Used Suzuki Swift 2017-2024 review

What's the used Suzuki Swift like?

Like that friend who's gotten really into running, you can tell that this generation of the Suzuki Swift is a leaner machine than before.

This 2017-2024 generation is 120kg lighter than the previous 2012-2017 Suzuki Swift and that brought benefits to its performance, fuel economy and handling – all of which compare well with lardier rivals. What's more, there's an intelligent mild-hybrid system on some models, making the car even more efficient.

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.

Pros

• Lively performance of 1.0 engine
• Tidy handling
• Well equipped

Cons

• Road and wind noise
• Harsh ride
• Cheap-feeling interior plastics

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Engines & Performance: There's a 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).

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.

Ride & Handling: 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 Ford Fiesta or Seat Ibiza. Road and wind noise are also an issue, particularly at motorway speeds.

Interior & Practicality: 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.

Trims & Equipment: 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.

Interested in buying a used Suzuki Swift? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Ownership cost

What used Suzuki Swift 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, a little more on 2024 models.

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Our recommendations

Which used Suzuki Swift 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

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Suzuki Swift?

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.

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Interested in buying a used Suzuki Swift? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.