Name: Suzuki Swace (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Suzuki Swace
Rating: 60

Summary

Not heard of the Suzuki Swace? Well you probably have – sort of – as this family estate is basically a Toyota Corolla estate with the badges making way for Suzuki ones.

It’s all part of a major collaboration between the two Japanese brands – using Toyota’s established hybrid technology is an economical way for Suzuki to meet increasingly stringent European emissions regulations, and the Swace is just one of several planned joint efforts.

What you get is a practical, spacious hatchback with a 120hp petrol-electric drivetrain, which means good official CO₂ emissions of 103g/km and 60+mg fuel economy – good news for tax-challenged company car drivers.

However, reviewers note that the car returns its best figures on urban routes with lots of speed changes – at motorway speeds the engine struggles and economy suffers. Also, those choosing Suzuki over Toyota don’t get the 180hp hybrid option that Corolla buyers do.

Paradoxically, motorway driving is best for comfort – the Swace offers refined progress with excellent ride quality. More challenging roads expose the insipid steering and the strangled performance of the engine.

Reviewers also highlight the decent specification of the Suzuki. There are only two trim levels to choose from but even the base model includes an eight-inch touchscreen, rear parking camera, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel.

As of January 2024, the Suzuki Swace currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 60%. Surprisingly, that score is a huge eleven points behind the Corolla on which the Swace is based.

More Suzuki ratings, reviews, news and features

Swace highlights

Good fuel economy and low CO₂ figures
Extensive equipment as standard
Plenty of space
Comfortable and refined, especially in electric mode
Proven Toyota reliability

Swace lowlights

Insipid petrol engine performance
Poor motorway economy
Lacklustre steering
Transmission whines under hard acceleration
Toyota’s own version offers much more choice

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized estate
Powertrain: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £24,499 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: N/A
Update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid Ultra
Score: 7 / 10
“In a competitive estate market, the Suzuki Swace struggles to stand out – especially against the Toyota Corolla it was cloned from – but it’s still a well-equipped pick.”
Author: Trinity Francis
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Corolla-based Suzuki Swace still isn’t brimming with character, but these mid-life updates are a welcome improvement. For a small price increase over the old model, there’s more performance and technology, making it a competitive entrant to the estate car sector.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace has genuine family car credentials, but could struggle to stand out among its talented rivals.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is a practical, comfortable and competitively priced hybrid estate car perfect for families who don’t want a crossover or SUV.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: 1.8 Hybrid Ultra
Score: 7 / 10
“Badge-engineered Suzuki Swace hybrid wagon gets an overhauled petrol-electric powertrain and extra standard equipment. It’s a functional, easy-driving, practical compact estate that offers economical family motoring that can be absolutely depended upon to simply work.”
Read review

Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace hybrid wagon holds plenty of pragmatic appeal.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace comes with a less impressive infotainment set-up than the Corolla Touring Sports, but there’s little to separate them otherwise, and given the financial saving on offer we expect a decent number of drivers will consider that a sacrifice worth making.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is a practical and affordable family estate but it’s hard to see why you would buy one over the Corolla on which it’s based.” (Tom Jervis)
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
“The Suzuki Swace is efficient and just about spacious enough.”
Read review

Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid SZ5
“The most fleet-friendly Suzuki ever, with emissions of just over 100g/km, plus good practicality and kit.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid SZ5
“The Suzuki Swace is a great addition to the popular car maker’s line-up. And when you factor in the low CO2 figure with its great tax breaks to the fleet driver, along with excellent fuel economy, the Swace has plenty of all-round appeal for business and private owners alike.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Suzuki Swace is the second vehicle to be supplied (following the Across) by Toyota under a collaborative business agreement between the two companies. Highlights include a 596-litre luggage compartment and a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Suzuki’s Swace looks good for company car drivers.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed:
“The Suzuki Swace is a smart and functional hybrid estate.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is sensible and affordable.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is a comfortable, fuel-efficient, well-equipped choice in this class.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

In theory, the Suzuki Swace should carry a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP as it’s simply a rebadged Toyota Corolla, which scored a five-star rating back in 2019. However, Euro NCAP’s rating does not currently apply to the Swace.

This may be an administrative delay, or it may be that Suzuki has not provided evidence to Euro NCAP to show that the changes made from the original Corolla design would make no difference to its rating. If Euro NCAP issues a safety rating for the Swace, we will publish the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Suzuki Swace has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP, and neither has the Toyota Corolla upon which it’s based.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Suzuki Swace to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Swace, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	64 mpg	A	64 – 64 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	103 g/km	A	103 – 103 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F	16 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£186	A
Year 2	£499	A
Year 3	£834	B
Year 4	£997	A
Year 5	£1,345	A
Overall	£3,861	A

The Suzuki Swace is a rather mixed bag when it comes to running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The car is quite efficient, and with a average of 64 mpg it is likely to save you a few pounds at the pumps. The car’s predicted servicing and maintenance costs are pretty manageable too, but its insurance premiums are surprisingly high.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Swace has received

2021

Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Hybrid

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Suzuki Swace, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The Swace faces many big-name rivals, not least its inspiration, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. The Ford Focus Estate is perhaps the top choice, but Kia’s Ceed Sportswagon and the Hyundai i30 Tourer score highly, as does the larger Skoda Octavia Estate.