1984 Suzuki Swift Reviews

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 EQUIPMENTAt $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.ENGINEThe 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 DRIVEThis 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.VERDICTHard 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 $23,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale: 58 per centService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: aerosol repair kitEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol 100kW/160NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; FWDBody: 3.9m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.5m (h)Weight: 1060kgThirst: 6.5L/100km; 98 RON; 153g/km Co2 

There are pretenders in life and cars are no different - some have the looks but no talent to back it up. The Swift Sport is not one of these charlatans and just because the Sport dwells below $30,000 doesn't mean there's no fun to be had.Suzuki's updated Swift Sport follows a well-worn hot-hatch formula that in some ways the brand was key in creating  - little car, slightly bigger engine - to provide plenty of frugal fun.VALUEThe Swift is not quite Suzuki's bargain basement model (there's the Alto below it) but it has always carried a sharp pricetag and for what you get the Sport is no different. It's great value, sporting a subtle bodykit and sports interior trim to differentiate it from the cooking models.The features list also includes Bluetooth phone link as well as music streaming, a USB input for the six-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped reach'n'rake adjustable sports steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, sports pedals, a trip computer, bi-xenon headlights, single-zone climate control, fog lights and 17in allow wheels, but no spare tyre, rain-sensing wipers or automatic headlights.TECHNOLOGYNeither car is at the cutting edge of the automotive technology envelope, but the powerplant is not an old boat anchor either. The little 100kW/160Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder - a development of the superseded engine - has variable intake valve timing and lift, as well as a variable intake manifold set-up.The Sport's powerplant also boasts smoother intake ports, revised variable valve opening times and a larger valve lift on the intake side, as well as a variable intake system. It is teamed with a six-speed manual (as fitted to the test car) or a continuously-variable transmission with a seven-speed sport mode.The claimed fuel use - it needs 95RON PULP - is 6.5l/100km for the manual or 6.1 for the CVT, but according to the trip computer we matched the CVT's figure in the six-speed manual during our time in the car.DESIGNThe exterior is evolutionary - there's no chance of it being mistaken for anything other than a Swift - and that's not a bad thing. This little car has an honest charm about it, with a sporting theme supplied by the neat but low-key bodykit.The overall length is up 120mm to 3890mm, with 50mm of that addition in wheelbase growth, and wider front and rear tracks, but with 30kg lopped from the kerb weight. At 1510mm it's quite tall for a baby hatch, which explains why it's easier at 191cm for me to get comfy behind the wheel, although getting in and out is a little tighter than first expected.Cabin space is enough for two adults and two kids to get from A to B without complaint, although the boot isn't huge. It does have a split-level hidden section, which is handy in some ways but it's easy to forget you've stashed something there. In its least-voluminous guise, the boot claims just 210 litres of space, rising to 900 litres if you drop the rear seat backrests and load it up.SAFETYIt might be little but the Swift Sport does have a solid feel to it, as well as packing a safety features list that boasts traction and stability control. There's also anti-lock brakes and seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain and a driver's knee) - enough for it to wear a five-star ANCAP crash testing rating.DRIVINGAn honest little performer, this hot hatch is a diligent worker and an eager corner-carver. The drivetrain has some flexbility to run in a higher gear but pile on some engine revs and it's willing and useable. The six-speed manual is a nice gearbox, made easier to use by a reasonable driving position, even for taller drivers.The design is conservative but not harsh on the eyes and it's a good kid-carter, provided none of the occupants is too long of leg. The bootspace means you have to be a bit selective on how much you can pile into the back, but rip the false floor out and leave it at home, otherwise you're bound to forget something. It's firm on the road but the suspension boffins at Suzuki have managed to dial in enough compliance to keep fillings in teeth - it is certainly a less brittle ride than you might expect from a dedicated Sport model. Divest yourself of offspring and life-partner and the Sport is an amusing machine on the right back road.It turns in with much more enthusiasm than its shopping-trolley origins would suggest, feeling light, agile and entertaining. The Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming set-up is overly complex and doesn't always hook up automatically once paired - if you pair up the Bluetooth phone link on an iPhone 4, for example, the music player function on the phone is left out in the cold and vice versa.VERDICTTechnology issues aside, the Swift Sport is a great little car - if you are in the market for a small car and still like to drive, this is the value for money choice.Suzuki Swift SportPrice: from $23,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale:  48 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: mobility kitEngine: 1.6-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, 100kW/160NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; FWDBody: 3.9m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.5m (h)Weight: 1060kgThirst: 6.51/100km, on test 6.1, 95RON, tank 42 litres; 153g/km CO2

Graham Smith reviews the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Suzuki Swift as a used buy.

Char-grilled hatchbacks are more fun than a stick and almost as cheap. However, some people get personal joy in wringing the neck of small engines in little hatchbacks. Fortunately, since the 1970s kickstart of the Peugeot 205 GTI and Volkswagen Golf GTI, there's still a string of car makers willing to pump out a line of cars once called hot hatches, now more like toasted on the grill. Suzuki - like Daihatsu, Nissan and Toyota - has played the game before.Only one of these is still on the field. Now, after a 12-month hiatus which saw off its six-year Swift Sport model, Suzuki is back with a new engine, a new look and a competitive mid-$20K price.VALUE Okay - so any lines blurred between a Polo GTI and a Swift Sport should be clarified immediately. The Swift Sport is a punchier version of the endearing Swift shopping trolley.It gets a bigger engine, bodykit, neat alloy whe els and lots of features inside. At $23,990 as a manual, its purity as a small hatch insists that it refuse any options. The auto - a CVT unit - is $2000 more.Value rates well with standard keyless entry and start, Bluetooth, cruise control, USB port for the six-speaker audio, bi-xenon headlights and sports seats with red stitching.DESIGN The Sport picks up the new body which looks like the old body shape, making its presence known with a yawning grille, bi-xenon headlights, side skirts, deep front spoiler and integrated roof spoiler. It sits 120mm longer than the old Sport but its rounded body still looks like the winner of a baking competition. But it defies its stumpy exterior with a roomy cabin for four adults.Seats are black cloth with red trim and are really comfortable and suppportive while the hard-plastic, satin-finish dash implies low-rent but actually looks good. The boot is tiny but the near-flat, fold-down rear seats create a versatile hauler.TECHNOLOGYThe previous S port exited Australia in January 2011 as a 92kW/148Nm 1.6-litre hatchback with one gearbox - a five-speed manual - within its distinctive snail-like shell. Now there's a new engine based on the standard Swift's 1.4-litre mill but with 100kW/160Nm - that's a weight to power ratio of 10.6 kg/kW, making it outgun the old Swift GTi.Suzuki made the car bigger but shaved 30kg from the final weight, upping its zip factor while trimming fuel thirst back to 6.5 L/100km from 7.3 L/100km.  Sport gets tripl e-synchromesh on frist and second gear cogs, firmer suspension, bigger 17-inch alloys and a tighter steering feel as part of its mechanical armament. SAFETY For a small car the Swift Sport packs an impressive safety kit. There's a five-star crash rating, electronic stability control, seven airbags and all the electronic brake aids. The bi-xenon headlights make night driving some much easier but the lack of a spare wheel - there's some aerosol goo and a compressor in the emty wheel well - limits  the Swift's range.DRIVING This can be an angry, hot and sweaty little car in the right hands. It has so much pluck that it will almost burst its little heart trying to please the driver. Yes, the Sport can be work - sometimes hard work - but the reward is letting it get under your skin and to drive it like it was an extension of your body.Big surprises are the willingness of the engine to run cleanly and eagerly to 7000rpm, the extra kick from the engine at 5500rpm, the almost hydraulic feel  of the electric steering system and the ride comfort despite the low-profile 17-inch rubbers.The keyless start button, the encompassing driver's seat, the small-diameter leather-bound steering wheel and the superbly bright headlights provide the theatre. Gee, it almost feels like an early Golf GTI. Almost.VERDICT A sparkling hatch for enthusiastic motorists divided between commuting and weekend fangs while being acutely aware of the need to retain their licence.Suzuki Swift Sport Price: $23,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale: 58 per centService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: Five starSpare: aerosol repair kitEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol 100kW/160NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; FWDBody: 3.9m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.5m (h)Weight: 1060kgThirst: 6.5 1/100km; 98 RON; 153g/km Co2 

Suzuki was one of very few, if not the only carmaker to turn a profit during the GFC. It has infact been in the black every year since startup in 1950.Obviously, that's because Suzuki makes the "right" cars, the right way, at the right price. Call them conservative if you like but it seems to be the over-riding factor in Suzuki's success.Their least conservative car is the $23,990 Swift Sports - a latter-day Swift GTi for want of a better description. It's a cool, baseball cap of a car with pert looks, a dash of attitude and performance and handling that brings a smile to your dial without actually pinning back your ears.And there's a CVT auto this time around. Suzuki's formula for its hot little five-door hatch is "pare back weight, tweak the engine and suspension, fit subtle body add-ons and boost fuel economy."Sport runs a pretty straightforward 1.6-litre, twin cam, four banger up from the 1.4 in base Swift. It's good for 100kW/160Nm output and fuel consumption as low as 6.1-litres/100km.It misses out on direct injection but scores a simple variable intake system and variable valve timing and lift to optimise efficiency. The two transmissions are a six-speed manual and CVT auto with paddle shift.Sport has a strut front and simple torsion beam rear suspension system - calibrated to give a good compromise between sharp handling and response and comfort. It won't rattle your teeth on rough roads and though small in diameter, the disc brakes are up for the job. The electric steering has been calibrated to give sharper response than base Swift. Suzuki has fitted light alloy wheels to reduce unsprung weight and optimise suspension action. It weighs 1060kg.It has a five star crash rating thanks to seven air bags, stability control and the selective use of high strength steel throughout the body/chassis.Though still "sensible", the Swift Sport has a mild body aero kit with a rear roof spoiler and under bumper diffuser complete with dual wide spaced exhaust tips. Side skirts and a deeper front apron complete the picture. No LED daytime running lights though. Inside is pretty much generic Japanese with over-used hard plastics, functional controls and a decent leather-clad sports wheel with cloth sports seats.The Sport has generous spex including bixenon headlights, Bluetooth phone and audio, keyless entry and start, cruise control and climate control aircon to name just a few goodies. The audio is OK and the sports seats with red piping have side bolsters to hold you tight. The wheels are 17-inch with low profile sports rubber.This is an enjoyable car to drive in the cut and thrust of city driving, on the freeway or on a winding road. They've nailed the driveability factor brilliantly. There's a sweet shifting manual gear change with close intermediate ratios, plenty of zip higher up in the engine rev range and a supple, controlled ride with good brakes and sharpish steering.The exhaust note is too quiet and the tyres are too skinny. It goes better than the previous Swift Sport and has more goodies. But Kia's sporty three door Rio SLS has more power and torque and costs a lot less. Gives nothing away on looks either.Great little car, fun to drive, cheap to run and own, undoubtedly reliable, safe and well equipped.

Suzuki Swift Sport is a genuine sporty model. Now, given its name, this may seem to be a blindingly obvious statement. But in these times when marketing people persuade designers to tack on a few extra bits of plastic and some fancy badges - but do nothing to actually improve the car - the name ‘sport’ has often been seriously diluted.Not so in the Suzuki Swift Sport, this little Japanese machine has been significantly improved in important areas to appeal to those who like to put serious effort into their driving. Even better news is that you don’t need big money to go the full-on high-performance route.This swift Swift from Suzuki comes into the market at an extraordinary low starting price of just $23,990. You get a lot of driving pleasure for a very modest outlay.By way of comparison, the all-new Swift Sport costs a thousand dollars less than the outgoing model did when it hit the hot-hatch scene in 2005.The Swift has always had a shape that responds well to add-ons. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels of a special lightweight design are the key to the good looks of the sporting Swift.These are complemented by a new under bumper panel carrying foglights in triple-fin bezels. The grille takes a Euro look in its hexagonal mesh design.Side skirts connect the front and rear arches and give the Sport a lower appearance without the need to drag to body down to unreasonable levels. The rear features a larger roof spoiler and a diffuser look giving the Suzuki a race-car style.Though it’s not immediately obvious, the headlight are bi-xenon items as used in quite a few upmarket European cars. While you won’t be routinely cruising at 130 km/h at night as they do in Europe, the added clarity of the lights will nevertheless be appreciated in Australia.Inside, there are leather sports seats while the instrument console features a new design with silver rings about the gauges. There’s a sports steering wheel that not only feels good while you’re driving, but also adds plenty of class to the appearance.New Suzuki Swift Sport is powered by a 100 kW version of the standard Swift 1.6-litre engine. While this doesn’t seem like a huge number, keep in mind that it weighs just 1050 kg, so the power to weight ratio is impressive for an affordable sports hatch.Acceleration from rest to 100 km/h takes place in around eight seconds. Not bitumen burning, but quick enough to put a smile on the face of anyone who likes sitting behind the wheel of a car with zing.In a true sports engine manner, the engine revs all the way to 7000 rpm and is happy to sit at the top end of the tacho, it’s almost like an Italian engine in its willingness to rev and the way it sings to the ears. We loved it. Down low, modern electronics mean it’s happy enough to pull the Swift along in a workmanlike way.Our vehicle of choice is the Swift Sport with a slick little manual gearbox, but, for the first time in this model, an automatic transmission is also on offer. A continuously variable unit it has seven paddle-operated preset ratios within the continuous range should you wish to have more control over the engine output.Cornering power and precision are the biggest features of the Swift Sport. We were fortunate in being able to spend time at the race track at Broadford where we could appreciate the Suzuki in controlled conditions. There we loved the levels of grip, the nippy handling offered by this lightweight machine and the pure enjoyment if offered.Not only has the suspension been firmed up by the use of sports components, it also has the benefit of a body that has been stiffened in important areas to give the suspension a stable platform with which to work.Brakes were more than up to the task of hauling the Suzuki Sport back to reality at the end of the long straights at Broadford. Suzuki Swift Sport is a brilliant piece of automotive engineering. For a most modest price you get a lot of driving pleasure, either at a track if you want to take that route, or simply on your favourite stretch of driving road on a quiet Sunday morning.

Starting an argument about what were the pioneering hot hatches is easy - get Peugeot, VW Golf, Renault and a few other fans of the breed and see if anyone remembers the Swift GTi, which popped up in 1986, a year before the Pug 205 GTi. Some will argue the Golf is a size up, others won't rate the little cars and while Suzuki's honest little performer has lost the GTi/GTI tag, the Japanese car maker's new Swift Sport is aiming to maintain the bloodline.New Suzuki Australia boss Mac Kato, a 30 year veteran of the Suzuki brand, has aims of taking Suzuki into the top 10 and sees the Sport as a hero car to help achieve that. "It's one of my favourite cars and after talking to the engineering team, I'm confident that we will be able to continue the Suzuki tradition of building a great hot hatch," he says.VALUEThe Swift flagship has an upgraded features list and a downgraded price - it's dropped by $1000 to $23,990. That's despite an equipment list that includes climate control, a sound system with Bluetooth and USB, cruise control, 17in wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a six-speed manual (up from five cogs) or the option of a continuously-variable transmission (with a seven-speed "manual'' change mode and an electronic lock-up clutch for improved performance).The price cut and the CVT are expected to put the Sport volumes around 200 per month, with as much as 70 per cent opting for the $2000 CVT. The sports steering wheel has also grown audio, cruise and phone controls, and the features list also includes fog lamps, keyless entry and ignition.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.6-litre engine has been given a tweak to increase power by 8kW to 100kW and torque has risen from 148 to 160Nm, thanks to a new intake manifold, smoother intake ports and variable valve timing. When under medium load, a valve in the intake is closed, opening when required at high and low engine loads - shortening the intake path and improving the spread of available torque.The extra urge has not been accompanied by growing thirst - the Sport model still prefers 95RON PULP (it can cope with 91RON) but the number has dropped from 7.3 to 6.5 for the manual - or the optional CVT claims 6.1 litres per 100km. There's also 30kg less to haul, as the new Sport tips the scales at 1060kg, thanks to a 10kg lighter bodyshell and the lightweight 17in alloy wheels rolled thinner during a new manufacturing process.DESIGNThe little five-door sports hatch gets dual exhausts and a low-key sports body kit (including roof lip spoiler) that gives the evolutionary design of the normal Swift a lift. It sits on a wider track and its length has grown by 120 mm over old Sport and its 40mm longer than current Swift model, thanks to different bumpers.There's an extra 50mm in the wheelbase that Suzuki says improves rear space. The cabin has sports seats (with contrasting red stitching, also on the steering wheel and gearshifter) and pedals.SAFETYThe Sport has inherited the cooking model's five-star NCAP rating with a safety features list that includes seven airbags (the new car has a driver's knee airbag), as well as stability and traction control, as well as front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. The Sport model has also been endowed with slightly beefier brakes than the outgoing Sport and the current Swift.DRIVINGThe first few hundred metres in the new Swift Sport hints that the little Suzuki is not trying to be something other than what you see -- a small, perky little hot hatch that is an honest machine.The seats are comfortable and with adequate lateral support and a good range of adjustment, the sports steering wheel can adjust for reach and rake to get a decent driving position and the six-speed manual is a light and direct shift (there were no CVTs on hand to sample).Rear space is reasonable given the size of the car, even allowing for my 191cm frame behind the wheel and a similarly-sized person able to sit behind without too much compromise from the driver -- head room is less of an issue than leg room, which is at a premium.Country back roads with lumps and bumps showed the Sport's ride quality was passable for something that is biased towards handling, although country bumps did make it through a little more than is ideal.The cabin wasn't invaded horribly by road or engine noise, with little on the way of droning at cruising speed; work it harder and the driver is aware of the powerplant but it's not harsh in its soundtrack. A brief stint on the racetrack showed the little Japanese hatch has decent amounts of grip  as was experienced on the road drive  and feels like it could cope with more from the powerplant.The track allowed enough pace to be carried to push the nose wide but the stability control was not pessimistic.VERDICTSuzuki Swift SportPrice: from $23,990Warranty: 3-years/100,000kmResale: N/A% (est.) Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star NCAPEngine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 100kW/160NmBody: 5-door hatchWeight: 1060kgTransmission: 6-speed manual or 7-speed CVT auto, front-wheel driveThirst: 6.5L/100km (6.1 CVT), 95RON, CO2 155g/km (CVT 145g/km)'

It's only when you put the new Suzuki Swift side by side with the old one that the differences become apparent.For that reason, we were surprised Suzuki did not have the previous model on hand at the Aussie launch of the all new Swift this week in Victoria. We reckon a casual observer would have difficulty telling the two cars apart and this is probably no accident. Launched in 2004, the Swift has been a phenomenal success for the Japanese company and no one wanted to derail that train.VALUEThere's three models — GA, GL and top of the line GLX, with prices starting from $16,990 plus on roads. Standard equipment includes seven airbags which no doubt contribute to Swift's maximum five-star safety rating. Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake forced distribution and brake assist are also standard.DESIGNIn this respect, execs explained the company took a leaf out of BMW's book, opting for a minor, evolutionary changes in appearance, rather than a dramatic one. Looking at the figures, the new Swift is actually significantly bigger — 90mm longer to be exact — and stands 10mm taller too.Distance between the axles has grown by 50mm which means more room inside. Bigger usually means heavier too and the new Swift tips the scales at 1025kg, about 45kg heavier despite a weight saving regime.TECHNOLOGYBut, while the Swift has grown in physical dimensions, its engine has shrunk — from 1.5 to 1.4 litres. The good news is that it produces almost the same amount of power and torque as the unit it replaces, but uses less fuel in the process — a fact that will endear the car to many new drivers.The 1.4-litre engine delivers 70kW of power and 130Nm of torque, compared to 74kW and 133Nm previously. A longer engine stroke and electronic throttle control contribute to better throttle response. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.DRIVINGWe drove the mid-spec' GL with the five-speed auto and top of the line GLX with a five-speed manual. Enthusiasts will no doubt be drawn to the manual, but the auto while nothing flash makes a pretty good fist of it. GA and GL models have drum brakes on the rear, while the GLX adds four-wheel discs.And the GLX gets reach as well as tilt adjustment for the steering wheel. Getting behind the wheel of the car for the first time, we were impressed with its big car feel. It's all hard plastics inside, but they are disguised well with changes in texture and colour.A chunky leather clad steering wheel in the cars we drove sits nicely in the hands. Rear legroom is still tight. Cleverly, the height of the boot lip has been raised which means the bumper will absorb most if not all of the impact in a rear ender making the car cheaper to repair.A space saver spare wheel is standard, hidden beneath a second false floor in the smallish boot. We gave the new Swift a good workout and can see why it is so popular. The busy four cylinder engine lends a sporty note and it feels quieter in the cabin at highway speeds.Confident handling is supplemented by a stability system that will keep the car pointing in the right direction, even at over enthusiastic speeds. Suzuki is claiming a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km for the manual, and from 6.6 to 6.2 litres/100km for the auto.We got 6.5 from the manual and 7.8 from the auto in the course of the launch program. As good as it is, the Swift's tidy chassis deserves and could easily take more power, much more than offered by the current Sport edition (new one under development).

It might look the same, but the new Suzuki Swift is in fact quite different. Not only does it feel different, it is actually different inside, with a classy new interior and instrument layout.Launched in 2005, Swift has been such a success for Suzuki, it is not surprising the company was reluctant to jeopardise this juggernaut, which is probably the main reason it looks so similar. Put the two cars side by side, however, and the differences become obvious immediately.The thing is new car buyers normally want others to recognise the fact they are driving a new car. And, if you happen to be the owner of the previous model, you might not be as inclined to update - not if you need to tell people its new. That'd be a shame, because you'd be missing out.Suzuki has invested quite a lot of time and effort into making the car better. Extensive use of higher-strength steel has made the body lighter and stiffer, which combined with a lower centre of gravity has smoothed out the ride without making the car feel insecure.Looks can be deceiving, because the new Swift is actually 90mm longer, 10mm taller and 45 kilos heavier than before, and the distance between the axles has grown by 50mm which translates to more interior space. The distance between opposing wheels has also increased, which together with larger diameter wheels and lower profile tyres contributes to better handling.The rear bumper also sits higher, which means it will absorb most of the impact in the event of a rear-ender, reducing the cost of repairs (and hopefully insurance). Instead of a 1.5 the new Swift is now powered by a smaller 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine.Initially, this might sound disappointing, but with an output of 70kW and 130Nm the smaller engine actually produces almost as much power as before but uses less fuel. Suffice to say that the performance is not disappointing.We were impressed with the changes that Suzuki had made when we drove the car at launch a couple of months back and we were just as impressed the second time around this week. Our test vehicle this time was the entry level GA model fitted with a five-speed manual transmission priced from $15,990 - the same price it was five years ago. Suzuki's engineers have paid particular attention to reducing noise and vibration and it shows.Getting into the car for the first time it feels more substantial and more refined, with a comforting clunk when the door is closed. It has a big car feel that belies it size, with a ride that is smooth and quiet and the manual shift is easy to use. The car accelerates confidently and is not phased by sudden changes in the road surface.A new variable steering ratio setup makes the car respond more quickly to driver input, while a relatively slow ratio near the turning limits reduces the effort required for bigger turns. A new black-and-silver theme has been adopted for the interior giving the car a sportier, more sophisticated feel.The central, smoked glass display is the same as in the pricier Kizashi. All important fuel consumption is down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km which means you'll be filling it up less often. Add to this electronic traction and stability control, seven airbags and a maximum, five-star safety rating and it makes the new Swift a tempting proposition.GA and GL models have drum brakes on the rear, while the GLX adds four-wheel discs. And the GLX gets reach as well as tilt adjustment for the steering wheel.

It's only when you put the new Swift side by side with the old one that the differences become apparent. For that reason, we were surprised Suzuki did not have the previous model on hand at the Aussie launch of the all new Swift this week in Victoria. We reckon a casual observer would have difficulty telling the two cars apart and this is probably no accident. Launched in 2004, the Swift has been a phenomenal success for the Japanese company and no one wanted to derail that train. In this respect, execs explained the company took a leaf out of BMW's book, opting for a minor, evolutionary changes in appearance, rather than a dramatic one. Looking at the figures, the new Swift is actually significantly bigger - 90mm longer to be exact - and stands 10mm taller too. The distance between the axles has also grown by 50mm which means more room inside. Bigger usually means heavier too and the new Swift tips the scales at 1025kg, about 45kg heavier despite a weight saving regime. But, while the Swift has grown in physical dimensions, it's engine has shrunk - from 1.5 to 1.4 litres. The good news is that it produces almost the same amount of power and torque as the unit it replaces, but uses less fuel in the process - a fact that will endear the car to many new drivers. There's three models - GA, GL and top of the line GLX, with prices starting from $16,990 plus on roads. Standard equipment includes seven airbags which no doubt contribute to Swift's maximum five-star safety rating. Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake forced distribution and brake assist are also standard. The 1.4-litre engine delivers 70kW of power and 130Nm of torque, compared to 74kW and 133Nm previously. A longer engine stroke and electronic throttle control contribute to better throttle response. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. We drove the mid-spec' GL with the five-speed auto and top of the line GLX with a five-speed manual. Enthusiasts will no doubt be drawn to the manual, but the auto while nothing flash makes a pretty good fist of it. GA and GL models have drum brakes on the rear, while the GLX adds four-wheel discs. And the GLX gets reach as well as tilt adjustment for the steering wheel. Getting behind the wheel of the car for the first time, we were impressed with its big car feel. It's all hard plastics inside, but they are disguised well with changes in texture and colour. A chunky leather clad steering wheel in the cars we drove sits nicely in the hands. Rear legroom is still tight. Cleverly, the height of the boot lip has been raised which means the bumper will absorb most if not all of the impact in a rear ender making the car cheaper to repair. A space saver spare wheel is standard, hidden beneath a second false floor in the smallish boot. We gave the new Swift a good workout and can see why it is so popular. The busy four cylinder engine lends a sporty note and it feels quieter in the cabin at highway speeds. Confident handling is supplemented by a stability system that will keep the car pointing in the right direction, even at over enthusiastic speeds. Suzuki is claiming a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km for the manual, and from 6.6 to 6.2 litres/100km for the auto.We got 6.5 from the manual and 7.8 from the auto in the course of the launch program. As good as it is, the Swift's tidy chassis deserves and could easily take more power, much more than offered by the current Sport edition (new one under development).