Suzuki’s venerable Swift has been an everyday fixture in Australia for greater than 30 years. Diminutive in dimension, each actually and by way of entry worth, this market mainstay now provides additional frugality within the type of a gentle hybrid drivetrain.
Our topic is the range-topping GLX, so there’s not a single early 90’s hubcap in sight. As a substitute, there’s hanging Frontier Blue panels, complemented by blackouts that stretch to the roof, completed off with shiny machine-finished 16-inch alloy wheels.
The mixture is a classy evolution in design. Beginning with a well-recognized bug-eyed affair up entrance, the place LED headlights flank the grille, the rounded bonnet line results in an equally Mini-esque upright windscreen, with a tallish roof and stubby rear.
It’s a cute factor all up, and that roofline interprets right into a spacious cabin, that provides extra room than we might’ve thought. It’s capable of home two adults within the rear for brief journeys, simply don’t count on an armrest, air-conditioning vents or charging ports again there.
Storage is just a little missing, with pockets within the doorways and a glovebox, however we might’ve appreciated a centre armrest up-front, reasonably than a tray with a cup holder. Boot house can go from 265 to 589-litres with the rear seats folded flat, however there’s no spare, only a tyre restore equipment.
The inside is effectively put collectively and pleasing to the attention. The centrepiece is a white sprint element that contrasts properly in opposition to the ocean of darkish gray, and extends throughout the automotive and into the doorways.
It’s interrupted solely by the 9.0-inch display atop the centre stack, which controls wi-fi Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto and a 6-speaker stereo. The latter rapidly grew to become harsh when set any louder than midway, and there’s no precise quantity knob.
The truth is, a lot of the performance you’d require, apart from air-conditioning controls are by way of stated display. Whereas it’s effectively sized, crisp and vibrant, we did expertise lag on a few events.
Cabin surfaces are largely laborious scratchy stuff, as you’d count on on the worth level, nevertheless it takes away from what’s an in any other case pleasing house. It’s maybe just a little nostalgic, however we’re a fan of the material overlaying on the seats.
It appears odd given the present crop of vegan-recycled-multi-origin choices which might be all the fashion amongst with the cool children, however faux leather-based can really feel horrible. The seats themselves are comfortable and heated, with guide adjustability.
The driving force takes maintain of a well-sized wheel that hides sporty trying however barely perplexing paddle shifters, whereas taking in car vitals from a mixed dial-and-screen based mostly show within the binnacle.
Hitting the starter button reveals a muted however full of life sequence because the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine involves life. It settles to an imperceptible idle however will even deploy a begin/cease perform because it sees match.
This apparently helps the Swift get to a pleasantly stunning 4.3-litres/100km (as examined) within the gasoline financial system stakes. It’s price pertaining to the truth that this can be a 12v gentle hybrid setup, which sees the battery pack and a starter generator facilitate cease/begin performance.
It’s famous to enhance efficiency, however this was imperceivable to us, and the reality is that if there have been no notifications on the instrument cluster round system charging and gasoline financial savings, you merely wouldn’t know its there.
Driving the Swift is straightforward; it’s supremely manoeuvrable because of mild steering and an awesome turning circle. The latter makes parking a breeze. It’s a metropolis automotive in any case, and that is the place it thrives. The three-cylinder engine delivers 61kW of energy and 112Nm of torque.
Small numbers actually, nevertheless it will get on top of things with relative ease. It’s aided by the battery pack, which apparently provides 2kW and 60Nm when pushed. It does get just a little harsh when requested upon although and that is solely exacerbated by the CVT that sits alongside it.
We did discover that when making an attempt a hasty getaway, there was noticeable lag in accelerator response. Compensate for it and the identical accelerator will go into a kind of “overrun”, including disproportionate throttle and ensuing velocity.
They’re all issues that one can get used too, however shouldn’t have too. Given the assumed drive-by-wire setup, this could solely be a software program replace away from being rectified. On the transfer, the suspension is compliant however managed.
In the end, it’s a snug and quiet automotive to trip in round city. By way of a well-recognized little bit of twisty highway, we even uncovered a playful facet. It’s responsive and holds a line, nearly prefer it might deal with a stack extra energy.
Our expertise typecasts the Swift as a stable selection for a brand new driver and provided that there needs to be a heavy emphasis on security. Fortunately, it has this space coated in spades, together with site visitors signal recognition, adaptive cruise, and autonomous emergency braking.
You’ll additionally discover lane departure expertise and rear cross site visitors alert. With a 5-year guarantee, the one factor left to think about is the value, at $30,635 drive away. That places it on par with the MG3 Hybrid. The one different factor lacking is a GTI.
You will discover out extra on the Suzuki Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. To get a low fee finance quote, discuss to Australia’s greatest reviewed automotive finance dealer; Credit score One. To see an awesome vary of automobiles on the market, try OnlyCars.com.au.
Our check car was equipped by Suzuki Australia for unbiased evaluate functions.
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