Name: New New Suzuki Swift models and Specifications
Brand: Suzuki

12-mild-hybrid-motion-5dr

1.2 Mild Hybrid

Entry-level Motion trim gets you 16in alloys, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, heated front seats, a reversing camera, blind-spot monitoring and a 9.0 touchscreen infotainment system. It’s our pick.

Motion

We don’t think it’s worth forking out extra for Ultra trim, but if you do you’ll get a polished finish to the alloys, automatic (rather than manual) air-conditioning and electric folding mirrors.

Ultra

Ultra ALLGRIP

Hatchback

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

SWIFT

1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra ALLGRIP 5dr

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1.2 Mild Hybrid Motion 5dr

1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra 5dr

12-mild-hybrid-ultra-5dr

1.2 Mild Hybrid Motion 5dr CVT

12-mild-hybrid-motion-5dr-cvt

1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra 5dr CVT

12-mild-hybrid-ultra-5dr-cvt

New Suzuki Swift

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The starting price of the Suzuki Swift is a little higher than you might be hoping. Indeed, you can buy a Renault Clio or Toyota Aygo X for less, and the Dacia Sandero is thousands of pounds cheaper.

There are some mitigating factors, however, not least how much equipment the Swift comes with as standard. Even if you go for entry-level Motion trim, you’ll get 16in alloys, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, heated front seats, a reversing camera, blind-spot monitoring and the 9.0 touchscreen infotainment system.

With all that in mind, we don’t think it’s worth forking out extra for Ultra trim, but if you do you’ll get a polished finish to the alloys, automatic (rather than manual) air-conditioning and electric folding door mirrors.

For those planning to take out a finance agreement, the Swift makes more sense than it does to cash buyers. This is thanks to relatively slow predicted depreciation, along with some very competitive APR rates (at the time of writing, at least).&nbsp;

All versions of the Swift have <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid technology</a>, meaning a tiny electric motor is on hand to assist the petrol engine when you’re pulling away. The main purpose of this is to cut fuel consumption, and the Swift certainly boasts some impressive fuel economy figures.

Go for the 2WD model with the manual gearbox and the Swift official averages 64.2mpg. For context, the best an Aygo X can do is 55.8mpg, while the most efficient Fabia returns 55.4mpg. The Swift also makes plenty of sense to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company car</a> drivers paying benefit-in-kind (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-guide/n9352">BIK</a>) tax, thanks to CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km.

Just be aware that the CVT automatic version isn’t as efficient as the manual, and while fuel economy and CO2 emissions have yet to be confirmed for the four-wheel drive Allgrip, this is likely to be less frugal than the 2WD model.

There’s more standard safety kit than on most budget rivals, although we can’t tell you how well the Swift is likely to protect you and your family if an accident can’t be avoided. That’s because <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> hasn’t completed its crash tests yet.

Likewise, the latest Swift was too new to feature in the 2023 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>. The signs are promising, though, because the previous-generation model (which shares many components with the current car) was the most reliable small car in the whole survey.

<h2>Costs overview</h2>

Strengths Excellent fuel economy; lots of standard kit; attractive finance deals

Weaknesses High list price than some rivals; no Euro NCAP safety score

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While the latest Suzuki Swift is based on the same underpinnings as its predecessor, it’s powered by a completely new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. The engine isn’t turbocharged and has a modest 81bhp, but remember the Swift is lighter than most of its rivals so acceleration isn’t as pedestrian as you might be thinking.

Of course, there are faster small cars, but the Swift pulls well enough from low revs, so it’s nowhere near as gutless as, say, a Toyota Aygo X. It helps that the engine is smoother and quieter than the three-cylinder units in many rivals, and even when you do need to work it hard it sounds surprisingly quite pleasant.

The regular front-wheel-drive (2WD) version can officially do 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds, while the heavier four-wheel drive (Allgrip) model takes 13.6 seconds. However, while the Allgrip is slower, its jacked-up suspension means ground clearance increases from 115mm to 140mm.

There’s also a choice between a five-speed manual gearbox – we’ve tried this and the shift action is precise and positively weighted – or a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">CVT automatic</a>. The auto box actually improves on-paper performance slightly, but does push up the price significantly and also takes its toll on fuel economy.

The Swift’s lightness again pays dividends when it comes to handling. It’s more agile than budget-focused alternatives, including the Dacia Sandero and Aygo X, and that means it’s more fun to drive. The car's nose responds quickly when you ask for a change of direction, and when this happens there isn’t much body lean.

The steering also impresses, filtering enough feedback to your fingers to give you confidence in how much grip there is – even when you’re driving quickly along a meandering country road. So, while the Swift doesn’t handle as crisply as a Renault Clio, it’s more composed than many other budget small cars, including the Sandero and Aygo X.

Less impressive is the quality of the ride. The firm suspension means impacts aren’t absorbed as well as in many other small cars. Driving down poorly surfaced roads can be a tiring experience because you’re bounced around&nbsp;incessantly.

And while we don’t doubt Suzuki’s claim that it’s filled the new Swift with more sound-deadening than was in the previous (third-generation) model, it's still not&nbsp;a particularly hushed cruiser. Road noise is the biggest bugbear, filling the interior whenever you’re driving over coarsely surfaced Tarmac.

<h2 dir="ltr">Driving overview</h2>

Strengths Tidy handling; pleasant gearshift; smooth engine

Weaknesses Firm ride; road noise; acceleration isn’t spectacular

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi. It means smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter and beauty, and it’s been a Suzuki design philosophy for years. A great showcase for this is the new Suzuki Swift because it is indeed smaller, lighter and shorter than most of its small car contemporaries.

What’s more, the Japanese brand is quite open about the fact that it will sell fewer Swifts than Renault will sell Clios or Volkswagen will sell Polos. Beauty? Well, we’ll leave you to pass judgement on that (it’s supposed to be in the eye of the beholder, after all).

While the Suzuki Swift isn’t quite as budget-focused as the slightly larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a> or the slightly smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>, it definitely sits at the value end of the small car class – especially when you factor in how much equipment it comes with as standard.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iW2P3JFYkTU?si=mONQojbRY3agRb7t" width="560"></iframe>

It’s also the only regular small hatchback on sale in the UK available with optional four-wheel drive. That does bump up the price and doesn’t exactly turn the Swift into a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/defender/4x4/review/n21198">Land Rover Defender</a> wannabe, but it adds unique appeal to buyers who want a bit of extra traction (but who don’t want to splash out on an SUV).

So, how does the Suzuki Swift compare against the best small cars, including slightly larger big-hitters including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">VW Polo</a>, and cheaper alternatives, such as the Sandero and Aygo X? Read on to find out...

Let’s start with the Suzuki Swift's driving position, because&nbsp;on the whole, it’s a pretty good one. The steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach, and most drivers will find it easy to get comfy.

There’s no adjustable lumbar support in any model, but you don’t miss this too much because lower back support is decent to begin with, and the seat has plenty of bolstering at the sides to hold you in place through corners

If you’re tall, you might wish the driver’s seat dropped a little closer to the floor. As it is, taller drivers might find the steering wheel blocks their view of the top of the instrument dials, although this is a relatively minor complaint

The Swift is easier to see out of than many other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>&nbsp;thanks to tall side windows and relatively upright windscreen pillars. You shouldn’t have any issues with parking, either, because all versions have both a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Don’t expect to find lots of plush, expensive-feeling materials inside the Swift (it’s a fairly cheap car, after all). However, a visually pleasing blend of colours in textures, combined with solid build quality, prevent the interior feeling too low-rent and unpleasant.

Indeed, we’d say the Swift has a smarter interior than a Dacia Sandero or Toyota Aygo X, although the Renault Clio and VW Polo are noticeably classier inside.

All models come with a 9.0in touchscreen infotainment system. It’s positioned helpfully high on the dashboard, meaning you don’t need to divert your gaze far from the road to see it, and comes with plenty of features, including <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> smartphone mirroring.

However, it’s a pity the screen doesn’t respond more quickly when you prod it (there’s often lengthy delay) and the design of the operating system makes it tricky to find certain functions. So, it isn’t one of the best infotainment systems around, but then most similarly priced small cars don’t have great systems either.

<h2>Interior overview</h2>

Strengths Supportive driver’s seat; good visibility; interior looks smart

Weaknesses No soft-touch plastics; so-so infotainment system; some may wish the driver’s seat dropped lower

The 2024 Swift is a good value small car that's fun to drive with decent&nbsp;fuel economy

The Suzuki Swift is smaller than most big-selling small cars, including the Renault Clio, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a> and VW Polo. However, it’s larger than a Toyota Aygo X, so isn’t as cramped inside as you might be fearing.

Indeed, tall people sitting in the front will have no complaints at all, thanks to lots of head room and seats that slide back a long way on their runners. There’s a reasonable amount of stowage space, too, including two trays (one in front of the gearstick and another behind it) and a couple of cupholders.

Rear space isn’t as generous, but a couple of six-footers will still fit easily enough. True, there’s significantly more leg and head room in a Fabia, Sandero or Polo, but this won’t be a dealbreaker unless you plan to carry more than one tall passenger on a regular basis.&nbsp;

The rear doors also open nice and wide, and tall side windows help ward off any feelings of claustrophobia.

Unsurprisingly, the Swift also has a smaller boot than many of its small car peers. There’s 265 litres of space below the parcel shelf, and although that number probably doesn’t mean a lot to you, it means you’ll fit more luggage in a Swift than in an Aygo X, but less than in a Clio or Fabia.

There’s also a big drop down from the entrance of the boot on to the floor of the load bay, and no height-adjustable floor to help mitigate this.&nbsp;

You can, of course, fold down the rear seats when you need to carry more luggage, although doing this leaves an annoying step in the floor of the extended load bay, another thing a height-adjustable floor would counter.

<h2 dir="ltr">Practicality overview</h2>

Strengths Roomy front seats; decent access to the rear seats

Weaknesses Many rivals have more rear space and bigger boots

OUR PICK

motion

ultra

ultra-allgrip

There are bigger and more comfortable small cars, but the Suzuki Swift is frugal, fun to drive and, if you’re signing up to a finance agreement, great value. We recommend the regular 2WD version with a manual gearbox and entry-level Motion trim.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

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