Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Suzuki Swift Sport UK drive

Old-school hot hatch pumps up the fun factor as it debuts in the UK

Suzuki Swift Sport front cornering

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Pete Gibson

December 2011

Many hot hatches have become more complex and expensive over the years, but one has stuck to an old-school formula – the Suzuki Swift. As with its predecessor it doesn’t have much power, but it doesn’t weigh a lot, either – and with a price tag of only £13,500, it provides plenty of affordable fun.

When we first tested the car in Issue 1,198, we awarded it a full five-star rating. Does it feel as impressive on UK roads, though? Even basic Swifts are fun to drive, so the Sport has a strong base to build on.

New parts include a subtle bodykit with side skirts, a redesigned front bumper and a neat diffuser-style rear end with twin exhausts. Multi-spoke 17-inch alloys and a roof spoiler finish off the exterior, while inside there are heavily bolstered sports seats and updated dials.

As for the dynamics, Suzuki engineers have added stiffer springs and suspension bushes, together with a 134bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. This gets a six-speed gearbox with a clever synchromesh on the first two ratios allowing snappier changes.

Despite weighing only 1,045kg, the Swift doesn’t feel fast from low down, and you have to rev the engine hard to get the car moving along rapidly. Peak torque of 160Nm arrives at 4,000rpm, while maximum power kicks in at 7,000rpm: keep the engine in that range and the car feels every bit as quick as the 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds suggests.

The motor also sounds great as it approaches the red line. The snappy box helps keep things on the boil, and thanks to a decent spread of ratios the Sport is even quite economical, capable of around 40mpg in regular driving.

Has the Swift Sport inherited its predecessor’s talents in corners, though? Throw the car into a tight bend and it hangs on well. Push harder on the throttle and the nose will eventually run wide; lift off and it’ll tighten its line, even allowing the rear end to step out a bit. But it’s not as involving as the old Swift Sport. The steering could be more precise and give better feedback.

Despite low-profile tyres and stiffer suspension the Sport rides pretty well, always feeling firm yet soaking up bumpy UK roads with ease. It may not be perfect, but it adds up to a very affordable and appealing formula.

For an alternative review of the latest Suzuki Swift visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

4 Comments

Price

"with a price tag of only £13,500" and yet if you go on suzukis website you can only have the top of the range Swift SZ4 for almost £14,000. This model will obviously sit right at the top of the range above the SZ4 and be more expensive than that. Where are autoexpress getting their figures from!?

By kalder88 on 27 December, 2011, 4:50pm

New Swift Sport

looks very appealing, priced keenly at £13500. If I was downsizing to this size of vehicle I would be very tempted by this. Even the cheaper standard models look great.

By cousins11 on 27 December, 2011, 9:18pm

Kernow

Agree that £13500 looks highly unlikely, £14750 might be closer. Also i can't see anything in this story as to when the Sport will be available other than the title 'debuts in the UK.' Is this available January 2012?

By cziar1 on 30 December, 2011, 2:03pm

Pricing

Hi guys. It seems like pricing of the Swift Sport seems to be raising a few questions.
The Swift Sport is priced fully on the road at £13,499 including Metallic Paint. All colours are metallic (or pearl depending on colour.) I know as I sell them!
What you guys won't work out from the Suzuki website is infact, all models of Swift are on the VAT Free offer, meaning that the SZ4 will be priced lower than the £14,000 posted above.

By MattJeffery on 24 January, 2012, 8:38pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Suzuki Swift Sport front cornering
Suzuki Swift Sport rear
Suzuki Swift Sport dash
Suzuki Swift Sport badge
Suzuki Swift Sport rear seats
Suzuki Swift Sport detail

Sponsored Results

Find New Cars

Find your new Suzuki Swift with our new car search:

Find New Cars
Find Used Cars

Find your Suzuki Swift with our used car search.

Find Used Cars

FIRST OPINION

    Few hot hatches can match the Swift Sport’s fun factor. It proves that you don’t need a lot of power for a good drive – instead, the Suzuki makes the best of what it has got, in the shape of a characterful, high-revving, 1.6-litre engine, agile chassis and subtle but classy look. While its main rival, the excellent £12,960 Renaultsport Twingo 133, is slightly cheaper and great to drive, it’s not as comfortable as the Swift or as easy to live with day-to-day. That, together with excellent equipment levels and a fine quality interior, makes the grown-up Sport a great little hot hatch.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £13,500
    Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 134bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, fwd
    0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
    Top speed: 121mph
    Economy: 44.1mpg
    CO2: 147g/km
    Equipment: 17-inch alloys, air-con, sports seats, keyless entry, ESP, leather multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, electric windows, Bluetooth, MP3, USB
    On sale: Now
     
    - Advertisement -