John Murdoch’s Drive Time: Behind the Wheel of the New Suzuki Swift
In this segment of Drive Time, John Murdoch takes a closer look at the Suzuki Swift supermini, highlighting its stylish design, comfort, spacious interior, and fuel efficiency. The Suzuki Swift has been a flagship model for the company for four decades, and the latest fourth-generation model has elevated the car to new heights with its sleek appearance, improved technology, and impressive fuel economy. As some brands shift their focus to electric vehicles, the Swift stands out for drivers who prefer traditional combustion engines. With a frugal 1.2-litre mild hybrid powerplant, the Swift offers a practical and economical driving experience.
The Suzuki Swift is available in two trims, Motion and Ultra. John Murdoch test-drove the top Ultra trim equipped with a CVT automatic gearbox, priced at £21,549. The Swift’s three-cylinder mild hybrid engine delivers excellent fuel efficiency, with an official Combined return of 60.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 106g/km for the CVT model. The car’s modern exterior features blacked-out pillars, signature lamps, and a refined grille, while the interior boasts comfortable seats, a nine-inch infotainment display, and a range of standard features including 16-inch alloys, sat nav, rearview camera, and more.
Safety is paramount in the Swift, with advanced features such as a blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. Despite its compact size, the Swift offers a fun and engaging driving experience, with a solid feel on motorways and nimble handling on country roads. With a focus on practicality, the Swift’s 265-litre boot space can be expanded by folding the rear seats for larger loads. Suzuki Connect services are complimentary for three years, and the car comes with a Service Activated Warranty after the manufacturer warranty expires.
In addition to the Suzuki Swift, Toyota is gearing up to enhance its Yaris range for 2025, introducing new colours, options, and updates to the popular supermini. With over 10 million global sales, the Toyota Yaris is known for its ‘big car’ features in a compact package. The 2025 Yaris will offer new colour options, redesigned alloy wheels, and interior enhancements to the GR Sport grade. The car will continue to feature a hybrid system with different power outputs to cater to diverse customer needs, along with advanced safety and multimedia systems for a modern driving experience.
Overall, the Suzuki Swift and the upcoming Toyota Yaris exemplify the commitment of automakers to deliver practical, efficient, and stylish cars that meet the evolving needs of drivers. With a focus on innovation, safety, and comfort, these superminis are setting new standards in the small car segment.
Insights and Summary:
The Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris are popular choices in the supermini segment, offering a blend of style, efficiency, and technology. Both models cater to drivers who prefer traditional combustion engines, with the Suzuki Swift featuring a frugal mild hybrid powerplant and the Toyota Yaris showcasing a dual hybrid system. With updates and enhancements for 2025, these cars continue to meet the demands of modern drivers seeking practicality and comfort in their vehicles. The focus on safety features, connectivity, and driving dynamics reflects the ongoing evolution of small car offerings in the automotive industry.