LET’S call a spade a spade – South Africans are brand loyal, especially so when it comes to cars. We tend to stick to the make of car “dad drove” and, if not, play it safe and support brands that have proven reputations. While either approach is understandable, car brands that enter the market afresh face a tough task. Thankfully, Suzuki was not a completely unknown quantity when it reentered the local market in 2008 and took on the established brands with well-packaged offerings in a number of segments.
In fact, the previous Swift hatchback was a big hit with the CAR team when it was tested shortly after Suzuki’s return to the market. It offered something new in a segment filled with obvious choices, with the added bonuses of an unconventionally long standard specification list and a – then – bargain price. With an all-new package, platform and engine, the new model has a lot to live up to.
Many new rivals have been launched since the Swift first arrived here and most of these boast designs that aim to appeal to a younger crowd. For the new Swift, however, it’s a case of transforming funky appeal into a more grown-up look.
A glance at the new Swift doesn’t tell you much, as not a lot has changed in terms of styling. As before, blacked-out A- and B-pillars, teamed with side windows that taper towards the rear, create a unique “visor” look. The most notable change in the overall appearance is the Swift’s size. With a width of 1 695 mm and length of 3 850 mm, it’s now wider and longer than before, which hints at the fact that Suzuki intends for this vehicle to be a more practical proposition.
The interior design has moved upmarket with a stylish new centre console and instrument cluster, and, dare we say it, Honda-like levels of perceived quality. Whereas the previous model employed grey plastics and workmanlike buttons and dials, Suzuki’s newcomer has darker materials and a more sophisticated layout for the audio and air-con controls. Tasteful silver accents across the facia and on the doors create a wrap-around effect in the cabin.
The driver’s pew has a wide range of adjustment, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position, while many testers found the rear leg- and headroom very impressive for a light car. Behind the rear seats hides 152 dm³ of total luggage space that can be organised with a divider. With the seatbacks folded flat, the total figure is a low-ish 744 dm³.
The most important aspect of the new Swift is its all-new – but smaller – engine. Moving from a 1,5- to a 1,4-litre unit has resulted in an ever-so-slight drop in power and torque, from 74 to 70 kW and from 133 to 130 N.m which, as many of the team members found, doesn’t help when travelling uphill. The slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission, however, helps this hatchback to achieve a sprightly 0-100 km/h sprint time of 11,75 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h.
Compared to its rivals, the Suzuki is therefore commendably, er, swift … Also impressive is the car’s dynamic handling capabilities. Those who drove it were pleasantly surprised by its road holding and found that, although it lacks low-down grunt, it provides a fun driving experience.
The newly developed steering system, with a variable gearratio design, provides good feedback and the turning circle of 10,4 metres aids manoeuvrability. Compared with the previous Swift, Suzuki has used a softer suspension set-up of MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam with a stabiliser bar at the rear. Testers commented on the excellent ride quality, while the sound insulation is impressive, with only a light flutter of wind noise audible from inside the cabin at higher speeds.
Suzuki has introduced various weight-saving techniques in the Swift and, teamed with the smaller engine, it’s more fuel efficient than its predecessor. Our fuel-index figure is now an impressive 6,6 litres/100 km (compared with the old Swift’s 7,3 litres/100 km). With a tank capacity of 42 litres, the Swift should be able to travel more than 600 km between fill-ups.
Specced to our test car’s GLS level, standard features are plentiful, with climate control, an audio system with USB capability, electric windows and side mirrors, keyless entry and start, and a multifunction steering wheel. A nice-tohave feature that’s missing is an auto-lock function. The doors do not unlock when the inside handles are tugged, either.
The six airbags on the GLS model forms part of one of the more comprehensive safety packages at this price level. Other safety features include ABS with EBD and BAS. This, along with the new ventilated front brake discs and solid rear discs, helped the Swift achieve an average stopping time of 2,99 seconds in our 10-stop test. Isofix anchor points are standard, as well as an alarm and immobiliser system.
TEST SUMMARY
The new model may not look radically different, but Suzuki sold more than 4 000 units of the previous Swift in the local market. It would be understandable if the marque was reluctant to stray from a successful formula, but priorities have changed. With an updated cabin that has a more premium feel, added interior space, enhanced safety, better consumption and lower emissions, the new Swift is obviously moving away from the youthful appeal it once had and on to a new clientele that prefers practicality, economy and safety above all else.
The new Swift may not be as zippy as it once was, but performance is impressive for a 1,4-litre and, at this price, it offers great value for money.
