{"id":68307,"date":"2025-08-19T02:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T06:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T02:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T06:18:07","slug":"why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the 2025 Suzuki Swift Is the Last Great Fun-Sized Hatchback"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Why Are Small, Lightweight Cars Like the Suzuki Swift So Rare Today?<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been car shopping lately, you\u2019ve probably noticed a trend: most new vehicles are bigger, heavier, and packed with tech. That\u2019s not just your imagination. Over the past decade and a half, the number of genuinely small, lightweight cars has shrunk dramatically. Blame it on stricter safety regulations, shifting consumer tastes, and the relentless march of technology. The result? Sub-tonne cars\u2014those weighing under 1,000kg\u2014are now a rare breed. Aside from a handful of niche models and quirky city runabouts, the Suzuki Swift stands out as one of the last mainstream holdouts.<\/p>\n<p>But why does this matter? Lightweight cars aren\u2019t just about nostalgia. They\u2019re more efficient, often more fun to drive, and typically easier on the wallet. The Swift\u2019s 984kg kerb weight isn\u2019t just a number\u2014it\u2019s a statement in a market where even compact cars regularly tip the scales well above a tonne. For drivers who value simplicity, agility, and affordability, the Swift is a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n<p>How Has the Suzuki Swift Evolved Over the Years?<\/p>\n<p>The Swift name has been around since the mid-1980s, but today\u2019s model is a far cry from the ultra-basic hatchbacks of yesteryear. The original Swift (known in some markets as the Cultus) was all about bare-bones motoring. Fast forward to the present, and the Swift has matured into a genuinely stylish, sporty supermini that still keeps its focus on practicality and fun.<\/p>\n<p>Each generation has brought meaningful improvements. The second-gen Swift in the late 1980s expanded its global reach, while the third-gen model (from 2016) introduced Suzuki\u2019s Heartect platform\u2014a lighter, stiffer chassis that shaved over 100kg off the previous version. The latest, fourth-generation Swift continues this tradition, blending modern safety and connectivity features with a driving experience that\u2019s refreshingly analog.<\/p>\n<p>What Makes the Current Swift Stand Out in a Sea of Over-Engineered Cars?<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s be honest: many new cars feel like rolling computers. The Swift, on the other hand, is delightfully straightforward. Its design is clean and purposeful, with a sleeker profile and improved aerodynamics (Suzuki claims a 4.6% reduction in drag over the previous model). Under the hood, you\u2019ll find a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine\u2014no turbo, just a high compression ratio and a mild 12V hybrid system that\u2019s more about efficiency than performance.<\/p>\n<p>On paper, 82bhp and a 0-62mph time of 12.5 seconds might not sound thrilling. But behind the wheel, the Swift\u2019s light weight and crisp five-speed manual gearbox make every drive engaging. The gearshift action is short and precise\u2014arguably one of the best in its class\u2014and the steering strikes a rare balance between ease and feedback. It\u2019s the kind of car that makes city driving fun again.<\/p>\n<p>Is the Swift Practical for Everyday Life?<\/p>\n<p>Absolutely. Despite its compact footprint (just 3860mm long and 1735mm wide), the Swift makes smart use of space. Visibility is excellent thanks to a huge windscreen and low dashboard, making it a dream for urban maneuvering and tight parking spots. The boot, at 265 liters, is on the small side compared to some rivals, but it\u2019s deep enough for most daily needs.<\/p>\n<p>Inside, the Swift keeps things simple but comfortable. Heated seats, cruise control, and a reversing camera come standard on the base Motion trim\u2014no need to wade through endless options lists. The dashboard features real, physical dials and manual air conditioning, which is a welcome throwback for anyone tired of fiddling with touchscreens.<\/p>\n<p>How Does the Swift Perform in Real-World Driving\u2014Both in the City and Beyond?<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s where the Swift really shines. Around town, its compact size, light steering, and tight turning circle (just 4.8 meters) make it incredibly nimble. It\u2019s the kind of car that makes you look forward to navigating busy streets and squeezing into that last parking spot.<\/p>\n<p>But the fun doesn\u2019t stop at the city limits. On a winding country road, the Swift\u2019s lively chassis and communicative steering come alive. The Heartect platform delivers a ride that\u2019s both comfortable and agile, soaking up bumps without feeling floaty. Sure, the eco-focused tires give up grip sooner than you\u2019d like, and there\u2019s a bit of understeer if you really push it. But the overall balance is spot-on for a car in this class.<\/p>\n<p>And let\u2019s talk about fuel economy: Suzuki claims an average of 64.2mpg, and real-world tests regularly see figures north of 50mpg\u2014even when driven enthusiastically. That\u2019s the beauty of a light car with a small, efficient engine.<\/p>\n<p>Are There Any Downsides or Annoyances to Living With the Swift?<\/p>\n<p>No car is perfect, and the Swift has its quirks. Some owners have reported dashboard rattles developing after several thousand miles, and the interior\u2014while well put together\u2014can get a bit noisy at speed. The mild hybrid system, while generally unobtrusive, has occasionally caused slow or hesitant starts in cold weather, though these incidents seem rare.<\/p>\n<p>The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are a mixed bag. Lane keeping assist and speed warnings can be overly sensitive, sometimes chiming in when you least expect it. Disabling these features isn\u2019t always straightforward, with some settings buried in touchscreen menus. The infotainment system itself, while functional, can be a little clunky\u2014interrupting Apple CarPlay sessions with notifications that stack up like digital post-it notes.<\/p>\n<p>Still, these gripes are relatively minor in the grand scheme. For most drivers, the Swift\u2019s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p>How Does the Swift Stack Up Against Rivals?<\/p>\n<p>In a shrinking field of small, affordable hatchbacks, the Swift\u2019s closest competitors include the Toyota Aygo X, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, and Dacia Spring. Each has its own appeal, but the Swift stands out for its blend of driving fun, real-world efficiency, and straightforward design. It\u2019s not as roomy as some, nor as tech-laden, but it nails the basics in a way that few others do.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo or Renault Clio, the Swift feels more agile and less isolating\u2014though it\u2019s not quite as refined or spacious. And while newer crossovers like the Hyundai Inster offer more interior space, they can\u2019t match the Swift\u2019s playful character or its old-school charm.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the Real-World Cost of Owning a Suzuki Swift?<\/p>\n<p>Affordability is a big part of the Swift\u2019s appeal. With a list price starting at just over \u00a320,000 and contract hire rates around \u00a3205 per month, it\u2019s accessible to a wide range of buyers. Running costs are low, too: real-world fuel economy hovers between 52 and 62mpg, and annual fuel costs are among the lowest in its class. Insurance is reasonable, and Suzuki\u2019s reputation for reliability means you\u2019re unlikely to face big repair bills.<\/p>\n<p>The only notable issues reported during long-term testing were a dashboard rattle and occasional reluctance to start\u2014neither of which proved to be deal-breakers. Overall, the Swift delivers on its promise of cheap, cheerful, and dependable motoring.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the Key Takeaway for Drivers Considering the Suzuki Swift?<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re tired of bloated, overcomplicated cars and just want something that\u2019s fun, efficient, and easy to live with, the Suzuki Swift is a standout choice. It\u2019s proof that you don\u2019t need a massive SUV or a tech-laden crossover to enjoy driving\u2014or to get through your daily routine with a smile.<\/p>\n<p>The Swift\u2019s blend of lightness, agility, and simplicity is increasingly rare in today\u2019s market. It\u2019s not perfect, but it\u2019s honest, practical, and genuinely enjoyable\u2014qualities that are all too easy to overlook in the age of automotive excess. For city dwellers, first-time buyers, or anyone who just loves the feel of a great manual gearbox, the Swift is a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/car-review\/suzuki\/swift\/long-term-reviews\/suzuki-swift-2025-long-term-test\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"125\" alt=\"Suzuki Swift front cornering\" title=\"Suzuki Swift front cornering\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fourth-generation take on a pint-sized old favourite leaves the fleet<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>If there was one adjective to describe the vast majority of contemporary cars, it would surely be \u2018overcomplicated\u2019 \u2013 with \u2018big\u2019, \u2018heavy\u2019 and \u2018expensive\u2019 jostling for position not far behind.<\/p>\n<p>There are myriad reasons for this \u2013 safety regulations and consumer buying trends among them \u2013 and they\u2019ve been discussed at great length before. But the long and the short of it is that there are relatively few small, light cars compared with 15 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, if you leave out featherweight track specials from firms such as Radical, <a href=\"\/car-review\/caterham\">Caterham<\/a> and GMA, or quadricycles such as the <a href=\"\/car-review\/citroen\/ami\">Citro\u00ebn Ami<\/a> or <a href=\"\/car-review\/mobilize\/duo\">Mobilize Duo<\/a>, there are just five\u00a0sub-tonne cars on sale today: the <a href=\"\/car-review\/toyota\/aygo-x\">Toyota Aygo X<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"\/car-review\/dacia\/spring\">Dacia Spring<\/a>, <a href=\"\/car-review\/hyundai\">Hyundai<\/a> and Kia\u2019s i10 and Picanto siblings, and this, the 984kg <a href=\"\/car-review\/suzuki\/swift\">Suzuki Swift<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to forget just how long the Swift\u00a0name has been on the UK scene. We first heard it in 1984 as the export name for the Suzuki Cultus, a three-cylinder, ultra-low-cost hatchback.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-1.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The model proved to be an immediate hit, being sold all over the world under no fewer than nine different names, and in 1988 it was replaced by a second-generation model that took the nameplate all the way through to 2003.<\/p>\n<p>The Swift\u00a0as we know it today was revealed a year later. It differed somewhat from its predecessor not only by being more concerned with presenting itself as a sporty, stylish supermini rather than simply the\u00a0most accessible form of motoring around, but also by focusing its aim squarely on Europe.<\/p>\n<p>Four-cylinder engines replaced the rough threepots of the previous generation and it sat on an all-new, albeit heavier, chassis \u2013 and we loved it. With its exceptionally well-balanced mix of ride comfort and cheekiness, the Swift\u00a0always managed to be among the more fun hatches.<\/p>\n<p>But it felt just as well screwed together as anything else, which marked a serious step forward for Suzuki. The Swift\u00a0got better as time went on, with the introduction of all-wheel drive and continuous updates, and 2010\u2019s second-gen car was even better than the first.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-2.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In 2016, the third-generation Swi moved to the stiffer and lighter Heartect platform, which cut weight by more than 100kg despite the three-door option being dropped and the car growing slightly overall.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the platform on which this new fourth-generation car sits, hence the low weight, but more has changed than you might think.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing you notice is the styling, which is sleeker than before despite a somewhat blobby grille. Suzuki says drag has been reduced by 4.6% compared with the previous model, so it\u2019s clearly there for a reason.<\/p>\n<p>Behind that lovable (but somewhat deep-sea-fish-mouthy) face is a new engine, with Suzuki having reverted back to a three-cylinder formula. It\u2019s a little 1.2-litre unit, but unlike most engines of a similar size, this one hasn\u2019t had a turbo bolted on.<\/p>\n<p>It relies instead on a fantastically high compression ratio of 13:1 to provide power. Not that there\u2019s a lot of it, mind you: just 82bhp all the way up at 5700rpm, with peak torque of 83lb ft coming in at 4500rpm.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-3.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say that it\u2019s completely unassisted, though, because there\u2019s also a 12V hybrid system that\u2019s about as mild as a chicken korma. It\u2019s more or less a glorified starter motor that very occasionally gives a tiny boost to the sweet little three-cylinder up front.<\/p>\n<p>A 0-62mph time of 12.5sec isn\u2019t as swift as the badge might lead you to expect, but you\u2019ll have a fun time getting up there thanks to a proper 1990s throwback in the form of a five-speed manual gearbox.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s one of very few cars still fitted with one, and it\u2019s a real peach of a thing with a fairly short throw and a smooth but precise shift. I\u2019d probably go as far as to say it\u2019s among the best gearboxes fitted to anything on sale, making its equivalents from Vauxhall and Volkswagen feel like you\u2019re stirring soup in comparison.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll see how much I\u2019m waxing lyrical about it when I\u2019m stuck in the sub-walking-pace traffic that is the bane of the manual gearbox user\u2019s existence, but from a purely emotional perspective, the gearbox is a thing of beauty.<\/p>\n<p>The gearbox goes hand in hand with the Swift\u2019s light but stiff chassis and reassuringly weighty steering, all of which make it a hoot to drive.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-4.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It serves a more sensible purpose, too: with light weight comes low fuel consumption. Suzuki claims an impressive average\u00a0figure of 64.2mpg, which makes sense when you consider how little weight there is to push around. Light cars, eh? They\u2019ll never catch on.<\/p>\n<p>On initial impressions, the Swift\u00a0feels reassuringly solid despite that 984kg weight \u2013 a  gure I keep mentioning because I almost can\u2019t believe it in this day and age.<\/p>\n<p>Another wonderfully simple part of the Swift\u00a0is the model hierarchy. There are just two trims to choose from: Motion, the base spec we have here, or Ultra.<\/p>\n<p>The former has pretty much everything you would ever need, such as heated seats, cruise control and a reversing camera.<\/p>\n<p>The interior is best described as sparse but comfortable, with a well-sized and well-placed screen in the centre, a bit less road noise than some other small hatches and a delightfully old-school manual air-conditioning system \u2013 not to mention some actual physical dials on the dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s so basic yet so charming. Once I work out how to turn off the ADAS, I think I\u2019ll be in danger of getting too attached to this tiny treat.<\/p>\n<h2>Update 2<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a saying in the automotive journalism world that the first 50 yards you cover in any car are by far the most important, because that walkable journey should tell you what to expect.<\/p>\n<p>And upon picking up my new Suzuki Swift\u00a0from the Autocar office in the dark heart of suburban driving hell (otherwise known as Twickenham), I knew I was in for a treat as soon as it turned a wheel.<\/p>\n<p>For better or for worse (in my eyes, the latter), a decent, classic-style city car is something of a rarity these days. Finding a manual one is like finding a Hot Wheels model you buried on a beach as a child: not impossible but certainly extremely unlikely and extremely rewarding if you do.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s exactly how this car felt when our garage spat me out onto the mean streets of south-west London: rewarding. It\u2019s such a refreshing experience to drive a car that knows exactly what it\u2019s meant to do, and the Swift\u00a0is so smart on so many levels.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with the obvious. A city car should be small, and the Swift\u00a0certainly is, coming in at just 3860mm long and 1735mm wide: a whole 424mm shorter and 54mm narrower than the Volkswagen Golf. But the key to the Swift isn\u2019t just this diminutive set of dimensions;\u00a0it\u2019s how it uses them.<\/p>\n<p>Right in front of you, a gigantic windscreen stretches from the seemingly floor-level\u00a0scuttle all the way up into what might as well be the heavens for all the good it does, giving you visibility that\u2019s unparalleled in pretty much everything else around these days.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-5.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the biggest gripes I had with the Swift-rivalling Vauxhall Corsa that I ran before was the appalling front visibility: a small windscreen and a big mirror meant it was like trying to drive around with a handbag on your head, while the front seemed miles off.<\/p>\n<p>None of that here: tour bus drivers look on with envy at the expanse of glass in front of my head and I can always be certain how much distance there is in front of the nose.<\/p>\n<p>What goes hand in hand with these minuscule measurements to make a city car great around town?\u00a0Light, quick steering, of course, and the Swift\u2019s is exceptional. It simultaneously manages to be more than easy-going enough to make wheeling the car around square junctions a joy while giving enough feedback and having enough weight to ensure that you won\u2019t just be happy going around roundabouts but actively seeking them out.<\/p>\n<p>It avoids the pitfalls of overly light action and complete lack of feel that all too often plague modern cars\u00a0too. Steering this good is hard to\u00a0find on anything these days, so for a sub-\u00a320,000 car to have it is really quite special.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the gearbox. On paper and in the (very small) sensible part of my brain, a manual shouldn\u2019t really belong in a city car these days. There are few things in life as irritating as moving with a flow of traffic that\u2019s just fast enough to need drive but too slow for first gear to be of any use.<\/p>\n<p>I would be lying if I said the Swi were totally exempt from that, although the light clutch is fairly well suited for such a scenario. But as soon as a queue clears even a smidge, you will be so glad for the manual.<\/p>\n<p>This \u2019box is so much fun that I find myself needlessly going through the gears just for the sheer hell of it. Short throw, great action, precise selection: it\u2019s got it all. More manufacturers should think like this, I think.<\/p>\n<p>All of this adds up to give the Swift the featherweight agility of a wasp and the lovable character of a small dog. And the real kicker? It\u2019s just as good outside of city limits. More on that later\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>Update 3<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s safe to say the Swift\u00a0has earned the affections of much of the Autocar office in a way very few cars recently have. I haven\u2019t been so inundated with people wanting a go in my long-term since I ran a Toyota Corolla Commercial, when it seemed 75% of my colleagues were moving house.<\/p>\n<p>The last time you saw my Swift, it was actually a different, Motionspec car. That was involved in an unfortunate incident with a high kerb, necessitating its replacement by the Ultra model you see here, with its black-painted roof, diamond-cut alloy wheels and \u2013 gasp! \u2013 automatic climate control.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, the change of spec hasn\u2019t diminished the Swift\u2019s wonderful about-town ability. Its combination of compact dimensions, outstanding visibility and impressive manoeuvrability makes me wonder why anyone would ever want to drive anything else in a world filled with tiny parking spaces, awkward junctions and an ever-increasing number of people in massive SUVs who can\u2019t handle the size of their own car.<\/p>\n<p>I was genuinely taken aback when I managed to spin it around in a one-and-a-half-lane road in a single fluid movement the other day. That\u2019s what a 4.8m turning radius gets you, I suppose.<\/p>\n<p>As great as it is around town, there\u2019s another seemingly unlikely place where it excels: on a Great British country road. You know the kind I mean: a flowing B-road that winds its way through the scenery, filled with sharp corners and blind crests.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, the sort of road you would drive down and think \u2018phwoar, they could run a rally down here\u2019. I can think of very few cars on sale that are more fun down such\u00a0a route than the plucky little Swift.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-6.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sure, perhaps part of the reason for that is there are so few cars like it on sale any more. As I\u2019ve noted before, there are now just seven cars on sale that weigh less than a tonne, excluding lightweight specials such as Caterhams, so anything this light will naturally feel a bit out of the ordinary in the sanitised times we live in.<\/p>\n<p>Suzuki\u2019s Heartect platform, devised for the previous Swift of 2016, is highly competent. It isn\u2019t the stiffest, but that\u2019s a good thing to my mind, because otherwise the Swift\u00a0could have become too firm for Britain\u2019s battered roads.<\/p>\n<p>As things stand, it strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and fun, feeling lively enough on a spirited drive but not rattling my teeth out on a cruise. It\u2019s well damped, with a fantastic primary ride that really flattens\u00a0out the road without robbing it of agility.<\/p>\n<p>There was always going to be plenty of that, of course, with such squat dimensions and a wheel effectively on each corner. The turn-in\u00a0response, aided by communicative steering that\u2019s reassuringly weighty at speed, is genuinely impressive.<\/p>\n<p>However, it must be said that the eco-spec Yokohoma tyres are not, running out of grip well before they ought to. Pair this with the understeer bias present in pretty much every supermini you can think of and the Swift\u2019s limits are a bit closer than you would hope for on a wet road.<\/p>\n<p>Still, it really is a joy to thread along a snaking back lane. There\u2019s a saying that it\u2019s far more fun to drive a slow car quickly than a fast car slowly, and that certainly rings true with this.<\/p>\n<p>Its thrummy little atmo threepot has an unexpectedly guttural rawness to it, really encouraging you to take it all the way up to the redline \u2013 something you have to do anyway with just 82bhp on tap and peak power not coming in until 5700rpm \u2013 and the smooth shift\u00a0at the end just keeps the fun going.<\/p>\n<p>Best of all? You can rag it as hard as you like and you will still achieve more than 50mpg. Let\u2019s see your Porsche 911 GT3 do that. Or get through a width restriction.<\/p>\n<h2>Update 4<\/h2>\n<p>I\u00a0first became acquainted with the latest Swift\u00a0at a Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders vehicle test day, where Suzuki was stationed and its entire model range available to be driven. I was besotted.<\/p>\n<p>Its poised, neutral-feeling chassis and tactile steering were a delight, as was its incredibly satisfying manual gearbox. So when photographer Jack Harrison rocked up in his Swift long-termer, I leapt at the chance to drive one again.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, while it is brilliant to have a small, light car with an economical petrol engine and a clutch pedal, I used the Suzuki for something slightly different: getting to know London.<\/p>\n<p>I still don\u2019t know the intricacies of the capital\u2019s tight, complicated and incredibly busy road network. But what better car in which to learn it than one with a light clutch, great all-round visibility and an engine with decent low-down grunt?<\/p>\n<p>The Swift feels made for this sort of thing: negotiating width\u00a0restrictions, dodging aggressively driven delivery vans and squeezing past buses. There are plenty of obstacles no matter where you go in London.<\/p>\n<p>But like a Border Terrier at Crufts, the Swift\u00a0negotiates them with a plucky, fun sense of determination and keenness. It also isolates you well from the hubbub. Suzuki added extra soundproofing for this generation, plus extra baffle plates in the A-pillars and thicker carpets.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, the car feels almost as re ned as a Volkswagen Polo or Renault Clio, but with the incisive dynamics typical of a small Suzuki.<\/p>\n<p>Fitting into tight parking spaces is easy, too, aided by good visibility and light steering, and it being narrower than a Clio and Polo means I need not avoid the Hogarth Flyover \u2013 a narrow bridge whose width restrictions have claimed many mirrors and layers of paint.<\/p>\n<p>The one problem with these compact proportions is that the 265-litre boot is one of the smallest in the class. In my time with it, I had to decline a friend\u2019s request to take their Labrador to the park.<\/p>\n<p>My time in the car ended with a motorway stint to Kent. Over the one-and-a-half-hour, 60-mile journey, the Swift\u00a0averaged 63mpg: pretty impressive considering most of it was in stop-start traffic. If you need right-size, economical transport for a tight, congested city, you can do far worse than the Swift.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Jonny Bryce<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Update 5\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>My time with the Swift\u00a0really is something of a love story.<\/p>\n<p>There are so many things to like, from the practical stuff\u00a0like the fabulous fuel economy (now approaching 58mpg with gentle pedal use from my feet of lead) and a surprisingly large boot capable of holding far more rubbish than you would think, to elements I\u2019ve mentioned in previous reports such as the impressive turn-in response and one of the greatest manual gearchanges of any car on sale today.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say it\u2019s all sunshine and roses, mind. A dashboard-shaped slug has crept into my rose garden, and a starter-generator-shaped cloud has drifted over it.<\/p>\n<p>Regular readers will know that this is actually our second Swi \u2013 not through any fault of its own. We just wanted to try out both trim levels from the refreshingly simple model range.<\/p>\n<p>The first one was a base-spec Motion, while our current black-roofed car is the slightly more premium Ultra.<\/p>\n<p>The nice thing about running two examples of very similar cars is that it lets you see whether a problem is simply an outlier, a bit of bad luck thankfully exclusive to a singular vehicle, or something that\u2019s an inherent flaw across the range.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve noted a couple of things that both our cars experienced. The\u00a0most consistent and irritating one concerns the dashboard itself \u2013 something I actually rather like, with it being so low down and intuitive.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not the design of the dashboard that\u2019s the problem, though. It\u2019s the build. The interiors of both our cars seemed well put together when I had a poke around them after delivery, but as the miles wore on some strange noises affected both.<\/p>\n<p>After each car reached around 8000 miles, a rattling sound could be heard from the dashboard.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-4.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth mentioning that the interior of the Swift\u00a0isn\u2019t exactly library quiet (colleagues often comment that it sounds like I\u2019m speaking from inside a tumble dryer when I\u2019m on a hands-free phone call), so a squeak has to be fairly loud to be noticed, especially at speed.<\/p>\n<p>The noise would normally be set o by the crashy secondary ride, but I couldn\u2019t quite work out where it was coming from. It seemed to be emanating from the left\u00a0side of the dashboard, but no in-car rattle has ever come from where you thought it would be.<\/p>\n<p>I realised I could pause it by gripping the top of the central touchscreen, so I can reasonably deduce that it\u2019s the source. Not ideal, and slightly concerning that it\u2019s happened to both of our cars.<\/p>\n<p>The other issue is less common but more serious. Several months ago, when the weather was much milder, I left\u00a0the original Swift\u00a0out in the cold for two days \u2013 not a long time to leave a car to its own devices, and it wasn\u2019t really that chilly (around 8deg C).<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, it had a real struggle to start, with the generator spinning but failing to spark the three-cylinder into life. This went on for maybe 15 seconds, while I was pumping the throttle just in case, before it roared into life.<\/p>\n<p>It happened only once, and I viewed it as just something of an oddity, and the car went back to Suzuki without ever doing it again.<\/p>\n<p>However, several months later I rushed out to the Swift\u00a0Ultra, ready to start my schlep over to the Aston Martin F1 factory to photograph boss Lawrence Stroll for last week\u2019s Autocar Awards issue, only for it not to start.<\/p>\n<p>This time, it took about four attempts over the course of a minute to resuscitate the engine, which sounded uncannily like a diesel locomotive attempting to splutter into life from a very cold start.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d been out in it the day before, though, and had left\u00a0it for about six days straight with no issues previously. Aside from that, the car has been trouble-free, but it\u2019s the sort of thing that makes me feel like I can\u2019t fully trust it.<\/p>\n<h2>Final update<\/h2>\n<p>Time and again we\u2019ve seen the humble hatch\u2019s resilience tested. Public desire for two-tonne SUVs and big-name manufacturers\u2019 claims they can no longer turn a profit developing and selling small cars have made sure of that.<\/p>\n<p>The list of reasons why city cars and the like are vanishing goes on \u2013 and it makes me sad. Which is why I\u2019m so glad that Suzuki has persevered through the challenges to continue making an excellent small car in the shape of the Swift.<\/p>\n<p>My time with this pint-sized beauty has been wonderful. I wasn\u2019t quite sure what to expect initially, because I\u2019d been running a Vauxhall Corsa Hybrid beforehand, and that hadn\u2019t been a shining beacon of excellence for the small car oeuvre, with its woeful ride, sub-par visibility and hefty price. Thankfully, the Swift turned out to be a breath of fresh air compared with that Corsa.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-7.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As soon as you get in to the compact Suzuki, you notice that everything is just that bit nicer. The interior materials immediately feel more pleasant to the touch, and the dashboard and control layout is slightly more intuitive.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a plethora of real, physical buttons in an easily accessed place below the central screen.\u00a0Things continue to improve from there. One of my favourite attributes of the Swift\u00a0is its (relatively) huge windscreen paired with a very low scuttle and dash.<\/p>\n<p>It has the effect of making this small car feel so much bigger inside by letting in loads of light. Naturally, it allows for great sight lines, too, especially with the A-pillars sited so far back, which provides fantastic mid-corner visibility.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also useful around town. The Swift\u00a0is far and away the easiest car I\u2019ve ever had to parallel park, with loads of steering lock, tiny overhangs and a really clear reversing camera.<\/p>\n<p>Add in a boot that\u2019s big enough for the weekly shop \u2013 thanks to a surprisingly deep floor \u2013 plus a cabin that\u2019s comfortable for four and only\u00a0slightly uncomfortable for five, and you\u2019ve got the perfect city car.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-8.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Its diminutive footprint helps with all of this. To put that into perspective, at 3860mm long the Swift\u00a0is a substantial 500mm shorter than a current BMW 1 Series, and it\u2019s 65mm narrower than that car.<\/p>\n<p>Paired with the well-weighted steering, this size makes it a true joy to whizz around town in. So it\u2019s great in an urban environment, but where I think it really shines is out in the sticks, where it reveals itself to be a secret driver\u2019s delight.<\/p>\n<p>As economical as that three-cylinder engine is, it\u2019s also a characterful motor when pushed. What it wants for in torque it makes up for in sound, emitting a noise like a rally car as it buzzes away up front. And I have to mention the gorgeous gearshift: it slots so smoothly into each gear, and the pedals are perfectly spaced for some heel-and-toe action.<\/p>\n<p>The wheel-at-each-corner layout helps the car to be nimble, with amazing turn-in ability. It makes you feel like Fran\u00e7ois Delecour on a Tarmac rally stage and serves as a reminder of how great the small,\u00a0light hatchback can be, bringing to mind classics such as the Peugeot 205 GTi.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"image-body-image\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-the-2025-suzuki-swift-is-the-last-great-fun-sized-hatchback-9.jpg\" width=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is where the Swift\u00a0stands above something like the similarly priced Hyundai Inster. That car is roomier inside, narrower outside and just as cheap, but it\u2019s nowhere near as much fun when you\u2019re behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s the old-school characteristics that make the Swift\u00a0so great, then it\u2019s the new regulatory features that make it not quite as good as it could be.<\/p>\n<p>In their operation, the ADAS functions are the most infuriatingly poor I\u2019ve yet to encounter, with driver detection that goes off if you look out of the window to see if a roundabout is clear, lane keeping assist that seems intent on dragging you off the road and an ear-piercing speed \u2018beep\u2019 that berates you for transgressing over the speed limit, which all too often it has read incorrectly.<\/p>\n<p>That speed setting is hidden in a menu on the central screen, too, and can\u2019t be deactivated on the move. At least the lane keeping assist can be switched off with a small button underneath the ignition switch, although it\u2019s\u00a0right next to the one for the traction control, and I\u2019ve lost count of the times I\u2019ve hit that instead.<\/p>\n<p>The central screen isn\u2019t a strong point, either. It will interrupt your Apple CarPlay session to tell you it might be cold outside by way of a 1990s-style bar notification slowly loading on the display, and if you get another interruption (usually it\u2019s for low fuel), the bar for that will load on top of the previous one, giving you two irritating distractions that need to be tapped away.<\/p>\n<p>Neither of those nitpicks can detract from the Swift\u2019s compactly proportioned greatness, though. The small hatch has life in it yet.<\/p>\n<h3>Swuzuki Swift 1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra specification<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Prices: List price new<\/strong> \u00a320,799\u00a0<strong>List price now<\/strong> \u00a320,799\u00a0<strong>Price as tested<\/strong> \u00a321,649\u00a0<strong>Options:\u00a0<\/strong>Burning Red and Super Black paint \u00a3850<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fuel consumption and range: Claimed economy<\/strong>\u00a064.2mpg <strong>Fuel tank<\/strong>\u00a037\u00a0litres <strong>Test average<\/strong>\u00a056.2mpg <strong>Test best<\/strong>\u00a061.7mpg <strong>Test worst<\/strong>\u00a052.3mpg <strong>Real-world range<\/strong> 456 miles<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tech highlights: 0-62mph\u00a0<\/strong>12.5sec <strong>Top speed<\/strong>\u00a0103mph <strong>Engine<\/strong>\u00a03cyls, 1197cc, petrol\u00a0<strong>Max power\u00a0<\/strong>81bhp at 57000rpm <strong>Max torque<\/strong> 83lb ft at 4500rpm <strong>Transmission<\/strong> 6-spd manual, FWD\u00a0<strong>Boot capacity<\/strong> 265 litres <strong>Wheels<\/strong> 16in, alloy\u00a0<strong>Tyres<\/strong> 185\/55 R16\u00a0<strong>Kerb weight<\/strong>\u00a0949kg<\/p>\n<p><strong>Service and running costs: Contract hire rate<\/strong> \u00a3205\u00a0<strong>CO2<\/strong>\u00a099g\/km <strong>Service costs<\/strong>\u00a0None\u00a0<strong>Other costs<\/strong> None\u00a0<strong>Fuel costs<\/strong> \u00a31308.69\u00a0<strong>Running costs inc fuel<\/strong> \u00a31308.69\u00a0<strong>Cost per mile<\/strong> 12 pence <strong>Faults<\/strong>\u00a0Dashboard rattle, reluctance to start<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#Back\">Back to the top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":68308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68307\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}