- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.0T, 3 cyl.
- Engine Power
82kW, 160Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 5.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2018 Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo review – She says, he says…
City cars are under-fire from affordable small cars and baby SUVs, but tidy little tiddlers like the latest Suzuki Swift prove there is still life in these pint-sized offerings.
We’re testing the GLX Turbo that sits at the top of the regular range, and below the Swift Sport hot hatch.
He: It doesn’t get the attention of the more popular Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris but there’s a lot to like about this new Swift. For starters, it’s packing Suzuki’s 1.0-litre ‘Boosterjet’ three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that has 82kW and 160Nm which is more than enough to make this sub-1000kg car zip along.
She: It did feel really perky for a little three-cylinder. The Swift has heaps of get up and go and driving in manual with the paddle shifters made the experience even more enjoyable. It wasn’t slow by any means, thanks to its neat little turbo. The six-speed gearbox was nice and smooth in the way it shifts, and the entire car felt planted and ready to rock’n’roll, so to speak. How did you find it to drive?
He: What stands out with the Swift is how light it feels. Tipping the scales at just 915kg, compared to 1152kg for a Volkswagen Polo for example, it translates to an agile and nimble city car. And Suzuki has done a nice job on the chassis tuning, as it actually doesn’t feel out of place on the open road.
The other element of the Swift that really impressed me was the cabin, specifically the space. For a city car, Suzuki has really maximised the room.
She: I agree, it doesn’t really feel like a basic city car which is a good thing. Comfortable cloth seats and a well thought-out dash also make it feel more polished than its price suggests. An impressive list of features like LED headlights with high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry with push button start, are all standard. It is really outstanding value.
He: While I agree it’s a very well-equipped city car, especially on the safety front, I think the overall presentation falls short of the best in this class. The new VW Polo looks more grown up, as does the Mazda2, despite its age.
The other noticeable difference between this and its key rivals is the noise. There’s noticeably more tyre roar and engine note filtering into the cabin.
Then there’s the price, the Swift GLX Turbo starts at $22,990 (plus on-road costs) which puts it well into small car territory. Do you think it’s worth the money, Ali?
She: Steve, it is a pricier option in comparison to others in its class, but I think it's worth it. For loyal Swift-lovers or anyone buying for its looks, I think they’ll be really happy with their purchase. It’s a good looking car with all the safety and tech you could want in a new vehicle, and most of all, it can be fun if you want it to be, so it ticks all my boxes.
He: I agree, it’s an appealing city car and certainly one that should be on people’s shortlists if they are in the market for something compact but still loaded with gear and enjoyable to drive.
2018 Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo pricing and specifications:
Price: $22,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 82kW at 5500 rpm
Torque: 160Nm at 1500-4000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel use: 5.1L/100km