The brand new Suzuki Swift Hybrid is hogging the limelight proper now, however the current Swift Sport stays on sale.

Whereas it’s unclear whether or not the efficiency hatch will likely be renewed for one more technology, the most recent Swift and the previous-gen Swift Sport will proceed to be produced concurrently on the time being.

You possibly can nonetheless get into one for beneath $30,000 plus on-road prices… simply. However in case you don’t wish to change gears your self, you’re trying on the automobile on check – the 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport auto, priced from $31,990 earlier than on-roads.

It’s nonetheless primarily based on the previous-generation Swift, that means it lacks the tech and have developments of the brand new Hybrid. However, that’s not essentially all dangerous.

The Swift Sport is at present the one model of the Japanese model’s metropolis hatchback you could purchase with a turbocharged engine. Plus, its physique package and alloys make it look very… tuff

Is it nonetheless value a glance over the new-gen electrified mannequin, or do you have to go for the newer, much less highly effective various?

How a lot does the Suzuki Swift price?

Pricing has crept up through the years, however the Swift Sport begins at a still-affordable $29,990 plus on-road prices for the six-speed guide, with the six-speed auto on check asking for $2000 extra.

To see how the Swift Sport strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device.

What’s the Suzuki Swift like on the within?

Not a lot has modified for the reason that third-generation Swift launched regionally in 2017.

In comparison with the brand new fourth-gen Swift Hybrid, which receives some wholesale design in and out, the 3GEN-based Swift Sport doesn’t change the method an excessive amount of aside from some lashings of crimson trim and sportier seats.

It presents a traditional and clear format that hasn’t aged badly, nevertheless it’s trying fundamental for a metropolis automobile value over $30,000 earlier than on-roads in 2024.

For instance, a budget plastics lining nearly all the inside had been palatable when a base Swift began for properly beneath $20,000 however within the $31,990 earlier than on-roads Swift Sport computerized it’s not as acceptable.

Fortunately, the primary contact factors just like the chunky flat-bottomed and leather-based steering wheel, and the solid-feeling switchgear, assist to make up for this considerably.

That brings me to the entrance seats, that are maybe my favorite factor concerning the automobile earlier than you begin driving it.

The generously padded sports activities seats are lovely to take a seat in. Comfy, supportive, and properly bolstered, it’s as if the automobile is providing you with a heat hug. Additionally they preserve you comfortable when cornering – extra on the driving later.

Now one thing not so nice: infotainment. In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic Suzuki was compelled to toy with aftermarket infotainment programs because of element shortages, although initially the Swift Sport was spared.

Now, the manufacturing unit 7.0-inch touchscreen has been changed with a 7.0-inch Pioneer unit, and it was certainly one of my biggest frustrations with this automobile. It’s fundamental, sluggish, and properly behind any of the programs supplied by rivals.

There’s no embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, the interface is so aftermarket it might have come from Autobarn, and the standard and readability of the show is sub-par. With wired Apple CarPlay, the colors of the app tiles appeared off and overly saturated, and the brightness was too uninteresting in daylight even in its highest setting.

Additional, audio high quality throughout telephone calls was garbage on each ends, with a number of callers complaining of extreme echoing and background noise. It’s as if the microphone is fitted to the show, and never the precise automobile.

Audio high quality when taking part in music was higher, with the infotainment unit hooked as much as the Swift Sport’s first rate six-speaker sound system. There’s a pleasant crispness to the audio, and you’ll dial up the bass – although you’ll be vibrating the hell out of the skinny home windows and door trims.

It actually puzzles me why the outdated 7.0-inch navigation system isn’t right here, or why a model of the brand new Swift’s 9.0-inch touchscreen working the most recent interface couldn’t have been tailored. Not less than it’s neatly built-in, above round local weather controls that proceed to be a nice ergonomic expertise by comparability.

Regardless of the compact dimensions, you’ll be stunned to discover a helpful quantity of house within the rear, not less than for 2 adults.

The Swift has all the time been properly packaged within the second row due to its tall roofline, which suggests even at 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving place in reasonable consolation. For those who’re smaller, even higher.

As you’d count on, it’s fairly fundamental again right here – there aren’t any air vents, energy retailers, or padded elbow rests within the doorways. You do get adjustable headrests and the requisite ISOFIX and prime tether youngster seat mounting factors, however that’s about it.

The stunning quantity of rear passenger room as clearly comes at the price of boot house, with the Swift quoting 265 litres which is way nearer to a Kia Picanto than a Volkswagen Polo.

It’s a reasonably brief house, albeit one which’s properly squared off. You possibly can fold the rear seats (60:40 break up) however there’s an enormous step up from the boot flooring to the seat backs, they usually don’t fold significantly flat.

Disappointingly there’s no spare wheel beneath the boot flooring both, with only a tyre restore package supplied.

To see how the Swift Sport strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The identical 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo 4 stays beneath the bonnet of the Suzuki Swift Sport.

To see how the Swift Sport strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device.

How does the Suzuki Swift drive?

As has all the time been the case, the Swift Sport is a hoot for such a small, fundamental automobile.

The engine’s outputs may appear a bit tame on paper, however slotted beneath the bonnet of a light-class hatchback weighing lower than a tonne (990kg in auto spec), it flies!

It presents 230Nm of peak torque that comes on-line from 2300rpm, which is a bit excessive for a contemporary turbocharged motor, nevertheless it nearly has that old-school turbo character the place it hits you within the again because it comes on enhance.

Suzuki Australia doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time nevertheless it simply appears like a low 7.0-second automobile, and roll-on acceleration is spectacular for a car of this dimension.

The zesty response is addictive and feels just like the automobile is egging you on to provide it a push. Only a disgrace it doesn’t sound significantly sporty, even when there’s a slight raspiness to the exhaust notice.

Once you’re not zipping by means of site visitors and metropolis streets, the Swift Sport stays a really snug and agreeable commuter, drawing upon its metropolis automobile underpinnings to make for a really succesful runabout.

Tall home windows, direct steering, and a well-sorted experience make the Swift good for navigating inner-city Melbourne. It’s a cinch to park, and can slot in any spot given its teeny 3.9-metre size. You additionally gained’t really feel squished in slim laneways or automobile parks.

It doesn’t come undone at greater speeds. The Swift sits comfortably at a cruise on Australian freeways regardless of its diminutive dimension, helped considerably by the Sport’s extra substantial wheel and tyre package deal in comparison with decrease grades from this Swift technology – there’s an additional 10mm of width on every tyre.

Whereas this metropolis automobile is can capably deal with journeys out of the massive smoke with out getting blown away by heavy winds or passing vehicles, the extent of street noise on coarse-chip roads is excessive. You get droning and ringing from the tyre roar that’s not very nice, and the skinny home windows don’t preserve a lot out both.

The Swift Sport’s age is considerably given away by its driver help programs, or relative lack thereof in comparison with one thing like a Volkswagen Polo (GTI or not).

There’s adaptive cruise management that does with out cease/go performance, that means it’s important to nonetheless do the work your self in site visitors jams. The lane departure warning additionally lacks an lively help or centring perform like the brand new Swift Hybrid.

You do get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert that are good, however the reversing digicam is so dangerous being situated within the licence plate space and feeding onto the sub-bar infotainment show. The viewing angle is restricted and the standard of the imaginative and prescient is properly under common.

In any other case, it covers the fundamentals and never far more. If this type of help tech is necessary to you and also you don’t want the Sport’s turbocharged efficiency, the newer Swift Hybrid GLX might be the go for you.

What do you get?

Only one specification is out there, with each guide and computerized transmissions out there.

Swift Sport gear highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Computerized LED headlights
• LED daytime working lights
• Entrance fog lights
• Rear privateness glass
• Electronically folding heated aspect mirrors
• 7.0-inch touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay – wired
  • Android Auto – wired
  • Bluetooth telephone, audio
• Single-zone local weather management
• Keyless entry and begin
• Semi-bucket sports activities seats
• D-shaped sports activities steering wheel
• 60:40-split folding rear seats

Is the Suzuki Swift protected?

The previous-generation Swift wore a 2017-stamped five-star ANCAP security ranking, which has now expired.

Normal security gear consists of:

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Weaving alert

How a lot does the Suzuki Swift price to run?

Like the broader Suzuki lineup, the Swift Sport is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki Swift

There’s so much to like about this little automobile.

As has all the time been the case with the Swift Sport, it’s a bit ball of enjoyable that doesn’t price an arm and a leg. It’s additionally surprisingly sensible as a each day offered you don’t want to hold three or 4 passengers recurrently.

Town-friendly dimensions make it a cinch to dwell with on the each day commute, and its turbocharged efficiency and dynamics make it a hoot whether or not you’re zipping by means of CBD laneways or tearing up a winding B-road out of city.

I additionally assume it’s lovable, and in one of many brighter color choices actually pops and appears particular. Our gray tester may be very demure, but in addition a bit too unassuming for me.

Drawbacks? It’s not as low cost because it was, and the tech suite is dated in comparison with the brand new one, not to mention the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.

The aftermarket-looking Pioneer head unit would nearly be a dealbreaker for me, particularly in comparison with the brand new 9.0-inch unit within the new Swift Hybrid which is a world away from the outdated OEM system not to mention the one right here.

It’s additionally fairly tinny once you begin venturing past metropolis limits, with skinny panels and home windows that means numerous ambient noise enters the cabin just about on a regular basis. It simply is feeling a bit outdated in these respects.

However in case you’re after comparatively low cost, no-nonsense thrills in a pocket-sized package deal, the Swift Sport is the best match.

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