2007 Suzuki Swift Sport Road Test
18 Oct, 2007
28 Comments 
2007 Suzuki Swift Sport Road Test
Suzuki delivers a sports car to inspire a new generation of rally fans
CarAdvice rating: 
Recommended Retail Price: $23,990 (model tested).
- by Alborz Fallah
You’d all be amazed as to how good some of these small sports cars are getting. My favourite reasonably priced car of this year has so far been Peugeot’s spectacular 207 GTi. With a light and nimble chassis matched to a powerful turbocharged engine, it handles like a rocket on rails.
So when the men at Suzuki said I should drive the new and improved Swift Sport, I was keen to find out if Suzuki had delivered a car to match the 207 GTi’s fun-factor, for $10,000 less.
From the outside, the Swift Sport may trick you into believing it’s just a Swift with a bodykit, but it’s a lot more than that. The model arrived in early 2006 to some disappointment as the Japanese manufacturer had decided to leave it naturally aspirated, but recently Suzuki fitted Electronic Stability Control (ESC) at no extra cost and reinvigorated the model.
Based on the standard Swift, the Sport has unique wheels, better brakes, sports bodykit (fog lights), dual exhausts, a bigger and more powerful engine, refined drivetrain, sports suspension and sporty interior trim. Utilizing a large sport rear spoiler, modified rear tail lamps and Sport badging, as subtle as it may be, it is easily recognizable to the trained eye.
At $23,990 the Swift Sport undercuts the competition - namely the Volkswagen Polo GTi, Ford Fiesta XR4 and Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart.
On paper the Swift Sport looks a little underpowered and outclassed, you can see this when you compare it to the rest: Ford’s XR4 delivers an exciting package, thanks to the 2.0-litre engine and strong chassis; Mitsubishi’s Colt Ralliart is nothing short of a little Evo capable of shaming many big V8s; and Volkswagen has delivered a remarkable package with the Polo GTi that begs a drive.
At $24,000 it is $1,000 cheaper than the XR4, $6,000 cheaper than the Ralliart Colt and $3,000 cheaper than the Polo GTi. For those with a smaller budget, the choice is between the XR4 and the Swift, and I know what you’re thinking, the Suzuki is underpowered. Okay, so it has the least power and torque in its class, but it makes up for it with outstanding handling, a remarkable chassis and a big list of standard features.
Given the Ralliart Colt is significantly more expensive, it is not worth comparing to the Swift Sport and as for the German, there is no denying the Polo GTi is perhaps the best small sports car, but Suzuki is after a slightly lower-end of the market, the same market as the XR4.
The Swift Sport is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 92kW (6,800RPM) and 148Nm of torque (4,800RPM). I admit, it can do with more power, probably a turbocharger and a sexy GTi badge to complete the package, but for now, this is all we get.
Don’t be fooled though, the new engine isn’t just a slightly bigger version of the standard 1.5-litre found in the Swift, it has a reworked cylinder block, new inlet and exhaust camshafts, new pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, large capacity sports muffler, oil cooler, intake and exhaust manifolds and an electrical throttle body.
Having driven the XR4, the choice between the Japanese and its European rival is a hard one. The XR4 has significantly more power than the Suzuki (although it’s not that usable), and in my opinion, looks better too. However the XR4 has some notable issues. Given its bigger engine, it is slightly heavier at the front (although it weighs less overall), has a stereo system taken from a 1982 Camry, a dashboard put together from recycled plastic, it’s missing two doors and the rear seats are practically useless.
The Suzuki on the other hand is a proper four-door with adequate leg-room for four, has a better interior and more importantly, out-handles its European rival around every bend.
The Swift Sport is driven via the front-wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suzuki has produced an excellent gearbox that gives a firm, quick shift feel. It differs from the standard box in the Swift via closer gear ratios as well as less reach between gears. While the clutch and gearbox work well together, the midget sized racing pedals make it extremely hard to heel and toe, taking some of the fun away.
The steering and handling is comparable to a go-kart, this is thanks to Suzuki’s enormous efforts (and success) in the Junior World Rally Championship using a modified Swift.
So good is the handling that I found it quite hard to reach the car’s limits around my usual test track at Mt Glorious.
Around a twisty stretch of road it will eat an XR4 for breakfast, but will have a harder time against the Polo GTi and Colt. It can take considerable speed (much more than the XR4) into a corner and smoothly power out while the newly introduced ESC system does a great job of maintaining traction, but also allows some play before cutting in.
There is minor understeer around tight bends, but nothing to worry about. As for body-roll, it’s virtually non-existent thanks to the unique sport suspension (Monroe shock absorbers ) which has increased compression and rebound dampening forces by around sixty percent over the standard car!
All of this comes at a price though, the Sport has a relatively hard ride, probably not something you’d want to live with if you don’t take advantage of its handling abilities.
Sitting inside the Swift Sport, you are presented with comfortable sports seats, a three spoke leather steering wheel, a silver garnished shift knob, four speaker in dash CD stereo system with MP3 capabilities (still lacking iPod connectivity) with steering wheel controls, and plenty of space to store nearly anything.
The instrument cluster emphasises the cars sporty credentials with an illuminated ring around the speedometer while the tachometer dial has its ‘0′ mark positioned at six o’clock, a design borrowed from Suzuki’s GSX R750 motorbike.
Standard features include air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows, power steering, remote keyless entry with hazard lamp answer back, UV reducing glass, 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS brakes and ESC. The Swift Sport can do with the SX4’s smart key entry system.
Picking between the Fiesta XR4 and the Swift Sport will come down to your personal preference. The Swift is ultimately the better car, it handles better, it has a better interior and it will probably last longer too, but the XR4 is a little more exciting and definitely more unique.
After experiencing what Suzuki can do with a front-wheel drive Swift, I can only imagine the rumoured turbocharged All-Wheel-Drive Suzuki SX4 - set to take on the once-mighty WRX - will become the new cult car for enthusiasts.
The Suzuki Swift Sport is covered by a three year/100,000km warranty and three year 24 hour roadside assistance.
Read reviews on the Swift Sport’s Competitors:
Location: Home / Suzuki, Behind the Wheel / ...
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(8 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
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October 18th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Cool car,
Wish it was turbocharged, but by the sounds of it, it already goes pretty hard, maybe a turbocharger would have given a lot of torque steer?
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October 18th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I’d spend the extra $3,000 on the Polo GTi personally, but if I had to pick between this and the XR4, it would be this, the XR4 is just too tacky for my liking.
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October 18th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
The pick between suzuki and ford Xr4 would be very hard for me because I love both brands after Suzuki winning the JWRC Championship just recently makes the suzuki more recognized with born again cult status from the original GTi days, I have seen the Ford, also driven the beast, has a great personality alway’s catching the corner of my as I ddrive past the Ford dealer’s, I would buy it just for that reason, catch twenty two you would say…..
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October 18th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Personally I’m a great fan for the Swift, but I just can’t see $8000 extra value in this over the base model.
Both models have shockers, brakes, seats, etc. I know the ones in the Sport are more dressy/harder/whatever, but the $8000 should have at least seen the car into the Liana 1.8 engine, or a lot more grunt out of the 1.6?
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October 18th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I must say as a one-eyed biased Ford fan (:D), that that is one kewl little car! Maybe an AWD system (from Japanese Suzuki’s) and a turbo / exhaust as mentioned before would make this car the next MOTOR BFYB for sure!
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October 18th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
For sure the jdm model has a turbo
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October 18th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Cool car, though I have yet to see a Colt Ralliart shame any V8’s as it were.
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October 18th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
ImportJap, I have personally seen a colt ralliart shame many V8s :)
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October 18th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Which ones? I don’t doubt it’s possible, but I’ve driven the Ralliart and didn’t think all that much of it, can’t see it beating anything LS1 and higher?
Send me some youtube vids!
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October 18th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Not just straight line power mate,
handling and cornering, pretty much all of these cars would do a better job around a mountain than an old V8, but lets not start that debate again, I love the R8, for $60k, that would be my car… right after the Evo X :)
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October 18th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Ohh handling wise, definitely, and I hear ya on the EVO
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October 21st, 2007 at 6:52 am
Alborz what are you smoking? Pass the bong! You’re review is way off. You’re dreaming if you think this car would eat an XR4 through the bends. How much did Suzuki pay you to write that? Obviously Wheels and Motor don’t agree or rate the Suzuki at all like you do. Funny how the XR4 won BFYB in the $30K and under category beating cars like the Polo GTI and Suzuki. Also coming in 3rd overall. But hey what do Wheels, Motor and other mags from around the world know (who use actual tracks and race drivers to test their cars capabilities compared to your talents hey). Keep smoking what you’re smoking dude, these write-ups are entertaining.
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October 21st, 2007 at 8:39 am
Gee mate what did you think of it compared to the XR4 after you drove it! Pffttttt,wheels and Motor credability hahahahah. Both owned by the same company anyway ,fool
Ill take Alborz’s word against Motor or Wheels anyday!
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October 21st, 2007 at 9:56 am
yeah I never understood that, how Motor and Wheels are owned by the same company. Why compete against yourself?
I think the XR4 is better looking than the Swift, but thats always subjective. Super-mini’s like the Swift, XR4 and Ralliart Colt have never really made sense to me, I guess the handling would be great but the lack of speed is the killer. You end up paying mid-market money for mid-market speed but with the storage capacity of a folded up postage stamp. That Golf W12, now thats a supermini, sure it may never reach production but if your gonna supe up a small car, don’t pussy foot about it, throw out the back seats and put a real engine it it!
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October 21st, 2007 at 10:16 am
Yep Tom I am with if I had a choice I would spend the little extra and always get the Golf,the original hot hatch!
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October 22nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Although I am never going to buy a car like this, this is the only test I have read where the Swift has been rated better than the XR4.
My sister has a swift and personally I think it is a great car, but the bodykit on the sport makes it look more like a crossover AWD than a sports compact (especially that front bumper). The standard Swift looks much better than the sport, all you need to do is add a nice set of 17’s!
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October 22nd, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Go the XR4, I help run and am a moderator for redlineGTi.com I reckon my modified mighty boy would kick it’s ass any day. In fact my mighty boy would kick any other suzuki’s ass. I’d would probably also kick any R8’s ass also, because my engineering expertise is by far better than any manufacturer. Go to hell all GTi and sport owners. Go the Ford!
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October 23rd, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Aww lads go the the Ford not the Jap. Better built and handles better. Suzi is pretty good though!
Glander’s nuts going for the Polo. When have VW really done performance since the first Golf GTI!!!! Bollicks
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
If I see one more bloody Swift with racing stripes driven by a fat chick bopping to Beyonce, I am going to scream.
The term “sport” is applied all too liberally these days to this type of car. Maybe they should change the badge to read “not the base model”
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October 27th, 2007 at 9:59 am
please i want some one to help me
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December 19th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
OK all i know that the XR4 is crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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March 20th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I bought the Swift Sport at around $23.5K onroad and I think it is a lot of little car for the money. It is definitely worth the extra over the base model, I think it is way better looking and better build quality than the XR4 (as it should be, the XR4 is a Ford after all). It will certainly protect me and my passengers better than a Suzuki Mighty Death Trap, I mean Boy, which lets face it was churned out at a time when Suzuki didn’t enjoy the reputation for quality that it does now.
This isn’t a boy racer doof-doof car - buy an imported Skyline for that, but from driving it for 7,000 km now round some very windy and challenging roads I would say this review by Allborz is spot on.
I understand why cult enthusiasts want to bag a car like this that is seemingly underpowered (the “I have a small member so I must have lots of horsepower” syndrome), but I personally would prefer a safe car with good handling and plenty of grunt for everyday use. Good on ya to anyone who has the time, or nothing better to do, than tinker with a second hand car that has no warranty, but I’d rather have a decent car on the road, than a supposedly spectacular car in the shed. (unless it was a Phase 3 GTHO bolted to the slab for a super fund investment - when Fords were built ok :) )
Peace - enjoy your car - whatever it is. :)
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March 20th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
OK ALL I KNOW IS ALL HOLDEN DAEWOOS ARE CRAP !!!!!!!!! 2 STAR BEEP BEEP BARINA…
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March 20th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
GO XR4 FORD :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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March 20th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
^^^^^All i know is that the ford XR4 is crap!!!!!!!!!!
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August 12th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Swift is a great, it is recently picking up a lot of sales in India! It costs around the same price in India!
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August 28th, 2008 at 7:31 am
so what does mp3 compatable mean. it can play mp3 cd’s or you can plug your mp3 player into it?
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November 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I dont know alot about cars but i brought a suzzie (2007 model) just in standard and i think they are the best cars, i think they are better quailty then alot of small cars getting around these days- you can just tell when you drive it - its smooth and its just so zippy!
i think its the best thing i have done! :) although i paid $19,000 for it for a standard automatic i am most happy i did! :)
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