Presentation and Road Test Suzuki Swift 2017, hitting the mark

The Japanese Suzuki is going through a sweet spell. Its range is being renewed at great speed, and the Swift is the fourth model from the brand to be completely updated in less than a year.

The new generation of the city car Swift is about to arrive, and it comes loaded with arguments to attract all kinds of buyers.

The Suzuki Swift is one of the most important models in the recent history of the Japanese firm. It is one of the most popular city cars in the world, as attested by the more than 5 million units sold worldwide between 2005 and 2016, placing it at levels close to iconic models such as the Renault Clio.

Exterior design, with Japanese character

Suzuki has decided to opt for a design similar to that of the last generation of the Swift for its renewal. Proof of this are its general lines, similar to those that shaped the bodywork of its predecessor, although its style is now more attractive and dynamic.

The front stands out for the presence of a rounded grille, which, together with the new headlights, slightly smaller than before, forms a more compact personality. Its look is now that of a more Japanese-style model, more “cheerful” to the eye.

Its dimensions have been engineered specifically for Europe
This trend is repeated when looking at the vehicle from other angles. The side view leaves a good impression thanks to details such as the painted mouldings that create a floating-roof effect, or the rear, more muscular thanks to more pronounced “shoulders”. Nevertheless, the new Swift measures 3.84 metres long, 1.74 metres wide and 1.48 metres high, that is, it is 1 cm shorter, 3 cm lower and 4 cm wider than its predecessor.

These measurements place it at the average of its segment, as well as within its own brand, where it sits midway between an Ignis, at 3.70 metres long, and a Baleno, which already reaches 4 metres in length, although the latter’s approach is less playful and more family-oriented.

Interior design, spacious and appealing

The cabin, completely new, stands out mainly for its design, more refined than ever. The dashboard, slightly angled towards the driver, is full of rounded shapes that add dynamism to the basic lines, also improving its appeal in a segment where design and personalisation are increasingly important.

The materials used in its construction are very simple, with plenty of hard plastics. The only padded coverings are found on the door armrests, finished in textile material. The contrast is provided by the various mouldings painted in the same colour as the bodywork.

The seats stand out for their comfort. They are very comfortable and hold the body very well. The steering wheel, also new, is finished in leather and slightly flattened at the bottom. It has multifunction controls on both spokes, allowing control from the multimedia system to the adaptive cruise control.

The instrument cluster, also completely new, is very attractive. Its design is very sporty and includes, in the highest trim, a 4″ colour display with an extremely complete on-board computer, with telemetry data on the vehicle’s dynamics and mechanics.

Space on board is very notable. The new Swift, despite being shorter, enjoys a wheelbase 2 cm longer than its predecessor’s, resulting in more space for occupants. Especially noteworthy is the legroom in the second row. The boot has also gained a great deal, and has grown from 210 to 265 litres of capacity. The second-row seatbacks fold down, but the floor is not completely flat.

Dynamics and technology, a great leap forward

The third generation of the “modern” Swift -there was already a Suzuki Swift in the 90s- has introduced a new platform called Heartect, which is built with a high proportion of high-strength steels. This new platform is much more rigid, safer and lighter.

The weight reduction the Japanese city car has undergone is very striking, losing more than 100 kg. In fact, the new Swift weighs around 850 kilos, making it by far the lightest in its segment. This lightness enables better handling, higher performance from its engines and lower consumption.

The Swift has plenty of agility, especially with the more powerful engine
The new Swift will be available with two petrol engines of 1.2 and 1.0 litres, with four and three cylinders respectively. The first, called 1.2 Dualjet, produces 90 CV, while the second, called 1.0 Boosterjet, is the same engine used in the Baleno, supercharged by a turbo, producing 111 CV. Both engines come as standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

In addition, the less powerful one can be paired with a CVT transmission and even with an all-wheel-drive system using a viscous coupling, while the three-cylinder variant can be combined with a 6-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter.

Both engines will be able to benefit from Suzuki’s micro-hybrid system, consisting of a small electric motor powered by a 12V lithium-ion battery, which assists the main engine during start-up phases, reducing consumption. In fact, both engines, combined with the SHVS system -Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki- carry the ECO designation from the DGT.

In real life, the new Swift has enough power to get around without worries in any situation, especially the 1.0 engine, which stands out for its pulling power in any gear. The lightness is noticeable when cornering, also thanks to a firm though somewhat dry suspension. The steering is very assisted and not very informative, which reduces confidence in certain situations.

Range: two trim levels and affordable prices

The Swift range is built around two trim levels, the GLE -intermediate- and the GLX, the top of the range. The GLE versions already include, among other things, 16″ alloy wheels, automatic headlights, tinted rear windows, a multifunction leather steering wheel, air conditioning and a rear-view camera with touchscreen and Bluetooth.

The GLX variants add to all that equipment LED main headlights, electric rear windows, electrically folding mirrors, adaptive speed control, automatic climate control, keyless entry and start system, sat nav, or DSBS -Dual Sensor Brake Support, an active driving assistance pack-, among others.

Here you can see the full price range of the new Swift, which will reach dealers at the end of the month. In October the Sport version will be added, powered by the same 140 CV 1.4 Boosterjet already used in the Suzuki Vitara.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSuzuki Swift6 versions · from 20,905 €