New Suzuki Swift: the same so special – Preview

The Suzuki Swift is in fact a compact hatchback as we used to know it. So-called B-segmenters, so compact models just above the class of city cars, were once all light and therefore quite playful types. However, most cars increase in size and weight with each generation, so we now have a Volkswagen Polo that is as big as a Golf from the 90s and also drives more mature. Of course, Suzuki has not been sitting still, but has always remained faithful to that light, playful character with the Swift. In fact, the current Swift, which was launched in 2015, is lighter and even slightly smaller than its predecessor. That earns him a lot of loyal fans, also in the editors. The Swift is a wonderfully down-to-earth, relatively simple and fun-driving car, whose drawbacks we like to offset against the low consumption, reliability and favorable price tag. It seems that Suzuki knows how to translate these properties into the new model, which will probably see the light of day sometime next year.

visor shape

In any case, the Swift remains true to itself when it comes to appearance. The ‘renders’ shown here are based on espionage images from last summer and thus broadly show the final product. These broad lines are again not too much tinkered with. With this, for the fourth time, we are presented with a Swift with a ‘visor shape’ of the passenger cabin, with a fairly upright windscreen and a short, blunt nose. Compared to the direct predecessor, the new Swift will be a bit tighter, with more straight folds and sharp corners. The black ‘lane’ through the rear window pillar disappears, just like the door handle incorporated therein. Instead, the Swift just gets four visible door handles again, so it no longer seems ashamed of its ever-present rear doors.

Suzuki Swift (Illustration: Larson)

At the front we also find something interesting: a ‘clamshell’ bonnet. The hood, as it were, wraps around the nose and cuts deep into the front fenders. Under the hood are new, sleeker headlights, standard equipped with LED technology. The grille is of course also slightly different than now, but not revolutionary. This keeps it fairly high, so that the license plate can also be mounted within the contours of the cooling opening. At the back, it’s all ‘evolution’ that counts. The vertical taillights and number plate placed in the bumper may remain, but everything is simply just that little bit tighter, sharper and more modern.

On a technical level, we do not expect any major landslides with the arrival of the new Swift. You don’t have to, because with the current line-up, Suzuki already has quite a bit of control over CO2 emissions. This is partly due to the collaboration with Toyota, which resulted in the hybrid Swace and plug-in hybrid Across, but also due to the in-house developed (mild) hybrid technology. In combination with a low weight, which fluctuates around a thousand kilograms in the current generation, this currently yields a theoretical consumption of 1 in 20 for the Swift. In practice, that magical value is fairly easy to approach, we know from experience. For the new Swift, we are counting on a perhaps somewhat further developed version of the 1.2 Smart Hybrid engine launched in 2020. The in-house developed full-hybrid powertrain, with a four-cylinder 1.5 and 115 hp, may also find its way to the Swift.

Loyal Suzuki Swift customers

The four-wheel drive Allgrip version, which is unique in this segment, will undoubtedly continue to exist. For the Netherlands, such an integrally driven version is not particularly interesting, but in the Alpine countries Suzuki can count on a loyal customer base because of this powertrain. The Swift Sport also returns. As a not-too-fast, but very entertaining car, the extra sporty Suzuki Swift is now a household name in car land and a logical choice for those who want (somewhat) affordable sportiness. In that area too, the range is now rather limited, and the nice ‘normal’ Swift is therefore very special.