Suzuki's fourth generation Swift supermini has been improved. But not beyond recognition. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

With the fourth generation version of their Swift supermini, Suzuki have stayed true to the design principles that have long served them in the small car sector, low running costs and great drive dynamics being the highlights. The car is now smarter and more sophisticated, plus there's frugal mild hybrid technology included.

Background

We've had 40 years of the Suzuki Swift model line and some varied designs throughout that time. They've done quite well for the brand though, the Swift offered in 169 countries and regions, with accumulated sales of over 9 million units at the time of this fourth generation model's announcement in late 2023. This version has a crisp design with greater sophistication but the company has aimed to keep what it calls the 'fun to drive playfulness' which has always marked this car's predecessors apart from a lot of other superminis. The other thing that's generally marked a Swift apart from a lot of other superminis has usually been its relatively low price. To try and keep that, Suzuki hasn't gone for huge engineering changes with this MK4 model; just an upgraded version of the old car's 1.2-litre three cylinder mild hybrid petrol engine. Even the exterior design is only mildly evolved. But do a lot of small changes add up to big improvement? Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

Suzuki says that this car's 82hp 1.2-litre three cylinder mild hybrid engine is 'new', but (as with the rest of the car), it's actually merely a thorough update of what went before. The brand claims it offers higher low-speed torque for greater responsiveness. As before, the engine's paired with a 12V mild hybrid system to improve efficiency. There's a choice of manual or CVT auto transmission and at the top of the range, unusually in this class, an AWD ALL GRIP system continues to be offered (only with a manual gearbox). Whatever model you choose, expect a more eager driving feel than you get with most budget superminis. And improved refinement thanks to sleeker aerodynamics and more attention on reducing road noise. For the first time on a Suzuki vehicle, sound and vibration adhesive has been applied to the under body to reduce transmission of noise and vibration into the cabin, particularly on bumpy roads. Suzuki calls its mild hybrid system 'SHVS' or 'Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki' technology and it's based around the use of what's called an 'Integrated Starter Generator' powered by a tiny 0.2 kWh lithium-ion battery that sits under the driver's seat. This set-up harvests kinetic energy when you brake and converts it into electrical energy. Not the kind that could take you short distances on electric power alone - the battery isn't big enough to allow for that. Instead, the regenerated energy is used to power the standard engine stop/start system and also to provide a mild extra power boost as you accelerate - around 50Nm of extra torque for up to 30 seconds. Thanks to a slight increase in engine torque over the old K12D engine (to 112Nm), the 62mph from rest sprint now takes 12.5s (5% faster than before) en route to 103mph with manual transmission - or 11.9s and 106mph with the auto. For the heavier 4WD ALL GRIP version, the figures are 13.6s and 99mph.

Design and Build

Well you'd recognise this as a Swift, were you to be familiar with this fourth generation model's predecessor. The 'dramatic redesign' promised by the marketing doesn't materialise here; it's more of a smartly completed and very thorough repackaging of what went before. At the front, there's a piano black grille and C-shaped signature lights that flow into rounded shoulder lines, highlighted by flared fenders. Side-on, the 'floating style' roof (which can be contrast-coloured) is familiar, but the profile contours are now more muscular and the rear door handles have been moved from the C-pillars to sit more conventionally. At the back, there are three-dimensional combination lamps and a wide rear bumper. It's evolution, not revolution inside too. As before, it's quite driver-orientated, featuring a centre cluster dial and controls subtly angled for ease of use. Sitting on top of the wrap-around, dual-tone black-and-light-grey dashboard is now-much smarter-looking 9-inch HD touchscreen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', plus voice recognition. The cabin finishing seems of better quality than before too, with satin plating and satin dark silver paint accents giving a smarter look. Cost-effective analogue instruments and a small screen continues to feature in the driver's binnacle, the climate panel no longer has chunky rotary dials and around the fascia there are notably fewer physical buttons. As before in the rear, two fully-sized adults will be quite happy, as will three kids. The boot capacity isn't much different from the 265-litre trunk that featured previously. That's easily enough for a couple of carry-on bags. Push forward the rear bench and you can extend the space to 980-litres.

Market and Model

Affordability has always been a Swift strength and like so much else, that hasn't changed with the latest car. Prices start from just under £19,000, but most models will be sold around the £20,000 bracket. There's a choice of two trim levels, 'Motion' and 'Ultra' and in most cases, you'll be adding between £600-£850 for your choice of paint colour. It's £1,250 more if you want to upgrade from manual to CVT auto transmission. If you want the ALL GRIP 4WD variant (which costs just over £21,000), you have to have top 'Ultra' trim and manual transmission. Even 'Motion' spec gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, Adaptive Cruise Control, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, navigation, heated front seats, keyless entry and Suzuki's latest 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Plusher 'Ultra' spec adds features like polished wheel rims, automatic air conditioning and power-folding mirrors. Suzuki has improved its Dual Sensor Brake Support autonomous braking system. Here, a millimetre-wave radar and monocular camera are employed to detect vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in front of the vehicle and help mitigate frontal, diagonal and lateral collisions. There's also Lane Keep Assist set-up which works in concert with the vehicle's Adaptive Cruise Control system and helps maintain the Swift's position in the centre of its lane. Suzuki has additionally included a Driver Monitoring system based around camera built into the instrument panel that monitors the driver's eyes and face and can detect drowsiness, at which point a warning alarm will be sounded. Other camera safety features include Lane Departure Prevention, Traffic Sign Recognition, a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Plus there's an eCall system that alerts the emergency services when the airbags go off.

Cost of Ownership

While the Swift has always been cheap to buy and reliable, in the past its fuel economy and CO2 emissions sometimes tended to let the overall cost of ownership down a little. The previous generation model improved things in that regard when a mild hybrid system was introduced and this MK4 design delivers much the same kinds of efficiency figures as its predecessor; expect 64.2mpg on the combined cycle and 99g/km of CO2. BiK is rated at between 24-27%, depending on variant. What about other costs? Well, every version comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty to match most rivals. There's also a year's breakdown cover that extends across the whole of Europe and includes roadside recovery. A 12-year anti-rust guarantee comes with the car too. Service stops are needed every year. Once your Swift has been registered for three years, it will become eligible for Suzuki's fixed price service package which will enable you to get servicing carried out for a single fixed price that will include parts, labour and VAT. There are around 180 Suzuki dealers in the UK and they're noted for excellent customer service. You can also even out the cost of regular maintenance with a 'Service Payment Plan' that covers you for anything between one and three garage visits.

Summary

The Swift has always been known as the thinking person's supermini selection - and very little has changed in that regard with this fourth generation version. You come away from looking at one thinking that Suzuki deserves a higher profile than it currently enjoys in the UK - but maybe that's the way Swift owners like it. This isn't a supermini that most of those who'll settle for a Polo or a Corsa will ever consider. But it's an alternative they should have tried before signing on the dotted line. Here's an affordable car that doesn't feel like one. And a well kept secret that doesn't deserve to remain that way.

Body Glass

Electric front windows

Electric rear windows

Green tinted glass

Rain sensor

Rear privacy glass

2 speeds front wiper with intermittent + washer

1 speed with intermittent rear wiper + washer

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

Electronic Stability Programme + traction control

Hill hold control

Dual sensor brake support

Communication

Suzuki connect

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Adaptive cruise control

Rear parking camera

Lane departure warning system

Blind spot monitoring

Traffic sign recognition

Rear cross traffic alert

Rear parking sensors

Lane departure prevention

Weaving alert

Lane keeping assist (LKA)

ALLGRIP auto 4 wheel drive

Intelligent speed control support

Driver Convenience

Remote fuel cap release

Tailgate

Automatic start/stop system

Driver Information

Navigation system

Digital clock

Low fuel level warning light

Outside temperature display

Driver monitoring system

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto

Colour LCD information display

eCall

Fuel consumption display (average/instantaneous) and range display

Driving Mirrors

Electric folding door mirrors

Electric door mirrors

Heated door mirrors

Door mirrors with built-in turn signal lamp

Embellishment Trims

Painted instrument panel ornament

Entertainment

Steering wheel audio controls

DAB Digital radio

Auxiliary input socket

Bluetooth audio streaming

4 speakers + 2 tweeters

9-inch infotainment display

USB Type A and C

Exterior Body Features

Rear spoiler

Body colour door mirrors and handles

Side spoiler

Black coloured A & B pillars

Rear side wing doors

C pillar trim moulding

Black Upper and lower front grille

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

Manual headlamp level control

'Guide me home' headlamps

LED daytime running lights

High beam assist

LED number plate light

Rear fog lights

LED rear combination lamp

LED High mounted stop light

LED position lamps

LED projector headlamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Rear heater duct

Pollen filter

Heater

Interior Features

Cloth upholstery

Glovebox

Tilt adjustable steering wheel

Parcel shelf

3 spoke leather covered steering wheel

Centre console storage

Chrome interior door handles

Accessory socket

Door pockets with bottle holder

Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel

Front passenger side assist grip

Chrome handbrake release button

2 cup holders in front

Centre lower box

Rear assist grips x2

12V Accessory socket in front console

1 cup holder in rear

Painted interior door trim ornament

Interior Lights

Front map light

Luggage area lamp

Front cabin lights

Safety

Driver airbag

Front passenger airbag

3 point ELR seatbelts front and rear

Front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters

Rear child proof door locks

Curtain airbags

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Rear seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Tyre pressure indicator

3 point ELR seatbelts for centre seat

Side airbags with incorporated into front seats

Front seat seatbelts shoulder height adjuster

Seats

Heated front seats

Front headrests

Height adjustable driver's seat

Passenger seat back pocket

2 Isofix seat anchors

60/40 split rear seats

3 rear head restraints

Child seat tether anchorages x 2

Single front passenger seat

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

Security

Immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central locking

Light - on and Key in reminder

Deadlocks

Keyless entry and start

Freewheeling key cylinders

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors with ticket holders + vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

16" Polished alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Emergency flat tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 110

Engine and Drive Train

Gears: 5 SPEED

Engine Code: Z12E

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: MANUAL

CC: 1197

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Low: 55.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 62.7

WLTP - MPG - High: 65.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 51.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 57.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 5.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 4.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.9

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 67

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 20D

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 999999

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 65

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 76

NCAP Safety Assist %: 62

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 3

Badge Power: 83

Badge Engine CC: 1.2

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 5

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Coin Series: Ultra

Coin Description: Mild Hybrid ALLGRIP

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Torque - NM: 112

Top Speed: 99

0 to 62 mph (secs): 13.6

Engine Power - KW: 60

Engine Power - RPM: 5700

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 83

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - RPM: 4500

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 82

Engine Torque - MKG: 11.4

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Wheel Style: N

Tyre Size Front: 185/55 R16

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Rear: 185/55 R16

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2450

Width (including mirrors): N

Height: 1520

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1735

Length: 3860

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1441

Minimum Kerbweight: 1037

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 37

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 400

Max. Loading Weight: 404

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 265

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 9.6

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 589

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Two Tone Metallic paint

Premium metallic paint

Additional metallic paint

Premium Two Tone Metallic Paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Mineral grey

Metallic - Premium silver

Metallic - Flame orange pearl

Metallic - Cool yellow

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Super black

Pearl - Pure white

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Burning red pearl

Premium metallic - Frontier blue pearl

Paint - Two Tone

Premium two tone Metallic - Frontier blue/Super black

Premium two tone Metallic - Burning red/Super black

Two tone Metallic - Cool yellow/Mineral grey

Two tone Metallic - Pure white/Mineral grey

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Grey