To find out if the new, turbocharged Swift Sport still offers good, simple hot hatch fun that can compete with the best in class read the CarCliq review.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Suzuki Swift Sport was one of the most hotly anticipated cars of 2018. Both of its predecessors delivered unpretentious, affordable driving thrills, so this third-generation model - lighter and more powerful than ever - would surely deliver. Wouldn’t it?
This new car is lighter than the one it replaces by 70kg – a substantial deficit brought about largely by redesigning certain suspension components and a stiffer new body, which is significantly lighter than before. It drops the Swift Sport into sub-tonne territory and gives it a 0-62mph time of 8.2sec, which looks favourable next to a combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg. Top speed, meanwhile, is 130mph. In design terms this car is still recognisably Swift but rather more hulking at the kerbside. The dimensions are largely unchanged – it’s fractionally shorter and lower than a Toyota Yaris GRMN, but wider.
Standard specification is good, with DAB radio and satellite navigation. There are also LED headlights and tail lights, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, keyless entry and a 4.2in display within the main instrument binnacle that can show boost pressure along with horsepower and torque. Sporty touches range from the 17-inch alloy wheels, to the subtle body kit and a pair of chrome tail pipes. You’re greeted inside by a pair of lovely sports seats and some red flashes of trim to distract you from scratchy, flimsy plastics.
Despite the unremarkable character of the engine out on the road the Suzuki Swift Sport remains an enjoyably honest thing to drive with commitment. Suzuki has redesigned the rear to reduce roll and improve stability but this is still a car that likes to pitch into rather a deep squat given the opportunity. It feels natural to turn in late and hard before relinquishing either plenty of brake or throttle. You’re then met with impressive front grip, which allows you to carry a higher gear through most corners and let the torque, which has relatively little weight to fight against, sling you out the other side.
The Suzuki Swift Sport continues to be a solid “every-day” car. A night-time drive reveals just how bright and clear the LED headlights are; a quality that would’ve been unthinkable on any supermini barely five years ago. But large C-pillars hamper rearward visibility, and there aren’t any parking sensors to compensate. It does have a reversing camera, although its position in the number plate housing means that when water drips off the bumper, you can’t see where you’re going. In the end, the Swift Sport remains a fine little drivers’ car, but it’s no longer quite the cheerful, good value proposition it once was being more expensive than some rivals.
Pros ‘n’ Cons
- Styling √
- Interior Features √
- Performance √
- Price X
- Driving Position X
Fast Facts
- Max speed: 130 mph
- 0-62 mph: 8.2 seconds
- Combined mpg: 50.4
- Engine layout: 1.4L 4 Cylinder Turbo
- Max. power: 138bhp
- CO2: 125 g/km
- Price: £18,499
Enjoyed our Suzuki Swift Sport review? Let us know your own thoughts on the latest version of the car.
Alternatively, read CarCliq’s review of the Swift Sport 2018 model here.
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