Is the Suzuki Swift a good first car?

The Suzuki Swift has a history spanning 40 years in Australia. Landing back in 1984 as a sporty subcompact car with a little three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine and a sub-$10,000 price tag, it was a proper economy car. 

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The Swift name died off for a few years and then was revived in 2005 when an all-new model arrived in Australia. For this article, we will focus on the 2005-onwards model. 

Spanning three generations, with the fourth generation set to land in Australia in the coming months, the modern-day Suzuki Swift has always been a staple for first-car buyers and budget buyers alike. 

Few cars scream P-plater like a Suzuki Swift. Perhaps one of its main attractions is that it's cheap, looks cool, and has enough features to be a convenient city car.

You also have a plethora of engine sizes and trim levels to choose from, and even a Sport model with real rally and circuit-racing heritage. 

Nearly 20 years after its re-release as the modern-day Swift, we take a look back to see if it's still an ideal first car, which model year is the best for young drivers, and which ones to avoid. 

Yes, all models of the Swift are P-plate legal in all Australian states and territories. 

Even the Sport and Turbo trim levels are legal to drive in states where there is the 130kW per tonne provisional licence limit (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia). 

All Turbo Swifts were built after 2010, which means they are even P-plate-legal cars in Queensland and South Australia, which define a "high-powered vehicle" as one constructed before January 1, 2010, with eight cylinders or more and/or turbocharged or supercharged (except diesels with fewer than eight cylinders).

Touching on safety first and foremost, all Swift models and variants from 2011 and onwards received a five-star ANCAP safety rating except for a handful of trim levels – keep reading for more information on that.

The second-generation Swift (2011–2017) was tested in 2011 and was heralded for its dual front airbags, knee airbags for the driver, side airbags, and curtain airbags to protect the head. All trim levels of that generation Suzuki Swift (2011–2017) come standard with anti-lock brakes, electric brake distribution, and electronic stability control. 

It should be noted that ANCAP testing evolves each year, so new testing considers things such as driver aids and employs more stringent crash-testing scenarios.

The 2017–current model was tested in 2017, and all trim levels received a five-star ANCAP safety rating except for the GL base model. This generation employs all the same safety features as the previous model with the addition of autonomous emergency braking and lane support systems. The base model does not include these features, meaning it received a four-star rating. 

The engines used in the Swift are tried and tested. There are plenty of examples with over 300,000km on the odometer for sale currently, with some nearing the 400,000km mark. 

The beauty of the early models is their simple and trusty design. Being an extremely common car without all the complex electronic systems seen in higher-end cars means you won't be stung when you go in for maintenance or repairs. 

The first generation model (2005–2011) has two different engine options: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine for the Sport model and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine for all other trim levels. Both feature a manageable amount of power for a new driver and enough power to keep up on freeways. 

The second-generation model (2011–2017) offers the option of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine for the Sport model or a 1.4-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine for all other trim levels. It's the same story here: more than enough power to get you out of trouble when you need it. 

The 2017 current-generation model is where the engines get even smaller. The Sport has a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, the GLX has a 1.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, and all other trim levels have a 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. Suzuki has retained a good amount of power while reducing the engine size and saving you money on fuel. 

Speaking of fuel, no P-plater wants to break the bank filling up their new car. The Swift is seriously economical and easy on the wallet. The Turbo models will have to be filled with premium 98 unleaded, but the naturally aspirated models are rated for 91 unleaded. 

If you're looking to save on fuel, opt for one newer than 2011. For a non-hybrid, you're going to get some seriously impressive range on a single fill-up.

The beauty of the Suzuki Swift, when it comes to considering it as a safe car for a young car enthusiast or P-plater, is the fact that it is front-wheel drive. Not only does the front-wheel-drive layout make things cheaper to service, but it also eliminates the opportunity for hooning.

While it is still possible that your child will speed when they get their hands on this hatchback, you can rest easy knowing that they're not out doing burnouts or drifting. A front-wheel-drive layout also makes the car a little easier to handle in wet conditions. 

The 2017-current model also comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, so you can be comfortable knowing the new driver in your life has absolutely no reason to use their phone while behind the controls. 

For P-platers looking for a more exciting car, Suzuki offers the Sport as an excellent option. Apart from all generations of Swift Sport having a more powerful engine, the Sport adds a cool body kit, sportier seats, bigger wheels, less weight and sportier suspension. 

The Swift also offers an automatic and manual transmission across all trim levels, so if you or your children are finding it difficult to learn how to drive a manual, you won't have to compromise on the trim level if you would like to jump in an automatic. 

The first-generation Suzuki Swift only features dual front airbags and ABS, which are then upgraded to side head-protecting curtain airbags on the Swift S. In 2005, the first-generation Swift scored a four-star ANCAP safety rating, so if you want a five-star rating, you'll need to opt for a 2011 or newer model. 

The GL base model of the current generation also lacks the autonomous emergency braking featured across all other trim levels. If you want the full safety suite, it would be ideal to opt for a model above the base grade. 

The newer model Swift is also on the high end of pricing for its class, competing against cars with similar technology and safety features (like the Kia Picanto, MG 3 and Mazda 2) but for less money. But you can fall in love with how a car looks and drives, so if you're set on the Swift, it's not a bad buy. 

Among the increase in purchase and fuel costs over the base model, the Sport model sees a slight increase in insurance costs for a 17-year-old driver. Using the 2018 model, for example, the GL base model hovers around the $2800 mark per year for comprehensive cover while the Sport is around the $3100 mark. 

Finally, models older than the 2017-current generation lack certain technology with no autonomous emergency braking, a simple infotainment system with no Apple CarPlay and no reversing camera.

The first-generation (2005–2011) models tend to hover around the $4000–$7000 mark, depending on the number of kilometres they have.

Pricing for the second-generation (2011–2017) models will depend on the trim level you opt for, although they tend to hover around the $10,000–$15,000 mark.

The 2017-current models sit between $16,000 and $30,000 on the used market, with the Sport model being the most expensive. 

The Suzuki Swift is an excellent car for P-platers on a budget. It received strong safety ratings, particularly for its current generation, is simple and easy to maintain, and offers the choice between an automatic or manual gearbox.

It's worthwhile spending an extra couple of thousand on the newer models (2017 onwards) to get autonomous emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, and a more economical engine, as you will save money on fuel in the long run.

There are a plethora of trim levels to choose from, and even a Sport edition, which will give you a fun car matched with some power and comfort.

That said, the earlier models offer a bare-bones and simple car for those looking for something cheap to run, maintain, and purchase. 

Looking to buy a Suzuki Swift? Drive's used-car marketplace currently has you sorted with an assortment of Swifts for sale across Australia. 

Click here to browse the used Suzuki Swifts for sale near you.