Buying guide Suzuki Swift 2010-2017: reliability and fun come together in a sensible used car

The Swift is Suzuki’s bestseller worldwide, partly due to its timeless design and partly due to its almost legendary reliability. Only five generations have appeared since 1983, when it was introduced as SA310; the second was in production for no less than sixteen years. With the third batch, Suzuki thoroughly adjusted the design by calling in the help of the Italian Vercar model Saro. This design studio undoubtedly looked at the design of the New Mini with a keen eye. In the Netherlands, strangely enough, this hardly translates into high sales numbers for this generation of Swift: annual registrations have even gradually decreased since 2010, from about 4,000 to barely 1,500 units six years later. Fortunately, there are more than enough used copies for sale, often imported from abroad.

This is an S-Edition, which was a promotional model in 2014.

Always a 1.2, unless you run into a Sport

For the Koopwijzer we test drive a 1.2 S-Edition EASSS from 2014, the fourth generation Swift, which is internally called FZ/NZ. It looks exactly like its predecessor, but has been largely newly developed and rolls off the production line in Hungary. You can’t tell that it’s a bit bigger. It has a 5 centimeter longer wheelbase and a 9 centimeter longer body. Suzuki, on the other hand, has managed to reduce the weight. It is available again in this generation as a three- and five-door. You also have a choice of naturally aspirated 1.2 and 1.6 petrol engines. The 1.6 is only available in the Sport version, with skirts and fender flares, 17-inch alloys, a roof spoiler and two thick exhaust tips.

You could also get this Swift as a three-door, but a five-door is of course more convenient.

Diesel was only available for a short time, not in used cars

The Swift has also been available with a modern 1.3-liter DDiS diesel engine. Due to a lack of interest, it was canceled quite quickly. We don’t see one from this generation for sale as a used car. Most Swifts offered have a five-speed gearbox; a six-speed gearbox is only available on the Sport. The automatic transmission is an old-fashioned four-speed gearbox. Air conditioning is standard from the Comfort version.

The facelift came in 2014

If your budget is a bit more generous, you could also consider the Swift from after the factory holiday of 2014, recognizable by the LED daytime running lights, a different grille, clignoteurs in the exterior mirror housings and differently designed rear lights. It also has the new 1.2 Dual Jet engine. Although it produces 4 hp less, it offers higher torque at a lower speed, as well as lower consumption. If you value connectivity and navigation, Suzuki is the wrong place for you. Aftermarket solutions have been created for this purpose. Suzuki prides itself on keeping the length under four meters and the weight at a maximum of 1,000 kilos. Driving pleasure is also central to the 90 hp 1.2 Dual Jet engine. The naturally aspirated power source is not overly smooth. On the highway it turns no less than 3,800 rpm at 130 km/h. Fortunately, the five-speed gearbox shifts accurately. That was different in the previous model; Things were a lot more choppy there.

Interior sensitive to scratches

Suzuki knows how to mix suspension comfort and sportiness excellently. The steering is nice and direct and the seating comfort is good. And surprisingly: the noise level is pleasantly low. The compactness of the Swift comes at the expense of luggage space. With the back seat in use, this is barely sufficient for one crate. Fortunately, you can fold down the rear seat backrest in parts. The comparison with the New Mini is obvious in several areas, but this does not include the interior with its hard plastic surfaces. It is all well finished, but lacks the atmosphere of the German Brit. Don’t be surprised if you hear a creak every now and then. The inside is also sensitive to scratches. Something to pay attention to during your inspection, because it says something about how the previous owner handled his or her Swift.

Fourth generation: no more rust

Our photo model, the promotional model S-Edition EASSS, is number 54 of 275. It is from after the facelift and delivered new at the end of August 2014 by former Suzuki dealer and current Vakgarage Schaap in Beesd. The owners faithfully brought him there for his innings and he recently returned to base. We see no surprises on the bridge near the Vakgarage. While previous generations were sometimes plagued by rust and mechanical discomfort, Suzuki put an end to that with the fourth Swift.

Also pay attention to the steering and ball joints, the CV joint boots, the stabilizer bar and the brake hoses.

Pay attention to these things with the chassis

This Swift is damage-free, as can be seen from the intact beams of the crumple zone and the spotless floor of the trunk. The sills are also free of damage. These are important points to pay attention to. When it stands on the bridge, we see a slightly sweating crankcase as the only blemish on its coat of arms, something that this model generation has or will have to deal with. Not really bad. Also pay attention to the steering and ball joints, the CV joint covers, the stabilizer bar and the brake hoses if you have an older Swift in your sights. It is possible that creaking noises may be heard, so turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times during the test drive. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to check the thickness of the brake discs. You don’t have to budget for an exhaust: even this eight-year-old system looks impeccable. You will rarely find Suzukis broken down on the roadside. This applies in particular to the Swift. If it ever happens, the plug on the fuel pump (located under the rear seat) is often to blame.

Gearbox and clutch deserve a thorough check.

Some recalls

On Suzuki’s website you will come across a number of recalls: for example, Swifts of various years of manufacture were eligible for new brake calipers, water pump pulley bolts and bolts in the rear suspension. However, worn clutches still occur and the transmissions of the 1.6 Sport more often have synchromesh problems. That’s it for this Japanese man.

Swift is a risk-free used car purchase

The Swift is a popular used car in the busy B-segment. The low operating costs, as well as the low depreciation, are striking. For an eight-year-old Swift with an average number of kilometers you pay between €8,000 and €10,000 or even more. That says a lot about the quality. Suzuki has also been wise to keep the Swift as technically simple as possible. A note about imported Swifts: check the attached invoices, foreign inspection reports such as from the German TÜV and the service booklets to ensure that the mileage is correct. We regard a well-maintained, damage-free Swift as an almost risk-free purchase.