Review of the new Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS - Long Term Test

The automotive industry is riddled with household names, a good proportion of them connected to the supermini market sector. Fiesta, Corsa, Polo, Clio, Punto - these superminis are brands in their own right and there are many more competing for attention in the crowded marketplace. So with this scale of choice available, is it worth considering a supermini that perhaps isn't quite as well known? Do the big names give the best value or should we all be spreading our nets to encompass the less obvious choices? Suzuki's Swift is a supermini with a middling profile that could easily be overlooked if you become transfixed by the major players. A long term test should show what it's made of.

Suzuki's Swift has the difficult job of persuading supermini buyers that it's a better destination for their money than the likes of Ford's Fiesta, Vauxhall's Corsa and the Renault Clio. Not easy. It gets off to a solid start with styling that's distinctive but has more than a passing resemblance to the poster child of the supermini market, the MINI. The foursquare stance, the curving bonnet and the blacked-out pillars hold definite similarities to BMW's retro masterpiece but you won't pay MINI prices for the Swift.

Inside the car, the Swift adopts an uncomplicated approach, with slabs of dark plastic that's sturdy but doesn't have the tactility of the soft touch trim employed in the class leaders. Some will see the clean, uncluttered lines as boring and overly simplistic. Others will be impressed by the pared-down feel and the absence of gimmicks

Our long term test car is the five-door Swift in 1.3-litre DDiS guise, which means it has a diesel engine. There are also three-door versions and petrol engines for buyers to consider. Our models is priced at under £11,000 and for that you get equipment running to air-conditioning, a CD stereo, remote central locking, electric front windows, electric heated mirrors, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and keyless entry. That's a good haul of features at this price point, especially when it comes with diesel power.

".the driving experience is up with the very best"

The engine itself is a 74bhp one, the least powerful in the Swift range but being a diesel it has a good hit of torque on offer and feels stronger than the figures suggest when powering up hills or overtaking. Refinement isn't an issue, either. This is a very smooth sounding diesel engine that only really makes itself heard higher up in the rev range and the advantages of venturing there are negligible. There is a flat spot in the engine's power delivery at very low revs and it's possible to get caught out when emerging from junctions or pulling away up hill, forcing you to snatch another gear. We can probably forgive that in a small car like the Swift, however, especially when official economy is measured at 62.8mpg.

The engine is generally a good one but the main reason for the Swift's popularity on our long term test has been its ride and handling. There are plenty of larger and supposedly more sophisticated superminis out there that have nothing like the Swift's fun factor. If driven quickly on a twisty road, it displays exemplary body control and the firm suspension refuses to be unsettled by changes in direction or undulations in the road.

The pedal weights and the snappy gear change are very well judged, bringing an urgency to the experience. The small, chunky steering wheel feels good in the hands and although a little more feel and weight from the helm would be a bonus in extra urban driving, its light weight does simplify urban journeys. The Swift's small size and stubby bonnet also help around town, even if seeing out of the back isn't always easy, especially with the rear headrests extended.

From a comfort point of view, the seats are firm, if lacking a little in lateral support, and there's plenty of adjustment to allow even taller drivers to get comfortable. Despite it's stocky external appearance, there's a huge amount of headroom for front seat passengers and plenty in back so long as you're not well over six-foot. Legroom in the rear is more of an issue than in some other superminis. A six-foot passenger can just about sit behind a six-foot driver with their feet tucked under the seat. Travelling with three across the rear bench would be a bit of a squeeze.

The boot area is unusual. It doesn't offer too much outright space by the standards of the supermini class but then the Swift is 250mm shorter than a Ford Fiesta and something had to give. Suzuki has addressed the volume shortcomings with a double floor arrangement. There's a flat load floor when you open the tailgate, but by lifting a cover, you can access some useful extra space below. The rear seats split 60:40 and fold down with the release of just one catch to form a surface that's flush with the load floor cover. Big shopping trips may require the rear seats to be pressed into service but Suzuki has made the most of what it's got.

The Swift's compact dimensions also tell in the lack of storage space in the cabin. The thin doors leave room for only the most measly of door pockets and the glovebox is already at bursting point with only the owner's manual shoved inside. It leaves a couple of cup holder pots and a shelf below the centre section of the dash, so if you're the sort of person who keeps a lot of stuff in the car, there may be issues.

With sprawling dealer networks and vast budgets directed at advertising, marketing and PR, it's hardly surprising that the major names maintain such a higher profile in the minds of motorists. It also helps that they pump billions into research and development to make darn sure that their products live up to the hype. Without the same level of resources, a smaller brand like Suzuki has its work cut out but it would be nice to believe in the meritocracy of the market. That a model like the Swift could grab major success if it were good enough?

Our long term test has revealed a little car that does things differently from the major supermini players. It's a little smaller and it concentrates on the basics rather than getting bogged down with trendy design and high tech features. It's very attractively priced and if you like your superminis sporty, the driving experience is up with the very best. Should buyers give the Swift a chance? We'd have to say yes.

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