Suzuki has brought a new look and practicality to its sporting Swift model with the addition of a five-door body.
While giving it more versatility it has lost none of its verve.
On sale since January with three-door bodystyle the make-over has also added a high level brake light in the roof-top spoiler and one-touch closure to the driver’s side window in the Swift Sport. You can also order it in a new blue colour.
But you will not be left blue or disappointed by its driving appeal. The lively, very free-revving four-cylinder engine has an urgency and smoothness which is useful and satisfying.
Thanks to the slick changing six-speed manual gearbox you can really stir it along country roads and overtake safely and swiftly on any road.
Clutch pedal is light and progressive, the lever short and direct in its movement and the ratios seem to eek out economy and ease in performance.
Its good from standstill, through the gears and it cruises comfortably on the motorways with a reasonable overall economy.
I liked the wide opening doors and big, comfortable and supporting seats in the front, but the rear bench with its offset split was much flatter and not as pleasant for passengers. The room is good infront and only slightly pinching in the rear seats but its best as a four seater. The split back seats mean the small 211 litres boot gradually rises to 512 litres but the luggage bed is uneven and there is a deep sill to overcome under the detachable slim parcel cover.
Visibility is fairly good all round, particularly clear to the front, with good lights and wipers but parking sensors are dealer fit accessories, which is not ideal.
Road rumbles come up from the wide low profile tyres but that’s not excessive or too intrusive and the engine makes itself heard under full throttle in the intermediate gears but there is little wind or other mechanical noise to bother occupants.
It comes with air conditioning, keyless starting, Bluetooth, high performance head and fog lights and shaded rear glass, so it’s a good package at the price.
In the first half of 2013, Suzuki UK has seen sales rise 34pc and it’s the best performing market in Europe, overtaking Germany. It’s also one of the smallest UK brands and very customer focused. Swift is their best seller since it was launched in 1984 and accounts for about a third of registrations in that time.
Of all the current performance city cars, the Suzuki Swift Sport stands out with its upright silhouette, its eager-to-please performance and its value for money proposition.
Fast facts:
Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport 5dr manual £14,249
Insurance group: 19
Mechanical: 4cyl 16v 136ps 1586cc petrol engine, 6sp,
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 8.7sec Fuel consumption: 40mpg
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Emissions and tax: 147gkm/ VED band F/ BIK 21%
For: Fairly roomy, comfortable seats, lively engine and agile chassis, modest fuel consumption
Against: Firm ride, road noise, small boot space with seats occupied.
