The brand new Suzuki Swift Hybrid is hogging the limelight immediately, but the present Swift Sport stays on sale.
While it’s unclear whether the performance hatch can be renewed for one more generation, the newest Swift and the previous-gen Swift Sport will proceed to be produced concurrently on the time being.
You’ll be able to still get into one for under $30,000 plus on-road costs… just. But if you happen to don’t want to alter gears yourself, you’re taking a look at the automotive on test – the 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport auto, priced from $31,990 before on-roads.
It’s still based on the previous-generation Swift, meaning it lacks the tech and have advancements of the brand new Hybrid. But, that’s not necessarily all bad.
The Swift Sport is currently the one version of the Japanese brand’s city hatchback you could buy with a turbocharged engine. Plus, its body kit and alloys make it look very… tuff
Is it still value a glance over the new-gen electrified model, or must you go for the newer, less powerful alternative?
How does the Suzuki Swift compare?
View an in depth breakdown of the Suzuki Swift against similarly sized vehicles.
Suzuki
Swift
How much does the Suzuki Swift cost?
Pricing has crept up over time, however the Swift Sport starts at a still-affordable $29,990 plus on-road costs for the six-speed manual, with the six-speed auto on test asking for $2000 more.
| Model | Pricing before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport 6MT | $29,990 |
| 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport 6AT | $31,990 |
To see how the Swift Sport lines up against its rivals, take a look at our comparison tool.
What’s the Suzuki Swift like on the within?
Not much has modified for the reason that third-generation Swift launched locally in 2017.
In comparison with the brand new fourth-gen Swift Hybrid, which receives some wholesale design inside and outside, the 3GEN-based Swift Sport doesn’t change the formula an excessive amount of aside from some lashings of red trim and sportier seats.
It offers a traditional and clean layout that hasn’t aged badly, nevertheless it’s looking basic for a city automotive value over $30,000 before on-roads in 2024.
For instance, the low-cost plastics lining almost the whole interior were palatable when a base Swift began for well under $20,000 but within the $31,990 before on-roads Swift Sport automatic it’s not as acceptable.
Thankfully, the most important touch points just like the chunky flat-bottomed and leather steering wheel, and the solid-feeling switchgear, help to make up for this somewhat.
That brings me to the front seats, that are perhaps my favourite thing concerning the automotive before you begin driving it.
The generously padded sports seats are beautiful to sit down in. Comfortable, supportive, and well bolstered, it’s as if the automotive is providing you with a warm hug. Additionally they keep you snug when cornering – more on the driving later.
Now something not so great: infotainment. In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic Suzuki was forced to toy with aftermarket infotainment systems attributable to component shortages, though initially the Swift Sport was spared.
Now, the factory 7.0-inch touchscreen has been replaced with a 7.0-inch Pioneer unit, and it was one among my best frustrations with this automotive. It’s basic, slow, and well behind any of the systems offered by rivals.
There’s no embedded satellite navigation, the interface is so aftermarket it could have come from Autobarn, and the standard and clarity of the display is sub-par. With wired Apple CarPlay, the colors of the app tiles appeared off and overly saturated, and the brightness was too dull in daylight even in its highest setting.
Further, audio quality during phone calls was rubbish on each ends, with multiple callers complaining of excessive echoing and background noise. It’s as if the microphone is fitted to the display, and never the actual automotive.
Audio quality when playing music was higher, with the infotainment unit attached to the Swift Sport’s decent six-speaker sound system. There’s a pleasant crispness to the audio, and you possibly can dial up the bass – though you’ll be vibrating the hell out of the skinny windows and door trims.
It really puzzles me why the old 7.0-inch navigation system isn’t here, or why a version of the brand new Swift’s 9.0-inch touchscreen running the newest interface couldn’t have been adapted. No less than it’s neatly integrated, above circular climate controls that proceed to be a nice ergonomic experience by comparison.
Despite the compact dimensions, you’ll be surprised to seek out a handy amount of space within the rear, not less than for 2 adults.
The Swift has at all times been well packaged within the second row because of its tall roofline, which implies even at 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving position in moderate comfort. For those who’re smaller, even higher.
As you’d expect, it’s pretty basic back here – there aren’t any air vents, power outlets, or padded elbow rests within the doors. You do get adjustable headrests and the requisite ISOFIX and top tether child seat mounting points, but that’s about it.
The surprising amount of rear passenger room as clearly comes at the price of boot space, with the Swift quoting 265 litres which is far closer to a Kia Picanto than a Volkswagen Polo.
It’s a reasonably short space, albeit one which’s nicely squared off. You’ll be able to fold the rear seats (60:40 split) but there’s an enormous step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, they usually don’t fold particularly flat.
Disappointingly there’s no spare wheel under the boot floor either, with only a tyre repair kit offered.
| Dimensions | Suzuki Swift Sport |
|---|---|
| Length | 3890mm |
| Width | 1735mm |
| Height | 1495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450mm |
| Cargo capability | 265 litres (rear seat raised) 579 litres (rear seat folded) |
To see how the Swift Sport lines up against its rivals, take a look at our comparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
The identical 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo 4 stays under the bonnet of the Suzuki Swift Sport.
| Specifications | Suzuki Swift Sport 6AT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.4L 4cyl turbo |
| Power | 103kW @ 550rpm |
| Torque | 230Nm @ 2500-3000rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto |
| Driven wheels | FWD |
| Weight | 990kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.1L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 6.3L/100km |
| Fuel tank capability | 37 litres |
| Fuel requirement | 91 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 141g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
To see how the Swift Sport lines up against its rivals, take a look at our comparison tool.
How does the Suzuki Swift drive?
As has at all times been the case, the Swift Sport is a hoot for such a small, basic automotive.
The engine’s outputs might sound slightly tame on paper, but slotted under the bonnet of a light-class hatchback weighing lower than a tonne (990kg in auto spec), it flies!
It offers 230Nm of peak torque that comes online from 2300rpm, which is slightly high for a contemporary turbocharged motor, nevertheless it almost has that old-school turbo character where it hits you within the back because it comes on boost.
Suzuki Australia doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time nevertheless it easily appears like a low 7.0-second automotive, and roll-on acceleration is impressive for a vehicle of this size.
The zesty response is addictive and appears like the automotive is egging you on to provide it a push. Only a shame it doesn’t sound particularly sporty, even when there’s a slight raspiness to the exhaust note.
While you’re not zipping through traffic and city streets, the Swift Sport stays a really comfortable and agreeable commuter, drawing upon its city automotive underpinnings to make for a really capable runabout.
Tall windows, direct steering, and a well-sorted ride make the Swift perfect for navigating inner-city Melbourne. It’s a cinch to park, and can slot in any spot given its teeny 3.9-metre length. You furthermore mght won’t feel squished in narrow laneways or automotive parks.
It doesn’t come undone at higher speeds. The Swift sits comfortably at a cruise on Australian freeways despite its diminutive size, helped somewhat by the Sport’s more substantial wheel and tyre package in comparison with lower grades from this Swift generation – there’s an additional 10mm of width on each tyre.
While this city automotive is can capably handle trips out of the large smoke without getting blown away by heavy winds or passing trucks, the extent of road noise on coarse-chip roads is high. You get droning and ringing from the tyre roar that’s not very nice, and the skinny windows don’t keep much out either.
The Swift Sport’s age is somewhat given away by its driver assistance systems, or relative lack thereof in comparison with something like a Volkswagen Polo (GTI or not).
There’s adaptive cruise control that does without stop/go functionality, meaning you will have to still do the work yourself in traffic jams. The lane departure warning also lacks an lively assist or centring function just like the latest Swift Hybrid.
You do get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert that are nice, however the reversing camera is so bad being positioned within the licence plate area and feeding onto the sub-bar infotainment display. The viewing angle is restricted and the standard of the vision is well below average.
Otherwise, it covers the fundamentals and never way more. If this sort of assistance tech is very important to you and also you don’t need the Sport’s turbocharged performance, the newer Swift Hybrid GLX could possibly be the go for you.
What do you get?
Only one specification is obtainable, with each manual and automatic transmissions available.
Swift Sport equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Front fog lights
- Rear privacy glass
- Electronically folding heated side mirrors
- 7.0-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay – wired
- Android Auto – wired
- Bluetooth phone, audio
- Single-zone climate control
- Keyless entry and begin
- Semi-bucket sports seats
- D-shaped sports steering wheel
- 60:40-split folding rear seats
Is the Suzuki Swift secure?
The previous-generation Swift wore a 2017-stamped five-star ANCAP safety rating, which has now expired.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 6 airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Weaving alert
How much does the Suzuki Swift cost to run?
Just like the wider Suzuki lineup, the Swift Sport is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Running costs | Suzuki Swift Sport |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | As much as 5 years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 100,000 kilometres |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2005 (5 years, 50,000km) |
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki Swift
There’s loads to like about this little automotive.
As has at all times been the case with the Swift Sport, it’s slightly ball of fun that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s also surprisingly practical as a every day provided you don’t have to carry three or 4 passengers usually.
Town-friendly dimensions make it a cinch to live with on the every day commute, and its turbocharged performance and dynamics make it a hoot whether you’re zipping through CBD laneways or tearing up a winding B-road out of town.
I also think it’s lovely, and in one among the brighter color options really pops and appears special. Our grey tester could be very demure, but in addition slightly too unassuming for me.
Drawbacks? It’s not as low-cost because it was once, and the tech suite is dated in comparison with the brand new one, let alone the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.
The aftermarket-looking Pioneer head unit would almost be a dealbreaker for me, especially in comparison with the brand new 9.0-inch unit in the brand new Swift Hybrid which is a world away from the old OEM system let alone the one here.
It’s also pretty tinny whenever you start venturing beyond city limits, with thin panels and windows meaning quite a whole lot of ambient noise enters the cabin just about on a regular basis. It just is feeling a bit old in these respects.
But if you happen to’re after relatively low-cost, no-nonsense thrills in a pocket-sized package, the Swift Sport is the correct fit.
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This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
