Road Test: Swifter, safer, lighter and bigger

Since 2005 the overwhelming answer to the twenty-something thousand dollar new car question has been: Suzuki Swift.
With smart looks, cheerful driveability and accessible pricing, the previous Swift raced to the top of the sales charts. It's been New Zealand's number one small car for six years, there are more than 20,000 on New Zealand roads and it contributes well over half of all Suzuki sales.
Since February there's been an all-new Swift on New Zealand roads. It looks very similar and that has probably helped to achieve a seamless introduction with no run-out campaign needed for the outgoing model. Sales leadership has continued.
It might have the same look but the new Swift is a significantly better drive. There is a feeling of more substance and quality to it and although it sounds a little glib to call the new Swift a more "grown up" small car, that's exactly what it is.
In terms of size the new Swift is 90mm longer than the old car and the wheelbase has increased by 40mm. Body width is up by 5mm and the car is also 10mm taller.
But with some clever engineering Suzuki has managed to reduce weight a fraction at the same time as growing the Swift, increasing equipment levels and fitting larger wheels and tyres.
The 1.4-litre DOHC engine with variable valve timing is a new design and while offering a slight reduction in "on-paper" performance it's noticeably more economical and seems as lively.
The new 1372cc engine develops 70KW at 6000rpm with peak torque of 130Nm at 4000rpm. Compared to the previous 1.5-litre that's down by 4kW while torque has dipped by 5Nm.
It's lighter and more compact than the 1.5-litre engine and has a relatively long-stroke engine with 73 x 82mm bore and stroke dimensions. Another change is the new electronic throttle control.
Technology has now advanced to the point that any new car launched with a four-speed automatic transmission would seem like an obvious shortcoming.
While it would have been good to see Suzuki add another gear or two or introduce a dual-clutch type transmission, the reality is the four-speed automatic Swift Limited I drove works very well.
It has good shift timing and my conclusion is the introduction of electronic throttle control has benefited the crispness of engine response and also the shifting refinement.
Cruising at 100km/h the Swift auto is using 2600rpm in fourth gear or 3800rpm in third. The transmission makes smooth changes, picks up third gear early and holds it on long uphill runs.
The fuel efficiency is impressive. I'm used to small automatic cars being disappointing (especially compared to manual equivalents) but the Swift actually bettered its claimed 6.2L/100 combined cycle average.
My road test achieved 5.6 litres per 100km and another small bonus in the running cost equation is the Swift runs on 91-octane fuel.
A good part of the appeal of the previous Swift had been agile handling and the new car enhances that with a stiffer bodyshell, longer wheelbase and wider track along with an increase in wheel and tyre dimensions.
The top-of-the-line Limited tested here rides on 12-spoke alloys in 16-inch diameter with 185/55 R16 Bridgestone Turanza ER30 tyres. More rubber on the road increases the footprint and gives the Swift a confident stance with crisp steering feel and progressive body control adding to the equation.
This allows the Swift to drive like a more substantial car. Further enhancing this quality is a more solid feel when shutting the doors, in particular the tailgate.
It's also a better fit for larger drivers with ample front seat headroom and an improved seat design with moderate side bolstering and plenty of cushion length.
The driver's seat has manual cushion height, slide and recline movements and there is no lumbar support mechanism. A leather steering wheel is standard on the GLX and Limited models and is tilt adjustable.
The rear seat is a 60/40 split fold design. It's still tight for adult kneeroom and headroom in the rear of the Swift.
One aspect of the Swift that remains a challenge is the small 210 litres of load volume. Some rival superminis have nearly 50 per cent more space than the Swift's small load area. Fold down the rear seats and there is 533 litres of space.
Another arena in which the new Swift has made a substantial step forward is safety.
There are now seven airbags standard on all models - the seventh is a driver's knee airbag - while Electronic Stability Programme is standard on all models. The Swift has a three-point centre rear seat belt, two ISOFIX child seat mountings and three tether points.
The new model line-up is tightly grouped with entry level GL, mid-range GLX and top spec Limited models separated by only $5000.
The entry level GL manual is $19,990 and the GLX - which gains a six speaker audio system, USB connectivity and a leather steering wheel - is $22,500 with manual transmission and $23,900 with the four-speed automatic.
The Limited, which is differentiated by the 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, indicator repeaters in the door mirrors and front fog lamps, is $23,500 with manual transmission and $24,900 with automatic.
Standard equipment at Limited level includes air conditioning, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, front fog lamps, a trip computer and leather steering wheel with remote audio controls. There is a handy sized glovebox and big front door bins with bottle holders.
Swift drivers upgrading from the previous model should immediately notice the better quality plastic surfaces and the bolder instrumentation, which owes inspiration to the larger Kizashi sedan.
Small hatchbacks are the most competitive sector of the Kiwi car market with the Swift being the dominant force, while the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Mazda2, Honda Jazz, Holden Barina and Hyundai's Getz and i20 all fight for a slice of the action.
The new Swift is a very good example of what you get for less than $25,000 with competitive fuel efficiency, enhanced quality and new five-star safety credentials among the prime attributes that will assure its continued run as a Kiwi favourite.
Suzuki Swift Limited auto $24,990

SAFETY

- Dual front airbags
- Front seat side and curtain airbags
- Driver's knee airbags
- Front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load force limiters
- Electronic Stability
- Programme and Traction Control
- Hill Hold Control
- Antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist
- Three-point centre rear seat belt
- 2 x ISOFIX child seat mounting points
- 3 x child seat tether points
- Engine immobiliser security
- Space saver spare wheel
CRASH TEST RATING

Euro NCAP rating (2010 test): Overall rating
FUEL ECONOMY

- Combined (claimed): 6.2 litres per 100km
- Auto Parade test results
- Combined: 5.6 litres per 100km
MORE INFORMATION
Tauranga Motor Company, Corner Cameron Rd/3rd Ave, Tauranga. Phone (07) 578 1378
www.suzuki.co.nz
THE NUMBERS
Engine 1372cc fuel-injected 16-valve four cylinder petrol
Maximum output 70kW at 6000rpm
Maximum torque 130Nm at 4000rpm
Length 3850mm
Width 1695mm
Height 1510mm
Wheelbase 2430mm
Kerb weight 1055kg
Fuel tank capacity 42 litres
Wheels 16 x 6-inch alloy
Tyres Bridgestone Turanza ER30 185/55 R16