2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
The little one not only looks cute, but also drives quite decently. Our test shows what the Suzuki Swift 1300 DDiS has to offer.
By Frank Mertens
If a mini is simply too expensive for you, but you still want to drive a cute small car, you should take a look at the Suzuki Swift. The little Japanese does not offer the same image as its British counterpart, but it is a serious alternative for all those who have to watch out for money, but also do not want to sacrifice fun with a small car.
75 hp are sufficient
You don't have to do that with the Suzuki Swift either - and you don't even have to opt for the sports version with 125 hp. The 75 hp in the Swift 1300 DDiS are enough for that. Well, one can argue that 75 hp is not exactly a groundbreaking amount of power. But let's be honest: do you really need more? No, you don't need to. Especially not when the power delivery is as harmonious as with this smooth-running four-cylinder common rail engine.
The Swift provides its maximum torque of 190 Newton meters between 1750 and 2250 tours. With it you can drive through the city quite lazily. The start is quite decent for the five-door Swift, which weighs 1,140 kilograms: it takes 13.7 seconds to sprint from zero to 100 kilometers per hour, and it reaches top speed at 165 kilometers per hour.
Above all, the Swift unfolds its qualities beyond these bare figures, namely in its driving behavior: It deserves top marks: Even when cornering at high speed, the little one can not be disturbed and lies full on the road - even if you do the standard ESP intervenes courageously. But you shouldn't let it get that far, because you don't outsmart physics with little technical helpers.
Hooked reverse gear
The manual five-speed gearbox is easy to operate, even though the reverse gear on our test car was only slightly jerky. However, the consumption values of the Swift are a real pleasure. Combined, he approved 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers. This is just 0.6 liters above the manufacturer's specification. In the city the on-board computer shows 5.8 liters, on the country road it was 4.3 liters. These are values that can be seen. It is all the more astonishing that diesel only accounts for 4.5 percent of sales. With almost 80 percent, most customers opt for the 1.3 liter entry-level petrol engine with 92 hp.
That may be due to the price: While the three-door Swift with a gasoline engine starts at 12,700 euros, the diesel is 14,300 euros. The Swift we tested in the Comfort trim level is a five-door model with 16,400 euros in the price list.
Admittedly, that is not exactly a small amount. But you get a very convincing and especially cute-looking small car. In the interior, the materials make a valuable impression. The instruments are clearly laid out and intuitive to use. If there is something that bothers, then it is the tightly padded seats, which unfortunately have no adjustment for the lumbar support, not even optional.
Good space
The space in the Swift is impeccable. In the front there is even enough space for two tall drivers and in the rear two passengers over 1.80 meters can survive even longer journeys without agony. As a five-seater, when the Suzuki advertises the Swift, the little one is not good. At least not when adults are sitting in the back
If you need a lot of space in the trunk, you will be disappointed. The Swift only has 201 liters with a straight backrest. This is little compared to a VW Polo (280 liters) or a Skoda Fabia (300 liters), but significantly more than a Mini (160 liters). And for the premium small car the Munich-based company also has to dig much deeper into its pockets. Mini can pay dearly for its image.
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