Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, Mazda 3… If you’re in the market for a peppy, cheap and fun-to-drive hatch, this is how the list of cars you’d consider will read. They’re all mainstream superminis that have proved themselves over the years in several markets worldwide.
But if you’re willing to go beyond these obvious choices, there are a few other cars in this category that deserve to be right up there on that list. One such car is the Suzuki Swift. Agreed, Suzuki doesn’t have the aura that’s generally attached to brands like Ford, Volkswagen or Renault, but the Japanese carmaker has been silently churning out some great cars over the past few decades.
And the Swift is the liveliest model in Suzuki’s eclectic range of small cars and SUVs, and arguably the best-handling Japanese hatchback on sale today. Just a few moments behind the wheel is all you need to realise the impressive driving dynamics of this unassuming little hatch. The lively chassis set-up and the sharp and precise steering make it an incredibly easy car to handle, with plenty of grip around the twisties.
The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine serves up sufficient power for city driving, with its output of 94bhp and 130Nm of torque. When driven hard, the Swift responds brilliantly to driver inputs and exudes a level of vivacity and sprightliness that’s usually found in cars that carry a considerably bigger price tag. The ride is decent too, with the suspension tackling rough patches on the tarmac reasonably well, making for a comfy drive around town.
Although sound deadening seems to be enough at slower speeds, once you leave the city and hit the highway, significant road and wind noise seeps in, with the engine also beginning to sound strained, which could prove pretty draining on long highway trips. The simple yet solidly built cabin is decked out in hard, but high-quality plastics. The dashboard layout is straightforward and intuitive.
The front seats are snug and supportive, with plenty of head- and legroom. With the steering adjustable for rake and reach and the driver’s seat height adjuster coming as standard, getting comfortable behind the wheel is pretty easy. Rear accommodation is spacious enough for two adults, but as I mentioned earlier, long journeys in this car can be quite fatiguing.
Cargo space is also not one of the Swift’s strengths, even though rear seats can be split 60/40 to free up more space. But then it’s a supermini, and space constraint is a limitation you should be willing to accept. When it comes to safety features, Suzuki follows the general trend among Japanese carmakers of depriving lesser variants.
While the Dh61K base GL variant only has dual front airbags, the higher-end GLX, which retails at Dh68,000 boasts six, including side, driver, passenger and curtain airbags. That’s Dh7K well spent if you intend to take family or friends along. However, other features like side-impact door beams, anti-lock brakes and stability control come as standard in all trim levels.
Verdict
The Suzuki Swift is an unpretentious little hatch that does everything you expect from an urban runabout, while offering a lot more fun than you’d expect for the price. If you don’t find the regular Swift entertaining enough, then try the Dh87,000 Sport and I’m sure it will make you rethink your choices.
