What About the Running Costs?
This is another big win for the Swift.
Thanks to that mild-hybrid system, it’s ridiculously good on fuel, and Suzuki claims you can get over 64 miles per gallon, and you know what? That actually feels achievable.
During our test drive, doing a mix of town and motorway driving, I was easily getting in the high 50s without even trying.
The Road tax is also very low as well, and it sits in a low insurance group, too, making it a properly affordable car to own.
Insurance Groups
For your insurance groups, here you have:
| Model Trim |
Engine & Drivetrain |
Insurance Group (ABI 1-50) |
| Motion |
1.2 Mild Hybrid Manual |
21 |
| Motion |
1.2 Mild Hybrid CVT Auto |
21 |
| Ultra |
1.2 Mild Hybrid Manual |
22 |
| Ultra |
1.2 Mild Hybrid CVT Auto |
22 |
| Ultra |
1.2 Mild Hybrid ALLGRIP Manual |
22 |
Insurance groups are subject to change and can vary based on individual circumstances and the insurer, and data is for guidance only.
Warranty and Aftercare
Buying a new car is a big deal, but Suzuki includes a few nice extras to make owning the Swift completely hassle-free, which we really liked.
For instance, here you get:
Up to 7 Years Warranty
Every new Swift gets a standard warranty for the first 3 years or 60,000 miles.
But the clever bit is, if you get your car serviced at a Suzuki dealer each year, they'll keep extending the warranty for free, all the way up to 7 years or 100,000 miles.
That’s a brilliant bit of long-term reassurance.
Free 12 Months Breakdown Cover
To make sure you're never left stranded, Suzuki throws in a full year of roadside assistance when you buy a new car.
It’s nice to know that help is just a phone call away if you ever need it.
Free 2,000-Mile Health Check
Once you’ve driven your new Swift for a couple of thousand miles and everything has settled in, you can book it for a free health check at your local dealer.
They'll just give it a once-over to make sure everything is running perfectly.
Free Accident Aftercare
If you're unlucky enough to have a bit of a prang, Suzuki will handle all the boring stuff for you.
They’ll manage the insurance claim and make sure your car is repaired properly, and it doesn't matter who you're insured with or whose fault it was.
Reliability
The Swift has been in production for an insane 40 years. As a result, it's seen as being highly reliable.
Over this time period, it has also won hundreds of awards, with many of these factoring this in as well, with some of these consisting of:
- Most Reliable Brand Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2021
- Most Reliable Small Car (2010-2017 model) Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2023
- Top Reliability Ranking for a Small Car (2017-present model) Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2022
- Most Reliable Car Brand Award at the Which? Car Guide 2021
- Best Car Brand for Reliability Award at the Honest John Satisfaction Index 2020
- Top 3 Most Reliable Brand Award at the Telegraph Motoring Reliability Survey 2018
- Most Reliable Small Car Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2020
- Best Value New Car Award (citing reliability) at the What Car? Awards 2019
- Top Reliability Ranking Award at the Driver Power Survey 2019
- Most Reliable Budget Car Award at the Honest John Awards 2018
- Top 5 Most Reliable Brand Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2019
- Most Reliable City and Small Car Award at the Which? Car Survey 2022
- Brand Reliability Award (Second Place) at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2023
- Most Trusted Brand (Small Cars) Award at the Honest John Satisfaction Index 2021
- Fewest Faults (Small Car Category) Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2018
- Best Used Small Car for Reliability Award at the What Car? Used Car Awards 2022
- Top 10 Most Reliable Car Award at the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2020
- Exceptional Reliability Score (98.1%) Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2023
- Top Brand for Low Repair Costs Award at the What Car? Reliability Survey 2021
- Most Recommended for Reliability by Owners Award at the Honest John Awards 2019
40 Years of the Swift, With A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
It's hard to believe, but the Swift has been with us for four decades now.
Here’s how it got to where it is today.
The 80s Original (1983-1989)
This is where it all began.
It wasn't even called a Swift in Japan (it was the Suzuki Cultus), but this was the car that came to Europe as the first-generation Swift.
At the time, it was a simple, boxy little hatchback that was cheap to buy and run, and it even spawned a nippy GTi version - which became a bit of a cult classic.
The Long Runner (1989-2003)
The second-generation Swift then came around in 1989 and had a much more rounded, modern look to it than its prior generation.
This model was also a massive success and was produced for over 13 years, with it selling around 70K cars in the UK.
As a result, it was a familiar sight on British roads, and it really cemented Suzuki's reputation for making dependable and affordable small cars as well.
The Game Changer (2004-2010)
This is the one most people remember as the 'first' modern Swift.
Here, Suzuki completely redesigned it for European tastes, in our view, as it was chunkier, more stylish, and a lot more fun to drive.
Due to this, this was the model that really started winning awards and put the Swift on the map as a serious rival to cars like the Ford Fiesta as well.
The Grown-Up Swift (2010-2017)
The fourth version wasn't a massive change on the outside, but it was bigger, safer, and more refined.
As a result, it felt more like a 'big' car to drive, but it had more efficient engines and more tech inside, showing that the Swift was growing with its customers as well.
The Lightweight Hybrid (2017-2023)
Suzuki put the Swift on a diet for the prior generation, using a new, lighter platform, which made it even more agile and fun to drive as a result.
This was also when mild-hybrid technology became standard as well, making it one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars you could buy as a direct result, and it was packed with safety kit, too.
That brings us to the latest generation.
Weights & Dimensions
For your weights and standard dimensions, here you have:
| 1.2 MILD HYBRID (MOTION, ULTRA) |
1.2 MILD HYBRID ALLGRIP (ULTRA) |
| Overall length |
mm |
3,860 |
3,860 |
| Overall width |
mm |
1,735 |
1,735 |
| Overall height |
mm |
1,495 |
1,520 |
| Wheelbase |
mm |
2,450 |
2,450 |
| Minimum turning circle |
m |
9.6 |
9.6 |
| Ground clearance |
mm |
115 |
140 |
| Seating capacity |
Persons |
5 |
5 |
| Luggage capacity (seatback raised, VDA litres) |
litres |
265 |
265 |
| Luggage capacity (seatback folded, VDA litres) |
litres |
589 |
589 |
| Kerb weight (inc full options) |
kg |
949 |
1,037 |
| Gross vehicle weight |
kg |
1,389 |
1,441 |
| Max towing weight (braked) |
kg |
1,000 |
1,000 |
| Max towing weight (unbraked) |
kg |
400 |
400 |
| Fuel tank capacity |
litres |
37 |
37 |
So is the Suzuki Swift Right For You?
So, has Suzuki messed it up with this latest generation? Not a chance. They’ve taken everything that was great about the old Swift and made it just that little bit better in our view.
It’s still huge, fun to drive, incredibly cheap to run, and packed with all the essential kit you actually need.
It’s a simple, honest-to-goodness car that’s full of charm.
This is especially true in a world of ever-more complicated and expensive cars; the Suzuki Swift just remains a breath of fresh air, to be honest.
It’s a car that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t pretend to be anything else: a fun, honest, and brilliantly engineered Supermini that’s packed with character.
As a result, the new model builds on this legacy perfectly, adding a layer of modern technology and safety that’s truly impressive for a car in this class.
From the zippy and incredibly frugal mild-hybrid engine to the agile, smile-inducing handling, the Swift is a car that makes every journey, whether it’s a trip to the shops or a blast down a country lane, feel like an event.
Then, when you factor in the generous standard equipment, the peace of mind from the extensive safety features and warranty, and Suzuki's reputation for rock-solid reliability, the Swift isn’t just a good choice; it's an outstanding one.
So much so that we are confident to say that it will deliver on every promise it makes, offering you an unbeatable combination of low running costs, genuine driving pleasure, and everyday practicality.
So, for anyone looking for a small car that offers so much more than just getting you from A to B, the new Swift is, without a doubt, a champion for you here to consider.
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Test Drive
So why not find out in person if a Suzuki Ignis is your best car option, especially if you like what you have read and are looking for city cars for your next option? Then why not book a road test drive in one of our test cars at one of our local Suzuki dealerships near you today - and experience this small car first-hand by getting behind the wheel?
Who is Ian Grieves?
Here at Ian Grieves we are an established car dealership network located in Falkirk, Scotland, who can specialise in offering you new and used vehicles from top brands such as Jeep, Subaru, Isuzu Pick-ups, and Suzuki as well as used cars.
Founded in 1991, our business remains family-owned and is run by Ian Grieve's sons, Alastair and Adam Grieve.
Our services include vehicle sales, servicing, MOT work, and a wide range of aftersales support as well.
With a focus on customer care, Ian Grieves has earned a reputation for treating all our customers with a personalised approach, ensuring that you feel valued and supported throughout your experience as a result.
Consequently, we are proud to provide you with everything from purchasing a new car to doing small maintenance tasks, making us a very reliable choice for car buyers across central Scotland and the whole of the UK as well.