Mazda 3 vs Suzuki Swift

What's the difference?

VS
Mazda 3
Mazda 3

$23,995 - $55,682

2024 price

Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift

$19,290 - $37,180

2024 price

Summary

2024 Mazda 3
2024 Suzuki Swift
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Inline 3, 1.2L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.6L/100km (combined)

3.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Small boot
  • Gloomy rear seat
  • No more manual

  • Needs 95 RON premium unleaded
  • Spare wheel now an option
  • Base model loses seat-height adjustment
2024 Mazda 3 Summary

Half a decade on, the current-generation Mazda 3 has weathered a world of change.

Cheap cars have vanished. Electric vehicles are commonplace and the small car class it belongs to has been decimated by SUVs. Big names like the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Mitsubishi Lancer are history.

But while it looks identical to the car unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show, today’s Mazda 3 has also evolved, albeit gently.

Let’s see how competitive the latest and improved (as well as more expensive) version is.

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2024 Suzuki Swift Summary

Few cars have had the sheer staying power of the Suzuki Swift.

Except for a four-year hiatus as the original Ignis from 2001, the Japanese supermini has been a segment mainstay since 1983, winning over consumers worldwide as an inexpensive, economical and reliable yet fun option in the Toyota Yaris class.

In Australia, its impact has been even more profound, providing Holden with its famous “beep-beep” Barina for two early iterations from 1985, while also introducing us to the pocket rocket decades before the Volkswagen Polo GTI, with the Swift GTi of 1986.

Now there’s this – the sixth-gen model in 41 years if you exclude that Ignis – doing what the little Suzuki has always done: offering buyers a great budget alternative. But this time, in this new-electrification era, where precious few attainable choices remain.

Is it any good? Let’s dive straight in.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Mazda 3 2024 Suzuki Swift

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