The latest version of the Swift offers all the fun of the outgoing model, with improved performance and economy - but has the brand gone far enough, asks Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
WHEN WAS the last time you considered buying a Suzuki? For better or worse, the Japanese brand hasn’t really mined into the Irish motoring consciousness. Take a straw poll among the buyers of small cars – as we did while we tested this car – and Suzuki doesn’t get a mention in the usual list of 10 or 12 potential supermini buys. Unless there’s a dealer in the locality, it’s rare that anyone would recall the brand without some pointed hints.
It’s a pity, because the model range has always been competitively priced and recorded decent reliability. Within its ranks the Swift has long been the star performer. When the last generation version was launched four years ago it set new standards in the supermini market. Not only did it look sporting when all its rivals were frumpy, it kept its prices steady as the rest rode the back of the Celtic Tiger. And it was as much fun to drive as the Mini, a car that started at €5,000 more.
It was my favourite supermini during the heady days of excess. I liked it so much I even recommended the Swift to our next-door neighbour. That’s a serious vote of confidence, for I know that any problems with the car will land back on my doorstep, even before a mechanic is called. So far there have been nothing but compliments for my counsel.
So how does the latest iteration stack up? The good news is that the car is still as much fun to drive as before.
The biggest boon of the last Swift was its handling and it has lost none of its charm in this regard. It’s just so stable in corners that you know it could cope with a lot more power than is currently on offer. The steering is remarkably precise and the Swift’s cornering is razor sharp. That’s largely down to the chassis format, with each wheel located at the farthest corners of the car.
It might seem like a silly point but there are still a lot of “new” cars out there with great bulbous rears overhanging the rear wheels, swinging around corners like they’ve been tied to the chassis with a piece of bailing twine. In contrast, the Swift is taut, nimble and agile.
In terms of image, Suzuki claims in its PR spin that “viewed from the front, side or rear, the Swift is unmistakably new” but that’s utter bunkum. They’ve tweaked the original styling to justify the “new” tagline but if it wasn’t for the numberplate you’d never be able to tell the generations of Swift apart.
As if to prove the point, our test car was a grey five-door version, the same as the one purchased – on our recommendation – by our neighbour. You could hold a very challenging “spot the difference” competition between the two cars, with the winner likely to be wearing a pretty heavy motoring anorak.
The lack of a new look belies some substantial changes under the bonnet, however. There’s a new 1.2-litre petrol engine that offers more power and torque alongside lower fuel consumption and emissions than the previous 1.3-litre powertrain. The Swift now sits firmly in the lowest tax band, down 24g/km from the previous model.
It’s also quieter than the outgoing model. Up against similarly powered rivals, the Swift is a far more refined powertrain. Entry-level engines in the supermini class tend to be noisy compromises, trading power and refinement for fuel savings. The Swift asks for no such trade-off.
We have a soft spot for superminis because, if they’re engineered properly, they can be the most eager, nimble and fun cars to drive without threatening your driving licence. The Swift epitomises these characteristics. It makes you look forward to driving on tight and twisting roads.
Not only does it instil a sense of fun behind the wheel, but the new version also boasts safety equipment that puts many of its rivals to shame. Along with seven airbags, it includes ESP stability control – a proven lifesaver – as standard. Many of the household car brands baulk at fitting ESP as standard in their supermini models, claiming it would push up prices and people will not pay for such added safety features. Suzuki does it and still offers the three-door GL Swift from just €14,650. Clearly the brand managers from rival car firms need a lesson in cost management from the folks in Suzuki Ireland.
Just because it has ESP, the Swift doesn’t skimp on comfort features either. The entry-level GL comes with a USB port and leather steering wheel with steering wheel audio controls while the GLX adds manual air-con and alloys, to mention just a few features. It also comes with three year’s roadside assistance and recovery. For all that, the cabin is nowhere near as smart as many of its rivals. Overall, the Swift deserves far more credit and recognition than it gets from Irish buyers, but for all my fondness for the car, my head has been turned by some of its rivals. The biggest problem for the Swift is that the supermini landscape has changed radically since its last generation took to the road.
There is just so much choice in the supermini market that the Suzuki will struggle against the big brand names. When it was first launched, the Swift was up against a plodding Fiesta, a boxy and functional Polo and a distinctly dull duo of Korean offerings. The Mazda2 was the only car close to the Swift’s price range that matched it for fun. That’s no longer the case. Ford shot out of the starting blocks with the current Fiesta that offers a fun drive and a really premium cabin. The Polo matched that by effectively offering a shrunken Golf in everything but name. Both Korean brands now offer tempting rivals that challenge the European marques. In this company, the Swift gets lost in the crowd.
This latest version offers all the fun of the outgoing model, but with improved performance and economy. But it no longer enjoys a lead over its rivals. Suzuki could – or should – have pushed harder to maintain their advantage.
Instead they’ve taken a conservative line, opting to stick with the tried and tested formula. It’s understandable, but fails to take account of the improvements made by rivals. Suzuki certainly deserves more consideration from supermini customers than it gets and the Swift is still on our list of recommended supermini buys, but it’s no longer at the top.
Factfile
Engine1,242cc four-cylinder petrol unit putting out 94bhp at 6,000rpm and 230Nm of torque at 2,250rpm
0-100km/h12.3 secs
Max speed165km/h
Bootspace211-528 L
L/100km(mpg) 5.0 (56.5)
Emissions(motor tax) 116g/km (€104)
SpecificationStandard features include seven airbags; ESP stability control; electric front windows; remote central locking; electric and heated door mirrors; radio/CD with MP3 and USB port. GLX adds manual air-con and 16" alloys.
Price€15,950
THE RIVALS
Ford Fiesta 1.25 82ps Colourline
Bhp: 80
0-100km/h: 13.3 secs
Bootspace: 295-979 L
L/100km (mpg): 5.7 (49.6)
Emissions (tax): 133g/km (€156)
Price: €17,075
Renault Clio 1.2 5dr Dynamique
Bhp: 74
0-100km/h: 13.4 secs
Bootspace: 288-1,028 L
L/100km (mpg): 5.8 (48.7)
Emissions (tax): 135g/km (€156)
Price: €15,600
Toyota Yaris 1.33 5dr Luna A/C
Bhp: 100
0-100km/h: 11.7 secs
Bootspace: 272-738 L
L/100km (mpg): 5.1 (55.4)
Emissions (tax): 120g/km (€104)
Price: €16,925
VW Polo 1.2 Comfortline 5dr
Bhp: 70
0-100km/h:14.1 secs
Bootspace: 280-952 L
L/100km (mpg): 5.5 (51.4)
Emissions (tax):128g/km (€156)
Price: €16,725
