Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo 2017 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.5

Likes

Smallest engine is also the most powerful
CVT ditched in favour of conventional six-speed automatic
Top-shelf safety and in-cabin technology

Dislikes

Price means there are bigger cars to cross-shop against
Cabin materials don’t match price point
Basic backseat
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

1 min read

It’s a sizeable jump between the second-from-top and the top-of-the-range Swifts, with buyers asked to climb from the $17,990 GL Navigator with Safety Pack to the $22,990 GLX Turbo - a $5k step.

That money, though, will buy you a different engine and gearbox, swapping the old-school 1.2-litre unit for a clever turbocharged 1.0-litre 'Boosterjet' engine that produces 82kW at 5500rpm and 160Nm at 1500rpm. It also  pairs with a different automatic gearbox, ditching the CVT in favour of a six-speed torque converter unit.

The GLX Turbo also builds on the standard equipment of the GL Navigator with Safety Pack, too, adding push-button start, better 16-inch alloys, digital aircon and LED headlights with a dusk-sensing function to the standard-feature list.

While every Swift arrives with front, front-side and curtain airbags, along with ABS brakes and traction aids, the GLX Turbo adds AEB, Lane Departure Warning and adaptive cruise control.

Read the full 2017 Suzuki Swift review

Suzuki Swift 2017: Glx Turbo

Engine Type Turbo 3, 1.0L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 5.1L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $10,890 - $14,850
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$14,906
Based on 67 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$9,499
HIGHEST PRICE
$21,935
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$9,499
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2017 Suzuki Swift
See Pricing & Specs

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