Used Suzuki Swift 2017-present review

Category: Small car

Fun to drive, generously equipped and ultra-reliable, the Swift is a fine choice for those in the market for a well priced small car.

Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Suzuki Swift climate controls
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift Hybrid (17-present) long term test review
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift Hybrid (17-present) long term test review
  • Suzuki Swift rear seats
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Suzuki Swift climate controls
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift Hybrid (17-present) long term test review
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift 17-present
  • Used Suzuki Swift Hybrid (17-present) long term test review
  • Suzuki Swift rear seats
Used Suzuki Swift 2017-present review
Star rating

What's the used Suzuki Swift hatchback like?

Like that friend who lost a lot of weight between visits, you could tell that this generation of the Suzuki Swift had been on a diet.

This 2017-onwards generation is up to 120kg lighter than its previous 2012-2017 incarnation and that brought benefits to its performance, fuel economy and handling – all of which compare well with lardier rivals.

Overview

Fun to drive, very fuel efficient and generously equipped, the Suzuki Swift is a fine choice for those in the market for a well priced small car

  • Lively performance of 1.0 engine
  • Tidy handling
  • Well equipped
  • Terrific reliability
  • Road and wind noise
  • Harsh ride
  • Cheap-feeling interior plastics

What's more, there's an intelligent mild-hybrid system on some models, keeping the car up to date with the electrification trend.

All good stuff, and necessary, being that was up against strong, established car competition from small cars that include the Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia, as well as the Toyota Yaris, which also has hybrid technology. All of these cars are plentiful on the used car market and each has its own virtues, but here's the Swift's case for your cash.

It offers the choice of a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 89bhp or a 109bhp, turbocharged, three-cylinder 1.0-litre – with or without hybrid assistance. The 1.2 is fine for town use and it’s the only engine that can be paired with the Allgrip four-wheel drive system. This might be useful if you live in a rural location that suffers from heavy snow. If you need a bit more power, the 1.0 is a good engine to go for, particularly if it has mild-hybrid assistance, which goes by the name of SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki).

Entry-level SZ3 models come with air-con, a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while mid-range SZ-T versions have a 7.0in infotainment system with a reversing camera, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. Top-spec SZ5 cars get hybrid technology, climate control, sat-nav and reach adjustment for the steering wheel instead of just height.

Behind the wheel, you’ll instantly notice that the Swift feels light on its feet. The steering is accurate and you can point the nose of the car in to corners with confidence. Body roll is kept in check by its relatively firm suspension, but that comes at the expense of ride quality, which can’t match the likes of the Fiesta or Seat Ibiza. Road and wind noise are also an issue, particularly at motorway speeds.

Performance is decent from all engines, but the mild-hybrid is particularly swift because the energy generated during deceleration is stored to help boost the engine’s performance for short periods of time when accelerating. It even helps out at higher speeds and means you don’t have to change down a gear as often on the motorway.

Take a seat inside the Swift and you'll find yourself surrounded by hard, shiny plastics. It’s all well screwed together, but the interior environment isn't as classy to look at or to touch as its main rivals.

The space is plentiful, though, and the front seats are quite comfortable. There’s lots of head room for all passengers and decent leg room for rear occupants. The boot isn’t the biggest around and it doesn’t have a variable-height floor to help with the sizeable lip, so lifting out heavy shopping for those with a bad back could be a problem.

If you're interested in finding a used Suzuki Swift, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Suzuki Swift climate controls

Ownership cost

What used Suzuki Swift hatchback will I get for my budget?

Prices for a used Suzuki Swift start at around £6000 for a 2017 example with a high mileage. Increase your budget to £8000 or more and you'll be able to bag yourself a mild-hybrid version with average mileage. The four-wheel-drive version is rare and will cost you more to buy. Expect to spend at least £9000 to secure one. Spend between £9000 and £12,000 on good 2020 and 2021 models, and £12,000 to £15,000 on 2022 and 2023 cars.

To keep up to date with used Swift prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Check the value of a used Suzuki Swift with What Car? Valuations

Used Suzuki Swift 17-present

How much does it cost to run a Suzuki Swift hatchback?

MPG

All models have strong fuel economy figures, with only the automatic 1.0 petrol dipping below 60mpg.

The 109bhp 1.0 hybrid has a combined economy figure of 65.7mpg – exactly the same as the entry-level 89bhp 1.2 petrol. If you go for the 1.2 fitted with the Allgrip four-wheel drive system, economy drops to 62.8mpg. The 1.0 without hybrid assistance has an average figure of 61.4mpg, or 56.5mpg with the six-speed automatic.

The 1.2 hybrid 83 12V averages 59.6mpg under the later WLTP tests.

Road tax (VED)

Most Swifts will be charged the current flat-rate fee per year in road tax, but models that come with the SHVS hybrid system qualify for a small discount due to it being an alternative-fuel vehicle. Current rates are £180 per year and £170 per year for the hybrids.

Insurance, servicing and warranty

Insurance groups are generally in the 20s (out of 50), which is reasonable.

Servicing costs are in line with rivals and you can even take out a service plan that covers three years' worth of maintenance costs on any Suzuki model up to six years of age.

If you buy an approved used car from Suzuki, you'll get a 12-month warranty – as long as the vehicle isn't older than eight years old and doesn't have more than 80,000 miles on its clock.

Used Suzuki Swift Hybrid (17-present) long term test review

Our recommendations

Which used Suzuki Swift hatchback should I buy?

Engine

The 1.2 petrol might not be ideal when you’re transporting a full complement of passengers, although it's the only option if you need four-wheel drive. The 1.0 SHVS is a good idea if you regularly drive on the motorway because of the additional performance boost, but it is more expensive to buy on the used market, so we’d recommend going for the standard turbocharged 1.0 because it’s a flexible engine that’s also very economical.

Specification

While SZ3 trim has all the basics, we'd go for SZ-T for the 7.0in infotainment system. You can always use a navigation app from your phone rather than go for the more expensive SZ5 model.

Our favourite Suzuki Swift 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T

Used Suzuki Swift 17-present

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Suzuki Swift hatchback?

The Ford Fiesta has always been one of the best cars in its class. As long as you avoid the more basic Style trim level, you get a touchscreen infotainment system that allows you to connect your smartphone to. It’s much sharper to drive than the Suzuki Swift and the ride is perfectly judged, soaking up the worst of ruts without being soft, yet it is taut enough to keep body roll in check.

The Skoda Fabia shares engines with its sibling, the Volkswagen Polo. The turbocharged petrol engines are nice and refined, even if some aren’t quite as powerful or efficient as the ones in the Swift. The Fabia isn't quite as much fun to drive as the Swift, either, but it is more practical for small families due to its larger boot.

If you desperately want a hybrid small car, the only other alternative at the moment is the Toyota Yaris. The standard car is efficient enough, but the hybrid version takes it to a whole other level. Mind you, the Yaris won’t suit all; its infotainment system only offers Bluetooth connection, not the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality that many rivals – including the Swift – offer.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used Suzuki Swift, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Used Suzuki Swift 17-present