Suzuki Swift targets Mazda2

Suzuki's third-generation Swift has arrived in Australia, primed for a showdown with the Mazda2, the light passenger car that last year led that market segment in private sales.

“We're very confident that Swift will return to its former glory as the light-segment favourite, and [we] are targeting upwards of 600 sales per month,” said Director of Automobiles for Suzuki Australia, Andrew Moore.

“With new Swift, Suzuki will be sure to retake its mantle, as the top-selling brand in the light segment to private buyers, by the end of the year,” Moore told journalists during the local launch of the new range late last week.

The new Swift promises to give the Mazda a run for its money at the very least, with two new drivetrains, improved fuel efficiency, roomier interior and added safety and comfort features for some variants. But the USP for the new Swift is its active cruise control, which is available optionally in the mid-range model and as standard in the flagship. Suzuki claims that the Swift GL Navigator, with the optional safety pack is the only car sold in Australia under $20,000 with active cruise control.

Priced from $15,990 (or $16,990 including on-road costs), the Swift model range comprises three levels of trim and a safety pack option for the mid-range grade.

At base level the Swift GL is powered by a 1.2-litre port-injected four-cylinder engine producing 66kW and 120Nm. This engine drives through a five-speed manual transmission to the front wheels in this variant. Fuel consumption is officially 4.6L/100km.

Standard features in the entry-level variant comprise six airbags, electronic brakeforce distribution, Brake Assist, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod/USB port, cruise control, electric windows, remote audio controls on the steering wheel, daytime running lights, privacy glass, 60:40 split-fold rear seat and 15-inch steel wheels.

One step up is the Swift GL Navigator, priced at $17,990, including on-road costs. The same engine drives through a continuously variable transmission in this model. Fuel consumption in the combined-cycle test is 4.8L/100km for this variant.

Added to the manual variant's specification are the following features: Satellite navigation, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 16-inch alloy wheels. Additionally, the GL Navigator grade comes with seven-inch 'Display Audio' infotainment touch screen, front fog lights and hill hold function. The Display Audio system is also available in the Ignis and Vitara models.

For a thousand dollars more, buyers can specify the Swift GL Navigator with the safety pack, which adds autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and weaving alert. The driveaway price, $19,190, is just $200 more than the price before the on-road costs.

Topping the range is the Swift GLX Turbo, which is powered by the same 1.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected three-cylinder already sampled locally in the Baleno. Performance figures of 82kW and 160Nm from the engine are balanced by the combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 5.1L/100km.

Standard features for the flagship are as follows: auto-on/off LED headlights with self levelling, High-Beam Assist, electric fold-in mirrors with integrated indicators, reach-adjustable steering, climate control, rear disc brakes and 16-inch polished alloy wheels with 185/505 tyres (versus 175/60 for GL Navigator).

Along with the new drivetrains and enhanced equipment levels, the Swift is lighter by as much as 135kg (a 30kg weight reduction in the floorpan alone), due in no small part to its new platform. The extensive use of high-tensile strength steel, up to 17 per cent of the body by weight has not only reduced the Swift's kerb mass, it has also enhanced body rigidity.

A combination of the higher rigidity, better aerodynamics and countermeasures aimed specifically at noise attenuation have reduced noise in the cabin by as much as three per cent at 100km/h.

Packaging has improved across the board, with the 242-litre boot 32 litres bigger than the previous Swift. While the new Swift is 10mm shorter and 15mm lower, it's also 40mm wider and the wheelbase is 20mm longer. Suzuki claims that rear-seat headroom is 23mm better, by lowering the seats by that amount. Headroom in the front is unchanged, but the driver and front passenger now sit further apart, due to the wider body.

Suzuki is offering the new Swift with a range of six colours, Burning Red Pearl metallic, Speedy Blue Metalic, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, Super Black Pearl and a two-tone combination of Mineral Grey with a Super Black. The first two colours mentioned are the hero colours in the range.

The on-sale date for the new Swift is June 7, and the warranty is three years or 100,000km. Suzuki charges $175 for minor services - at 10,000km or six-monthly intervals. At 24 months or 40,000km the services cost $359 for Swift GL and $429 for Swift GLX Turbo. The Swift GLX Turbo service at 36 months or 60,000km costs $329. For the major service at 48 months/80,000km the price is $399 for the GL or $469 for the GLX. And at 60 months/100,000km the service costs $399 for the GL, but for the GLX Turbo the minor service price of $175 applies.

Pricing
Swift GL manual – $15,990 ($16,990 driveaway)
Swift GL Navigator auto – $17,990 driveaway
Swift GL Navigator auto with safety pack – $18,990 ($19,190 driveaway)
Swift GLX Turbo auto – $22,990 driveaway