Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ4 Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The Suzuki Swift is able to deliver plenty of grip when cornering, and the minimal body movement means that it feels stable and safe as well as being good fun to drive. The steering doesn’t quite give the feedback that a driver would expect, especially considering that the ride is fairly firm too. The driving position is quite good, and there are plenty of adjustable options such as the seat height, and the height and reach of the steering wheel. This is complemented by the excellent visibility in all directions.

In terms of the engine performance, even with an automatic gearbox the Swift is able to get from 0-62mph in 13.5 seconds. The top speed of the Swift is 99mph, but for a car that is designed for urban and suburban use, it is also reasonable enough on the motorway.

The Suzuki Swift is quite a well designed little car, and the large headlight clusters do tend to dominate the front end. The small grille and air intake is efficient rather than oversized, and the lines of the car do mean that the passenger windows in the back are a little smaller than the front windows. On the inside, the level of trim is quite good, and the Swift looks to be well made and feels solid too.

The SZ4 level of trim does have a few nice features, including Bluetooth connectivity and a comprehensive CD stereo system. It also has alloy wheels, electric heated mirrors and climate control, which all contribute to the competent feel of the car.

For those people who are looking for a small car that is suited to urban driving with enough space to carry a small family, the Suzuki Swift is a very practical car indeed. The space available in the front and the back of the car is enough for comfortable short and medium distance journeys. The boot space is quite good, and although it isn’t going to be large enough for luxurious long journeys, it is well suited to the purpose for which it is intended.

In terms of the reliability of the Swift, Suzuki have a long history of making reliable cars, and so far the Swift has certainly lived up to this reputation. The raft of safety features have helped the Swift get a five star award in the Euro NCAP safety test. There are seven airbags in the Swift which contributed to this score, and it is also installed with driver aids such as ESP, ABS and traction control.

Looking at the list price for this version of the Suzuki Swift, it may be difficult for some people to justify the purchase, because £13,995 is quite a lot of money for such a small car. However, it is quite competitive with other automatic cars, and the level of trim is also quite good too.

The fuel economy of the Suzuki Swift is generally very good, which is why the version with the automatic gearbox is still able to achieve a reasonable performance, delivering an average 50.4mpg. The low insurance group does mean that premiums to insure the car will be quite reasonable, and the resale values are quite good. The Swift is also delivered with a three year warranty and a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy. Although these are all quite reasonable figures, those who do opt for a manual gearbox will find the list price and the running costs to be lower still.