SUZUKI SWIFT (2011 – 2017)

By Jonathan Crouch

Models Covered

3dr/5dr hatch (Petrol – 1.2 94PS / 1.2 Dualjet 90PS / 1.6 134PS) (Diesel 1.3 75PS)

Introduction

With the third generation version of its Swift supermini, launched in 2010 and sold until 2017, Suzuki stayed true to the design of successful earlier versions. That shouldn’t distract potential buyers from the fact that this was a hugely improved small car, with low running costs and great driving dynamics. Used car buyers looking for a Fiesta-class supermini from this era should consider it.

The History

Buying a car from a budget brand isn’t usually something anyone does by choice. But the cost savings over more familiar options are often hard to ignore, especially when it comes to superminis. So what if you could pay budget brand prices, yet get mainstream quality? That’s exactly the proposition the third generation version of Suzuki’s Swift supermini aimed to serve up. Its predecessor was certainly convincing in this way, selling over 1.8 million examples in its six years on sale before the MK3 model we’re looking at here arrived in 2010.

That old MK2 car had an almost MINI or Fiat 500-like cheekiness that Suzuki wanted to keep, one reason why visual changes to the third generation model were pretty minimal. Evolution, nor revolution, was the approach taken here, even though virtually everything under the skin was different. So instead of a shiny new shape for the sake of it, buyers got a larger cabin, cleaner more frugal engines and smarter safety. All for a useful chunk less than they’d pay for a comparable Corsa or Fiesta. Early on in this design’s model life, a 1.3litre diesel version was offered but that was later discontinued. In 2012, Suzuki launched the Swift Sport 1.6-litre petrol hot hatch version, initially in three-door form and later in five-door guise. The MK3 Swift was eventually replaced by a new-generation model in the Spring of 2017. Does it all stack up and make this car a good used buy? Let’s find out.

What To Look For

Not much goes wrong with a MK3 model Swift. Most of the issues we did come across in our ownership survey related to gearbox issues. A number of owners experienced problems in selecting either first or second gear when the engine was cold, so look out for that on your test drive. There have also been some reported problems with the clutch pedal too; apparently, on some cars, it refuses to come back up properly once depressed. One owner also said the gearbox was noisy when the clutch was depressed.

Otherwise, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about. Look out for the usual kerbed alloy wheels and signs of child damage in the back. And favour cars that have a properly stamped-up service history.

On The Road

This MK3 Swift might be hard to differentiate from the previous car from outside, but once you're behind the wheel, the changes are fairly obvious. It feels a much more grown-up, refined proposition than its predecessor. The engines aren't radically different. The diesel is the same 1.3-litre 75PS Fiat-designed unit used in the MK2 design, but for the third generation model, it was tweaked for better emissions. Most sales though, were petrol ones, initially of a 94PS 1.2-litre unit replaced in 2014 by a more efficient 90PS 1.2-litre Dualjet powerplant.

This petrol engine was smaller than the previous generation model’s equivalent 1.3-litre petrol unit, which meant that it was necessary to rev it a little bit higher than before, this powerplant doing its best work beyond 4000rpm, at which point refinement begins to suffer a little. Still, the reward for venturing into the upper rev ranges is reasonably rapid performance for a car of this class: the 0-60mph sprint takes 12.2s and the top speed is 103mph. But it isn’t figures like these that define the driving experience that this car offers. Its short, wide footprint and stiffer bodyshell provide a good chassis balance that along with strong grip, effective body control and powerful brakes, mean that this is one of those small cars you can actually really enjoy throwing about the lanes in a non-licence-threatening way, should the need or the mood take you.

It has to be said though that the typical Swift age demographic doesn’t always suggest a set of buyers likely to want to do that on a regular basis. So for them, there’s a solid feel guaranteed by this car’s substantial platform. You also get a decent quality of ride and light steering that, though not as feelsome as what went before, is easier to work with around town. These things are always a compromise aren’t they? Urban-based motorists were offered a 4-speed automatic option, while at the other end of the scale, for those who really do want more of a hot hatch experience – or at least a warm hatch one – Suzuki offered a 125PS 1.6-litre three-door Sport model.

Overall

This MK3 model Swift turned out to be a more grown-up supermini proposition – and a much more competitive alternative in its class. You come away from a drive in one thinking that Suzuki deserves a higher profile than it currently enjoys in the UK – but maybe that’s the way Swift owners like it.

This isn’t a supermini that most of those who’ll settle for a used Fiesta or a Corsa from this era will ever consider. But it’s an alternative they should have tried before signing on the dotted line. Here’s an affordable car that doesn’t feel like one. And a well kept secret that doesn’t deserve to remain that way.