Summarize

Swift punches well above its weight

We were not supposed to go away with the Swift that weekend, but that’s how it happened – the car we’d planned to go with hit trouble and we thought we’d be compromised packing all that kit and four adults into the little thing.

First surprise was how that boot sucked up all the baggage – laid out on the floor behind, I thought, “oh hell!” That will teach me to be pessimistic – a bit of planning saw the triangular space gobble it all up and still close that little lip.

Swift accommodated us handsomely on the three-hour trip down to the beach – I sat a little forward to my regular position but nothing uncomfortable and the guys and gals in the back were pleasantly surprised too.

I knew Swift was a 1200, so riding out through the wheat fields, picking off bakkies, trucks and tractors with consummate ease, I quizzed my passengers as to how big they thought the engine was. The most risqué answer was a 1600cc, the popular opinion was 2 litres. No, I wasn’t travelling with car people, but that tells a story all on its own – Swift gets on with it and punches several classes above its weight on the road.

It was not over – Swift still had another surprise up its sleeve – when we eventually stopped for fuel, I was expecting to stump up some horrible amount for those 50 litres – no, really, it has to be a 50-litre tank travelling that far between refuels. It took thirty – a huge relief considering that bloody fuel price.

I don’t really subscribe to the new look – it’s a bit plain and floppy, a step back I think versus the edgy old one and it’s quite plain inside, if well enough equipped, but for the rest, at the price, the new Swift is an all-round winner. 

QUICK TEST: Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL
Engine:    61kW 113Nm 1197cc petrol I4
Drive: 5-speed manual FWD
TESTED: 
0-100km/h: 10.89 sec   
400m: 17.4 sec @ 128km/h
80-120km/h: 8.51 sec
CLAIMED:       
VMax: 175km/h 
Fuel: 4.9 l/100km
CO2: 116 g/km
Warranty/Service 3y 100K/2y 30Kkm
LIST PRICE: R178K
RATED:          81%