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Suzuki has always been a capable car company that's neglected in Singapore, more so when COE prices are sky high. And you can't really blame people for ignoring the brand. After all, no one in the right frame of mind will be interested in buying a compact car for an insanely high price.
Sure, at $145,888 (as of 22 August 2024), the Swift isn't what I would call "affordable", but once you start factoring in current COE prices, the current sea of soulless electric vehicles (EVs) and the current trend of cars having a myriad of features that you'll never bother using, the compact hatchback becomes a charmingly clear choice.
Thankfully, for the 9.9 promotion that Champion Motors is having, buyers can enjoy a $3,999 cash discount, $900 insurance subsidy, 3 years free servicing, 12 months off your road tax, free leather seats upgrade, free solar film installation and front and rear in-car camera. Best part of all, for Sgcarmart readers only, all you have to do is flash this review to the people at the showroom and you'll receive a complimentary Shell petrol card worth $100.
In more ways than one, the Suzuki Swift reminds you that simplicity isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially in a time when the market is increasingly filled with vehicles that come equipped with countless impractical designs and features that compromise on functionality (think having daily useable features such as climate control hidden inside the infotainment system instead of just having physical controls).
Like all its predecessors, the Swift sports an abundant of hard plastics, but it never looks indecent or feels inferior. As a matter of fact, with the two-tone variant test car here, the cabin opts for a similar two-tone funky colour scheme that is undoubtedly uplifting.
Don't take it the wrong way. Truth be told, the car is neither going to scream fancy flair, nor is it going to ignite any oohs and aahs from your passengers, but it certainly feels up to date.
For instance, you get a spanking new 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB-C ports, heated seats (yes, physical buttons), and several driving assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, just to name a couple.
More than just these nannies is the modern design of the new Suzuki. You get a more aggressive-looking piano black grille, a pair of newly designed headlamps with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and the signature floating roof. Changes at the rear are less visible, with a pair of spanking new taillights that tells the punk tailgating you that this is the new Suzuki Swift you're piloting.
Of course, with the 82bhp and 112Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, there's a good chance you're not going to outrun him. But it's going to be surprisingly punchy enough to prevent the car behind from being a butt-kissing threat. Yes, it's not going to burn the tarmac from the word go, but the Swift gets up to speed in an unexpectedly urgent fashion.
On paper, the car completes the century sprint in about 12 seconds, but it does feel a whole lot quicker than what the number suggests. More relevantly, the instantly recognisable compact hatchback should return 20.4km/L. During my time with the car, however, I managed some 18.4km/L without even trying - not nearly accurate - but certainly an advantage for chopping off a cylinder from its predecessor.
Now equipped with a 1.2-litre three-pot powerplant, the new Suzuki is about as powerful as the unit in the old car, but more fuel efficient. It also manages to hold its own well around winding roads and pockmarked tarmac. Admittedly, it doesn't have the power to push your neck to the seat every time you accelerate, but it's quite a joyous and nimble machine to behold.
Tone down the on-road hooliganism and the Swift won't fail as a comfortable family hauler, sending vibrations through the cabin only from the roughest tarmac.
As ever, the Suzuki Swift remains to be a car that's nice to drive and own. I mean, yes, you do not need to be a rocket scientist to know that it's not as engaging as a MINI, and it's certainly not as sophisticated as Volkswagen Polo, but as a budget-friendly and unpretentious car, Suzuki's new hatchback is highly charming.
Fundamentally, it feels like a nimble and an attainable machine that reminds us that you don't even need to have a couple of hundred horses to call yourself an enthusiast and to have a jolly good time.
Here are a few other compact hatchbacks on the market that might interest you!
The Polo has gone through a mild facelift just recently. Will it inherit positive attributes from the Golf to become a segment leader?
