Suzuki Swift Car Review
25-April-2011
- Vital Stats
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$15,990 - $18,990
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Unleaded with a diesel to come
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Could be bigger
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4
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Trends come and go. Take for example Dunlop Volleys, bell-bottom pants, spots and stripes.
Another trend making a comeback? The Suzuki Swift.
Yep, the Suzuki brand is apparently quite the hit with Gen Y; smitten with its understated cool and great price (the Swift starts retailing at $15,990 with the superior GLX costing $18,990).
And so with baited breath we awaited the launch of the 2011 Suzuki Swift – if only to keep on-trend. The results?
Style and drive
Stylewise, the new Swift doesn’t veer too far off course from the last model – a good thing, as the 2010 Swift had already stacked up to be a great little car.
Interior-wise, the seats are comfortable and there’s a noticeable improvement in the quality of the duco and trim (think funky in silver with a leather-wrapped steering wheel on the GLX model); additionally, you get keyless entry, Bluetooth, 4-speaker stereo, USB input and iPod integration; along with an interior and head room large enough to make Michael Jordon ‘appreciate’. The boot however, is a little on the small side.
The exterior sees a slightly slicker look with 15-inch alloy wheels on the GLX model, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, mirror-mounted side indicators, a wrap-around windscreen, elongated headlamps and a slightly more rounded booty.
All in all, the Suzuki aint such a bad-looking smaller car. As I said, understated yet stylish.
Similar to driving a sprightly little VW Golf, the Swift with its 5-speed transmission is incredibly fun to drive, even for a seasoned punter. I guess they don’t call it a Swift for nothing with the engine revving with ease, the braking effortless, along with excellent suspension. The car is light and easy to turn – making it perfect for young and older women alike.
Safety
The Swift has 7 airbags (the driver picks up a knee bag in addition to the dual front, side and curtain units), ABS brakes with brake assist and brakeforce distribution; stability control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters. ANCAP rates it as 5-stars.
Eco
The Suzuki sips between 5.5 and 6.3 litres/100km, depending on the model, putting the Swift in poll position for fuel use. CO2 emissions are 132g/km. Green? You betcha.
3 words to describe this car
Stylish, Sporty, Practical
What are the best things about this car?
The price, the drive and the badge.
What are the downsides of this car?
The boot could be bigger.
What kind of petrol did this car use?
Unleaded with a diesel to come.
Liked it?
Yep!
If personified, who would this car be?
Geoff Huegill – aka the comeback kid.
Soundtrack of choice for the Suzuki Swift?
Bon Jovi – still hip after all these years!
