The Suzuki Swift has established itself as one of the best-selling cars in South Africa, and this is not accidental. Over two generations, the Swift model has transformed from merely an interesting alternative in the hatchback segment into one of the most popular cars in the country, only surpassed in sales by the perennial Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
The latest version of the Suzuki Swift entered the market at the end of 2024 and regularly sells over 1,500 units monthly. The author believes that the secret to this success lies in the fact that, while becoming more refined and substantial over the years, the car maintains its original purpose—providing practical and affordable transport for the masses, unlike many competitors who have moved into more expensive classes, leading to a drop in their sales.
Despite the complete modernization, the fresh Swift retains the playful appearance of its predecessors. However, in the author's opinion, the front end looks somewhat bulky; more emphasis on the hood and less on the bumper could give it a neater look.
Comfortable Interior
The interior follows modern trends by placing a large touchscreen high on the dashboard, creating a 'floating' effect. Nevertheless, the screen housing seems slightly bloated. Furthermore, the cabin looks neat, and the build quality is impressive. Many plastic surfaces are hard and glossy, but everything feels built for durability, which is the most important thing at this level.
The Swift's cabin intelligently combines digital and analog elements. The GL models are equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while the flagship GLX version receives a 9.0-inch display. The infotainment system is simple and easy to use thanks to physical buttons for frequently used functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported.
The climate control system is also easy to operate due to physical controls located beneath the central air vents.
Is the Swift Practical?
Testing the car from the perspective of a 178 cm tall driver, the author noted that the rear leg and head space is more than sufficient for this category of vehicles. Although some criticize the 265-liter trunk as small, it is deep enough and provides quite acceptable space for a small hatchback in this price range.
Construction and Safety
Architecturally, the latest Swift model is built on the updated Heartect platform, inherited from its predecessor. Although the car has become heavier, reaching a weight of 945 kg in the top configuration, this is not necessarily a negative factor. The new Swift feels like a safer and sturdier product, as well as more stable on the road and less susceptible to side winds. While lightness is usually beneficial for performance and fuel economy, the previous Swift might have been too light in terms of comfort and stability.
Global NCAP has not yet tested the new Swift, but it is encouraging that its sedan sibling, the Suzuki Dzire, became one of the first small cars to receive five stars. This is a significant improvement compared to the one star received by the previous Swift, although it should be noted that these results pertain to the Indian market specification, and local modifications may differ. Standard safety features in the Swift include six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Smaller Engine, Impressive Economy
Suzuki attempted to compensate for the increase in weight by replacing the previous 1.2-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with a three-cylinder unit of the same capacity. The GLX test car demonstrated high fuel efficiency, consuming 5.4 liters per 100 km over a week, although this was under predominantly highway driving conditions. Interestingly, the test car they previously drove in the Western Cape also remained below six liters despite traversing numerous mountain passes.
The Swift engine develops 60 kW of power and 112 Nm of torque. Despite gaining weight while losing one cylinder and one kilowatt of power, the author did not feel disappointed by its dynamics in the Gauteng mountains during a week of ownership. The Swift GLX comes standard with 15-inch diamond-cut wheels.
Acknowledging that overtaking sometimes requires careful planning, the car feels sufficiently powerful in daily driving and even on the highway. The three-cylinder engine also emits a pleasant, throaty sound, which a friend who owns the same car compared to a sports car. This makes trips more interesting, and the author enjoyed driving the test car in the smooth and easy five-speed manual transmission.
Suzuki also offers a CVT, which the author briefly tested during a launch in Cape Town in 2024. Under heavy acceleration, it produced an unpleasant hum characteristic of continuous variable transmissions. The author speculates that this effect will be even more noticeable at Gauteng altitudes.
The main takeaway is this: if you enjoy driving, choose the manual gearbox—it is surprisingly fun to drive. If you are satisfied with a calm pace and no longer want to engage in 'clutch gymnastics,' you might consider the CVT, but be prepared for significant drivetrain noise at high revs.
Although the new Swift can occasionally be a bit lively, it also meets the requirements of those seeking a refined daily driving experience. Its suspension provides composed handling, and the road noise insulation is acceptable for a car in this class.
Prices and Specifications
The Suzuki Swift GLX starts from 276,900 Rand and represents excellent value for money in its segment. It is slightly more expensive than the base Polo Vivo (271,900 Rand) and is also competitively priced against smaller mid-range models such as the Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Premium (269,900 Rand) and the Kia Picanto 1.0 EX (284,995 Rand).
Those looking to spend less on a car can consider the Suzuki Swift GL at 228,900 Rand and the GL+ starting from 250,900 Rand. The standard equipment of the Swift GLX includes 15-inch diamond-cut wheels, LED projector headlights, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch driver information display, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry with push-button start, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Suzuki Swift comes with a two-year service plan for 30,000 km and a five-year warranty for 200,000 km.
CONCLUSION: The Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX convincingly proves its worth in the compact hatchback market, meeting all the requirements of those seeking an economical, refined, relatively practical, and even slightly fun car.