Suzuki Swift (2005-) Review

Overview

• Next: Reliability and Quality

Europe, according to Japanese carmakers, is the most sophisticated and demanding market in the world. And that means that a car successful here has the seal of approval to be a success in Japan, too. This is why Suzuki, after years nibbling at the edges of mainstream supermini acceptability first with the original Swift (allowed to stay in production far too long) and latterly with the curious Ignis and Wagon-R, has now decided to dive in and do the job properly.

The new Swift is built in Hungary, as are the Wagon-R and the Ignis and as the old Swift (bizarrely, also sold in four-wheel-drive form as a Subaru Justy) latterly was. It has the option of Fiat's Multijet 1.3-litre turbodiesel engine, as used to good effect in the Panda, the Idea and Vauxhall's Corsa among others, and much of its development work took place in Europe. If successful, the Swift could cause a doubling of the Magyar Suzuki factory's output; this could be one General Motors alliance that does pay off.

There's little in common with the old Swift. The 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol engines are developments of existing Suzuki units, but the platform and suspension are new and the design, outside and in, is clean, modern and confident. It's also a complete guide to today's cool-design must-haves: wrapover head and tail-lights, bold wheelarches, rear wheels pushed well back into the corners, a wide track, reverse-slope rear side windows and, like a Mini's, a blade-like roof 'floating' above blacked in front and centre pillars.

Suspension is typical modern-supermini, with struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the back. The front anti-roll bar is linked directly to the struts, a trick invented two decades ago by Peugeot and now used in most strut-sprung cars with pretences to crisp steering. There's electric power assistance, too.

The three engines are a 1.3 with 92bhp, a 1.5 with 102bhp and variable inlet-valve timing, and that 70bhp Fiat turbodiesel with a useful 125lb ft of torque. All have 16 valves. Transmissions are five-speed manuals, with a sequential-shift, clutchless semi-auto version available for the petrol 1.3 and a four-speed full auto for the 1.5. The range begins with a 1.3 GL three-door and peaks at the 1.5 GLX five-door, which adds alloy wheels, keyless entry and starting, air-conditioning, front foglamps and a chrome trim for the tailpipe. The diesel version arrives in September, some time after the petrol cars' April on-sale date. Prices for this aren't yet known, but the likely prices for the petrol versions are very competitive.