Summary
The Suzuki Swift is a supermini-class small hatchback. The current model was launched in the UK in 2017. There is a performance model called the Swift Sport that sites above the regular Swift range.
The Suzuki Swift has received a wider range of review scores from the UK motoring media than most cars, ranging from ‘Don’t Buy’ recommendations from some media sources to outstanding results from others. The poorer reviews are largely due to the Swift’s relatively poor three-star safety rating in standard form (four stars for the top-spec SZ5 model) when many rival cars have five-star safety ratings.
In its 2020 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the Suzuki Swift equal fourth (with the Hyundai i20) on its list of the most reliable small cars. In 2021, the Swift improved to third place.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol only
Price: From £15,499 on-road
Launched: Spring 2017
Last updated: Autumn 2020
Replacement 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: (range review)
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Aside from a less than stellar touchscreen infotainment system, the Suzuki Swift is an impressive package.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift isn’t without appeal. Unless you need the extra reassurance of 4WD, the SZ5 ALLGRIP model is hard to justify. Lower down the range, the small dimensions and perky chassis give the Swift old-school charm, but sadly the hard plastics and firm and noisy ride also feel a bit yesteryear.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift offers a decent drive and reasonable practicality, although rivals are more refined.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2 Attitude Dualjet MT
Score: 7 / 10
“The Attitude trim level injects a little sporty style into the Suzuki Swift range without any extra expense.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual SZ5 4WD
Score: 6 / 10
“In lower forms, especially the new SZ-L grade, the Suzuki Swift continues to make sense in a world where even the Ford Fiesta costs nearly £17,000 in its most accessible form. At nearly £19,000, however, this SZ5 model is less justifiable.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2 Dualjet Attitude
“Suzuki Swift Attitude gets a sporty exterior and rev-happy 1.2-litre naturally aspirated motor.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“On its obvious merits, the Suzuki Swift offers impressive value for money, to the point where it embarrasses some of the big-name competition. But it has bettered none of them in old-fashioned, good-to-drive desirability – and that registers as something of an anticlimax.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Swift SZ5 Hybrid Dualjet 4W
Score: 7 / 10
“While the four-wheel drive version has little more than niche appeal, regular two-wheel drive models look worth considering for fleets on a budget, at the expense of some perceived quality and practicality.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Attitude
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift Attitude is not really built for speed or power, despite looking pretty sporty. But we think a sporty car without the sporty running costs could make people at this level on the company car ladder feel rather happier than a typical economy model.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5 AllGrip
Score: 7 / 10
“This isn’t the version of the Suzuki Swift we’d buy. The small handling benefit of the AllGrip system doesn’t outweigh the compromises on price and running costs, and we’d probably opt for the 1.0-litre BoosterJet too as it’s a more characterful all-round engine.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Whether the Suzuki Swift has sufficient qualities to attract the customers Suzuki’s seriously ambitious sales targets demand, we’ll have to wait and see, but this version is certainly a good evolution of an already successful and appealing car.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The latest Suzuki Swift builds on its predecessor’s appeal, but can’t topple the supermini class leaders.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is a small hatchback with some economical engines and a surprisingly roomy interior but alternatives are more comfortable to drive and come with more equipment.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Latest supermini is an accomplished Fiesta alternative – and whets the appetite for the Swift Sport”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual SZ5
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is a compact, lightweight and fun to drive supermini, it also has a mild hybrid system and all-wheel drive, making it rather unique.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift isn’t perfect, with a small boot, an unsettled ride, high insurance costs and an iffy safety record. However, it’s a very likeable car thanks to its funky styling, thrill-a-minute handling and rev-hungry engines, and there’s much more to like besides. Utterly charming.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is easily one of the best small hatchbacks around. Forgive some slightly cheap-looking interior plastics and a slightly small boot and there’s really nothing else to pick fault with – the driving experience, running costs, price, and equipment levels make it a superb buy.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre Boosterjet petrol automatic
“Happily, the latest Suzuki Swift is every bit as good as the previous Swift and then some. Steering, handling, agility and the sheer joy of driving it beat every other car the same size, including Fiestas, Mazda 2s and Minis.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Fun-to-drive alternative to the mainstream offerings”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is a well-equipped car with an excellent 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. True, the boot is still smaller than you’ll find in rivals, but it is not the deal-breaker it once was. If you value a fun drive and can live with the firmer than average ride, it’s well worth considering.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Suzuki’s funkiest product has had the funk dialled down a bit by newly pragmatic hybrid versions.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift has tidy handling and a strong turbo engine, but its ride and interior quality are a little disappointing.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Suzuki Swift is easy and fun to drive. Owners who want lots of room should look elsewhere, as luggage space is tight. The updated model benefits from autonomous emergency braking as standard across the range, meaning this model can now be recommended.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: May 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 75%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 25%
Note on safety rating
The Suzuki Swift received a three-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in standard specification, which in the UK applies to the Swift SZ3 and SZ-T models. The top-spec SZ5 model gets additional safety equipment included, which bumps it up to a four-star rating.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2023, the Suzuki Swift has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 23
Average repair cost: £138.68
Last updated: January 2023
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Suzuki Swift has a reliability score that’s higher than average, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation Swift and the previous (pre-2017) versions.
Faults are reportedly cheap to fix across the board for Swift owners, with engine, suspension and braking system repairs being the most common.
If you’re looking at a used Suzuki Swift, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Swift has received
2019
- Honest John Awards – Real MPG Car of the Year
2017
- Scottish Car of The Year Awards – Eco Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Suzuki Swift, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Ford Fiesta | Honda Jazz | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | MG 3 | Mini hatch | Mitsubishi Mirage | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Suzuki Swift at The Car Expert
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