Suzuki Swift Review 2023
The new Suzuki Swift is a popular choice in the compact car segment, known for its affordability, reliability, and sporty design.
Rivals to the Suzuki Swift include the Skoda Fabia, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Polo.
Our Suzuki Swift review covers:
- Modern and stylish exterior with a sleek profile and bold front grille
- Comfortable and well-thought-out interior
- 265-litre boot, expanding to 579 litres with rear seats down
- Engine range narrowed down to a solitary 1.2-litre mild-hybrid option
- Three trim levels are available: SZ-L, SZ-T and SZ5
Pros:
- Fun-to-Drive
- Compact Size
- Sporty Design
Cons:
- Road Noise
- Interior Materials
- Limited Rear Space
The design of the Suzuki Swift is one of its key selling points. It's known for its modern and sporty aesthetic, which sets it apart in the compact car segment. The Swift features a sleek and dynamic exterior design. It has a distinctive front grille, sharp headlights, and a well-sculpted body, giving it a sporty and youthful appearance.
The Suzuki Swift is designed with practicality in mind, especially for urban drivers. Despite its compact size, the Swift offers a surprisingly spacious cabin for the front passengers. However, rear-seat space can be somewhat limited, particularly for taller passengers. The interior layout is straightforward and user-friendly, with logically placed controls and ample storage spaces for small items. Thanks to its small footprint, the Swift is easy to park in tight spaces, making it an excellent choice for urban environments.
The boot space in the Suzuki Swift offers 265 litres, expanding to 579 litres with rear seats down. This space is suitable for everyday grocery shopping, luggage for weekend getaways, and similar needs. However, it may not be the largest in its class, so if you require extensive cargo space, you may want to consider other options or consider folding down the rear seats for additional room.
The interior, while relatively straightforward in comparison to many alternatives, presents a user-friendly layout that represents a significant improvement over the previous model. While you won't find an abundance of soft plastics or luxurious materials in the Swift, the overall build quality instils a sense of durability. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and sturdy cloth-covered seats add a touch of quality.
Analog gauges dominate the driver's instrument panel, with a small digital display nestled between them. Notably, a 4.5-inch colour digital display and a 7.0-inch touchscreen are standard features exclusively available in the upper two trim levels. The interior exudes an appealing sense of simplicity rather than appearing as a cost-cutting measure.
Three trim levels are available: SZ-L, SZ-T and SZ5.
The SZ-L models kick things off with a set of 16-inch alloy wheels that give a stylish start. They're complemented by LED headlights and tail lights, making for an eye-catching combination. Notably, adaptive cruise control, a rarity in the supermini category, is included, providing enhanced safety on the road. Automatic emergency braking further adds to the safety features. Additionally, you can enjoy the convenience of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration, DAB radio for quality audio, and air conditioning to keep the cabin comfortable.
Moving up to the SZ-T trim level, the Suzuki Swift equips itself with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights for enhanced visibility, and the practicality of air conditioning. The DAB digital radio comes with four speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to stay connected on the go. The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides basic smartphone connectivity, enabling media streaming and calls, though it does not support navigation apps directly on the Swift's display.
For those opting for high-spec Suzuki Swifts in SZ5 trim, you'll enjoy the same 16-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights for a distinctive look. Keyless entry adds a touch of convenience to your daily driving, while rear electric windows are practical. Adaptive cruise control remains a highlight for safety. The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is upgraded to include built-in sat-nav, enhancing your navigation capabilities. Bluetooth connectivity and six speakers ensure a well-connected and enjoyable driving experience. DAB digital radio continues to provide quality audio. Notably, a telescopically adjustable steering wheel is a feature exclusive to these higher-tier models.
The Suzuki Swift now comes with a single engine option, featuring an 82hp 1.2-litre petrol mild-hybrid powertrain. This system includes a small capacity battery that gets charged during braking, enhancing fuel efficiency during regular driving. While it doesn't support all-electric driving, it contributes to better fuel economy.
Within city limits, the compact hatchback displays a zippy character, and it achieves up to 59.2mpg while emitting 106 g/km of CO2 in mixed driving conditions. A standard feature is the five-speed manual gearbox, while the higher-tier SZ-T and SZ5 trims offer the option of a continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission.
Opting for the automatic transmission can ease the driving experience, particularly in congested traffic. However, it's worth noting that the official fuel economy rating decreases to 55.3mpg. On the bright side, acceleration from 0-62mph improves from 13.1 seconds to 12.2 seconds. While these times may not be exceptionally fast, the Swift outpaces base models like the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia in terms of acceleration. The Ford Fiesta takes the lead in this category, covering the 0-62mph sprint in 10.8 seconds, although it falls short with a 51mpg fuel efficiency figure.
The top-tier SZ5 trim introduces a unique feature not found in other small hatchbacks: the availability of all-wheel-drive. However, this option is exclusive to models with manual transmission and comes at a cost to both fuel economy (52.3mpg and 121 g/km of CO2) and performance (0-62mph in 13.8 seconds). It's a practical choice if you anticipate using the added traction regularly.
Overall, the new Suzuki Swift is a well-rounded and practical choice in the compact car segment. It combines a stylish design with good fuel efficiency, a comfortable interior, and an enjoyable driving experience. While it may not have the most spacious rear seats, it compensates with an attractive price point. If you're looking for an economical and fun-to-drive small car, the Swift is definitely worth considering.
The Suzuki Swift is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £18,525.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £150.33.
If you're considering leasing a Suzuki Swift, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).
Leasing a Suzuki Swift can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.
It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.
