Review of the new Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS - Trendy And Affordable

It isn't often that a trendy-looking small car is also super-affordable to run. Where that does happen, the products concerned tend to be tiny. Here's an exception. For the last three months, we've been running a small car that can properly seat five people, that regularly returns well over 60mpg and which puts out less than 120g/km of CO2. And we think that it's time Suzuki's Swift 1.3 DDiS got a bit of credit.

This of course is not a supermini that regularly features on the best-sellers lists. But it is one that a remarkably high number of people go back to buy again. In running one on our long term test fleet, we can see why. It may be a car that's got a bit forgotten by the market in recent times but it's still one that can present a pretty compelling proposition, especially in the diesel form we've been trying. There are also three-door versions and petrol engines for buyers to consider.

Our model is priced at just over £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.

Approaching the car for the first time, initial impressions are good. The foursquare stance, the curving bonnet and the blacked-out pillars hold definite similarities to BMW's MINI but you won't pay those kinds of prices for the Swift. Inside the car, there's 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

"It's hard to think of many other small cars that can properly seat five people that will cost you less to run than this one.."

And on the road? Well, the engine is a 74bhp unit, 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. Our staff users report that 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.

There aren't too many negatives to report but some of our testers did feel that the seats were a bit firm, lacking a little in lateral support. Still, 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. We found that 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.

Overall, our long term test has revealed a little car that does things differently from the major supermini players. But it's no less desirable for that. It's hard to think of many other small cars that can properly seat five people that will cost you less to run than this one. Those that can just don't look as cheeky and fun as the Swift. We'll be sorry to see it go.

TOP 5 SWIFT DEALS

The results below show the top SWIFT deals on buyacar

Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport 3dr Hatchback
Price £11,310 Read Swift Reviews	Save £2,184
Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ2 3dr Hatchback
Price £9,099 Read Swift Reviews	Save £1,561
Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ4 3dr Hatchback
Price £10,528 Read Swift Reviews	Save £1,987
Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ2 5dr Hatchback
Price £9,461 Read Swift Reviews	Save £1,669
Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS SZ3 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £11,560 Read Swift Reviews	Save £1,795
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