Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ2 3dr Car Review - February 2012

Inside the Swift it’s hard to find anything to criticize. There’s great visibility all round thanks to the thin pillars and deep window design. Finding the right driving position is relatively easy as there’s both height and reach adjustment on the steering wheel and good height adjustment on the driver’s seat. The dash is well laid out, has a nice simple design and everything is easy to find and use.

The 95bhp 1.2-litre 4 cylinder 16 valve petrol engine feels a bit underpowered unless you rev it quite a bit to access the 87lb-ft of torque, which peaks mid-range. However, it’s capable of a top speed of 103mph, 0-62mph in 12.3 seconds, and delivers good average fuel economy of 56.4mpg.

There’s also a 1.3-litre diesel version which is less powerful (74bhp) but it pulls better low down.

The Swift’s handling makes it a fun car to drive. Good grip and excellent body control make it feel surefooted in bends. The steering is even better than in previous versions, with good feedback, but the ride may be a little too firm for some tastes.

Having to work the engine hard, to get the best from it, means that it’s noisy, especially when overtaking. At motorway cruising speed the engine develops a drone which can be tiring after a while. Road and wind noise at speed is evident but no more than in other cars in the same class, and rarely intrusive.

This version of the Suzuki Swift keeps the classic styling of previous models. From the outside it may not appear very different, but it’s now a little bigger than before and the front and rear lights have been revamped.

The Swift SZ2 is pretty basic in terms of the equipment you get; power steering, remote central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, immobiliser, CD+MP3 connectivity are fitted as standard, with metallic paint as an optional extra.

Air conditioning and alloy wheels are added if you upgrade to the SZ3, while the SZ4 gets additional cruise control, keyless entry, climate control, rear privacy glass and Bluetooth.

The high roofline of the Swift means you get lots of headroom, in the front and back and good legroom as well. However, the boot is smaller than some of its rivals offer – with only 211-litres of space available with the rear seats in position. This can be extended to 528 by folding the rear seats down.

EuroNCAP awarded five stars overall for the Swift in their crash-tests. Safety features include seven airbags and a stability control system.

The cabin is fitted out with material which has a nice solid durable feel to it and everything feels well-built. However, it’s all pretty basic and the cabin doesn’t impress like some of its competitors.

Suzuki has an enviable reputation for reliability and the Swift feels like it is built to last. It comes with Suzuki’s three-year-60,000 mile warranty and regular service intervals every 9,000 miles.

Its price of £10,660 is its main advantage over other rivals in this class, undercutting them by quite a bit. Resale values are likely to be quite good due to its popularity.

Average fuel economy (56.4mpg) and CO2 emissions (116g/km) are among the best in its class so it’s economical to run. Group 8 insurance and Road Tax in VED band C also avoid putting a strain on your pockets.

Overall the SZ2 is a good choice as long as you are not bothered by the lack of air conditioning or alloy wheels.