Suzuki have an excellent reputation for producing reliable, attractive cars, selling them at reasonable prices to suit most car buying budgets. The brand has a reputation for dependability. All versions are light to drive and offer a lively and fun driving experience from the available economic engines.
Suzuki Swift interior.
As mentioned, the Suzuki Swift with two or four doors is good value, comes in three trim levels and has a choice of engines, hybrid and all-wheel-drive options. These options are often regionally variable, so not all features my be offered in the various global markets. Those referred to here apply to the European market, but wherever the car is purchased customers get the same genuine four-seater with very comfortable seats and a well balanced, pleasing ride quality.
Inside the boot (or trunk), with the rear seats folded there is space for 579 litres luggage. Even with the seats in place there is still sufficient space for day-to-day purposes.
On high specification vehicles there's a perfectly adequate, although not the largest, infotainment display. It's not a stand-out unit but it does the job and has Bluetooth, navigation and the sort of connectivity buyers expect these days.
Suzuki Swift Power
There's something of a mix and match approach throughout the vehicle range. For example, the all-wheel drive option can only be had with the 1.2 Litre Dualjet engine which is, alas, a bit lacklustre. It's okay in general use but with just 89bhp lacks the pizazz of the other offered engine.
Arguably the best choice of engine is the three-cylinder 1.0L Boosterjet engine which is responsive with plenty of available torque. The lighter front-wheel-drive only variant makes for much more spirited motoring with an additional 20bhp over the other engine. Some versions also have the option of an automatic gearbox (a five-speed manual is standard) that has good things said about it but does slightly detract from the performance. There is a ‘Sport’ version of this car with a 140bhp 1.4Litre engine and tighter handling. It's a blast to drive. Again depending upon region, the swift may be offered with the SHVS option.
Suzuki Swift SHVS
These initials stand for Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki. This new technology for the brand comes under the heading of 'Mild Hybrid'. The idea is as simple as it is effective.
The SHVS system works on the principle of regenerative braking where kinetic energy while slowing down is converted to electricity and stored in the battery. SHVS models are fitted with an integrated Starter Generator. This electric motor is powered by the high capacity battery of the car. As the car accelerates this is used to supplement the engine’s power with electricity from a lithium-ion battery pack thus ensuring the engine does not have to rev as much when the car accelerates, thereby saving fuel and reducing emissions. It's there, it's working but you don't notice it.
Is the Suzuki Swift a worthwhile buy?
The interiors are of course not up there with the expensive prestige brands but whichever model from this popular manufacturer is chosen, buyers can be certain of good build quality and reliability.
Get in touch with us at MHH Japanese Cars for more details.
