One simply can’t imagine the small car game without the Suzuki Swift. Such has been the appeal, it has held a firm foothold among its competitors over here for almost a generation and just about anyone out there could think of someone, from a family member to a work colleague, who owns one.
The Swift has very much become an integral part of the Kiwi motoring landscape, particularly in urban centers. It’s been a considerable seller, with many buyers wanting the latest Swift to replace their outgoing one. Maybe that’s why the Swift has remained faithful to the core of what made it successful to begin with. If it aint broke don’t fix it right? Now we arrive at the latest Swift, so what exactly is new with this fourth album?
For starters, we have an all-new face. You still have the same familiar profile but new chops which sport the essence of Swift while still looking fresh and unique. I rather like it as it happens. The new grill and headlights with LED DRLs bring the Swift bang up to date and the rear LED taillights also look modern and contemporary. Throw in a 16-inch alloys unquiet to this flagship spec Swift and you have a nice-looking wee hatch.
The new Swift is a two-tier model affair with the entry level 1.2 GLS Hybrid and the 1.2 RSC Hybrid. The former is available with a manual transmission at $25,990 and CVT auto at $27,990. My test car was the latter, in particular the two-tone CVT Auto which commands a $510 premium over the regular car at $30,500. The price has gone up slightly but so has the incorporation of new tech. More on that soon.
It is also a hybrid only family, with the 1.2L three-cylinder petrol engine being coupled to a 12V Hybrid ISG (Integrated Start Generator). Rather than a conventional hybrid vehicle, the mild hybrid ISG set up is there primarily to recover electric energy and then use it wherever it is needed most, whether it be the start/stop system or to assist in torque distribution and forward momentum. Power is rated at 61kW and torque at 118Nm. Combined fuel economy sits at a claimed 4.3L/100km (WTLP) and CO2 emissions at 97g/km.
Inside its very much the familiar with lashings of the new, for example the new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity as standard. It’s a very clear and intuitive system to use and one can get one’s head around the functionality easily.
The switch-gear feels well put together and while there are some hard plastics, the cabin does offer a premium looking ambiance. The starter button has also moved to the right side of the steering column which is highly visible and easy to reach. Rear visibility isn’t bad and passenger entry and exit is decent, though those in the rear of a loftier frame may struggle.
Kit levels are good across the board with a reversing camera, guide me light, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, 12v charging points, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, hill hold and brake support all coming as standard. My RSC came with extra safety features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and other additives like heated seats, shift paddles for the CVT box and climate control. All seats are manually operated so no electric offerings here.
Around suburbia, the Swift RSC Hybrid is an eager wee thing. The combo of the 1.2L three pot with its raspy mechanical sounding engine note and the 12v ISG hybrid system means you can make some decent progress given the power output and its low 984kg kerb weight.
Being a mild hybrid, you won’t be able to switch solely to electric power but for just sedately sauntering about town, the new Swift serves up some sprightly, yet frugal motoring. The ISG cuts in and out rather seamlessly and if you are doing some aforementioned sauntering , you hardly hear a thing. The ride is well sorted but not super soft, meaning while you do feel the odd bump in the road, its by no means uncomfortable. The seats also give some decent lateral support and hold you nicely.
With a turning radius of 4.8 metres, I found the new Swift to be just as capable of slicing its way around tight turns and when I did the weekly shop shortly after collecting it, the left and right-handers scattered about my local supermarket made for a fun grocery run. Talking of groceries, the boot is pretty decent for swallowing up 263L of all the essentials and then some. Drop the rear seats and this grows to 598L.
When a more spirited drive is on the cards, one can simply switch to sport mode. However, the gulf between normal mode and sport isn’t overtly vast, but it does make for a more engaging drive. You have shift paddles CVT transmission but I rarely found myself using them, relying instead on the extra torque of the battery and my right shoe. Each shift is as seamless as the ISG, with pretty much no loss in power and no real sensation that its cycling through the gears.
Handling wise, its rather supple, body roll is noticeable but you as the driver aren’t having to hang on in the corners as you navigate the next bend. Remember it does weight less than a tonne so it certainly does feel lively and engaging. Motorways don’t really phase it at all despite some tyre roar but the urban jungle is certainly the new Swift’s forte.
This fourth act breathes new life into the Suzuki Swift. The mild hybrid and petrol coupling makes for sprightly yet frugal performance, its low weight makes for spirited and well sorted drive and its practicality, relative simplicity incorporation of just the right amount of on-board tech results in a compelling all-rounder and one which is highly likely to carry on the sales successes of one of Suzuki’s most celebrated models.
RATING: 7.5/10
