Summary
The Suzuki Swift is a compact five-door hatchback that has been on sale in the UK in different iterations since 2004. This is the latest fourth-generation version, which became available to order in the UK in Spring 2024.
Available with either pure petrol or petrol mild-hybrid engine options, the supermini has been well-received by the British motoring media so far. Car’s Seth Walton concludes that the Swift “remains cheap, well-equipped and is more efficient than ever.”
As of January 2025, the Suzuki Siwft holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 68%. Its rather average UK review scores are bolstered by a good eco rating and lower-than-average running costs.
- Suzuki Swift (2017 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Suzuki Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Swift highlights
- Class-leading petrol fuel economy
- Neat handling
- Well-equipped as standard
Swift lowlights
- Rather firm ride quality
- Some cheap interior plastics
- Rivals are more spacious
Key specifications
Body style: Small hatchback
Engines: petrol, petrol mild-hybrid
Price: From £18,699 on-road
Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Ultra
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Practical, more fun than one might expect and with loads of equipment, the new Suzuki Swift is a bit of a gem – although one that’s dulled by a disappointing set of safety scores.”
Author: Andrew Charman
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is a value champion in a slowly shrinking class. It feels built to a price in a way the MG3 doesn’t, but the trade-off is a lightweight construction that provides agile handling and rock-bottom fuel costs. The Swift won’t suit everyone, but if you’re not yet ready to go electric, this car provides an affordable, familiar and honest entry into the small-car market.”
Author: Richard Ingram, Max Adams
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With more bulbous curves, it may not look as dainty as its predecessor, but the new Swift remains similarly proportioned. It’s now packed with the latest safety features, making it great value for money too.”
Author: Catherine King
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Motion
“Suzuki seizes small car opportunity with the all-new fourth-generation Swift, which is good enough to take on the best.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Yes, the interior is a little harsh to the touch and the boot a little small, but the new Swift remains cheap, well-equipped and is more efficient than ever. Crucially, it feels like a light, nimble thing that reminds us that you don’t even need 100hp to have a jolly good time.”
Author: Seth Walton
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift offers affordable mild-hybrid motoring, and lots of equipment for the price.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Ellis Hyde
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is an affordable, economical and well-equipped small car which is good to drive, although it does feel pretty low-rent inside.”
Author: Jamie Edkins
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Ultra
“In Ultra trim, the Suzuki Swift is not lacking in equipment, and nor does it come with a penalty at the fuel pump. Even with some keen drives on wending country roads to make the most of the Swift’s agility, it has returned 61.1mpg (compared to an official 64.2mpg). It’s not quite as refined as a Volkswagen Polo, but the Swift is cost-effective, fun and makes a resoundingly good case for picking a supermini over the phalanx of small crossovers.”
Author: Alisdair Suttie
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Characterful little hatch is packed with kit”
Author: Andy Brady
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The fourth-generation Suzuki Swift comes with an all-new petrol engine with improved fuel efficiency, and a more stylish interior design. Standard kit is good, and suspension and steering tweaks make it more fun to drive, too.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“More polished Swift a hoot to drive”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual Motion
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is reliable, cheap to buy, cheap to run, good value and generally slick to drive, then. So if you are one of those 250,000 people wondering what to replace your now-extinct small car with, you may have to wonder no more.”
Author: Alex Robbins
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual
Score: 6 / 10
“Suzuki reckons it can steal small car sales now that others are backing out of the game. New Swift is a refreshingly simple choice if you get past the looks.”
Author: Greg Potts
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: July 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 67%
Child protection: 65%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 62%
The Suzuki Swift was assessed by Euro NCAP in July 2024 and scored a disappointing three-star rating.
Scores for adult protection, child protection and accident avoidance (safety assist) were all below the results of rival small cars. Protection for vulnerable road users (ie – pedestrians and cyclists) was good, however.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Suzuki Swift to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the new Swift, we’ll publish the results here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 61 mpg | A | 58 – 64 mpg | A – B |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 104 g/km | A | 99 – 111 g/km | A – A |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 20 | A | – | A – A |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £152 | A |
Year 2 | £451 | A |
Year 3 | £689 | A |
Year 4 | £895 | A |
Year 5 | £1,278 | A |
Overall | £3,465 | A |
The Suzuki Swift is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Only available with a petrol powertrain, the Swift is very efficient, its average fuel consumption of 61mpg (ranging from 58 to 64mpg) matching many hybridised cars of this size. It’s insurance bracket is on the cheap side too.
The Swift’s estimated servicing and maintenance costs are also excellent, pretty much costing the same as its predecessor over the first five years of ownership.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Suzuki Swift, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Honda Jazz | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | Mini Cooper | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
- Suzuki Swift (2017 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Suzuki Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Suzuki Swift at The Car Expert
Buy a Suzuki Swift
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Lease a Suzuki Swift
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