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 will probably be renewed for an additional technology, the most recent Swift and the previous-gen Swift Sport will proceed to be produced concurrently on the time being.
You may nonetheless get into one for beneath $30,000 plus on-road prices… simply. However in case you don’t wish to change gears your self, you’re wanting on the automotive on check – the 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport auto, priced from $31,990 earlier than on-roads.
It’s nonetheless primarily based on the previous-generation Swift, which means it lacks the tech and have developments of the brand new Hybrid. However, that’s not essentially all dangerous.
The Swift Sport is at present the one model of the Japanese model’s metropolis hatchback which you could purchase with a turbocharged engine. Plus, its physique package and alloys make it look very… tuff
Is it nonetheless value a glance over the new-gen electrified mannequin, or do you have to go for the newer, much less highly effective various?
How does the Suzuki Swift evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Suzuki Swift towards equally sized autos.
Suzuki
Swift
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift price?
Pricing has crept up through the years, however the Swift Sport begins at a still-affordable $29,990 plus on-road prices for the six-speed guide, with the six-speed auto on check asking for $2000 extra.
To see how the Swift Sport strains up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Suzuki Swift like on the within?
Not a lot has modified because the third-generation Swift launched regionally 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 aside from some lashings of pink trim and sportier seats.
It presents a traditional and clear format that hasn’t aged badly, but it surely’s wanting fundamental for a metropolis automotive value over $30,000 earlier than on-roads in 2024.
For instance, a budget plastics lining virtually all the 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 primary 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 concerning the automotive earlier than you begin driving it.
The generously padded sports activities seats are lovely to take a seat in. Snug, supportive, and effectively bolstered, it’s as if the automotive is supplying you with a heat hug. In addition they hold you comfortable when cornering – extra on the driving later.
Now one thing not so nice: infotainment. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Suzuki was pressured to toy with aftermarket infotainment techniques on account of element 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 one among my biggest frustrations with this automotive. It’s fundamental, sluggish, and effectively behind any of the techniques provided by rivals.
There’s no embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, the interface is so aftermarket it might 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 boring in daylight even in its highest setting.
Additional, audio high quality throughout cellphone 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 first rate 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 most recent interface couldn’t have been tailored. Not less than 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 shocked to discover a useful quantity of house within the rear, not less than for 2 adults.
The Swift has all the time been effectively packaged within the second row because of its tall roofline, which suggests even at 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving place in reasonable consolation. For those who’re smaller, even higher.
As you’d count on, it’s fairly fundamental again right here – there are not any air vents, energy retailers, or padded elbow rests within the doorways. You do get adjustable headrests and the requisite ISOFIX and prime tether youngster seat mounting factors, however that’s about it.
The shocking quantity of rear passenger room as clearly comes at the price of boot house, with the Swift quoting 265 litres which is far nearer to a Kia Picanto than a Volkswagen Polo.
It’s a reasonably quick house, albeit one which’s properly squared off. You may fold the rear seats (60:40 break up) however there’s a giant step up from the boot flooring to the seat backs, and so they don’t fold significantly flat.
Disappointingly there’s no spare wheel beneath the boot flooring both, with only a tyre restore package provided.
To see how the Swift Sport strains up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The identical 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo 4 stays beneath the bonnet of the Suzuki Swift Sport.
To see how the Swift Sport strains up towards its rivals, try our comparability instrument.
How does the Suzuki Swift drive?
As has all the time been the case, the Swift Sport is a hoot for such a small, fundamental automotive.
The engine’s outputs may appear slightly 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 presents 230Nm of peak torque that comes on-line from 2300rpm, which is slightly 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 increase.
Suzuki Australia doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time but it surely simply appears like a low 7.0-second automotive, and roll-on acceleration is spectacular for a car of this measurement.
The zesty response is addictive and feels just like the automotive is egging you on to present it a push. Only a disgrace it doesn’t sound significantly sporty, even when there’s a slight raspiness to the exhaust be aware.
Once you’re not zipping by way of 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 trip make the Swift good 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 gained’t really feel squished in slender 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 package deal in comparison with decrease grades from this Swift technology – 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 highway 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 hold 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, which means it’s important to nonetheless do the work your self in visitors jams. The lane departure warning additionally lacks an lively 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 digital camera is so dangerous being positioned within the licence plate space and feeding onto the sub-bar infotainment show. The viewing angle is restricted 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 type of help tech is vital to you and also you don’t want the Sport’s turbocharged efficiency, the newer Swift Hybrid GLX could possibly be the go for you.
What do you get?
Only one specification is out there, with each guide and automated transmissions out there.
Swift Sport gear highlights:
17-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic LED headlightsLED daytime working lightsFront fog lightsRear privateness glassElectronically folding heated aspect mirrors7.0-inch touchscreenApple CarPlay – wiredAndroid Auto – wiredBluetooth cellphone, audioSingle-zone local weather controlKeyless entry and startSemi-bucket sports activities seatsD-shaped sports activities steering wheel60:40-split folding rear seats
Is the Suzuki Swift protected?
The previous-generation Swift wore a 2017-stamped five-star ANCAP security ranking, which has now expired.
Customary security gear contains:
6 airbagsAdaptive cruise controlAutonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringLane departure warningRear cross-traffic alertRear parking sensorsReversing cameraWeaving alert
How a lot does the Suzuki Swift price to run?
Like the broader Suzuki lineup, the Swift Sport is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki Swift
There’s so much to like about this little automotive.
As has all the time been the case with the Swift Sport, it’s slightly ball of enjoyable that doesn’t price an arm and a leg. It’s additionally surprisingly sensible as a every day offered you don’t want to hold three or 4 passengers usually.
Town-friendly dimensions make it a cinch to dwell with on the every day commute, and its turbocharged efficiency and dynamics make it a hoot whether or not you’re zipping by way of CBD laneways or tearing up a winding B-road out of city.
I additionally assume it’s cute, and in one of many brighter color choices actually pops and appears particular. Our gray tester may be very demure, but in addition slightly 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 which means various ambient noise enters the cabin just about on a regular basis. It simply is feeling a bit outdated in these respects.
However in case you’re after comparatively low cost, no-nonsense thrills in a pocket-sized package deal, the Swift Sport is the precise match.
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