An all new Suzuki Swift has just gone on sale in South Africa. The zippy hatchback is now in its fourth iteration. It has proven extremely popular since the nameplate was introduced locally in 2008. The little hatch is a firm favourite as a student car and for first-time car buyers.

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New Inside and Out

The new Suzuki Swift Sport has a completely revised external appearance. Its overall appearance is a little more rounded, less angular and rakish. This is most evident on the front-end where the bonnet and grille have large radius styling lines for a softer overall frontal aspect. The look may not be preferred by all, but the Swift is instantly recognisable. This new appearance comes with slightly larger dimensions, to the benefit of cabin space. Other upgrades include a new facia that features Suzuki’s latest infotainment system with all the necessary connectivity options. The rear seat back rest of the new Suzuki Swift is now split in a 60:40 configuration. This is great news for anyone who occasionally requires additional carrying capacity.

Multiple Derivatives

Suzuki SA is offering the new Swift in a five-derivative line-up. These include GL. GL+ and GLX with various transmission options (see list at bottom of power). Even the base-spec GL is kitted with air-conditioning, electric windows all round, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, central locking and rear parking sensors. Importantly, the entire range is fitted with six airbags as standard. In addition, there are anti-lock brakes and a stability program as standard. The equipment list just ramps up from there as you go up the pecking order to include alloys wheels, rear-view camera, steering audio controls and many others.

Single Engine

For now, the Swift range will be offered with a single engine. This is a newly developed inline three-cylinder engine. The naturally aspirated unit produces 60 kW and 112 N.m of torque. Hardly hot hatch territory, but competitive when compared to its rivals. Suzuki says the petrol engine sips fuel at 4,4 L/100 km.  Buyers can choose from a five-speed manual or a CVT, both of which are connected to the front wheels. 

A Scenic Drive

We spent a few kilometres driving the new Suzuki Swift Sport in the Cape Winelands earlier this week. The new model has all the hallmarks that made its predecessors so appealing. It is small, so easily dealt with zipping in and out of morning traffic. It is also frugal, not quite as advertised, but a full tank was showing a range of over 500 km. The new engine does need some encouragement, especially if the car is laden and there is any form of incline, as we found out. Thankfully, the manual transmission, as per our loan unit, is a smooth-shifting unit. And dealing with the twists and turns of a mountain pass made us long for the Swift Sport we raced at the Simola Hillclimb in 2023.

Summary

Suzuki is onto a winning formula with its current portfolio. The brand sold over 6 000 units in SA last month. The Swift has regularly consisted of a large percentage of the automaker’s monthly sales tally. As a result, over 86 000 Swifts have been sold locally since 2008. In a way, the Swift has taken the mantle of a small, cheerful hatchback from local favourites such as the VW Citi Golf and Toyota Tazz. The new Suzuki Swift offers good levels of standard specification at competitive prices (see below) and throws a two-year/30 000 km service plan and five-year/200 000 km promotional warranty in for mahala. That should ensure the latest-gen sells as well as its predecessors.

Pricing

GL manual – R219 900
GL+ manual – R239 900
GL+ CVT – R259 900
GLX manual – R264 900
GLX CVT – R284 900