Suzuki Swift Sport – 2018
I’ve always liked the Suzuki Swift as an impressive, roomy and well-specified supermini. Now it’s got better with the introduction into Europe of the Swift Sport, which brings great performance to an already attractive package writes Motoring Editor Ian Strachan.
As buyers look for cars that take up less room and use less fuel while still giving good performance, this is a good time for smart little movers like the Suzuki Swift Sport.
The Swift has been around for some years, but it has never set the super-mini sector on fire despite selling more than five million worldwide. That’s a shame because the Swift is a Japanese car with distinctly European looks and driving characteristics, as well as being economical, low-emitting and comfortable.
Now the Swift Sport is quicker and lighter, with more torque, low emissions and fuel consumption and exclusive design cues to give it a sexier look as befits iots nippy performance.
I test drove the new Swift Sport in SZ5 trim level, powered by a sparkling 140 bhp 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine. Despite its power it returned a more than respectable 50.4 mpg in mixed driving. So the Swift Sport is not expensive to run as well as being pretty competitive to buy. The car I tested comes in at £17,325 and you get a lot of car for your money.
The Swift is certainly small, but a clever use of available space and large areas of glass make it feel larger. Big windows give the car an open, airy feel, belying its true size when you sit inside. The Swift is wider than it looks with a fairly long wheelbase for a small car, so you get 265 litres of luggage space.
It also has a good standard specification compared to many of its rivals, including metallic paint, unique Sport interior trim, DAB radio with Bluetooth and smartphone link, satellite navigation, rear view camera, front fog lights, 17 inch alloys, adaptive cruise control and lane departure prevention, all at no extra cost. .
The Swift Sport is a good looking car, small and not unlike the Mini, but streamlined with soft curves, an aggressive front and a gently sloping rear end. But it’s inside where it really scores.
The cabin is a very pleasant place to be, thanks to a good use of trim materials and simple, well-placed instruments and dials. There’s lots of oddment space, and all controls fall easily to hand. Space for driver and front seat passenger is generous, inevitably compromising rear passenger legroom, but even that is still adequate if you don’t have long-legged passengers.
Performance from the 1.4 Boosterjet unit is more than adequate, with no flat spots across the range. The engine never felt under strain, attached to a pleasant six-speed manual gearbox. Handling is confident and controlled.
This is a well-priced offering in the sport super-mini sector with a few more extras than you’d expect, and low running costs.
