The brand new Suzuki Swift Hybrid is hogging the limelight proper now, however the current Swift Sport stays on sale.
Whereas it’s unclear whether or not the efficiency hatch shall be renewed for one more era, the newest Swift and the previous-gen Swift Sport will proceed to be produced concurrently on the time being.
You possibly can nonetheless get into one for beneath $30,000 plus on-road prices… simply. However if you happen to don’t wish to change gears your self, you’re wanting on the automotive on take a look at – the 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport auto, priced from $31,990 earlier than on-roads.
It’s nonetheless primarily based on the previous-generation Swift, that means it lacks the tech and have developments of the brand new Hybrid. However, that’s not essentially all dangerous.
The Swift Sport is presently the one model of the Japanese model’s metropolis hatchback which you could purchase with a turbocharged engine. Plus, its physique equipment and alloys make it look very… tuff
Is it nonetheless price a glance over the new-gen electrified mannequin, or must you go for the newer, much less highly effective various?
How does the Suzuki Swift examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Suzuki Swift towards equally sized autos.
Suzuki
Swift
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift value?
Pricing has crept up over time, however the Swift Sport begins at a still-affordable $29,990 plus on-road prices for the six-speed handbook, with the six-speed auto on take a look at asking for $2000 extra.
| Mannequin | Pricing earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport 6MT | $29,990 |
| 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport 6AT | $31,990 |
To see how the Swift Sport traces up towards its rivals, try our comparability software.
What’s the Suzuki Swift like on the within?
Not a lot has modified for the reason that third-generation Swift launched domestically in 2017.
In comparison with the brand new fourth-gen Swift Hybrid, which receives some wholesale design inside and outside, the 3GEN-based Swift Sport doesn’t change the formulation an excessive amount of apart from some lashings of purple trim and sportier seats.
It affords a traditional and clear format that hasn’t aged badly, but it surely’s wanting primary for a metropolis automotive price over $30,000 earlier than on-roads in 2024.
For instance, a budget plastics lining virtually the complete inside have been palatable when a base Swift began for effectively beneath $20,000 however within the $31,990 earlier than on-roads Swift Sport automated it’s not as acceptable.
Fortunately, the principle contact factors just like the chunky flat-bottomed and leather-based steering wheel, and the solid-feeling switchgear, assist to make up for this considerably.
That brings me to the entrance seats, that are maybe my favorite factor in regards to the automotive earlier than you begin driving it.
The generously padded sports activities seats are lovely to sit down in. Snug, supportive, and effectively bolstered, it’s as if the automotive is providing you with a heat hug. Additionally they preserve you comfortable when cornering – extra on the driving later.
Now one thing not so nice: infotainment. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Suzuki was compelled to toy with aftermarket infotainment techniques because of part shortages, although initially the Swift Sport was spared.
Now, the manufacturing facility 7.0-inch touchscreen has been changed with a 7.0-inch Pioneer unit, and it was certainly one of my best frustrations with this automotive. It’s primary, sluggish, and effectively behind any of the techniques supplied by rivals.
There’s no embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, the interface is so aftermarket it may have come from Autobarn, and the standard and readability of the show is sub-par. With wired Apple CarPlay, the colors of the app tiles appeared off and overly saturated, and the brightness was too uninteresting in daylight even in its highest setting.
Additional, audio high quality throughout telephone calls was garbage on each ends, with a number of callers complaining of extreme echoing and background noise. It’s as if the microphone is fitted to the show, and never the precise automotive.
Audio high quality when enjoying music was higher, with the infotainment unit hooked as much as the Swift Sport’s respectable six-speaker sound system. There’s a pleasant crispness to the audio, and you may dial up the bass – although you’ll be vibrating the hell out of the skinny home windows and door trims.
It actually puzzles me why the outdated 7.0-inch navigation system isn’t right here, or why a model of the brand new Swift’s 9.0-inch touchscreen working the newest interface couldn’t have been tailored. At the very least it’s neatly built-in, above round local weather controls that proceed to be a pleasing ergonomic expertise by comparability.
Regardless of the compact dimensions, you’ll be stunned to discover a helpful quantity of area within the rear, a minimum of for 2 adults.
The Swift has all the time been effectively packaged within the second row due to its tall roofline, which implies even at 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving place in reasonable consolation. When you’re smaller, even higher.
As you’d anticipate, it’s fairly primary again right here – there are not any air vents, energy shops, or padded elbow rests within the doorways. You do get adjustable headrests and the requisite ISOFIX and high tether youngster seat mounting factors, however that’s about it.
The stunning quantity of rear passenger room as clearly comes at the price of boot area, with the Swift quoting 265 litres which is far nearer to a Kia Picanto than a Volkswagen Polo.
It’s a reasonably brief area, albeit one which’s properly squared off. You possibly can fold the rear seats (60:40 break up) however there’s a giant step up from the boot ground to the seat backs, and so they don’t fold notably flat.
Disappointingly there’s no spare wheel beneath the boot ground both, with only a tyre restore equipment supplied.
| Dimensions | Suzuki Swift Sport |
|---|---|
| Size | 3890mm |
| Width | 1735mm |
| Peak | 1495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450mm |
| Cargo capability | 265 litres (rear seat raised) 579 litres (rear seat folded) |
To see how the Swift Sport traces up towards its rivals, try our comparability software.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The identical 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo 4 stays beneath the bonnet of the Suzuki Swift Sport.
| Specs | Suzuki Swift Sport 6AT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.4L 4cyl turbo |
| Energy | 103kW @ 550rpm |
| Torque | 230Nm @ 2500-3000rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto |
| Pushed wheels | FWD |
| Weight | 990kg |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 6.1L/100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) | 6.3L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 37 litres |
| Gas requirement | 91 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 141g/km |
| Emissions commonplace | Euro 5 |
To see how the Swift Sport traces up towards its rivals, try our comparability software.
How does the Suzuki Swift drive?
As has all the time been the case, the Swift Sport is a hoot for such a small, primary automotive.
The engine’s outputs may appear somewhat tame on paper, however slotted beneath the bonnet of a light-class hatchback weighing lower than a tonne (990kg in auto spec), it flies!
It affords 230Nm of peak torque that comes on-line from 2300rpm, which is somewhat excessive for a contemporary turbocharged motor, but it surely virtually has that old-school turbo character the place it hits you within the again because it comes on enhance.
Suzuki Australia doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time but it surely simply seems like a low 7.0-second automotive, and roll-on acceleration is spectacular for a automobile of this measurement.
The zesty response is addictive and feels just like the automotive is egging you on to offer it a push. Only a disgrace it doesn’t sound notably sporty, even when there’s a slight raspiness to the exhaust notice.
While you’re not zipping via site visitors and metropolis streets, the Swift Sport stays a really comfy and agreeable commuter, drawing upon its metropolis automotive underpinnings to make for a really succesful runabout.
Tall home windows, direct steering, and a well-sorted journey make the Swift excellent for navigating inner-city Melbourne. It’s a cinch to park, and can slot in any spot given its teeny 3.9-metre size. You additionally received’t really feel squished in slim laneways or automotive parks.
It doesn’t come undone at greater speeds. The Swift sits comfortably at a cruise on Australian freeways regardless of its diminutive measurement, helped considerably by the Sport’s extra substantial wheel and tyre bundle in comparison with decrease grades from this Swift era – there’s an additional 10mm of width on every tyre.
Whereas this metropolis automotive is can capably deal with journeys out of the massive smoke with out getting blown away by heavy winds or passing vehicles, the extent of street noise on coarse-chip roads is excessive. You get droning and ringing from the tyre roar that’s not very nice, and the skinny home windows don’t preserve a lot out both.
The Swift Sport’s age is considerably given away by its driver help techniques, or relative lack thereof in comparison with one thing like a Volkswagen Polo (GTI or not).
There’s adaptive cruise management that does with out cease/go performance, that means you must nonetheless do the work your self in site visitors jams. The lane departure warning additionally lacks an energetic help or centring operate like the brand new Swift Hybrid.
You do get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert that are good, however the reversing digicam is so dangerous being situated within the licence plate space and feeding onto the sub-bar infotainment show. The viewing angle is proscribed and the standard of the imaginative and prescient is effectively under common.
In any other case, it covers the fundamentals and never way more. If this sort of help tech is vital to you and also you don’t want the Sport’s turbocharged efficiency, the newer Swift Hybrid GLX might be the go for you.
What do you get?
Only one specification is out there, with each handbook and automated transmissions obtainable.
Swift Sport gear highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automated LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- Entrance fog lights
- Rear privateness glass
- Electronically folding heated facet mirrors
- 7.0-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay – wired
- Android Auto – wired
- Bluetooth telephone, audio
- Single-zone local weather management
- Keyless entry and begin
- Semi-bucket sports activities seats
- D-shaped sports activities steering wheel
- 60:40-split folding rear seats
Is the Suzuki Swift protected?
The previous-generation Swift wore a 2017-stamped five-star ANCAP security score, which has now expired.
Customary security gear contains:
- 6 airbags
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Weaving alert
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift value to run?
Like the broader Suzuki lineup, the Swift Sport is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Working prices | Suzuki Swift Sport |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | As much as 5 years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 100,000 kilometres |
| Complete capped-price service value | $2005 (5 years, 50,000km) |
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki Swift
There’s loads to like about this little automotive.
As has all the time been the case with the Swift Sport, it’s somewhat ball of enjoyable that doesn’t value an arm and a leg. It’s additionally surprisingly sensible as a each day offered you don’t want to hold three or 4 passengers often.
The town-friendly dimensions make it a cinch to stay with on the each day commute, and its turbocharged efficiency and dynamics make it a hoot whether or not you’re zipping via CBD laneways or tearing up a winding B-road out of city.
I additionally assume it’s lovely, and in one of many brighter color choices actually pops and appears particular. Our gray tester could be very demure, but additionally somewhat too unassuming for me.
Drawbacks? It’s not as low-cost because it was, and the tech suite is dated in comparison with the brand new one, not to mention the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.
The aftermarket-looking Pioneer head unit would virtually be a dealbreaker for me, particularly in comparison with the brand new 9.0-inch unit within the new Swift Hybrid which is a world away from the outdated OEM system not to mention the one right here.
It’s additionally fairly tinny once you begin venturing past metropolis limits, with skinny panels and home windows that means various ambient noise enters the cabin just about on a regular basis. It simply is feeling a bit outdated in these respects.
However if you happen to’re after comparatively low-cost, no-nonsense thrills in a pocket-sized bundle, the Swift Sport is the precise match.
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