The all-new Suzuki Swift – excitement, value and style; a first drive impression

By Chad Lückhoff

I joked with my peers at the local launch of the new Suzuki Swift that 80% of the write-ups around the launch would be centred around fuel economy, in light of the recent, and rather severe, fuel price increase. Suzuki models have always been known to be extremely fuel efficient and one of the only manufacturers whose consumption claims are comfortably met in real-world applications.

I am pleased to report that the new Suzuki Swift is no different from its predecessor in this regard and the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers as promised with a combined fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km. This will yield a range of over 750km on a mere 37-litres.

The K12M engine is a tried and trusted power plant that develops 61kW and 113Nm and while that doesn't sound like much, one needs to remember that the Suzuki Swift is a compact, lightweight hatchback and the new one weighs even less, coming in at 875kg for the manual model. This is in fact 95kg lighter than the previous model.

Not only is the new Swift lighter, thanks to the new high-tensile steel HEARTECT platform that improves chassis rigidity, but the overall dimensions have changed too. The new Swift is shorter than before, by 10mm and is 40mm wider. Despite the shorter body, the wheelbase has been extended by 20mm. The track has been widened by 40mm up front and 35mm at the rear and this all translates to better road-holding and improved dynamics.

Interior space improves as well and rear passengers now benefit from 23mm more headroom while front occupants have 10mm more shoulder room. It all makes for a more roomier cabin, one that now has better accoutrements as well.

The redesigned interior now boasts a more driver-centric design with the infotainment area angled ever so slightly towards the driver and the speedometer and tachometer housed in separate binnacles. The D-shaped steering wheel further bolsters this driver-orientated approach and the new seats provide more support than before, without being uncomfortable. I can comfortably see the new Swift being used for long distance journeys... no pun intended.

Convenience is also at the forefront and while the GL models don't quite yet benefit from touchscreen entertainment, it does get an audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, USB and Aux input with steering mounted controls. GL models also have electrically adjustable wing mirrors. All versions are fitted with air-conditioning, electric windows front and rear, power steering and remote central locking.

The exterior styling has also been tweaked and modified while still managing to retain a silhouette that is unmistakably Swift. While it carries more rounded sheet metal, the strong shoulder line and a new upturn in the C-pillar – with integrated rear door handles to create a coupe-like appearance – create a muscular stance that is stylish and contemporary.

The front end has more rounded headlights with a larger grille and large Suzuki 'S' badge in a sizeable, trapezoidal grille. The lower air dam section extends the length of the front bumper, with spot lamps in the outer edges. While nothing revolutionary (the lower half is reminiscent of the Hyundai i20 while the upper section and grill lean towards Figo styling), the new Swift is an attractive, if somewhat conservative approach. The blacked-out A-pillar, B-pillar join and new C-pillar design all lend themselves to the new 'floating roof' design.

The boot space, an aspect that has often deterred potential Swift buyers, has been improved and boot space has been increased to a sizeable and more user-friendly 268-litres, 58-litres bigger than before and with the benefit of a 60/40 split rear seat to expand loading space even further.

While the new Swift is positioned at a price that competes in the B0-segment (Vivo, Figo, Sandero, etc), it boasts a fit and finish that rivals the B-segment hatches (Fiesta, Clio, etc). Hard plastics still abound but the fit and finish is of a high enough quality to make the material choice easy enough to accept and live with. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels in the cabin are markedly improved over the outgoing model and the drive echoes the grown-up nature of the new Swift.

On centre steering feel and stability, even at highway speeds, is stable and predictable, an issue that plagues many other Indian produced compact hatches. My singular gripe with the new Swift Gl is the narrow rubber that it wears from the factory. The 165/80R14 tyres are just too narrow to be able to enjoy or exploit the rather good chassis, protesting at the slightest eager steering input or when one carries a little too much speed into a turn. Sadly, this hampers stopping distance as well with the ABS intervening rather soon under harder-than-normal brake application.

There is adequate safety to protect you from mishap though, with ABS, EBD and 6 airbags covering active and passive safety concerns. The Swift design carries a 5-star ANCAP rating for the Japanese produced, Australian spec model, indicating that the model we receive will still provide better occupant safety than many of the other offerings in this price range.

Suzuki Dzire; new and improved

In addition to the all-new Swift, the Dzire has also been replaced with a new model that shares much of its underpinnings with the new Swift. Suzuki has dropped the Swift badge from the Dzire in a bid to differentiate the two. As such, the new Dzire has a slightly different appearance, wearing chrome garnishes in the lower air dam and around the grille.

Interior trimmings also differ slightly with the carbon-effect trimmings replaced with a wood-grain-style plastic trim, no doubt in a bid to make the Dzire appeal to a more mature audience.

While the Dzire falls a little short in some trim areas, it still presents a practical, affordable and surprisingly spacious option in the compact sedan segment.

Pricing:

The new Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Dzire carry a 5-year / 200 000km mechanical warranty and 2-year / 30 000km service plan that can be extended at a dealer level.

SWIFT   

Suzuki Swift 1.2i GA MT                                               R159 900

Suzuki Swift 1.2i GL MT  LAUNCH SPECIAL     R169 900 (Regular price R175 900)

Suzuki Swift 1.2i GL AMT                                            R189 900

DZIRE

Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA                                                        R161 900

Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL                                                        R177 900