Suzuki Swift Reviews

It's only when you put the new Swift side by side with the old one that the differences become apparent. For that reason, we were surprised Suzuki did not have the previous model on hand at the Aussie launch of the all new Swift this week in Victoria. We reckon a casual observer would have difficulty telling the two cars apart and this is probably no accident. Launched in 2004, the Swift has been a phenomenal success for the Japanese company and no one wanted to derail that train. In this respect, execs explained the company took a leaf out of BMW's book, opting for a minor, evolutionary changes in appearance, rather than a dramatic one. Looking at the figures, the new Swift is actually significantly bigger - 90mm longer to be exact - and stands 10mm taller too. The distance between the axles has also grown by 50mm which means more room inside. Bigger usually means heavier too and the new Swift tips the scales at 1025kg, about 45kg heavier despite a weight saving regime. But, while the Swift has grown in physical dimensions, it's engine has shrunk - from 1.5 to 1.4 litres. The good news is that it produces almost the same amount of power and torque as the unit it replaces, but uses less fuel in the process - a fact that will endear the car to many new drivers. There's three models - GA, GL and top of the line GLX, with prices starting from $16,990 plus on roads. Standard equipment includes seven airbags which no doubt contribute to Swift's maximum five-star safety rating. Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake forced distribution and brake assist are also standard. The 1.4-litre engine delivers 70kW of power and 130Nm of torque, compared to 74kW and 133Nm previously. A longer engine stroke and electronic throttle control contribute to better throttle response. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. We drove the mid-spec' GL with the five-speed auto and top of the line GLX with a five-speed manual. Enthusiasts will no doubt be drawn to the manual, but the auto while nothing flash makes a pretty good fist of it. 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. Getting behind the wheel of the car for the first time, we were impressed with its big car feel. It's all hard plastics inside, but they are disguised well with changes in texture and colour. A chunky leather clad steering wheel in the cars we drove sits nicely in the hands. Rear legroom is still tight. Cleverly, the height of the boot lip has been raised which means the bumper will absorb most if not all of the impact in a rear ender making the car cheaper to repair. A space saver spare wheel is standard, hidden beneath a second false floor in the smallish boot. We gave the new Swift a good workout and can see why it is so popular. The busy four cylinder engine lends a sporty note and it feels quieter in the cabin at highway speeds. Confident handling is supplemented by a stability system that will keep the car pointing in the right direction, even at over enthusiastic speeds. Suzuki is claiming a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km for the manual, and from 6.6 to 6.2 litres/100km for the auto.We got 6.5 from the manual and 7.8 from the auto in the course of the launch program. As good as it is, the Swift's tidy chassis deserves and could easily take more power, much more than offered by the current Sport edition (new one under development).

WE turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering - would you buy one?What is it?The GLX is Suzuki's top of the range Swift which has just been updated although it looks very much like the previous model.How much?GLX is $18,990, $3000 more than the entry GA and $2000 more than the mid-range GL model. The optional four-speed auto adds $1700 to the price.What are the competitors?Plenty of competitors in this segment, but the Swift knocks them all for six in terms of style. It's actually 90mm longer and 10mm higher than the old one, with another 50mm between the axles which means more room inside.What's under the bonnet?Same 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine as the other models. Delivers 70kW of power and 130Nm of torque, compared to the old 1.5's 74kW/133Nm.How does it go?Surprisingly well. Even the auto is zippy. The engine has a sporty note under hard acceleration and it remains sure-footed in corners, with stability control to sort things out if necessary.Is it economical?Better than before. Suzuki is claiming a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km for the manual, and from 6.6 to 6.2 litres/100km for the auto.Is it 'Green?'Gets four stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius gets five). The auto produces 147g/km of CO2, a little more than the manual.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars thank you very much. Seven airbags standard, along with traction and stability control plus anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.Is it comfortable?Gets our vote. One of the first things we noticed about this car was its big car feel belying its size. Interior has a much classier feel, with better finishes. Sits on 16 inch alloys, with 185/55 rubber.What's it like to drive?Feels very smooth and sure footed, with good sound insulation. A longer engine stroke and electronic throttle control contribute to better throttle response.Is it value for money?As well as more gear the GLX adds some mechanical upgrades like foggies, rear disc brakes, and the addition of reach adjustment for the steering wheel. There's also Bluetooth, climate air and a keyless entry/start system.Would we buy one?You bet. Love the looks, like the way it rides and handles but the higher price for the GLX puts it within cooee of plenty of excellent competitors. Rear legroom is still tight and the spare is a spacesaver.SUZUKI SWIFT GLX AUTORATINGVERDICTSwift ... bigger and more economical than before.

Suzuki Swift GLX and VW Polo 77TSI Comfortline go head-to-head in this comparative review.

The new Suzuki Swift has grown up. It is exactly what you expect of a major newcomer in 2011, with the same strengths as the outgoing car and enough improvements to justify a change.The styling is a letdown - more like a facelift than a true model change - but the offset is provided by a starting sticker that's the same as the basic Swift from 2005. That means pricing from $15,990 for the manual-only Swift GA, although even that car now comes with seven airbags and ESP stability control.The Swift continues as a boxy five-door hatch that's easy to drive and park, and a serious rival to a range of baby-class cars including the benchmark Volkswagen Polo, Toyota's Yaris and the ageing Honda Jazz.VALUEThe bottom line is the bottom line for bargain-basement buyers, and Suzuki has done well - helped by the strength of the Australian dollar - to hold the starting price down to $15,990. Most customers are going for the slightly upscale GL from $16,690, mostly because it is available with Suzuki's four-speed auto but also because it gets a slightly better dashboard with a revcounter and USB sound input, as well as extra paint on the basic plastic parts.The Swift now comes with a 1.4-litre engine but there is promise of more go in an upcoming Swift Sport. Suzuki Australia claims a significant influence from the mid-sized Kizashi, particularly in the dashboard design and cabin quality, while trumpeting the success of the previous model - which set a Suzuki record for hitting two-million sales.There are three models - GA, GL and GLX - with the top-line car going to $18,990 or $20,690 as an auto.TECHNOLOGYThere is nothing revolutionary in the fourth-generation Swift. The 1.4-litre engine is new and brings 70 kiloWatts and 130 Newton-metres with average economy of 5.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 132 grams/kilometre, but the auto is still only a four-speeder.The car has a slightly longer wheelbase, to improve ride and add some millimetres in the cabin. Suzuki claims everything from improved braking to sharper electric steering, as well as better ride comfort from tweaked - but still rear torsion-beam - suspension."The development team's motto for the new Swift was simple - More Swift," says Tony Devers, general manager of Suzuki Australia."DESIGNYou could be forgiven for thinking that someone put the previous Swift into a 3D photocopier and set the result to 105 per cent. So it's a very, very familiar family look.The previous Swift was a revelation when it arrived, and scooped the 2005 Carsguide Car of the Year award, but not the shape is predictable and nothing special. Even so, the dashboard is more modern and user-friendly and the overall space inside is more comfortable and enjoyable.SAFETYSuzuki claims class leading safety thanks to seven airbags in the cabin and the usual ABS brakes-ESP stability control. The seventh bag is for the driver's knees. The great news is that all the protection comes on the basic car, not through an extra-cost safety package or exclusively on the flagship model. The previous Swift was a five-star car and Suzuki is expecting the same score for the new model.DRIVINGThe new Swift is like so many cars these days - bigger, smoother, nicer, better. But it is missing the surprise-and-delight of the previous model. The cabin is a bit better, and there is a touch of Kizashi in the design and controls, but it's not ... special.Suzuki has done some really great cars in recent years, most notably the previous Swift and the Kizashi, but this one is only good. If that sounds like criticism, it is.But not because of any faults in the car. It's just that Suzuki can, and should, do better and will need more to compete with its rivals in coming years. The Volkswagen Polo costs a fair bit more but is the new benchmark in the class, and the Swift must also be shopped against the impressive Ford Fiesta and even the ageing Toyota Yaris.It's hard to make direct comparisons, with so many body styles and different engines among the opposition, but the Swift is right in the five-door heartland with its 1.4-litre engine. It is a good drive, and has good space for the class, with good value.It rides better than before and is fairly sharp in its steering response, but the engine is let down in the four-speed auto. So the new Swift is a nice car and a nice drive.  The pricetag is very good. But we expected more.

The current car has been a mainstay for Suzuki with two million sales since its launch in 2005, so a major overhaul of the light car is reserved for the mechanicals and chassis. The visual style is a modern interpretation of the previous model. The base price is also based on the previous model: at $15,990 it is the same as the 2005 model cost.VALUEThe new Suzuki Swift is a mainstay of Suzuki Australia's operations. The company has sold 65,000 of the existing model cars and is Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says new model, with the catchline "More Swift", will account for a 10 per cent sales boost.The base-model GA (there's no model-specific badging on any Swift model, so pick them by look) comes with steel 15-inch rims, plain door handles and side mirrors, power windows and mirrors, a four-speaker sound system with USB and iPod connectivity, a five-speed manual transmission and drum rear brakes. It also packs seven airbags and electronic stability control into the mix.Step up $700 to the mid-spec GL there's 15-inch alloys, a body-coloured door handles and mirrors, mirror-mounted side indicators, a leather steering wheel with audio controls, and a six-speaker sound system. There's also a tacho, which will be more important for manual owners than those who spend the extra $1700 for the optional four-speed automatic.The top-spec GLX costs $18,990 and adds all-round disc brakes, 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth connectivity, a steering wheel that adjust for reach and height, keyless entry and start/stop button and front fog lamps.TECHNOLOGYThe "New Swift" is more, and in some cases less, of the same. And that's good for buyers. The engine has been downsized from 1.5 to 1.4 litres, but the new powerplant is lighter, helping to offset the drop to 70kW and 130Nm, from the 1.5's 74kW/133Nm. The flip is petrol use is down from 6.3 litres/100km to 5.5, which puts the Swift at the top of the class on fuel use. CO2 emissions are 132g/km.All cars now have the electronic throttle control previously reserved for the sporty Swift S model. The chassis is lighter and stronger and the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear have been overhauled.Cruise control isn't a option, yet. Devers says he's aware how important it is in Australia "and the company is working with us", suggesting it will be an option sooner rather than later. All cars come with iPod/USB connectivity.STYLINGAn Italian interpretation on the original design led to the latest look for the Swift. Suzuki sent two teams to Europe (one to France and one to Italy), to conceive a new style for the Swift and it was the Italian-based team's modern approach to evolving the design that won.The result is a glass profile that progressively narrows from the front windows the rear, a bigger front grille, front and rear lights that now sweep around the top side edges of the car and a much smarter interior.Silver highlights help break up the black dash and while the plastics aren't at Euro-touch softness, they look durable and the fit and finish is typical Suzuki standard. And the front dash pockets may help break up the lines, but I wouldn't be putting anything heavy in them ...SAFETYThe Swift is a safe bet. There are seven airbags (the driver picks up a knee bag in addition to the dual front, side and curtain units), ABS brakes with brake assist and brakeforce distribution, stability control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters. It is a five-star car and the 40mm wheelbase spurt in size gives rear seat passengers more legroom.DRIVINGHairpin turns with short straights are made for cars like the Swift. That explains why Arthur's Seat is the launch venue, the chassis/suspension are in their element on the tight bends and bumpy roads.The ride is firm but not harsh and it sits flat and composed under acceleration or brakes. The light and low weight means it holds its line in turns and responds to throttle or brake if the driver's overcooked it.Uphill runs expose the engine's lack of torque and the four-speed auto's lack of ratios. The pair work OK around town, but won't be the enthusiasts' choice, especially as there's no option for manual shifts.The five-speed manual's extra cog helps get the most out of the engine, like most Suzuki units, this 1.4-litre will happily rev at the top of the tacho and the mid-range is strong, so work ing the manual can result in reasonably quick runs.The GLX undoubtedly has the better brakes, bu the rear drums on the GL didn't lock up once and will be more than good enough for most owners.Rear seat room will encourage you to pack adults in for a short trip, they'll moan, but survive, and pre-teen kids won't complain at all. Boot space is tight, but at 210 litres to the bottom of the windows you can fit the weekly luggage in. A removable tray covers a smaller compartment, and the space saver spare, below, but I'd ditch it for the extra boot depth.The Swift is chasing sales off the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 and the first impressions are the extra interior sophistication will earn it more fans. Enthusiasts will have to wait until next year for the 1.6-litre S model.VERDICTA good car done better. Price and build quality are on the money.

Slightly, bigger, but slightly more economical. Mildly evolved, but essentially the same. It won’t be the cheapest in the small car class, it’s unlikely to be the dearest.And there, in essence you have the new version of Suzuki’s best seller, the Swift, due our way in February, as tested by Carsguide this week at Ryuyo proving grounds in Japan.Much depends on February’s launch price. Given our dollar continues to punch above its weight, there’s little reason to expect a marked increase on the $16K starting price of the outgoing range. If it is, well …Is the newcomer worth the wait? On the whole, yes.The GL comes with 15-inch steel wheels, rather than the GLi’s 16-inch alloys. Both have i-Pod connectivity, but the latter’s interior finish and exterior touches are a class above, the GLi replete with fully adjustable steering wheel, keyless ignition and start/stop button.No plans for an S model yet, at least none Suzuki will comment on while the current model is out there.Again a question of incremental improvement. Suzuki emulates the trend to engine downsizing, but with none of your fancy German turbo charging or direct injection.The new 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol unit loses 100cc in the current model. At 70kW and 130Nm it’s also down on power and torque – and it’s asked to move a bigger, heavier (due to increased standard safety gear) car.Yet it does so with evident ease while returning better fuel economy and emission figures. That’s down to fiddling with the throttle and transmissions.These, the standard five speed manual and optional four speed automatic, each remain a cog short of contemporary and, in the slusher’s case, three off the cutting edge.Another carry over is the suspension set up, Macpherson struts up front, old style torsion beam aft.Stop me if this is becoming a familiar theme, but it’s immediately obvious this is a Swift, only a bit bigger. This model is much more striking though, not least for its pert, Renault inspired rear end.Within the GL’s a bit grim, though again a step forward. The GLi lifts the game. That said Korea has caught up with, even surpassed, the hard black plastics that define both cars – another reason why Suzuki would do well to contain any price rise.In the metal, the Swift is, in its way, more impressive than the well-received Kizashi. While that was a surprising and welcome departure, the Swift is in a sense more impressive because its context is more rigidly defined. It looks pretty cool.Matching the seven airbags of Volkswagen’s Carsguide Car of the Year Polo, Swift emulates its five star crash safety rating in European testing.Also standard on GL and GLi is electronic stability program, anti-lock brakes bolstered by brake assist and force distribution. Disappointingly, the GL gets drums at the back; the GLi has discs fore and aft.A car developed partly at Suzuki’s own proving ground is hardly likely to disgrace itself here. Even at speeds impossible elsewhere except perhaps Germany, the Swift is a stable, refined and dynamically adept performer; all of which bodes well for the real world where the wind noise level will be acceptable.The auto can’t keep up with the manual, but is some way more than adequate. You won’t lose much by taking the lazy option other than a few thou in the asking price and less than a litre more juice every 100km.Steering which initially feel too light, is accurate and direct; the little car turns in and holds speed through bends in a way that will at least give Ford’s Fiesta – the best handler in this class – something to think about without keeping it awake at night.A good thing made that bit better.

A little burble from the exhaust system, go-kart-like handling, the wind in your hair and a clean set of heels at the lights... that is what many office-bound men and women live for.

And just sometimes, you can get it all and still hear the reassuring sounds of change rattling in your pocket.  Small cars don't have to be cheap and nasty or even perform like an asthmatic snail in a bid to maximise fuel economy. Nor do they have to be cramped or have the visual appeal of a packing crate that instantly identifies you as cheap.  Here are five small cars that will haul you and three friends - and do it on a miserly fuel budget.The good news is they're all less than $30,000. And that includes comprehensive safety features with electronic stability control and ABS brakes.  But best of all, turn up the wick and these things will give you a decent thrill.  Two are turbocharged and one has a 2.5-litre engine. No need to be red-faced at the traffic lights in these.Mitsubishi Colt RalliartThis looks like a small apartment block sitting on a cute set of alloys. In fact, it's a powerhouse that will dust of a lot of cars with twice the engine capacity and has room for four adults, parks in weeny car bays, runs on a sip of fuel - though you'll need premium brand - and is the perfect shopping trolley for people who like their food fast.Price: $25,740Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 113kW/210NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.7 l/100km premiumPerformance: 0-100km/h in 7.6 secSafety: two airbags, ESC, ABS, BAVolkswagen Polo GTIThis baby sister of the Golf GTI quickly gets off the mark thanks to some component sharing and a 1.8-litre turbo engine. It comes only as a three door so may limit those with heaps of friends, though certainly looks as good as it goes. Solid German construction and versatile interior add to its appeal.Price: $26,990Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 110kW/220NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.9 l/100km Premium0-100km/h: 8.2 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, diff lockFord Fiesta ZetecYou can get this in three and five-door versions (extra money for the five door) and while it's not turbocharged, is a spirited performer with lots of aesthetic charm. It's an easy hatchback to live with and aside from a small fuel thirst, runs on cheaper unleaded petrol. Comprehensive safety features show you care for your friends.Price: $20,490Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 88kW/152NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.1 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.2 sec (estimated)Safety: 5 airbags, ESC, ABS, BASuzuki Swift SportYou know the Swift, now meet its more beefed up brother. The Sport is unassuming though gets a bigger engine and tauter suspension to accentuate its handling and acceleration. That makes it as practical and reliable as its less-powerful relations. Also has great features and the full safety package.Price: $23,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 92kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.5 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.8 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BAMazda3 SP25This is a great package at a superb price. The SP25 just takes the refreshed Mazda3 to another level, boosting power and torque yet not crushing attributes such as its fuel economy. The features are also excellent as is the safety equipment. It's physically bigger than its rivals here and that means more cabin and luggage room, so it never feels like a small car.Price: $29,740Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cyl 122kW/227NmTransmission: 6-speed manualFuel economy: 8.6 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 7.9 sec (estimated)Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA

Back in 1989 when Suzuki launched the Swift it was virtually alone in the light hatch segment. There were lots of small cars at the time, but the Swift was a light little hatch that was smaller again and almost formed its own market segment.Suzuki has never had much more than a toehold in the Australian market despite having a reputation for solid engineering.The company is better known for its motorcycles, while its cars have been quirky with a strong connection to their two-wheel cousins in an engineering sense.It’s that motorcycle connection that helps explain the nature of the company’s cars, which have always been light with power delivered by small jewel-like engines that love to be revved.The Swift GTi was the sporty version of the Swift hatch. It was a pocket rocket that won a following with younger drivers who came to admire its giant-killing capacity when pitted against bigger and much more powerful cars in rallying and on the racetrack.MODEL WATCHThe SF Swift first saw light of day here in 1989. It was a cute little car offered as a three-door or five-door hatch, and while it was a small car it was really a size below most of the other small cars on the market.Its formula, one Suzuki seemed to adopt from its experience in building motorcycles, was of a light car with a free-revving engine that resulted in an impressive power-to-weight ratio.Japanese motorcycle manufacturers long understood the value of the power-to-weight formula as a way of achieving high performance without the need for a big engine.In that sense the Swift was a motorcycle on four wheels, but it’s that same philosophy that presents problems in the used car scene.The GTi was the sporty model in the Swift range. It came only as a three-door hatch and boasted more thrills than frills.It was dressed up with body-coloured bumpers that gave it a sporty look, but other than that there were few cosmetic changes to the basic Swift.Weighing a mere 830 kg fully dressed the GTi didn’t need much in the way of grunt to get it moving swiftly.Power was provided by a diminutive 1.3-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that was able to generate 74 kW when at its angriest, which was when it was spinning at 6450 revs. Maximum torque was a tiny 113 Nm at 4950 revs.A five-speed manual gearbox processed the power before sending it on to the front wheels for transfer to the road.To get the best out of it you had to clamp your right foot to the floor and keep it there. Soft peddling would get you nowhere.In fact, even when you did rev it the result was hardly likely to take your breath away. Under the pressure of a stopwatch a Swift GTi would still take more than 17 seconds to cover the standing 400-metre sprint.The reality was that the GTi wasn’t that quick in a straight line, but that wasn’t its strength. The GTi came into its own when the road twisted and turned, its low weight helped make it nimble, which was the real key to its appeal.While it handled well its suspension was firm and its ride too hard to appeal to anyone but the young enthusiast.The list of standard features was quite short, consisting of fog lamps, power windows and mirrors, sports seats and trim, and four-speaker radio-cassette sound.IN THE SHOPThe GTi’s light construction, and the real chance they have been driven hard and fast by enthusiasts, means they need be approached with caution. Look for doors that have sagged, hatches that don’t quite fit the body openings properly, and general squeaks and rattles.Many have been used in competition over the years so look for odd holes and modifications to fit safety equipment like fire extinguishers, racing harnesses and roll cages. Steer clear of any car that appears to have been used in that way.While the engine is a gem it should be checked thoroughly for wear. Watch for oil smoke from the exhaust, which might indicate worn rings or other deeper internal issues needing attention.Listen for clicking noises from the front suspension when turning, which suggests the CV joints are worn and need replacing.Ask for a service record that shows the GTi has been regularly and properly serviced, including regular changes of engine coolant.IN A CRASHLight construction, the capacity to go quickly, and a lack of ABS anti-skid brakes and airbags means the GTi doesn’t score highly on the safety scale.In recent real life crash surveys the Swift has been rated significantly worse than average, not a good report at all.OWNERS SAYHenry Chung once owned a 1997 Suzuki Swift GTi and his memory of it was that it was a zippy little hatchback that loved to be revved, but was economical to run, easy to maintain and could be readily modified to increase its performance. But its back seats were cramped and it was prone to sticking tappets, its CV joints wore quickly and blue smoke could be seen occasionally coming from the exhaust.LOOK FOR• Rattling engine• Exhaust smoke• Ticking front suspension• Cramped interior• Body squeaks and rattles• Poor crash protection• Agile handlingTHE BOTTOM LINEHot hatch has seen better days, best to be avoided.RATING45/100

The original Suzuki Swift GTi, sold here in the mid-'80s, was a budget-priced bucket of bolts attached to one of the sweetest, micro-sized, twin-cam, multi-valve engines this side of a Suzuki motorbike.You don't see too many of those old GTi Suzies around these days; many were spontaneously added to roadside shrubbery when the engine proved too much for the rest of the car to cope.Still, it was a loveable little rogue of a thing, despite wrist-snapping torque steer and wet-weather handling that left drivers ashen-faced and trembling, as though they'd just been shot (or seen The Catch-Up).Maybe “despite” is the wrong word. The adventurous thrilled in numbers to the GTi's mix of dash and destructiveness, making it an unlikely cult machine. Of surviving GTis, possibly only one or two remain unmodified; such is the fate of the cult car.Twenty years on, Suzuki has incorporated the GTi's DNA into its latest bargain hatchback, the Swift Sport.This isn't as simple as you'd expect. Modern designers face unusual design challenges: the technology exists to make even budget-level cars completely smooth and refined, which sometimes — especially in the case of sporty runabouts — isn't what you want.So some reverse engineering is needed: winding back sophistication to a point where the fun kicks in.The harder you drive the Sport, the more you notice its ancestor's kookiness creeping to the surface.There's barely any torque steer, but enough power is communicated through the wheel to give you at least an idea of something raucous happening up front — without any particular danger that you'll be incorporated into a tree, or oncoming traffic.In fact, given the test car's nuclear yellow paint, there was more danger of blinding oncoming drivers than hitting them. This paint could be seen through walls. It was like driving a glowstick.Forget wet-weather trauma, too — although probably more credit should go to the Suzuki's gluey Dunlops than to its suspension engineers.(By the way, when did tyres become so good? These Dunlops are exceptional, but almost all new tyres are capable of grip levels higher than most competent drivers can exceed. Even those cheap Taiwanese brands with names like Myong Tsing and Tong Foon Speed Monkey Radial aren't entirely dreadful. Someone should re-introduce crossplies, just for nostalgia's sake and to keep the population down.)As with any car so over-tyred, handling in the dry is foolproof. Hit a corner too quickly, and it's no great problem to scrub off speed and change lines.Interestingly, the Sport seems set up to oversteer slightly at exit from medium-quick curves. This is so rare among front-drive hatches as to be almost unique.Suzuki evidently has a playful bunch in its suspension-geometry lab. Hey, for all we know the same guys may be responsible for that hyper-cute exterior.Some gambles have been taken here, but it hangs together well across what is a surprising amount of surface area for such a compact unit.Two things about the Suzuki's interior: it offers enough headroom to wear a top hat, should you be so inclined, and features front seats that, by happy accident, are perfectly sculpted for a certain 42-year-old reviewer's dodgy back.Seriously — and it's purely by coincidence — those seats were perfect. A certain reviewer was tempted to remove them for use in his office.A certain reviewer may even have idly sorted through his tools in search of the correct-size spanners for the job before a certain reviewer considered his bail conditions and woke up to himself.The engine — 1.6 litres, four variably timed valves per cylinder, all the usual tricks — is slightly undersquare (greater stroke than bore) which should provide a little more torque than seems available.No big deal; the engine's sound makes up for that. Suzuki must have had its sonic technicians working harder than Israeli airport security to come up with a note so zesty.For only $24,000, ridiculous value is represented here. It's only after a few days of driving that tiny quality differences between the Sport and its more expensive Mazda and Honda competitors become obvious.They're only small matters — a slightly buzzier reverse gear, for one — and nothing that would be a deal-breaker.Of course, for some drivers wanting to reconnect with some GTi rawness, that buzzy reverse might well be a feature, not a bug.