New Suzuki Swift is the budget hero you need in 2025

The fourth generation of Suzuki's Swift has landed in South Africa and is already taking the market by storm. 

The Swift has always been a fun drive, but in its latest guise, the completely overhauled design has made it even more attractive to look at, while changes under the hood give it even more character on the road.

It's powered by a new 1.2l naturally aspirated three-pot, which gives it a very pleasant engine note, fast becoming known as the three-cylinder thrum — it's music to the ear as you accelerate hard, giving you the impression it's plodding along with urgency, even when the reality may be different. 

The redesigned clam-shell bonnet, blacked-out headlight clusters, new grille, and sharper, LED taillights also set it apart from the previous generation. The impression of the floating roof created by the C-Pillar remains, but it looks more grown-up and purposeful.

What's it like to drive?

While the power delivery to the front wheels tops out at 60kW, the car's lightweight build makes it feel nimble, if not fast, and its five speed manual gearbox is slick and easy to operate.

Suzuki claims an average fuel consumption figure of 4.4l/100km, but I averaged around 5.7l/100km. Visibility is good thanks to its huge glasshouse, and raised seating position despite it being a little hatchback. It's not low-slung and its 15" alloys are shod with rubber I felt was a little narrow — great for fuel economy, not so great for twisty roads when you're searching for grip. 

But pushing the brave little Swift to the limit is not really what it's designed for. Pottering around town, sitting in traffic, or cheeky runs to school and the shops is where this little car is going to do most of its duty, and it does so handsomely. Suzuki's really are among the easiest cars to drive, and it you have to get a manual (either to save costs or because you prefer shifting gears yourself, like I do), you really can't do much better than a Suzuki gearbox. 

What do you get? 

You get a start/stop button, automatic dual-zone climate control, a 9" touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (7" on the GL+), automatic headlights, six airbags, digital driver's display between the dials, halogen headlamps with fog lights, daytime LED strips, ABS with EBD, and a boot-lid mounted reversing camera, with parking distance control.

How much does it cost?

And all this you get from R219,900 (prices correct as at January 1, 2025)! The range-topping GLX Manual we had on test cost R264,900 while the CVT will set you back R284,900.

Is it practical?

There's some magic trickery that goes on at Suzuki which allows me (178cm) to sit in the back seat behind my driving position fairly comfortably — foot room is alright, knee room is good, and head room is surprisingly sufficient. 

It does come at a slight opportunity cost, however — the boot is not the most practical. 

I was able to fit the ISOFIX rear-facing baby seat into the backseat comfortably, but the boot would not swallow up the pram. I had to remove the parcel shelf and stand the pram up which left little space for the groceries we were off to buy. 

But again, this isn't a family-sized car; it's a city runabout. 

There are storage bins and slots and pockets aplenty throughout the cabin, with a couple of USB charging ports dotted around as well.

Verdict

Suzuki has really made massive inroads in the budget segment and the Swift is no different, delivering excellent value for money with features you'd think would hit your wallet harder than they actually do. 

It's another budget-beating value proposition from Suzuki which already has the excellent S-Presso (from R178,900), Celerio (from R188,900), Ignis (from R237,900), and if you want something more practical from a family perspective, the Baleno (from R260,900) and its hiking-trail ready stablemate Fronx (from R298,900).

If its a budget-beater you're after, seriously consider the Suzuki Swift in 2025, with its 5 year/200,000km warranty and 2 year/30,000km service plan as standard.

IOL Motoring