Item: Used Suzuki Swift 2017-present
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a> 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/suzuki">Suzuki</a> 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a> shares engines with its sibling, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/used-review/n782">Toyota Yaris</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> functionality that many rivals – including the Swift – offer.

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<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/suzuki/swift?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2017">F</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/suzuki/swift?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2017">ind a used Suzuki Swift for sale with&nbsp;What Car? &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

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<h3>Battery</h3>

A software issue on some Swift models built between 7 Jan and 1 November 2017 could lead to the main battery (the one used to start the car)&nbsp;not being charged while driving, leading to it going flat. Find out if your Swift is affected by this because an update will be required to fix this.

<h3>Integrated starter generator</h3>

A problem has been found with the belt snapping on the integrated starter generator that forms part of the mild-hybrid system. It only affects a small number of examples made between 3 February and 13 March 2017, but make sure you check whether the work has already been carried out by speaking with a Suzuki dealer.

<h3>Side curtain airbags</h3>

The side curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners fitted to Swifts manufactured between 3 February 2017 and&nbsp;&nbsp;13 February 2019 could deploy if one of the rear doors is slammed shut. Find out if your car is affected by this because it'll need to have a software update carried out to prevent this from happening.

The Swift should be a highly dependable small car choice because it came in third place out of the class of 22 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">value and small cars</a> in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey.

Suzuki as a brand also did really&nbsp;well overall, getting third place out of 30&nbsp;car manufacturers in the same survey.&nbsp;

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-family-suvs/n20064">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.

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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

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

Used Suzuki Swift 2017-present

<h3>MPG</h3>

All models have strong fuel economy figures, with only the automatic 1.0 petrol dipping below 60mpg.

The&nbsp;109bhp 1.0 hybrid&nbsp;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&nbsp;per year to tax, but&nbsp;models that come with the SHVS hybrid system&nbsp;qualify&nbsp;for a small discount due to&nbsp;it being&nbsp;an alternative-fuel vehicle. Current rates are £165 a year and £155 a year for the hybrids. To find out more about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.

<h3>Servicing costs</h3>

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.

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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

Prices for a used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/suzuki">Suzuki</a> Swift start at around £6000 for a 2017 example with a high mileage. Increase your budget to £8000 or more&nbsp;and you'll be able to bag yourself a mild-hybrid version with average mileage.&nbsp;The&nbsp;four-wheel-drive version is rare and will cost you more to buy. Expect to spend at least £9000 to secure&nbsp;one. Spend between £9000 and £12,000 on good 2020 models, and £12,000 to £15,000 on 2021 and 2022 cars.

To keep up to date with used Swift prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">Check the value of a used Suzuki Swift with What Car? Valuations</a>

<h3>Engine</h3>

The 1.2 petrol might not be ideal&nbsp;when you’re transporting a full complement of passengers, although it's the only option if you need four-wheel drive.&nbsp;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.

<h3>Specification</h3>

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

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<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.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

Top-spec SZ5 models come with diamond-cut alloy wheels that are more costly to repair if they’re kerbed, so have a good look at the car to spot any damage.

Some models come with a reversing camera, but there are no parking sensors, so check the bodywork and bumpers for any dents or scrapes. Paint repairs can be expensive, and if not done correctly, could lead to future rust issues.

Have a good look at the interior for evidence of damaged plastics. While it is tough, shiny plastic trim does show up scratches quite easily.

If you want to set up a smartphone connection using <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>, you will need to have the handbrake on before the system will allow you to do this.

Like that&nbsp;friend who&nbsp;lost a lot of weight between visits, you could tell that this generation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/suzuki">Suzuki</a> Swift had been on a diet. This 2017-onwards generation is up to 120kg lighter than <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/used-review/n781">its previous incarnation&nbsp;</a>and that brought benefits to its&nbsp;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, keeping the car up to date with the electrification trend.

All good stuff, and necessary, being that was&nbsp;up against strong, established car competition from small cars that include&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a>, as well as&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/used-review/n782">Toyota Yaris</a>, which also has hybrid technology. All of these cars are plentiful on the used car market&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;with air-con, a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while&nbsp;mid-range SZ-T versions have a 7.0in infotainment system with a reversing camera, along with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;comes at the expense of ride quality, which can’t match the likes of the Fiesta or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat Ibiza</a>. 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&nbsp;the&nbsp;energy generated during deceleration is stored&nbsp;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&nbsp;inside the Swift and you'll find yourself surrounded by&nbsp;hard, shiny plastics. It’s all well screwed together, but the interior environment isn't&nbsp;as classy to look at or to touch as its main rivals. 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/suzuki/swift?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2017">used Swift</a>, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices. 
 
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Used Suzuki Swift 2017-present review

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Wondering what the best used Suzuki Swift 2017 - present is for your money? The expert What Car? review team can help you out.

EngineThe 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.,,SpecificationWhile 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-TPage 4 of 5

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