Suzuki Swift – What you need to know

The new fourth-generation Suzuki Swift arrived in mid-2024 with better efficiency and improved technology and safety features while remaining one of the more affordable models in the light car category.

Under the bonnet, the Suzuki Swift received a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with the generational change, powering the front wheels via either a five-speed manual (base Hybrid model only) or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

There are three models in the Suzuki Swift line-up – the Hybrid, Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX. There isn’t a Sport version as was offered previously just yet.

The Suzuki Swift launch line-up starts at $24,490 drive-away and the most expensive model is $29,490 drive-away.

Of the three Suzuki Swift models available, which one suits you best?

The Hybrid opens the range at $24,490, and for this you get the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine linked to a five-speed manual, or for $26,990, the Hybrid automatic.

The Swift Hybrid comes with the following standard features:

• 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers
• 9.0-inch infotainment screen
• Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, DAB+ digital radio
• Sat-nav
• Rear-view camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning and prevention
• LED dusk-sensing headlights with auto high beam, rear LED lights
• Manual air-conditioning

Of the seven colours available on the Suzuki Swift, only Pure White Pearl comes at no extra cost.

Metallic paint is $645 extra – the colour choices are Premium Silver, Mineral Grey, Super Black, Burning Red and Flame Orange – while the Frontier Blue Pearl with Black Roof two-tone option is a $1145 option.

A small range of accessories is available, including a choice of side mirror covers (in black or red for $91.97 or carbon fibre-look for a rather steep $655.75), floor mats ($205.28), luggage mat tray ($265.25) and roof racks ($1198.15).

For one of the cheaper cars on the market, the Suzuki Swift offers a competitive safety catalogue as standard from the entry Hybrid model up.

For starters, there’s LED headlights with dusk-sensing and auto-dipping high beam assist, LED tail-lights, a rear fog light, traffic sign recognition (via real-time speed limit updates), adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), the latter using a new dual-camera brake support system.

Beyond that, there is also lane departure warning, prevention and weaving alert, while as expected of any new passenger car, there are rear parking sensors and a rear-facing camera.

The basic safety features such as electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags, including side curtain airbags for both rows are present and accounted for in all models.

In the two upper-spec models, the Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX, you also benefit from rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.

Three seat-back child-seat anchor points and two ISOFIX points come standard in all models.

There is no ANCAP result at time of writing, but the Swift rated only three stars in European NCAP testing.

The Suzuki Swift comes with a 9.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with sat-nav, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and both AM/FM and DAB radio. 


Just two audio speakers are standard at entry Hybrid level and one 12V socket and USB port.

The steering wheel features controls for audio and phone, Bluetooth music and voice recognition, as well as trip computer and cruise control functions.

The instrument cluster has analogue dials and a centre multi-information digital display, which includes a digital speedo.

The Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX have improved infotainment specs with their six speakers and both USB-A and USB-C ports in the front centre console area, while a wireless phone charger is standard only for range-topping Hybrid GLX (but is available as an option for lower models, for a rather expensive $1245.27).

All models in the Suzuki Swift range come with keyless entry and start, air-conditioning, power windows with auto up/down (driver only), power-adjustable and heated side mirrors, map lights and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

If you want ‘premium’ fabric over the Hybrid’s fabric seats, you’ll have to go for the Hybrid Plus or Hybrid GLX, which both also gain heated front seats, adjustment for the driver’s seat height and rear privacy glass.

For dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, including ducting to the rear, you will need to choose the Hybrid GLX.

Rear privacy glass is also only standard on the two upper models, the Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX.

Meanwhile, exterior features include LED auto on/off headlights with auto high beam for all models, LED tail-lights and a rear fog light.

Door mirrors with a power-folding function are standard for Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX.

As for selectable drive modes, aside from the select-them-yourself in the entry-level five-speed manual model, the automatic CVT (optional in Hybrid, standard in others) has paddle shifters in Hybrid GLX.

The Hybrid has 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, while the Hybrid Plus and Hybrid GLX feature 16-inch alloy wheels, silver-painted for Hybrid Plus and polished on Hybrid GLX.

All models have only a puncture repair kit; there is no spare wheel fitted to any model.

The Suzuki Swift range is fitted with a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 61kW of power at 5700rpm and 112Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

The Suzuki Swift has a mild-hybrid powertrain in the form of an integrated starter generator (ISG) that draws energy from a 12-volt lithium-ion battery located under the driver’s seat, which is separate to the regular lead-acid battery.

The car can also recharge both batteries under deceleration. The purpose is to reduce fuel consumption, aided by an automatic engine idle-stop system, but also boosts power by 2kW and torque by 60Nm under full acceleration.

The entry Hybrid in manual form uses a conventional five-speed manual, with the Hybrid’s optional automatic (CVT) transmission – which is standard on the two upper-level Swift models – has a Sport mode and five stepped gear ‘ratios’.

Claimed fuel consumption is 3.8L/100km for the manual and 4.0L/100km for the automatic, while CO2 emissions are 85g/km and 90g/km respectively.

The Swift’s engine can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel, and the fuel tank capacity is 37 litres.

The Suzuki Swift thrives as a city car with its compact dimensions. It is just 3860mm long, 1735mm wide and 1520mm tall. Wheelbase length remains at 2670mm.

No towing capacity is noted, not surprising given the diminutive nature of the Suzuki Swift.

Cargo capacity in the Suzuki Swift’s boot is 265 litres. With the 60/40-split folding rear seats lowered, cargo space grows to 589L.

The Suzuki Swift seems far more modern than the model it replaces, with plenty more tech and safety gear than before while entry-level pricing is attractive at under $25K.

But there’s a significant jump to the automatic transmission most people want ($2500), and also if you don’t like white there’s also that added cost for the metallic paint options for those who’re trying to stick to a budget.

A manual base model, in white, for $24,490 has its appeal, but you’ll feel like you’re missing out on some expected features – like more than two-speaker audio. And, let’s face it, manual is a deal-breaker for most buyers.

I think the sweet spot in the Suzuki Swift range is the Hybrid Plus, where you get the automatic transmission as standard and a better audio set-up (six speakers and a USB-C port), as well as nice-to-have features like alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.

How much does the 2024 Suzuki Swift cost?
Hybrid (manual) – $24,490
Hybrid – $26,990
Hybrid Plus – $28,490
Hybrid GLX – $29,490
*All prices are drive-away (including on-road costs)