Suzuki Swift 2012 Review

They don't follow through with this philosophy as much with their cars but in the new Swift Sport you can see the link.

It spins out to 7500rpm for starters, has a close ratio short shift manual gearbox and now, features more weight saving technology such as the "hollow" lightweight alloy wheels.

As it stands, the new Swift Sport, at 1060kg is quite svelte compared to five door competitors. And it shows in the drive feel and agile handling delivered by this cheeky looking customer.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

At $23,990, Suzuki Swift Sport is a fair old hike up on the $15,990 get-go for garden variety Swift GA but the cars are like chalk and cheese.

It has a range of "go-fast" bits attached to the body - front, side and rear skirts, rear spoiler and diffuser with integrated dual wide-spaced exhaust tips, striking multi-spoke 17-inch alloys and big, bixenon headlights but no LED daytime running lights.

There are seats for four and small but functional (expandable) boot space. Inside is totally in keeping with the car's intent. It looks modern, funky and functional even if there are minimal soft touch surfaces. The instruments are conventional as is the switchgear. But the sporty seats look the business and it has a sweet shifting close ratio six speed transmission along with metal faces pedals.

It gets Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, keyless entry and button start along with a chunky multi-function wheel. Suzuki has done enough inside to impart the right sporty flavour to the Sport. Safety is five star thanks in part to seven air bags and stability control.

ENGINE

The Swift Sport is something of a performance car with 100kW/160Nm from its 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine, a revised version of the previous unit. It doesn't score direct injection but does have variable valve timing and variable intake systems to boost efficiency. We saw the claimed 6.1-litres/100km but the Suzuki Swift Sport prefers premium fuel.

It would be great to have a turbo 132kW donk but realistically, Swift Sport doesn't need it. There is always the insurance issue to bear in mind with a turbo car and besides, you can drive the wheels off the little Zook and have nearly as much fun at lower (legal) speeds.

THE DRIVE

This is limited a tad by skinny tyres that lose grip too early in the fast cornering process making Sport skittish especially if the road is a bit rough. But most other dynamic aspects of the car are good with quick(ish) electric steering, strong brakes, relatively flat ride and a solid chassis featuring judicious use of high strength steel. On our favourite drive road we were looking for more from the Zook but after a reality check realised the thing was actually going at a cracking pace.

VERDICT

Hard to beat for the money. Great little city car, impressive out on the highway too. Cheeky but cute appeal in spades.

Suzuki Swift Sport 

Price: from $23,990
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Resale: 58 per cent
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety rating: five star
Spare: aerosol repair kit
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol 100kW/160Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FWD
Body: 3.9m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.5m (h)
Weight: 1060kg
Thirst: 6.5L/100km; 98 RON; 153g/km Co2