At first glance there doesn't seem to be much different about the new Suzuki Swift, but in fact it is even better than before.
The former Semperit Irish Car of the Year has been given a makeover that on the outside looks minimal, but you know the saying: "If it ain't broke... don't fix it."
So is Suzuki just being lazy or has the Japanese firm put some thought into the car? Is there anything really new about their biggest seller?
The Hungarian-built supermini has had a lot of work done under the skin to make its components lighter and stronger and to give a more dynamic driving experience than before. The latest Swift is safer, too, with seven airbags as standard and a Euro NCAP crash test score of Five Stars, which is simply brilliant for a car of its size.
The exterior remains very similar to the outgoing Swift, but on closer examination you'll see new lights and a sturdier rear end. Swift is now longer (+90mm), wider (+5mm) and with a longer wheelbase (+50mm) that helps improve both the ride quality and passenger legroom. The rounded styling has been likened to the MINI and for me Swift represents a considerably cheaper alternative. Prices start at about €14,500, and that's competitive.
Inside the interior features better quality materials and the fit and finish is impressive, although Swift still falls a little short of the class leaders. There is seating for five at a push. The driving position is good and the revised steering makes the Swift a fun, sporty drive despite being very economical and thrifty to run. There are two specification levels coming to Irish shores, namely GL and GLX.
On the road the new Swift is tuned to deliver low CO2 and improved fuel consumption, but you can still enjoy the 93bhp, 1.2-litre (116g/km CO2) VVT petrol engine about town and on the twisty bits. Swift is fun to drive hard but is equally at home doing the school run or even going to bingo. A 1.3 'DDiS' (109g/km CO2) diesel is available but is not expected to be a seller in Ireland and will only be offered if there is enough demand.
Swift's suspension is now much stiffer, as is its body. New variably geared steering means the Swift initially turns-in quickly and further in the turn the gearing is a bit slower. A new five-speed manual gearbox is standard with a four-speed auto available for a premium, and it also falls into a higher tax band for VRT and annual road tax!
Swift is Suzuki's bread and butter model. High CO2 virtually killed off the Vitara SUV, leaving Swift along with the smaller Alto to fly the flag for the specialist small car maker. Swift was one of my favourite small cars and the latest Swift doesn't disappoint. Its clever under the skin revisions, that much-sought after five-star NCAP safety score and ESP as standard across the range push it back towards the top end of my favourite Supermini list.
Michael Sheridan
