The little Swift delivers a strong argument against ever larger cars, writes James Stinson
The Suzuki Swift is everything you’d want from a small car. Small but practical, stylish and affordable. In many ways, it’s the proper heir to the original Mini. And there’s a still a huge market for these types of cars… as starter cars, second cars or city cars. They’re frugal, cheap and far more fun to drive than a bloated SUV. The Swift is one of the best of the breed and this latest fourth generation version looks set to cement that position further. It boasts a bolder, more angular look than its predecessor with a piano black grille and L-shaped signature LED headlights.
There are sharper creases in the bodysides while both front and rear wheelarches have more pronounced bulges for a sportier look. At the rear, the new Suzuki Swift has bi-colour 3D combination tail lamps, while the rear bumper has been widened. If Suzuki has a weakness, it’s been on cabin quality, something it is threatening to put right with this new car. There are two-tone plastics which give it a fresher appearance along with a dual-tone black and light grey dashboard. The door trims are enhanced with satin plating and satin dark silver paint accents.
The new Suzuki Swift’s dashboard is now subtly angled towards the driver, with the centre console and controls positioned for easier use. There’s a new freestanding 9.0-inch HD touchscreen which Suzuki says is faster than today’s car, offering both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through Wi-Fi and USB. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition. The new Swift also comes with Suzuki Connect. This is a smartphone app that connects with the car and updates its status. Features include where it’s parked, whether it’s locked, plus remove security notifications and driving history. Suzuki Connect features are available through the new infotainment display.
An interesting added feature is the ability for parents to set a geofence for the new Suzuki Swift and get the car to send alerts if a curfew is broken. The new Suzuki Swift launches with an updated 1.2-litre threecylinder petrol engine. It has an updated mild hybrid system, as part of Suzuki’s pitch of offering an all-hybrid model range. Full technical details will be announced nearer to the UK launch but the firm says it has better fuel economy, reduced emissions and improved low-speed torque to boot responsiveness and performance. It will be offered with optional Allgrip Auto all-wheel drive. When the front wheels start to slip, a viscous coupling engages, which transfers drive to the rear wheels. It’s ideal for wintery roads. Safety has been improved too, with what’s called Dual Sensor Brake support II, or DSBS II. A radar and camera are combined to detect vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in front of the vehicle – and use autonomous emergency braking where necessary.
Other safety features include lane keep assist and a driver monitoring system that comprises a camera built into the instrument panel that monitors the driver’s eye and face. Warnings are sounded if it detects a lack of concentration. Rear cross traffic assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor and eCall also all feature. Prices will be released nearer the Spring on-sale date but entry level prices are expected to start around £17,000, which will keep it competitive with rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa and VW Polo.