Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Suzuki Swift review

The Suzuki Swift offers a decent drive and reasonable practicality, although rivals are more refined

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Strong performance
  • Good economy
  • Tidy handling
  • Noise at speed
  • Unsettled ride
  • Hard plastics in cabin
Find your Suzuki Swift
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The Suzuki Swift is an appealing alternative to the likes of the Hyundai i20, Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris, that delivers good economy, particularly from its punchy three-cylinder engine, and solid build quality.

However, that doesn’t mean that it’s able to challenge the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia at the top of the supermini class; put simply, there are better-finished, more comfortable and more refined offerings on the market. Since prices for this Swift have been nudged upwards, it can no longer rely on ‘bargain’ appeal either - unfortunately the same is true for the Swift Sport flagship.

About the Suzuki Swift

While the Suzuki Swift Sport has gone down as one of the best small hot hatchbacks for sale in the UK, the standard Swift is more of a left-field choice in the supermini market. The Suzuki used to be able to trade on its competitive pricing, but the Japanese-built car is no longer the bargain it once was. Still, it's a decent enough small car and will appeal to those looking for something that's fun to drive, while the Swift 4x4 model is an interesting proposition.

The latest Suzuki Swift arrived in 2017 with an evolutionary shape (albeit now five-door only), more kit and additional space when compared to its predecessor, while a facelift in 2020 saw the addition of LED lights, a revised grille and updated tech and safety kit. The current model line-up comprises SZ-L, SZ-T, and SZ5 models with the Swift Sport at the top of the range.

Competition in the supermini class is very strong. Sporty handling is one of the Suzuki's plus points, and other cars that can match it include the all-conquering Ford Fiesta, the Mazda 2 and SEAT Ibiza. Elsewhere, the Skoda Fabia and VW Polo are also competitive, and the Citroen C3 offers comfort and a unique style of its own. The Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio offer reliable, well equipped transport, while the Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 are all fighting for sales.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Power for the latest Swift comes from a 82bhp 1.2 Dualjet four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, while the SZ5 model is offered with four-wheel-drive. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a CVT auto transmission available for the SZ-T and SZ5 (front-wheel-drive) versions. The Sport model gets a 127bhp 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder unit with a six-speed manual 'box.

Prices for the Swift range start from around £15,500, while opting for more performance with the Sport model will cost you more than £22,500

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

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Swift

Best cars for £2,000 or less
Best cars for £2,000 or less - header image
Best cars & vans
9 Mar 2024

Best cars for £2,000 or less

A tight budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Here are some great used cars available for £2,000 or less
Used Suzuki Swift (Mk7 2017-2024) review: a fun, but pricey supermini
Used Suzuki Swift Mk7 - front
Used car tests
9 Feb 2024

Used Suzuki Swift (Mk7 2017-2024) review: a fun, but pricey supermini

A full used buyer’s guide on the Suzuki Swift, covering the Swift Mk7 that was on sale between 2017 and 2024
New Suzuki Swift headed for the UK in Spring 2024
2024 Suzuki Swift - front
News
6 Dec 2023

New Suzuki Swift headed for the UK in Spring 2024

The fourth-generation Swift will come with mild-hybrid tech and a redesigned interior
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Suzuki Swift gets a concept car preview
Suzuki Swift concept – front
News
24 Oct 2023

New Suzuki Swift gets a concept car preview

A new Swift is coming and fresh images give us our most detailed look yet
New 2023 Suzuki Swift: latest on fourth-generation supermini
2023 Suzuki Swift test car - front
News
13 Apr 2023

New 2023 Suzuki Swift: latest on fourth-generation supermini

Spy shots reveal Suzuki won’t abandon the supermini sector
Best new cars for under £200 per month
Best cars for £200 a month - header image
Best cars & vans
1 Feb 2023

Best new cars for under £200 per month

If you've got £200 to spend on a new car every month, here's our pick of the best options
Citroen C3 vs Suzuki Swift: 2021 group test review
Citroen C3 vs Suzuki Swift
Car group tests
6 Nov 2021

Citroen C3 vs Suzuki Swift: 2021 group test review

The Citroen C3 and Suzuki Swift aim to prove cheap can also be cheerful, but which is the better supermini?
New Suzuki Swift 2020 review
Road tests
9 Nov 2020

New Suzuki Swift 2020 review

The Suzuki Swift has been facelifted for 2020, but have the changes boosted its appeal? We find out...
Facelifted Suzuki Swift supermini launched
News
9 Sep 2020

Facelifted Suzuki Swift supermini launched

Ford Fiesta-rivalling Suzuki Swift gets subtle update, with tweaked styling, more standard equipment and a new 1.2-litre hybrid engine
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid 2020 review
Road tests
24 Jul 2020

New Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid 2020 review

Hybrid power is a real boost for the Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch, but it comes at a cost
New 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid launched
News
18 Mar 2020

New 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid launched

The Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid adds a dinky electric motor to its turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Suzuki Swift Attitude 2019 review
Suzuki Swift Attitude - front
Road tests
12 Jul 2019

New Suzuki Swift Attitude 2019 review

The new Suzuki Swift Attitude gives the supermini a dash of sporting flair without breaking the budget
Micra N-Sport vs Ibiza FR Sport vs Swift Sport
Nissan Micra N-Sport vs SEAT Ibiza FR Sport vs Suzuki Swift Sport - header
Car group tests
20 Apr 2019

Micra N-Sport vs Ibiza FR Sport vs Swift Sport

The new Nissan Micra N-Sport aims to turn up the heat in the warm hatch market. We test it against rivals from SEAT and Suzuki
Suzuki Swift Sport: long-term test review
Suzuki Swift Sport - final report header
Long-term tests
25 Mar 2019

Suzuki Swift Sport: long-term test review

Final report: Over eight months, our Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch has been a tasty treat
New special edition Suzuki Swift Attitude released
Suzuki Swift Attitude
News
16 Jan 2019

New special edition Suzuki Swift Attitude released

Special edition Attitude gets Suzuki Swift Sport-esque styling combined with insurance-friendly engine and £109 per month PCP deal
Skip advert
Advertisement
Suzuki Swift Sport vs Volkswagen up! GTI vs Ford Fiesta
Suzuki Swift Sport vs Volkswagen up! GTI vs Ford Fiesta ST-Line - header
Car group tests
17 Jun 2018

Suzuki Swift Sport vs Volkswagen up! GTI vs Ford Fiesta

We see if Suzuki’s new Swift Sport can repeat past glories as it faces VW and Ford
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport - front
Best cars & vans
23 May 2018

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki’s fun Swift Sport returns, albeit it’s slightly more expensive than the previous model
New Suzuki Swift Sport 2018 review
Suzuki Swift Sport - front
Road tests
22 May 2018

New Suzuki Swift Sport 2018 review

Price drop makes the Suzuki Swift Sport a vastly more tempting prospect. Grab a bargain while you can...
New Suzuki Swift Sport has price slashed until end of June
New 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport
News
16 May 2018

New Suzuki Swift Sport has price slashed until end of June

Suzuki's new Fiesta ST rival goes on sale next month, and for 30 days all buyers get £1,500 off
Suzuki Swift vs Toyota Yaris vs Skoda Fabia
Yaris Group 1
Car group tests
20 May 2017

Suzuki Swift vs Toyota Yaris vs Skoda Fabia

Can the new Suzuki Swift take the lead in the supermini market with a turbocharged engine? It takes on the Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia
New Suzuki Swift AllGrip 2017 review
Suzuki Swift Allgrip - front cornering
Road tests
12 May 2017

New Suzuki Swift AllGrip 2017 review

The new Suzuki Swift is available with four-wheel-drive - a unique selling-point in the supermini sector - but is it worth the extra cost?
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Suzuki Swift 2017 review
New Suzuki Swift 2017 - front tracking
Road tests
20 Mar 2017

New Suzuki Swift 2017 review

A new Suzuki Swift has arrived, but can it rival the class leaders in the supermini sector?
Suzuki Swift (2010-2017) review
Suzuki Swift front cornering
In-depth reviews
12 Jan 2017

Suzuki Swift (2010-2017) review

The Suzuki Swift is a fun-to-drive supermini with a lot of charm, but it’s not the most practical choice