Suzuki Swift - TopCarNews

Suzuki Swift (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Suzuki Swift is a supermini-class small hatchback. The current model was launched in the UK in 2017. There is a performance model called the Swift Sport that sites above the regular Swift range.

The Suzuki Swift has received a wider range of review scores from the UK motoring media than most cars, ranging from ‘Don’t Buy’ recommendations from some media sources to outstanding results from others. The poorer reviews are largely due to the Swift’s relatively poor three-star safety rating in standard form (four stars for the top-spec SZ5 model) when many rival cars have five-star safety ratings.

In its 2020 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the Suzuki Swift equal fourth (with the Hyundai i20) on its list of the most reliable small cars. In 2021, the Swift improved to third place.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchEngines: petrol only
Price: From £14,749 on-road

Launched: Spring 2017Last updated: Autumn 2020
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

autos, cars, suzuki, suzuki swift, suzuki swift

Suzuki Swift (2017-2020)

Suzuki Swift (2021 onwards)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8.4 / 10“Aside from a less than stellar touchscreen infotainment system, the Suzuki Swift is an impressive package.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)Score: 6 / 10“The Suzuki Swift isn’t without appeal. Unless you need the extra reassurance of 4WD, the SZ5 ALLGRIP model is hard to justify. Lower down the range, the small dimensions and perky chassis give the Swift old-school charm, but sadly the hard plastics and firm and noisy ride also feel a bit yesteryear.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Suzuki Swift offers a decent drive and reasonable practicality, although rivals are more refined.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2 Attitude Dualjet MTScore: 7 / 10“The Attitude trim level injects a little sporty style into the Suzuki Swift range without any extra expense.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual SZ5 4WDScore: 6 / 10“In lower forms, especially the new SZ-L grade, the Suzuki Swift continues to make sense in a world where even the Ford Fiesta costs nearly £17,000 in its most accessible form. At nearly £19,000, however, this SZ5 model is less justifiable.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2 Dualjet Attitude“Suzuki Swift Attitude gets a sporty exterior and rev-happy 1.2-litre naturally aspirated motor.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“On its obvious merits, the Suzuki Swift offers impressive value for money, to the point where it embarrasses some of the big-name competition. But it has bettered none of them in old-fashioned, good-to-drive desirability – and that registers as something of an anticlimax.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: Swift SZ5 Hybrid Dualjet 4WScore: 7 / 10“While the four-wheel drive version has little more than niche appeal, regular two-wheel drive models look worth considering for fleets on a budget, at the expense of some perceived quality and practicality.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual AttitudeScore: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Swift Attitude is not really built for speed or power, despite looking pretty sporty. But we think a sporty car without the sporty running costs could make people at this level on the company car ladder feel rather happier than a typical economy model.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5 AllGripScore: 7 / 10“This isn’t the version of the Suzuki Swift we’d buy. The small handling benefit of the AllGrip system doesn’t outweigh the compromises on price and running costs, and we’d probably opt for the 1.0-litre BoosterJet too as it’s a more characterful all-round engine.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Whether the Suzuki Swift has sufficient qualities to attract the customers Suzuki’s seriously ambitious sales targets demand, we’ll have to wait and see, but this version is certainly a good evolution of an already successful and appealing car.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 7.2 / 10“The latest Suzuki Swift builds on its predecessor’s appeal, but can’t topple the supermini class leaders.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Swift is a small hatchback with some economical engines and a surprisingly roomy interior but alternatives are more comfortable to drive and come with more equipment.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“Latest supermini is an accomplished Fiesta alternative – and whets the appetite for the Swift Sport”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual SZ5Score: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Swift is a compact, lightweight and fun to drive supermini, it also has a mild hybrid system and all-wheel drive, making it rather unique.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Swift isn’t perfect, with a small boot, an unsettled ride, high insurance costs and an iffy safety record. However, it’s a very likeable car thanks to its funky styling, thrill-a-minute handling and rev-hungry engines, and there’s much more to like besides. Utterly charming.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 10 / 10“The Suzuki Swift is easily one of the best small hatchbacks around. Forgive some slightly cheap-looking interior plastics and a slightly small boot and there’s really nothing else to pick fault with – the driving experience, running costs, price, and equipment levels make it a superb buy.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre Boosterjet petrol automatic“Happily, the latest Suzuki Swift is every bit as good as the previous Swift and then some. Steering, handling, agility and the sheer joy of driving it beat every other car the same size, including Fiestas, Mazda 2s and Minis.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.2 / 10“Fun-to-drive alternative to the mainstream offerings”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Swift is a well-equipped car with an excellent 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. True, the boot is still smaller than you’ll find in rivals, but it is not the deal-breaker it once was. If you value a fun drive and can live with the firmer than average ride, it’s well worth considering.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Suzuki’s funkiest product has had the funk dialled down a bit by newly pragmatic hybrid versions.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 6 / 10“The Suzuki Swift has tidy handling and a strong turbo engine, but its ride and interior quality are a little disappointing.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Suzuki Swift is easy and fun to drive. Owners who want lots of room should look elsewhere, as luggage space is tight. The updated model benefits from autonomous emergency braking as standard across the range, meaning this model can now be recommended.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 3 stars
Date tested: May 2017

83%

ADULT OCCUPANT

75%

CHILD OCCUPANT

69%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

25%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Note on safety rating
The Suzuki Swift received a three-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in standard specification, which in the UK applies to the Swift SZ3 and SZ-T models. The top-spec SZ5 model gets additional safety equipment included, which bumps it up to a four-star rating.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Suzuki Swift has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Swift has received

2019

Honest John Awards – Real MPG Car of the Year

2017

Scottish Car of The Year Awards – Eco Award

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