Suzuki Swift GL 2011 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $18,390
Options fitted (not included in above price): Metallic paint $450, floor mats $110
Crash rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 147
Also consider: Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Kia Rio, Mazda Mazda2

The previous generation of Swift seemed more like a modern-day Mini Cooper than the car that actually wore MINI badges. It was affordable for a start and it was still fun to drive on a budget. This latest Swift hasn't lost much of that charm, but quite simply, the automatic transmission lets the car down.

While first gear is low enough and the torque converter allows enough slip for the engine to get into stride from launch, it falls into a hole almost immediately, unless the driver is satisfied to coast. Second gear seems unusually high and third gear appears to be unfeasibly low. Fourth gear is so high that this little car is revving at around 2800rpm with the speedo reading 100km/h. That's a relatively low engine speed when there are only four ratios in the box.

The transmission hunts on hills and the flat; it holds gears too long and the overdrive button on the lever seems really passe in the modern era. At least it will provide some engine braking when you may want it.

Nor is the transmission always smooth in its changes. The sheer gaps between ratios leaves you stuck in a higher gear and bereft of performance from the engine to make up for the shortfall. In simple terms, the Swift could be a far better car with just one extra ratio in the autobox.

The Swift's ride feels firm over smaller bumps, but it's quite compliant over larger irregularities and will soak up some fairly hard hits mid-corner without deviating from the line. Its handling is lively and it will track consistently through a corner with the power applied but it doesn't plough on. Steering is responsive and the weight through the wheel is not too light, but nor is it too hefty for owners who prefer the car just to be a suburban runabout.

Despite being lumbered with the archaic four-speed automatic transmission it's a sportier drive than a few rivals in the same market segment. The engine is quite content to putter around up to 3000rpm in the suburbs, but any sort of determined use of the throttle will send it spinning up to 4000rpm immediately -- and accelerate from there.

It can be noisy at higher revs, but it won't cause bleeding ears. At open-road speeds there's just a hint of driveline vibration -- felt rather than heard -- but wind accounts for most of the noise. At speeds up to about 80km/h, there's a mix of tyre noise and driveline intruding.

For the Swift's market position, the materials in the cabin look and feel acceptable. The driving position is good and the instruments and controls are quite straightforward to read and operate. Drivers will be able to spot anything they need to know at a glance and there's a clear view through the wheel. LED characters look a bit 'dotty' in the centre fascia screen, but again, it's acceptable for the price of the car.

Finding the ignition barrel and inserting the key is much simpler than in some significantly more expensive cars. The seats in the front are supportive and comfortable for a car that isn't a major drain on personal finances. In fact, the seating and the way the Swift corners both speak of the car as one designed by the Japanese for European market buyers.

If there's one niggle about the controls, it's the blessed automatic transmission again. The lever for it just pulls back in a straight plane. There's no gated detente, so until they get used to where Drive is located owners can expect to select 2 or Neutral instead. It could be better, even at the Swift's purchase price.

Fit and finish proved up to par. There were no rattles or squeaks and the car felt tight and strong all the way. The doors were light, but closed securely. In respect of interior space, the Swift provided plenty of headroom in the rear, but teenagers will almost certainly find the legroom lacking, and there's not enough kneeroom for average-sized adults back there either.

Some light cars can step in to act as a sort of pro tem family car when the usual family wagon is being serviced. The Swift probably isn't one of those. It's kind of a reflection on VFACTS market segmentation that both the Swift and Hyundai's new Accent are technically competitors in the light-car segment. The Accent will accommodate adults in the rear for prolonged journeys, but that wouldn't be recommended for the Swift. Even the cheaper Nissan Micra offers more rear-seat legroom.

The Suzuki offers useful space otherwise. There's a false floor in the boot, tilting up easily to provide access to more space underneath. Or the floor can be removed altogether to hold a week's worth of groceries for the whole family.

If the principal purpose of the Swift is as a commuter car for no more than two people, or the kids in the family are pre-teens, it's a competitive entry in the segment. But if you enjoy driving, we recommend buying the Swift with the manual transmission.

Ultimately, the Swift remains a good car; we just wish Suzuki had gone further developing the new model for a world populated by the latest generation Fiestas, Mazda2s, Accents, Rios, Micras — and no doubt the upcoming Yaris.

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