It would be all too easy to put the Suzuki Swift Sport down as a beginners hot hatch but you don’t need a big budget to get performance this good
Thankyou Suzuki for building the Swift Sport, throughout the GTi drought years Suzuki kept the dream alive. The Swift Sport is a very neat small hot hatch and has been built in various versions since 2000. Ok it’ll never be the fastest or the best handling but what it brings is an inspired thoroughly impressive drive with a well kitted out cabin. Excellent value for money, a car that loves to get down and dirty.
The Swift Sport as you approach the car offers clues to its sporting character. It has that chunky wheels at the corner look, high intensity discharge headlamps, body coloured mirrors and sills, great looking rear diffuser, twin exhausts, black interior, sporty instruments, aggressive front bumper, 17 inch alloys and more. Sitting in the Swift Sport the feeling is racy enough and the driving is all about ‘swift’ sporting fun.
The car develops 136ps from its 1.6 non turbo engine, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 121 mph brisk performance for the size of the car. It can be driven very enthusiastically, the seating position is a little upright, but for me thats how I like it. The ride is pretty firm although the dampers are still surprisingly good at suppressing the bumps and holes in our roads these days. Driven swiftly the handling is razor sharp, cornering precisely, light and easy it really is a joy to drive such a small agile car.
As you can see, I had a lot of fun in this car, the High Intensity discharge headlights were brilliant around the back roads of rural Berkshire, enabling bunny spotting from quite a distance. NO animals were injured during the review of this car… the cornering function on some more expensive cars could only make them better but remember what the deal is here, bargain pocket rocket did I say say just £13,749 on the road yet. This is also an easy car to wash!
[portfolio_slideshow exclude=”23797,23790,23795″]Inside the refined and well appointed cabin everything is at hand and fairly well put together. The seats are surprisingly good for longer journeys. As standard in the on the road prices it comes with plenty gear in the price, keyless entry, bluetooth audio system with voice activation, automatic air conditioning, cruise control. Engine noise brings a sporty sound, inside and overall the car is well re-fined.
Read the Drive.co.uk Review of the Suzuki Swift 4×4
The boot is a bit small at 211 litres but the car does seat four and hey, you wouldn’t buy this car for a small family, would you, there are better models out there i.e Suzuki SX4
On the road fuel consumption came in at just over 35mpg but on a long..ish run, it was fairly easy to achieve better around 30-45mpg using sixth and taking it easy. Although it is always tempting to enjoy the car.
Verdict:
Altogether an excellent small hot hatch that should not be overlooked. After spending my week with the Swift Sport it is one of those cars that makes its way into your memory banks. Other Swift Sports make you smile and remind you just how good they are. It is easy to see why so many vote this Hot Hatchback of the Year.
If fun and individuality is your bag check out the special edition new Swift Sport SZ-R.
Tech spec:
Suzuki Swift Sport
Price £13,749 on the road
Max Power: 136 bhp @ 7000rpm
Max Torque: 118 Lb ft@ 4400rpm
Max Speed 121mph
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 8.7 seconds
Claimed MPG: (Combined) 44 .1
CO2 Emissions 147g/km
Insurance Group 19A
VED Band F VED Cost 12 Months £135
NCAP Safety Rating 5
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