Used Suzuki Swift 2024-present review

The Suzuki Swift is like a well-packed carry-on rather than an overweight suitcase. At a time when small cars keep quietly getting bigger and heavier, the Swift remains genuinely small and light, proving that smart packing can be a useful way forward.

Indeed, the Swift tips the scales at just under 1000kg, which helps the car’s efficiency. Along with keeping the weight down, this fourth-generation car introduced a new infotainment system and a revised mild-hybrid system, as well as a longer list of standard safety equipment. These changes are important in this day and age, especially if it’s to compete against the Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia.

Engines and performance: The Swift is only available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine. There’s no turbocharger and it produces just 81bhp, but because of the car’s light weight, it feels surprisingly nippy.

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. The Allgrip has jacked-up suspension, increasing ground clearance from 115mm to 140mm. It’s a rare feature on a small car, so the AllGrip model could be ideal for those that live near rough, rural roads.

There’s a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. The shift action in the manual is precise and nicely weighted, while the auto gearbox improves on-paper performance but takes a toll on fuel economy.

Ride and handling: The Swift’s lightness pays dividends when it comes to handling. It’s more agile than the Sandero, with a front end that responds quickly when you ask for a change of direction. There’s not much body lean, either, making it really fun to hustle down a twisty road.

The quality of the Swift's ride leaves room for improvement. Things are never crashingly firm or uncomfortable, but at faster speeds you're jostled around more than in a Clio or Fabia. The Allgrip is the worst offender, proving noticeably less comfortable than the cheaper 2WD models.

Interior and practicality: The Swift’s interior is filled with hard plastics, but it feels solid and well made. A pleasant mix of colours and textures lifts the general ambience, too. While it isn’t as classy inside as a Clio, it’s better than a Sandero.

All models come with a 9.0in infotainment touchscreen. It’s positioned helpfully high on the dashboard, meaning you don’t need to divert your gaze far from the road to see it, but it’s slow and not the most intuitive system. Handily, all versions come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while a row of physical climate controls makes small adjustments on the move super easy.

Tall people will have minimal complaints about space in the front, thanks to plenty of head room and seats that slide back a long way on their runners. Rear space isn’t as generous, but two six-footers will just about fit. The Sandero and Fabia are better for carrying people in the back overall.

In the boot, the Swift has 265 litres of space (measured below the parcel shelf), which is less than most of its rivals. It can take more luggage than a Toyota Aygo X, but less than a Clio or Fabia. We managed to fit five carry-on suitcases inside.

Trims and equipment: The Swift is really well equipped for a small car. Entry-level Motion trim includes 16in alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring.

Ultra trim doesn't add much more, other than polished alloy wheels, automatic (rather than manual) air-conditioning and power-folding door mirrors.

"The Swift’s engine is smoother and quieter than the three-cylinder units I’ve tried in other small cars. It even sounds quite good, with a thrummy note to the engine as you accelerate." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

If you're interested in buying a used Suzuki Swift or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

Prices for a used Swift start from around £13,000, which gets you a 2024 or 2025 car in Motion trim with low mileage. If you want an Ultra spec car of a similar age, have a budget of at least £14,000. Newer 2026 cars start from around £16,000.

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

Find used Suzuki cars for sale

MPG

The Swift fuel economy figures are really impressive. On a 289-mile round trip from London to Great Yarmouth in a 2WD manual car, we averaged 59.1mpg, which isn’t far off the official average figure of 64.2mpg. For context, an Aygo X can officially average 55.8mpg, while the most efficient version of the Fabia returns 55.4mpg.

Road Tax

All versions of the Swift are subject to the standard flat rate fee of VED, which is currently £195 per year.

Servicing

Suzuki recommends a service every 12 months or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. Maintenance costs shouldn’t be expensive, as is the case with most small cars.

Warranty

From new, the Swift comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, but this can be extended for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles if the car is serviced annually at an authorised Suzuki dealer. This is one of the best warranties in the business, matching Toyota's offering and beating those from Dacia, Renault, Skoda and Volkswagen.

Insurance

All versions of the Swift are in insurance group 20, meaning it generally costs more to insure than the Clio, Fabia and Sandero, which all fall into lower groups.

Safety

Although it offers more standard safety equipment than many of its rivals, the Swift received a disappointing three stars out of five when it was safety tested by Euro NCAP in 2024. Its weakest result was in the Safety Assist category, where it scored 62%, followed by a 65% score for Child Occupant protection. The Sandero performed even worse with a two-star rating, though it’s worth noting that most new cars now achieve the maximum five-star safety rating.

Reliability

The Swift has a generally strong reputation for reliability, with the previous generation placing mid-pack among small cars in our What Car? Reliability Survey after higher rankings in earlier years. While recent results show a slight decline, Suzuki as a brand performed very well overall, ranking near the top among manufacturers.

To find out more about used Suzuki Swift reliability, visit our dedicated reliability page

Engine

Choosing the right engine is easy, because there’s only one. Thankfully, the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid is a good match for the car, providing nippy performance and low running costs.

Specification

Motion trim is really well equipped and a touch cheaper than Ultra, so it’s the version we’d go for. Ultra doesn’t add much more in the way of extras, other than polished alloy wheels, automatic air-conditioning and power-folding door mirrors.

Our favourite Suzuki Swift: 1.2 MHEV Motion

The Renault Clio is a good all-rounder. It’s comfortable to drive, smart inside and impressively practical, while even mid-range cars are well equipped. You can have it with petrol or hybrid power, all for similar money to a Swift of equal age.

It might be a cheap option, but the Dacia Sandero is a great small car. It pleases with its soft suspension, which cushions you from bumps nicely but without compromising the handling. The interior is filled with hard plastics, but it’s well made and, with the top-spec Comfort trim, it’s well equipped. It’s one of the more practical small cars, too.

The Skoda Fabia is practical, comfortable and good value for money when buying used. It's roomy, comfortable and well-priced, making it a tempting used buy. Alternatively, there’s the Volkswagen Polo, which is a slightly more polished version of the Fabia, with improved refinement and a nicer interior. Both cars did well in our most recent reliability survey, too.

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

If you're interested in buying a used Suzuki Swift or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.