2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Suzuki is entering the fourth generation with the Swift. The optical innovations of the small car were deliberately kept within limits by the Japanese manufacturer.
By Thomas Flehmer
Sometimes three looks are not enough. Suzuki sends the Swift into the fourth generation and hardly anyone notices it. The successful model of the Japanese small and off-road vehicle specialist has grown by nine centimeters, the headlights have been pulled a little longer towards the windshield and the lower grille has been given a new shape. No problem for the makers of Suzuki. "We know that customers only expect a cautious design change. That is why our motto was: Evolution instead of revolution", says Head of Design Tetsuya Ozasa.
Highest rating in the safety test
The loyalty to the hardly changed external appearance should above all continue the success of the small car manufactured in Esztergom, Hungary. In Germany, for example, the Swift accounts for a third of all Suzuki sales. In addition, thanks to the loyalty to the design, the similarity to the cult runabout Mini remains, which is mostly unaffordable for the younger group of buyers and makes it easier to grab the Swift, which is available from 10,990 euros.
The little one, which has now grown to 3.85 meters and is available as a three- and five-door model, is 290 euros more expensive than the basic model of its predecessor. In return, there are three more airbags on board (now seven) and ESP is offered as standard. Thanks to this equipment, the Euro-NCAP received the highest rating of five stars.
Upgraded interior
In contrast, the changes in the interior, which was completely redesigned and came closer to European taste, are clearly visible. The sculptures used have been given higher quality materials, the instruments are easy to use and there is enough space. Because the wheelbase has grown by five centimeters, the passengers in the rear seats do not have to fear any knee damage.
Without increasing its size, the trunk has a volume of 210 liters and thus offers space for two small trolleys and a bag. If the rear seats of the five-door are folded down, the volume increases to 902 liters, so that there is no need to shrink from a larger purchase.
Low diesel sales
The Swift will mostly roll there with the newly developed 1.2 four-cylinder with 69 kW / 94 PS, because the already well-known 1.3 liter diesel with 55 kW / 75 PS was only interesting for five percent of customers in Germany, Suzuki is also calculating in the new generation not necessarily with more diesel consumers. In Germany, diesel is difficult to find in this class. Despite small quantities, it pays off for the Japanese manufacturer to leave the engine variant in the program.
The main focus is on the new unit with double variable valve control. Combined with the start-stop system used for the first time, which is standard on board in the top-of-the-range Comfort version, Suzuki indicates consumption of just 4.9 liters and CO2 emissions of 113 grams per kilometer.
Between economy and driving pleasure
The driver pays for the good consumption figures with less driving pleasure. A mere 118 Newton meters of torque at just 4800 revolutions per minute mean that the small car has to be kept on tour if things go faster. The Swift then needs 12.3 seconds to sprint to the 100 km / h mark. Thanks to its small size and a tightly sprung chassis, the Swift can take the bends of the country road with great agility; if you add the easy-to-shift gearbox, you can't deny the little one a certain sportiness.
This is also evident on the way to top speed. The Swift should be up to 165 km / h. On the first test drive, the speedometer needle even exceeded 180 km / h. Conversations are still possible without having to shout even if the specified maximum speed is exceeded. This is not the case with every small car. On the other hand, the driving pleasure becomes noticeable the next time you refuel.
Tempo 50 in fifth gear
On the other hand, in city traffic at 50 km / h, fifth gear can also be left in order to swim along in a low-speed driving style of the Japanese to recognize.
