Suzuki has been receiving a fair amount of press of late. While some publications are discussing the trade agreements with Toyota thanks to the badge-engineering of the Baleno/Starlet and Brezza/Urban Cruiser (and for the record, Toyota has not bought out Suzuki), others are discussing the record-breaking sale figures as Suzuki continues to grow in South Africa.
It seems that this global pandemic has made people set aside their brand biases and forced them into exploring other alternatives. Judging by the sales figures and increased market share, Suzuki is now no longer a dark horse in the local market. Their value-for-money offerings and substantial product lineup have been a God-send for those looking into affordable, reliable mobility.
Related: Is the Suzuki Swift good for families?
Despite the introduction of several new models over the last few years, the Suzuki Swift remains a volume seller and it is easy to see why. Attractive styling, generous equipment levels and fuss-free ownership are all part of the Swift appeal. The package has just gotten that little bit sweeter as Suzuki South Africa has updated the standard spec for the Swift across the range.
Easy on the eyes
On the styling front, the basic shape of the Swift remains unchanged and it still offers that same, compact 5-door styling with a floating roof element and wrap-around glass. The front grille now has a chrome spare spanning the width of the opening, adding some high-end flair. It's complemented by a diamond-like latticework for the grille element. GL and GLX models benefit from the inclusion of spotlights in the outer corners of the front bumper.
Entry point GA models get full-size wheel covers for the steel wheels, while the range-topping GLX model gets brand new alloy wheels. These new 15-inch alloys sport a dark finish with a machined face for added character. This sporty addition makes the most sense when selecting a vibrant colour, such as our Fire Red test model.
The addition of a new Magma Black Pearl and a choice of three two-tone colour arrangements for the GL and GLX models further bolster the Swift's fresh new look. Customers can opt for a Fire Red with a black roof, Arctic White Pearl with a black roof or a Midnight Blue Pearl with a white roof.
Enhanced safety systems
Across the range, the Suzuki Swift is now even safer than before. In a bid to keep their customers safe on the roads, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has been added to all models in the range. This system uses the ABS (standard across the range and supplemented by Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)) and traction control to prevent a loss of control whether it's due to an emergency situation, poor road conditions or erratic driver inputs. It helps prevent slippage of the tyres and keeps the Swift travelling along the intended path without spinning out.
Park distance control is now standard across the range, a new addition for the GA and GL models. GLX models take this one step further with the inclusion of a high-resolution reverse camera.
GA models also receive a new parcel shelf while the GL models get the parcel shelf and a boot light for those poorly lit nights. AMt models receive a Hill Hold Assist for incline pull aways as well.
Verdict
The enhancements to the Swift only serve to bolster the model as one of the best-specced vehicles in the price range. Any concerns over their safety have been addressed and the convenience items make it just that little bit sweeter to live with. It drives the same way it did when it was originally launched back in 2018, and that is to say wonderfully. Some may yearn for more power from the 1.2-litre engine but that will soon be forgotten when one sees how far a tank of fuel gets them. With easily achievable fuel consumption figures of 4.9 l/100km, the Swift is as efficient to run as it is to purchase.
Pricing
Pricing for the new range of Swifts has only changed slightly over the last three years, with the GA increasing by 13% over the launch price in 2018 and the GL models increasing by 17.6% over the same period of time. This is well within the rates of current inflation.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| 1.2i GA MT MC | R180 900 |
| 1.2i GL MT MC | R199 900 |
| 1.2i GL AMT MC | R214 900 |
| 1.2i GLX MT MC | R218 900 |
| 1.2i GLX AMT MC | R234 900 |
All models are sold with an included 2-year / 30 000 km service plan and a comprehensive 5-year / 200 000 km warranty.
