Suzuki Swift Reviews

It has been tough for the BMW group, which created the new Mini and has just gone again with the new-new Mini, and impossible for Volkswagen with its born-again Beetle.If a company gets the rebirth right it will have a surefire winner, such as the latest Ford Mustang in the United States, but . . .Now it's Suzuki's turn with the rebirth of its Swift GTi.It's a return to the hot hatch business and a chance to plug a gap below pacesetters including the Ford Focus XR5, Renault Megane Sport and Mazda3 MPS.The Swift is smaller in size and engine capacity, but Suzuki Australia believes it will sell to an eager audience that already knows the new-age Swift and remembers its 1980s and 1990s incarnations.Except it is not called a GTi now because Volkswagen objected to the use of the label it has applied to its go-faster Golf since the 1970s.So the GTi is now the Swift Sport, with good looks, a price from $23,990 and the twin exhaust pipes and giant wheels that mark any hot hatch in the noughties.It is more than a dress-up job thanks to a larger engine, significant suspension work and changes to steering and brakes.It has far more refinement than any earlier Swift GTi, but there are some questions.Shoppers have the right to ask about a five-speed gearbox in a generation of six-speeders, an engine that is still only 1.6 litres and the absence of a spare tyre.They also need to hear about changes that run much deeper than a blat-blat exhaust and big wheels.Changes run to significant work on the body, interior, chassis, suspension and brakes.The steering is sharper, the brakes more fade-resistant and the body upgrade includes a deep front spoiler and a yellow body colour that is beyond bright.The engine grows from 1.3 litres in the regular Swift — CARSguide Car of the Year in 2005 — to a "big-bore" 1.6. Power jumps from 75kW to 92kW and torque is improved from 133Nm to 148Nm at 4800 revs.Suzuki has fitted a close-ratio five-speed gearbox, put more beef into the driveshafts, and the engine breathes through a large-capacity muffler.The result is a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.9 seconds and a top of 200km/h.The suspension has Monroe sports dampers, a retuned rear set-up stabiliser bar, and 195x50 tyres on 16-inch rims.But the spare is gone, replaced by an emergency reinflation pack, to make space in the boot floor for the giant muffler.The car has excellent Isofix child-seat anchorage that is now the standard in Europe but cannot be used here because of silly local regulations.Suzuki Australia expects the Swift Sport to be a sellout, based on reaction to news of a GTi comeback and the showroom success of the regular Swift.ON THE ROADTHE Swift Sport is a sharp, enjoyable drive. I first tried a preview car in Japan last year at a Suzuki test track, but it was hard to know if it was really a GTi or just a powered-up Swift on a track that was super-smooth and had few testing turns.Now, after a run through the regular test program, I know the Swift Sport is very good and very good value.Is it a true GTi? Honestly, no. It is sprightly and sporty, but I have been spoiled by the new-age Focus, Megane and Mazda3, and by memories of the previous Swift GTi with its raunchy engine, edgy cornering and funky looks.But the Swift Sport is way ahead of baby-class rivals including the Hyundai Getz and Toyota Yaris, which have only dress-up sports models, and undercuts European imports that have nice badges but big pricetags.But would I recommend the Swift Sport? Truly, yes.It is more refined than the earlier GTi and is a terrific drive, particularly on twisty roads where you can work the responsive chassis, feel the tyres working through the tactile steering and short-shift the gearbox between ratios.The engine is strong without being anything special and even revving it to the redline — much lower than I remember from the GTi — does not give much satisfaction.It is solid once you have 3000 revs on board and the close-spaced ratios help to keep it boiling, but it's not what I would expect from a company with the experience of building so many amazing big-bore motorcycles.I was also disappointed by the transmission. Drivers of the test car commented that it needed to be a six-speeder, not a five, and that it was overly noisy and working too hard at a 110km/h highway cruise.Still, fuel economy was good at 8.7 litres for 100km, though the Sport likes premium unleaded.Inside the cabin, the sports front buckets give excellent support, the steering wheel is meaty and feels classy, the sound system is good and the airconditioning works well.So, is the Swift Sport a worthy successor to the GTi? Yes and no.It is not as quick, responsive or urgent as the GTi, but that is probably a good thing in today's world.It is more refined, more comfortable and excellent value, putting it closer to a Ford Fiesta Zetec with its 1.6-litre engine than a Hyundai Getz.It really has no direct competitors and that means Suzuki Australia's prediction of a Swift sellout will probably be spot on.THE BOTTOM LINEGOOD looking, fun and sharp to drive, but missing the sizzle expected in a GTi.77/100

The far-reaching web of the bright yellow Ferrari 360 Spider was cast in the form of a looming shadow down the straight at Oran Park.Five laps into the reverse-grid component of this CAMS licence qualifier, the little Swift Sport had clawed its way to the lead from ninth on the grid before being thwarted on the straight by a Porsche Cayman S.The next straight was upon us — but as the golden Ferrari filled my rear-view mirror, the black-and-white flag heralded the race's end.Short reverse-grid handicap though it was, the supercar had been undone by a $23,990 hatchback. It ain't called Swift for nothing.Suzuki may have abandoned the famous GTi nameplate, but a decade since the last hot Swift, it has lost none of its famous fun factor.The standard 1.5 litre Swift engine has been pumped up to 1.6, its new-found 92kW peaking at the 6800rpm limit.On song, the engine is as harmonic as a soprano on speed, and the ensuing adrenalin rush is sparked more by an aural inducement than an actual surge of power.This sweet engine produces 18kW more than the standard donor engine and 15Nm more torque, with 148Nm on tap.Power has been found with the installation of a new block, inlet and exhaust camshafts, crankshaft, pistons and rings, conrods, intake and exhaust manifolds. Add to these an electronic throttle body and a bigger muffler.The engine is matched to a smooth, close-ratio, short-throw five-speed manual. The gear whine in first sounds alarmingly like a police siren.Despite peak torque occurring at 4800rpm, 800rpm higher than in a standard Swift, the Sport responds eagerly from remarkably low revs.The gearing is an absolute joy, with even fourth pulling strongly up steep inclines.On the highway, however, the Sport could use a sixth gear; at 100km/h, it's singing away at 3300rpm.Cruise control is optional, and 98RON fuel is required.To the Sport's credit, a day driving laps around Oran Park, combined with highway stints to and from the track, produced a fuel consumption of just 9.8 litres per 100km. Normal city driving saw figures in the low sevens.But this has always been the beauty of the smaller hot hatch. The Sport weighs in at just 1100kg — only 40kg more than its Swift S sibling, despite some top-shelf specs (although it has a can of goop instead of a spare tyre.) The Sport is quick to stop, too, with the standard rear drums replaced by discs.Rubber is excellent: the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are wrapped around gorgeous 16-inch alloys that provide feel without rattling the teeth.The Sport's suspension is stiffened with new Monroe shocks, and suspension and tyres provide great feedback without compromising ride quality in the slightest.The vaguely loose feel of the slightly roly-poly standard car is all but gone. Even the seats have better side support.Extra chassis stiffness is provided by a rear floor crossmember and additional right- and left-side floor members.The body is shaped for speed, with a gaping front air dam, revised front and rear bumpers and spoiler, and colours like Courage Yellow, which is brighter than Las Vegas.Against both the exotica and the cars in its category, the Sport sure stands out.With six airbags and ABS as standard, along with sports and spec appeal, it will give the Citroen C2 VTS/VTR, Ford Fiesta Zetec and Mini Cooper a run for their money.The premium for the Swift Sport is a $6000 stretch over the similarly specced Swift S. But the go-fast goodies in a little car that can brag about beating a Ferrari are well and truly priceless. With thanks to Ian Luff Motivation Australia, Oran Park.

Item by item the Swift doesn't produce much that is a standout; it's all pretty good but generally on a par with others in the segment. Stylistically it is in the "cute box" mould. A strong front-styling gives it presence and a squareish body allows for comfortable interior space.For a $15,990 car, the standard fittings are impressive. There are dual front airbags, ABS brakes, a six-speaker in-dash CD stereo with steering-wheel-mounted controls, airconditioning, height-adjustable seatbelts and driver's seat, electric mirrors and windows, power steering and remote central locking.The test car was fitted with the "S pack" which, for $2000, adds side and curtain airbags, alloys and foglights. But it is not just the list of what is in the car that impresses but the thought that has gone into the little extras. A tray under the passenger seat is perfect to keep knick-knacks out of sight. The inclusion of a pressure pad release for the rear hatch is a touch of class missing from many far more expensive models.The feeling of batting above its position in life continues in the interior of the Swift. A feeling of being in more prestigious surroundings persists with well-designed, quality-feel controls and comfortable, supportive seating.Pleasant surprises keep coming with the Swift's road behaviour. Impressively solid and grounded, the Swift suffers only from a slightly choppy ride at low speeds but when up and rolling the ride is stable and comfortable.The manual box is light and precise but the clutch is too light and the uptake too high up in the travel.A substantial feel to the steering wheel is in keeping with the quality feedback the front-driver provides. Turn-in is precise without being sharp but the chassis offers impressive stability under load.Don't be put off by the fact the Swift has drum rear brakes. Coupled to an effective ABS system the disc front/drum rear set-up works strongly and offers good pedal feel. Raw figures, 74kW@6000rpm and 134Nm@4000rpm, don't do the Swift's performance justice.The manual option definitely works best with the 1.5-litre engine, which spins up willingly and when held at the higher end of the rev range (anything over 3200rpm keeps the pot stirred) can be a lot of fun.In automatic trim, the Swift can struggle to get off the line, particularly with four passengers on board, but finds its legs when it's up and moving. Fuel economy is good rather than frugal. The manual on test averaged in at 9.3 litres per 100km, mainly around town. Suzuki claims 9.0 litres per 100km about town and 5.9 litres per 100km on the open road.Can't wait for the GTi.

She may be small in stature but Kylie is larger than life and makes many red-blooded males drool.And so it is with Suzi.Suzi who? Suzuki Swift.Here's a little model with curves in all the right places. Beautifully proportioned and with some serious sex appeal.And just like Kylie, despite her size, she's a real head turner.Girls look on in envy and guys do a double-take to get a second glance. Maybe they can see something of their girlfriends in Suzi.But there's more to the Suzuki Swift than just good looks.She's full of information. One quick look at her dash will tell you the time, fuel consumption and outside temperature.And she has all the right accessories – electric windows and mirrors, six-speaker CD player, airconditioning, power steering, remote central locking and UV-reducing glass (to stop all those nasty sun spots) ... and extra stereo controls on the steering wheel.She's even got mini-compartments – on the instrument panel, glove box, in the front doors and a tray under the front passenger seat plus front and rear cup holders.And Suzi Swift is safety conscious with a collapsible steering column, front airbags and rear and side curtain airbags that move with the seats (on the S model).An immobiliser and tamper-resistant door locks are included to help prevent theft.And all this for just $17,990. That's a lot of value packed into a little price tag.A 1.5-litre engine powers her along with a five-speed manual gear box (or four-speed automatic).Little Suzi is perfect for city driving – smooth through the gears, easy to handle and a breeze to park.But she's also very comfortable and quiet on the open road with enough power for overtaking.She purrs like a kitten ... a very little kitten.Clever use of interior space means there is plenty of room for people and luggage.Shop for a week, pack for a weekend away or fold down the split rear seats and load up even more.Even 14-year-olds can lounge in the back seats without banging their heads.Suzuki Swift proves that it's the little things that count.

With only a 1.5-litre four cylinder engine on board, the Swift struggles at times.But the gated four speed auto has a good spread of ratios and it is easy to flick between gears. This is the car Suzuki has been waiting for. It looks great, particularly in profile, with a much stronger, muscular presence than the current crop of tall goofy looking gokarts.Build quality is impressive and so is the price which starts at $15,990. You get a lot of car for your money and it makes the Swift a strong contender for car of the year.1.5-litre four cylinder twin cam engine delivers 74kW of power and 133Nm of torque. It's a double overhead cam unit, but Suzuki was producing this kind of power almost 20 years ago with its 1.3-litre GTi. Can't wait for the GTi version of this car, with say the 1.8-litre engine from the Liana.Gated four-speed auto lends itself to manual changes. There's not much oomph in top gear but a flick left finds third gear for overtaking. Pull back from here for second. Couldn't be easier.Brakes are a disc/drum combo. Loses points in this department, but they seem up to the task.Standard equipment includes aircondition- ing, two airbags, ABS brakes, electric mirrors and windows, keyless entry, six speaker in dash CD stereo system, audio controls on a leather steering wheel.Suspension is geared towards ride rather than handling and a version with sports suspension is another item for our wish list. Handles pretty well just the same, with an occasional bouncy moment.Economy is excellent at a claimed 7.5L/100km for the auto and it runs on standard unleaded. You can coach yourself to drive more economically with the instantaneous readout from the trip computer.Sporty touches include a three spoke leather steering wheel, stumpy gear shift lever and illuminated ring around the speedometer. A smallish computer screen located atop and centre of the dash shows time, fuel consump- tion, and outside temperature.Good audio for the money with six speakers including a subwoofer located under the driver's seat.Bit disappointed with the way the upholstery is are finished. Almost like after market seat covers with tie offs flapping around.For $2000 more you get the Swift S with fog lamps, alloy wheels, and side and curtain airbags. 

The year was 1976, and the car I bought, at odds with other selections including a forgettable Fiat and the Honda Civic, was one of 13 that entered the country without any emission controls.It was neat, fast, affordable ($4300) and versatile. I put one set of tyres on it, one battery and sold it 12 years later for $4200.Few cars ever felt like that Golf. But the Suzuki Swift gets damn close.This is enormously surprising because though they have the same roughly crafted credentials — front-wheel-drive engine, five-door body — Suzukis come from different worlds and different eras.The Swift comes with dual airbags, airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors, and a CD player. I also note that the Swift costs $15,990, plus on-road costs.In 1976, the Golf cost me the equivalent of a year's gross salary. It had no airconditioning, no electric anything and the tape deck was my option.In 2005, the Swift is about a third of an equivalent income yet has more equipment, is as quick, is more fuel efficient, has fewer emissions, is safer, has a more compliant suspension, comes with a better warranty and, generally, is a far better buy.The Swift is nothing like its similarly named predecessor. This one has a sparkling 1.5-litreengine, room for four adults, and though it has limited boot space, is a flexible unit for carting the family.On the road, its most endearing feature is the quietness of the engine. Be warned that even when the engine is idling, many novice drivers will try to restart it.At 100km/h on the freeway, the manual version cruises at just 2700rpm, which means low engine stress and excellent fuel consumption. A refuel shows the Swift sipped just 8.1 litres/100km.If I were a more gentle driver, there should be no reason why I couldn't hit close to the claimed seven litres/100km average.Economy aside, the priceincludes loads of features that are well integrated into the package.The ride is supple enough to suit the comfort needs of a young child sitting in the back, while the split-folding rear seat gives the Swift the flexibility to overcome its small boot. The space-saver spare tyre is inexcusable in a car aiming to appeal to a family lifestyle, which includes country driving.That aside, there's little to complain about. Suzuki Australia is pulling its hair out trying to get more stock, which indicates just how good this car is.Apart from the base model tested, Suzuki has a premium model with alloy wheels and foglights. An automatic gearbox is optional.But for the purist who wants a car that can live with city traffic and take the children to school on Monday, there's not a lot better at this price.

With the revision of the Swift nameplate Suzuki has gone back to a time when the company was a major player in the cheap and cheerful playground.More importantly, the product it has stuck the name on is one that is going to surprise more than a few with its character.Recent experiences with Suzuki – the Vitara V6 being the exception – have not always been uplifting. The Ignis was forgettable, the Liana inoffensive at best.It was with some degree of anticipation that the Swift's time in the test garage was settled. Reports, both local and overseas, had been favourable. They were right. There is much to like about this little car. It is sometimes difficult to quantify what individual elements best combine to produce a successful whole. The Swift is a case in point.Item by item the Swift doesn't produce much that is a standout – it's all pretty good but generally on a par with others in the segment. Stylistically it is very much in the cute box mould. A strong front styling gives it presence and a squarish body allows for comfortable interior space.For a $15,990 car the standard fittings are impressive. Swift comes with dual front airbags, ABS brakes, a six-speaker in-dash CD stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls, airconditioning, height-adjustable seatbelts and driver's seat, electric mirrors and windows, power steering and remote central locking. The test car was fitted with the "S pack" which, for $2000, adds side and curtain airbags, alloys and foglights.However, it is not just the list of what is in the car that impresses but the thought that has gone into the little extras.A knick-knack tray under the passenger seat is perfect to keep odds and ends out of sight. The inclusion of a pressure pad release for the rear hatch is a touch of class missing from many far more expensive models.The feeling of batting above its position in life continues in the interior of the Swift.A distinct feeling of being in more prestigious surroundings persists with well-designed, quality-feel controls and comfortable, supportive seating.Pleasant surprises keep coming with the Swift's behaviour on the road.Impressively solid and grounded, the Swift suffers only from a slightly choppy ride at low speeds but when up and rolling the ride is stable and comfortable.The manual box is light and surprisingly precise (for its class) but the clutch is too light and the uptake too high up in the travel.A substantial feel to the steering wheel is in keeping with the quality feedback the front-driver provides. Turn-in is precise without being sharp but the chassis offers impressive stability under load.Don't be put off by the fact the Swift has drum rear brakes. Coupled to an effective ABS system the disc front/drum rear set-up works strongly and offers good pedal feel. Raw figures – 74kW@6000rpm and 134Nm@4000rpm – don't do the Swift's performance justice.The manual option definitely works best with the 1.5-litre engine, which spins up willingly and when held at the higher end of the rev range (anything over 3200rpm keeps the pot stirred) can be a lot of fun.In automatic trim, the Swift can struggle to get off the line, particularly with four passengers on board, but finds its legs when it's up and moving. Fuel economy is good rather than frugal. The manual on test averaged in at 9.3l/100km – mainly around town and certainly skewed slightly towards the thirsty side by the amount of fun being had with the gearbox. Suzuki claims 9.0l/100km about town and 5.9l/100km on the open road.Can't wait for the GTi.

So good, actually, that we have rushed it into our review program more than two weeks ahead of its official on-sale date in Victoria.The price is still to be confirmed, but from a likely $15,990 it's already looking one of the unexpected stars of the year.Say what? Well, the new Swift is far and away better than any car we've driven with a Suzuki badge.It makes the boxy baby Wagon R+ look like just what it was: a joke.And it also makes the Liana look as stale as last year's laptop.The Swift is curvy and good-looking, well built and enjoyable to drive. Whisper it, but there is even a hint of Volkswagen Golf about the look and feel of the cabin.It's not perfect. The pedals are cramped and it has lacklustre tyres, but that's about it for real complaints.The Swift is more than good enough to attack the pace-setting Toyota Echo and Hyundai Getz in the compact class, and a slightly higher price is offset by a five-door hatchback body.Suzuki has already been stunned by the success of the Swift, which has sold at nearly double the company's predicted rate in Japan for the first few months of the car's life.It proves Suzuki was serious when it said it was concentrating on Europe, not Japan, when developing the car.It really needs to break the mould as a maker of tinny and tiny baby cars.It also sets a high standard for the next Japanese newcomer, the Daihatsu Sirion, which has been a massive under-achiever here."We learned many lessons while developing the new Swift; lessons that we'll remember and use with all future Suzuki vehicles," Swift project leader Eiji Mochizuki says."The challenges were huge. But the rewards have been just as great. We spent months in Europe, working day and night."The result is a car that is significantly larger inside than any previous Suzuki. It has a 1.5-litre engine that benefits from variable-valve timing and a chassis that is genuinely well sorted for all roads.The body shape is one of the trendiest around. It has a smart curve up over the nose and all four corners are wrapped tightly around the wheels.We're still not sure of the model line-up, specification and prices, but there will be two Swifts for Australia – the basic car and the S, also called the Z-Series in Queensland. The basic model is from $15,990, the up-scale vehicle from $17,990. Four-speed automatic puts $2000 on to the showroom sticker.Suzuki Australia won't even preview the Swift to the Australian press for another two weeks, but is prepared for a showroom rush and admits prices will be in line with Queensland, where the Swift hit the road on January 1.Equipment in the basic car will run from twin airbags and anti-skid brakes to power steering, electric windows, central locking and airconditioning. The more expensive car also gets head-protection airbags, alloy wheels and front foglamps.ON THE ROADWe were won over in the first few minutes with the Swift. And that was despite carrying some nasty emotional baggage from previous Suzuki cars, including being laughed at by other drivers while in the Wagon R+.The car looks good, the quality is impressive and the Swift is quiet and enjoyable to drive.Our test car, a Z-Series in Queensland, which should be identical to the Swift S, was still tight in the engine and the gearbox had a slightly baulky shift, but those would likely smooth out over time. We also found foot-space tight on the driver's side, particularly for resting the left leg. The boot is only just big enough for the job, and the tyres gripped well below the limit of the chassis.But that was it. Nothing big and a few problems that would clear up with more kilometres.We enjoyed our kilometres in seats that are extremely comfortable and supportive, particularly for the class. And the car is truly nice to drive. The suspension is commendably cushy, noise levels are low and handling is safe and predictable, though the tyres do slip a bit on damp roads at relatively low speeds.The cabin is well designed, the equipment is good for the price and even the back seat is reasonable for adults.The engine is keen, though lacking a bit in torque, and the fuel economy of 7.3 litres/100km is good. The gear ratios help move it along and there is none of the breathless feel that comes in some 1.5-litre motors.Lined up against its rivals, the Swift is more costly than the three-door price leaders in the compact class, but compensates with its equipment and quality.We also prefer the feel of the car, and that's everything from the seat fabrics to the steering, over rivals such as the Hyundai Getz and the ageing Echo. We've tried to give the Swift a leg-up by comparing it with five-door price rivals, instead of lining it up against three-door price players. It could even face up well against baby-car pacesetters Mazda2 and Honda Jazz.It has everything needed for success in Australia. Now it's back to Suzuki for the official price, so we can do final comparisons.