Suzuki Swift
Ask anyone what their favourite car brand is and I doubt that many would come back with the name “Suzuki” – and that’s a shame. Why? Because over the 70+ years since they launched their first car, this Japanese manufacturer has built a reputation of building quirky, albeit usually pretty dinky, well screwed together products that do exactly what they’re supposed to and aren’t scared to occasionally swim against the tide.
Aren’t manufacturers killing the supermini off?
So, in a world of SUVs and crossovers, many of them electric, where even the evergreen Fiesta has been consigned to history, Suzuki have brought us this, the new Swift; a supermini that has a perky 3-cylinder internal combustion engine, a manual gearbox should you want and, even with its mild-hybrid assistance weighs in at under a tonne. Bravo, Suzuki.
Although it’s labelled as an all-new model, this Swift is based on the same platform as the previous gen. Aesthetically then, it’s definitely been upgraded but it’s still very much a Swift. Its forward-leaning stance is almost a Swift trademark but this one has been widened and very-much beefed-up so it looks like a lot more car for your money.
The bonnet is a kind-of clamshell design and sits on top of the headlights like a giant mono-brow, with the line it forms continuing around the entire car like a lid. This separation is exaggerated by the ‘floating’ roof which can be specced in a contrasting colour to the rest of the bodywork.
Bland interior…..
Inside the new Swift is a bit of a reminder that this is a car with value-for-money as one if its main priorities. That’s not entirely to its detriment, though. Yes, the plastics on the dashboard etc are scratchy and uninspiring and the infotainment system isn’t the most cutting edge but you still get a decent amount of actual dials and buttons which we’ve all been crying out for. You even get a handbrake to tug on.
……..but plenty of extras, including heated seats
Space inside is virtually identical to the outgoing model, so surprisingly generous for a supermini and even the base model gets (very) heated front seats. Other standard gear includes a rear camera, keyless entry plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which leaves more ‘premium’ models somewhat red-faced.
1 engine, 2 gearboxes, 4WD
Under the bonnet it’s that 3-cylinder petrol engine; all 1.2 litres, 81bhp & 112Nm torque of it. There’s no other engine available but what you can opt for is a CVT transmission if you absolutely must – that’ll cost £1,250 over the 5-speed manual. There’s two specs; Motion that starts at £19,199 & Ultra that’ll set you back £20,299. If you go for the Ultra you can opt for that old Suzuki stalwart; an Allgrip 4-Wheel Drive system. It’ll obviously make the Swift a bit more go-anywhere and it doesn’t come at the detriment of interior space, plus it’s only £1,250 more than the 2WD version. The AWD version is slightly slower, dirtier and less economical but not by much.
Motion or Ultra spec
Our test car is the 2WD version in Ultra spec with a manual gearbox and the way it drives is a breath of fresh air when compared to the heavy, cosseted cars that populate our roads. Ironically it achieves this by being something of a throwback; it’s light, communicative and quick to respond to steering inputs, although feedback is somewhat lacking.
The Swift isn’t overly quick but because it’s so much more involving than most of the competition, it doesn’t really need to be. The gearbox is fun without being the first word in mechanical precision and the suspension is tuned to offer typical scrabbly FWD grip without being so stiff it’s a pain to live with day-to-day.
Should I buy a Suzuki Swift?
The Swift is a petrol-powered supermini in a world where the breed is under threat. With the popularity of electric cars waning and even the cheapest cars costing upwards of £20k, the Swift offers no-nonsense, value for money motoring with a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. The interior isn’t going to win any awards for inspiration but, just like the rest of the car, it’s functional and does what you ask of it.
By Ben Harrington
2024 Suzuki Swift Ultra Specifications:
Engine – 1.2l self-charging hybrid petrol, Transmission – 5-speed manual, Layout – Front engine, FWD, Power – 81bhp,Torque – 112Nm, Emissions – 99g/km CO2, Economy – 64.2mpg, Maximum Speed – 103mph, Acceleration – 12.5s – 0-62mph, Price – £20,299 OTR
The 2024 Suzuki Swift is available now, priced from £19,199. For full details go to:www.cars.suzuki.co.uk
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