Exterior
Looks are subjective; the official reveal of the Suzuki Swift left many unimpressed and some infatuated by its new looks. I, for one, feel that this car looks good, especially if you spend the extra bucks and get the top-of-the-range GLX that is kitted out. However, back to the task at hand: I had the mid-spec GL+ with the new 1.2L three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, along with the new CVT that produces 60 kW and 112 Nm , finished in an Arctic White color.
It comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, halogen lights (no LED daytime running lights on this spec, unfortunately), LED taillights, a reverse parking sensor, and foldable color-coded mirrors, just to name some of its attributes. It’s safe too, with front and side curtain airbags as standard (6 in total) , ABS, EBD, etc. Pricing starts at R239,900 and is R259,900 for the manual GL+. Pricing includes a five-year/200, 000 km warranty and a two-year/30, 000 km service plan.
I was fortunate enough to drive the car from where I live down to King Shaka International, which is about an hour’s commute (36 minutes if the road works were completed) , providing suitable grounds for testing comfort, ride quality, fuel economy, and how this CVT conducts itself. I noticed just how well the Swift manages to stay composed when traversing uneven and poor road surfaces, which are unfortunately common on KZN roads. The new HEARTECT platform allows the Swift to absorb bumps well, and it has minimal road noise along with occasional rattling from inside the cabin, which was a significant plus.
Although I noticed the steering was a tad bit on the lightweight side , which made it sensitive to the slightest steering input-not good for when you’re controlling your vehicle at high speeds-but commendable for quickly maneuvering in and out of tight spots. An honorable mention is that the little Swift can be absolutely quick and could even get you in trouble with the boys in blue if you’re not careful.
Now the gearbox-yes, we have to discuss it. I noticed that it is fairly okay in terms of noise production, with its signature drone when driving on the highway, in town, and in neighborhood areas. It only reminds you it’s a CVT when tackling a steep road or whenever you are overtaking, as it starts its signature drone.
Another downside of the box was that I noticed how it has this jerk motion when coming on and off the accelerator in traffic conditions; this requires you to pay attention if the traffic is dense, so you avoid a fender-bender scenario. However,the CVT does feel a bit better tuned and insulated from the cabin in this car.
Interior take
Phone connectivity is a breeze through the easy to use 7-inch touchscreen, even more so now that the connection is wireless, you just have to ensure that both your Bluetooth and Wifi is turned on in order to just turn the key and let the jams play. Speaking of jams, I was pleased and very surprised with the quality of the sound system you get in the swift as standard.
The whole cabin is covered in scratchy plastic almost everywhere you can set your eyes, but Suzuki has turned that to their advantage by incorporating patterns and grooves within the plastic for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The GL+ has cloth seats as standard.
Still in keeping with the inside, the swift has a very nifty feature that allows you to track and manage fuel consumption where I decided to try and match Suzuki’s claimed consumption of 4.4L per 100km (lower than both it’s close rivals the Kia Picanto and Polo Vivo) and could you believe I managed to achieve close to the claimed figure by achieving 4.5L per 100km.
In the GL+, you gain parking sensors , a reverse camera, among other safety features. While it’s not the best quality camera and, inconveniently, it does get dirty occasionally, that is irrelevant for those who still rely on good old-fashioned side mirrors when backing up.
You’ll be glad to know that the Swifty is able to carry four occupants with ease, as the smaller three-cylinder was able to hold its own. I found the AC to be very responsive and easy to use, just not when you’re about to tackle an incline of any sort, as that hinders performance. The 265-liter boot space swallowed my graduation gear along with some groceries with ease.
Final verdict
The CVT is for the driver who is more concerned about achieving their daily from point A to point B without the hassle of shifting gears and balancing clutches and wants to get a economical – value for the money offering, it also is a perfect option for a first time driver as insurance qoutes add peace of mind by coming in generally low, it’s filled with just enough safety systems like seatbelt warning monitors and even a warning that tells you if your handbrake is not down all the way. But if you really want to experience the drive with scrutiny and cheek, opt for the manual variant as that is more of a ‘drivers car’.
