Suzuki Swift GA 2011 review

It might look the same, but the new Suzuki Swift is in fact quite different. Not only does it feel different, it is actually different inside, with a classy new interior and instrument layout.

Launched in 2005, Swift has been such a success for Suzuki, it is not surprising the company was reluctant to jeopardise this juggernaut, which is probably the main reason it looks so similar. Put the two cars side by side, however, and the differences become obvious immediately.

The thing is new car buyers normally want others to recognise the fact they are driving a new car. And, if you happen to be the owner of the previous model, you might not be as inclined to update - not if you need to tell people its new. That'd be a shame, because you'd be missing out.

Suzuki has invested quite a lot of time and effort into making the car better. Extensive use of higher-strength steel has made the body lighter and stiffer, which combined with a lower centre of gravity has smoothed out the ride without making the car feel insecure.

Looks can be deceiving, because the new Swift is actually 90mm longer, 10mm taller and 45 kilos heavier than before, and the distance between the axles has grown by 50mm which translates to more interior space. 

The distance between opposing wheels has also increased, which together with larger diameter wheels and lower profile tyres contributes to better handling.

The rear bumper also sits higher, which means it will absorb most of the impact in the event of a rear-ender, reducing the cost of repairs (and hopefully insurance). Instead of a 1.5 the new Swift is now powered by a smaller 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine.

Initially, this might sound disappointing, but with an output of 70kW and 130Nm the smaller engine actually produces almost as much power as before but uses less fuel. Suffice to say that the performance is not disappointing.

We were impressed with the changes that Suzuki had made when we drove the car at launch a couple of months back and we were just as impressed the second time around this week. 

Our test vehicle this time was the entry level GA model fitted with a five-speed manual transmission priced from $15,990 - the same price it was five years ago. Suzuki's engineers have paid particular attention to reducing noise and vibration and it shows.

Getting into the car for the first time it feels more substantial and more refined, with a comforting clunk when the door is closed. It has a big car feel that belies it size, with a ride that is smooth and quiet and the manual shift is easy to use. The car accelerates confidently and is not phased by sudden changes in the road surface.

A new variable steering ratio setup makes the car respond more quickly to driver input, while a relatively slow ratio near the turning limits reduces the effort required for bigger turns. A new black-and-silver theme has been adopted for the interior giving the car a sportier, more sophisticated feel.

The central, smoked glass display is the same as in the pricier Kizashi. All important fuel consumption is down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km which means you'll be filling it up less often. Add to this electronic traction and stability control, seven airbags and a maximum, five-star safety rating and it makes the new Swift a tempting proposition.

GA and GL models have drum brakes on the rear, while the GLX adds four-wheel discs. And the GLX gets reach as well as tilt adjustment for the steering wheel.