It’s hard to call this small hatchback a lighter, just as it’s hard to talk about its impressive practicality. But in fact, the Suzuki Swift is a rather rare beast that combines modern technology with old habits, while retaining all the things that are important for convenience and practicality.
Narrow streets and low buildings — this is the environment for a small hatchback. But this is far from the case in our capital, where the ability to jump over curbs is more useful than the ability to park accurately. Where the depths of the potholes resemble an abyss into which it is better not to look, let alone get close in a car with a ground clearance below 15 centimeters and shock absorbers that cannot withstand a threefold load.
However, the world of small hatchbacks continues to live on and even has a chance of success, and not only in big cities. Their compact size, low fuel consumption, ease of maneuvering on streets cluttered with parked cars, and low maintenance costs make them indispensable helpers for citizens, especially women. The main thing for such a small personality is the ability to stand out. So far, only MINI has succeeded in this, but almost everyone is trying. And it seems that this time Suzuki decided to try again to grab a significant share of compact fans because the niche is almost forgotten and there is every chance to impress the consumer.
Interesting fact: The godfather of «Swift» was General Motors, the largest player in the twentieth century car market. Initially, Swift was supposed to be a global subcompact sold in the markets of all five continents. But already in the development process, the Americans realized that the costs would not pay off. And after several attempts to sell the unfinished M-car project to GM, they exchanged it for … 5.5% of the shares of Suzuki Motor Corporation. The Japanese took the matter to its logical conclusion and actually exported the Swift to all corners of the planet, including supplying SKD kits of the subcompact for assembly at the factories of… General Motors.
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The Suzuki Swift first appeared in the last century, in 1983, and was sold all over the world. But the fourth generation of the subcompact, which was released in 2005, is still considered the most successful. We can still see representatives of these years on the streets. It was then that the Swift was presented with those branded outlines that now accompany it through the generations. In 2024, we are getting the seventh generation of the model. Will it be successful? Let’s see.
Suzuki’s designers seem a bit lazy because the changes between the sixth and seventh generations, at first glance, can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But in fact, there are many more and they are deeper. To please the 21st century generation, it is necessary to offer something much brighter than the original appearance — you need character, a zest. A little bit of spice was added to the Swift, resulting in a superb and daring overall image.
The retained Heartect platform retains the usual 2,450 mm base, but the body has grown to 3,860 mm thanks to new bumpers. The grille has been changed, the logo has moved to the top, and the hood now covers the engine like a panama hat, which gives the hatchback a special charm in combination with the magnifying glass headlights and an elongated line around the body.
The hatchback was completely stripped of fog lamps, as we are used to seeing them — they were integrated into the main daylight. The sides were tweaked a bit, adding softer edges, optimizing the rear outlines, and new wheels were installed. All in all, all the changes were beneficial, as even the aerodynamics were improved by 4.6%.
The new Suzuki Swift looks like a restored retro car with integrated modern elements. It is striking that it has retained its signature body shape, where the pillars have a minimal angle of inclination and the shape of the glass is close to a parallelogram. Convenience is very relative, it adds noise when the windows are open, but in general, it lets in more light. The main thing is that we fixed the glazing in the rear door area by simply returning the handle from the rear pillar to its rightful place. There is more glass, although only most of it opens, but completely downward. And the doors open at a decent angle, which makes it easy to get into the car and also to put children in it.
This generation offers as many as nine colors, two of which are designed specifically for the Swift: red and blue. The designers claim that these are «caramel» colors, which have a deeper metallic finish and pearlescent additions. Each color, except black, can be combined with a black roof if desired, and this option is free in each package, and there are only two of them, and they differ only in minor details. It is interesting that now the roof is completely colored along with the pillars, unlike its predecessor, which had more bizarre stripes.
Much more fresh and modern details can be found in the cabin. Of course, it is not close to Citroen with its original elements and bold integrations of ideas, but overall, it is a big step forward for Suzuki. And although the architecture hasn’t changed much, the details have refreshed the interior, adding modernity. Even these light gray inserts look playful and smooth out the impression of hard plastic everywhere.
The first thing that catches your eye is the new steering wheel, which is now thinner, curves in the areas where you need to hold your hands, and now you would rather not grab it elsewhere. The eco-leather steering wheel is pleasant to the touch and has many buttons for adjusting the dashboard and multimedia.
The next step is the multimedia monitor, which has grown to 9 inches and moved to the top of the center console. It is framed by glossy plastic. I would like to do without it altogether. The air deflectors under it now have the same shape as the side ones. And the climate system monitor has been merged into a single unit, so it’s a little more convenient to operate. We can even thank you for this separate panel with conventional mechanical keys.
In general, the multimedia has a completely updated interface and offers many settings and applications, and the best part is that it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Yes, you just need to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth once and enjoy fast connections all the time.
There will be no wireless charging, so you should stock up on cables because the phone will quickly discharge in this mode. Another thank you to the brand for leaving a regular USB connector, but there are also modern Type-C outputs for fast charging. So even the rear passengers will be able to connect, but they will need longer cables.
Unfortunately, the gear lever is the same as in other models of the brand. In our case, we have a branded CVT with the ability to work in manual mode. And this manual mode will be on all the time when you shift into Drive mode. You just press the button on the lever constantly, and you don’t have time to release it during the shift. It’s a bit annoying, but they say you can get used to it. I never managed to do it.
The new chairs are much nicer and have clearly emphasized support on the sides of the seat and back. So you don’t hang around in the chair, but sit clearly. There is no adjustment or support under the lumbar region, but the seats are generally not uncomfortable. The driver can adjust the seat in terms of height, length, and backrest tilt, and the steering wheel is adjustable in terms of reach and height.
These are all trifles, but the most important thing that strikes most people who get acquainted with the Suzuki Swift is that it is much more spacious inside than it seemed from the outside. And this is not only due to the large glazing area, but also to the organization of space and the high roof. There is plenty of headroom even for a tall person, and you don’t have to fall all the way down into the seats.
Even on the rear sofa, a tall person can easily sit without bumping into the pillars or resting his head on the roof. Of course, three people behind will be a bit cramped, but they will be able to fit in and even ride more or less comfortably. Unfortunately, the seats are quite low, and you can’t put your feet under the front seats, but they won’t leak anyway.
Children will feel free and spacious in the car. There are pockets in the backs of the seats, small pockets in the doors, but you can put small bottles. There are even power windows.
In general, this is one of the best spaces in the class among the competitors in our market that can be mentioned, and these are Citroen C3, Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris. Only Honda Jazz will have more space, which has always been a leader in these indicators.
But in terms of luggage space, the Suzuki Swift loses even to the Czech hatchback, which offers 380 liters versus 265 liters in the Japanese. But you can easily fit a stroller or even three suitcases. It will definitely be enough for shopping without any hesitation. Even if you need to transport something long (up to 2 meters), you can fold the seat backs. Unfortunately, there will be no single floor, the step is huge.
A niche under the trunk floor hides the floorboard and the tools needed to replace it, has pockets and can be used to attach various space limiters and organizers.
The new Swift offers as many active assistants and technologies as any other car in the segment, and even more so for under $20,000. The small hatch has been given all the available advantages of its bigger Suzuki brothers. Here you have adaptive cruise with lane keeping, keeping a distance to previous cars, a sign recognition system, and blind spot monitoring, all of which are already in the starting package.
The full set of systems is the best offer, considering that the rearview camera transmits the image quite decently, and the automatic switching of high beams, and all-round LED lighting, except for the cabin, of course.
If at first it seems that the hatchback is quite simple, you should just drive it because even the lighting works at a high level. Not to mention the work of the systems. Even without extra cameras, the radars cope with the situation around them, clearly identifying the surrounding situation. The car keeps its course well, and the notifications, although frightening with their loudness and nasty sound, are simply impossible to ignore. And sometimes it can save you from trouble.
I’m a little surprised that the front camera is not connected to the system for a full 360 view, but there is enough information, and the parking sensors help to determine if there are doubts when parking. In general, the compact dimensions make it easy to find parking spaces and move around in a fairly narrow street space.
The hybrid powertrain is also a novelty. Thus, the 2024 Suzuki Swift is offered exclusively with «mild hybrid» (SHVS) technology, which is based on a 1.2-liter atmospheric engine (Z12E) with an output of 83 hp, with an integrated ISG starter generator and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of about 36 Wh.
Such a battery cannot provide enough capacity for electric driving. Therefore, the system works like this: the electric motor restarts the engine, and the ISG works as a starter, providing a smooth and quiet engine start. The battery is only useful here as a booster for the main starting battery and will work more for the start-stop system than for fuel economy.
The battery is powered either by a gasoline engine or during energy recovery, when the same ISG converts kinetic energy into electricity to recharge the battery. Perhaps it’s just such a system, and in the entire history of dealing with start-stop systems, it is one of the quietest and smoothest functions here. And for the first time, I didn’t have a desire to turn it off, although sometimes in traffic jams it is still annoying to start the three-cylinder engine constantly, which is not so quiet.
On the central monitor and on the instrument cluster, a bright cartoon display shows the hybrid system as if it were a real hybrid. Only it’s not. In fact, the battery itself is located under the driver’s seat, not as shown in the display. Moreover, it has almost no effect on fuel economy. And if it weren’t for this visualization, you wouldn’t have guessed that this is a hybrid at all.
If you forget about hybrid technology, the new Suzuki Swift is a very pleasant and easy-to-handle car. It holds the road well, does not threaten with excessive rolls, but the suspension does not indulge in comfort. What else can you expect from a compact? A conventional chassis with independent MacPherson suspension in front and a torsion beam in the rear. It even has drum brakes on the rear wheels, while more powerful competitors have disc brakes. But this is only to the owner’s advantage because the maintenance of such a scheme is much cheaper, as well as the general care of a three-cylinder engine.
When driving over small potholes, the chassis works well and swallows bumps, but a more significant subsidence of the road surface will make the whole body feel a jolt, and the shock absorber will knock threateningly. So you should be careful not to knock out the lever on our roads, and then your teeth will remain intact.
Such an unimpressive statistic as 11.9 seconds to 100 km/h actually works in the case of a small hatchback to the fullest, making the Swift a vigorous capsule that accelerates easily, maneuvers in traffic, and steers sensitively. With a light weight of 957 kg, the Swift can race through the city with the agility of a hummingbird. You just need to use the steering wheel paddles or the gear lever itself to get all 111 Nm of torque that are hidden behind 4 thousand revs because the gearbox will argue with you until you turn off its «brain».
For those who like to fully control the behavior of the car, a starting version with a five-speed transmission is offered, and for comfort there is also a proprietary CVT from Aisin. Of course, this box works perfectly on any model of the brand and has been familiar for a long time, so you won’t expect any surprises from it. Here, too, it generally works smoothly, but it can be slow to respond to the driver’s request to increase power, or a little slow to respond to a decrease in power.
The Suzuki Swift has a manual gearshift with simulated gear ratios in seven steps, which are controlled by the paddles on the steering wheel or the lever itself. Just, as I mentioned above, watch its position. It is very easy to skip D, press M and lock the car in first gear after trying to make a quick start or vice versa to jump out of manual mode.
According to the manufacturer, the new 2024 Suzuki Swift Hybrid is capable of saving at least 17 percent less gasoline while reducing CO2 emissions by 20 percent. Only I did not manage to get down to 4 liters per 100 km, and the lowest figure was 5.8 liters, which is not so low compared to other hybrids, but in general, relative to other gasoline cars, it is quite decent.
Suzuki has done a great and thorough job of finalizing the fourth-generation Swift. Chief Engineer Masao Kobori and his team have been the main contributors to this. The hatchback has improved significantly, has become more refined, and now it behaves more evenly, consistently, and leaks less noise than before. This is partly due to additional sound-absorbing materials and partly to a new suspension setup.
If you liked the Suzuki Swift before, you will appreciate the new one in full. Maybe it’s time for you to upgrade your favorite car. I can say for sure that the hatchback has not abandoned its simple charm and economy, making a leap forward in terms of technology.
However, competitors today can offer much more comfort, luxury, and dynamics, but the price tag will already be close to $30,000, if we take the same saturation of equipment. At the same time, the Suzuki Swift is priced at $17,535 (720,000 UAH), which is actually the most favorable offer on the market today.
The new Suzuki Swift deserves attention in the rapidly shrinking B-class city car category, and if you value convenience, practicality, and prefer simple and light cars, you may definitely like it.
PROS: spacious interior, richness of equipment, ease of operation, price/quality, practicality, compactness.
CONS: mediocre chassis comfort, very little benefit from the hybrid system, dynamics.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 3860/1735/1495 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2450 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 115 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 265/589 |
| Curb weight, kg | 957 |
| Engine | 1.2L SHVS (12V-ISG, 3Ah) |
| Power, hp. | 83 |
| Torque, Nm | 111,8 |
| Type of hybrid installation | SHVS |
| Electric motor power, kW | — |
| Type of drive | front |
| Pendant | independent MacPherson/torsion beam |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 11,9 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 170 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 4,7-4,9 |
| Cost, UAH | from 720 000 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 859 000 |
| Competitors | Toyota Yaris |
| Skoda Fabia | |
| Citroen C3 | |
| Honda Jazz |
