Stylish, sporty Suzuki Swift

Airy, comfortable and with lots of passenger and driver comforts.

click to enlarge

The cheeky Swift spearheaded Suzuki's return to the South African market in 2008 and up to now, more than 4000 of them have acquired local owners.

Suzuki has retained the successful formula of cheeky looks, comfortable cabin, lots of safety features, nippy characteristics and fun-to-drive handling for the new model - they simply made it better.

Unfortunately, "better" in the world of motoring usually means more expensive and all the new Swift models carry price increases of about R6000.

Manual is nice, but that automatic... Hmmm...

The outgoing four-model range has also been trimmed to three, with the 1.6 litre Swift Sport biting the dust. (Suzuki fans who want a bit more kick can look at the local auto-tuner LupiniPower's stepped-up Swift).

The three new models are Swift GL Manual (R152 900), Swift GLS Manual (R169 900) and Swift GLS Auto (R183 900).

I drove both the GLS manual and the GLS automatic during the Media launch in KZN on an undulating town and country route from the coast to Wartburg and back.

It was a good stretch of road with ample opportunities to check out the comfort, performance and handling of the Swift and to compare the auto-box with the manual.

Pricey, but good value for money.

And it didn't take long for my co-driver and me to be impressed with the nice short throw of the five-speed manual and to tut-tut about the four-speed auto's irritating hunting for the right cog when overtaking or going uphill.

Automatic transmissions rarely work well on small-engine cars and this new automatic is typical of this genre. Considering that our media drive took place at the coast one can only imagine what it would be like up on the energy-sapping Reef, particularly in stop-start traffic.

Having said that, some new car buyers will no doubt appreciate the convenience of not having to constantly stir the soupspoon to keep up with the traffic.

Try both versions

My advice would be to drive both versions before you haul out your chequebook because there is a very clear divide between the auto and the manual.

But other than the auto box there is very little to dislike about the new Swift. It sits well on the road, the ride is comfortable, the cabin space is good for a cocky hatch and the new engine (although a tad down on punch) is cleaner and more fuel-efficient.

The rear suspension has been re-worked and Suzuki says its 25% stiffer, and lighter.

All three models have the same 1.4 litre engine which, with the help of multipoint fuel injection, churns out 70kW and 130Nm.

Suzuki says the manual models will go from zero to 100km/h in 10,9 seconds while the auto model needs 12,3 seconds.

Top speed is given as 179km/h for the manual and 165km/h for the auto

However, what is impressive, are the fuel consumption figure of 5.5 litres/100km in the combined cycle and low emissions of 132g/km.

Good road manners

One of the reasons why the Swift has become so popular is because of its good road manners. It clings surprising well to the tar, even when pushed hard and this has become noticeably better on the new generation cars.

To achieve this Suzuki stiffened the Swift's body and made it lighter with the use of high-strength steel. In the process, they also lowered the car's centre of gravity, which in turns makes it more sure-footed.

And although the suspension has been ever so slightly softened it has not compromised the car's handling, particularly as the front and rear tracks have been widened.

The suspension frame has also been tightened and reconfigured so that front stabiliser and coils now provide better roll stiffness.

All three models have the same 1.4 litre engine which, with the help of multipoint fuel injection, churns out 70kW and 130Nm.

click to enlarge

The rear suspension has also been re-worked and Suzuki says it has gained 25% more roll stiffness, along with a small weight saving.

The newly developed steering system also feels a bit more responsive after the Japanese carmaker redesigned it.

But all of this does not turn the Swift into a scorching tar-hugging hot hatch and it is not intended to be that, nor has it ever pretended to be.

Safe, my mate

It is lovely compact hatch, designed for people who value stylish looks, a little bit of brrm-brrm, safety, comfort, low running costs and the environment and who like to be a little different from the main stream.

One of the family appeals of the new Swift is in the safety department, particularly because it comes with a Euro NCAP five-star rating that elevates it into one of the safest cars in its class.

The entry-level model has two front airbags and the GLS versions have front, side and curtain.

Importantly for young families, the new models all come with dual rear ISOFIX child seat anchorage points.

Try both versions before you haul out your chequebook.

On the go safety features include ABS brakes boosted by EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and BA (brake assist).

Stopping power has also been improved with new ventilated front discs and the brakes are really good, without biting or losing feel. They remained consistent, even after a few quick simulated emergency brake tests on a deserted side road.

The baby Suzuki can take five passengers at a squeeze and four in comfort.

All the modcons

Generally the cabin is an airy, comfortable space to travel in with lots of passenger and driver comforts such as height-adjustable steering wheel, electric windows all round, air conditioning, height-adjustable driver's seat, a multi-function trip computer, a funky six-speaker sound system with the optional extra of a CD tuner, cup-holders and a hidden storage bin on the top of the dashboard.

The seats can be split 60/40 and the snazzy new Swift now even has a hook on the back of the rear seats for securing your Woollies shopping bags.

Cheerful and sporty.

click to enlarge

Up front, the new black and silver dashboard goes well with the new controls and instruments, which give the cabin a cheerful, sporty, good quality feel.

All of this is standard on all three models, but the two GLS versions also have fancier 16-inch alloys wrapped in 185/55 R16 rubber, as well as front fog lights.

Inside, the GLS versions have a leather-trimmed, fully adjustable steering wheel and a USB socket for playing music from a flash drive.

Broad appeal

The pricier models are equipped with keyless start and stop (just press the button on the dashboard) and all the models have remote-controlled central locking for the doors and tailgate.

The substantially upgraded Swift will appeal to a wide spectrum, from young trendies and small families to the more senior end of the market.

As an overall package, it is a classy buy and even though it is on the pricey side it does offer good value for money.

It certainly is worth bearing in mind that all Suzuki models, from the Alto and Jimny to the Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, hold their value well and demand good resale prices.

To add to the attraction of the new Swift is the fact that it comes with a three-year/100 000km warranty, a four-year/60 000km service plan and a six-year corrosion cover - and even metallic paint (which cost extra on most other cars).

What's more, built into the price of the new Swift is an AA roadside assistance plan that includes breakdown towing, 24-hour road patrols, battery and locksmith call out service and emergency medical rescue.

The smarter Swift is on the dealer's showroom floors already and judging by the popularity of the outgoing model they won't be gathering dust so I suggest you move swiftly for a closer look at the new Swift.

Specifications

Suzuki Swift Review

Suzuki Swift - new pictures

Test Drive: Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift