s why it continues to stay a well-liked alternative amongst consumers throughout Queensland and Australia as a complete.
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BUY: Suzuki Swift
MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift
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