Suzuki Swift

Overview

The Swift has been one runaway success for Suzuki in all the markets where the Japanese carmaker has its presence. The Suzuki Swift currently available in the UAE is in its third generation version and is available with one petrol automatic powertrain in two variants – GL and GLX – and in seven single tone and four dual-tone paint schemes.

Interior & Features

Suzuki has worked great on the interior of the new Swift as well, which carries forward the tradition of the driver-focused cabin with lots of sporty appeal in its layout.

Having an all-black finish for the dashboard, seats and door panels, the new Suzuki Swift comes with a new three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with slimmer looking spokes and a flat bottom. The pod-like instrument console with a rectangular MID stacked in between and red accents make the field of vision quite sporty.

The dashboard finished in black has a nice silver line flowing through its centre, which divides the dashboard into two, with the centre console having round AC vents and a 2-DIN audio system shared with the Baleno, along with three nice-looking knob-like dials for the automatic climate control below it.

The Suzuki Swift has a decent equipment list of features comprising of a tilt-adjustable steering, driver seat height adjustment, cruise control and push-button start with keyless entry. However, what does not feel not so decent is the rear seat space, which has limited legroom and knee room, with the high rising shoulder line and smaller rear windows making the rear cabin feel even more cramped.

Exterior

The Suzuki Swift is now in its third generation, and the new model looks like a glorious evolution of its past iterations. While the original silhouette remains almost the same, Suzuki has made some clever changes to make it look much more refreshing and contemporary than ever before.

At the front, the Suzuki Swift comes with sweptback headlamps which do come with HID projector headlamps and U-shaped stretched daytime running LEDs positioned below them. The hexagonal grille at the front looks wide and has multiple black slats within it to give a wide stance. The front bumper also comes with a black appliqué running through it, which has bigger sized edges incorporating fog lamps.

The side profile of the Suzuki Swift looks quite athletic, thanks to the slightly sloping roofline, smooth curved flowing above the wheel arches, machined alloy wheels and two-door look, thanks to the rear door handles recessed in the C-pillar. The black coloured A and C pillars do give the Swift a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Suzuki Swift has a wide and bulged look, thanks to the muscular-looking tailgate and broad tail lamps that look smart thanks to LED inserts.

Ride & Handling

The new Suzuki Swift has Macpherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, which are tuned slightly on the stiffer side to impart a sportier driving dynamics to the Swift, something which is assisted again with the light-weighted new generation Heartect platform.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Powering the current generation Suzuki Swift is the same 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from the model it has replaced. Coupled to a 6-speed CVT gearbox, the engine produces a maximum power output of 82 PS, while the peak torque output is rated at 113 Nm.

Braking & Safety

The new Suzuki Swift is equipped with all the basics when it comes to the parameter of safety, with names like the front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control and ISOFIX mounts for child seats.

Verdict

The new Suzuki Swift retains all the positive virtues of the previous generation model like having a sporty design and an equal amount of sportiness in its driving character, however, in a much more modern form. With an agile powertrain and a great set of dynamics, it makes up for a great first car for new generation buyers.