Suzuki Swift five-door hatchback

Suzuki’s small Swift hatch has always been a perennial favourite, a small car with real appeal and charisma. so the arrival of a much awaited new model was most welcome mid-year and I’ve just driven the entry model Swift GL Navigator in automatic priced a $17,990 drive-away. On first appraisal the latest Swift differs little but its new from the ground up.
The previous model had been with us since 2010 – a popular small car especially with private buyers with a good reputation for reliability and low cost of ownership. As a driver the new Suzuki Swift feels very accomplished for a light car – polished and well sorted – agile dynamically and very easy to drive. Well packaged with excellent seats. A 1.2-litre engine with CVT automatic the GL Navigator is greatjust value, more affordable to a Mazda 2 Maxx by several thousand dollars, featuring a 7inch colour touch screen and Sat Nav, a rear view camera, 16-inch alloy wheels and Apple Car Play and Android auto connectivity. Well worth an extra $1200 is the Swift Navigator with safety pack for $19,190 drive-away which gives you the added benefit of autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and weaving alert function. The latest Swift features a new lightweight and rigid frame – despite this the underbody is actually 30 kilos lighter. Standout items include the sporty dash, the race car style d-shaped steering wheel with flat bottom, intuitive dials and well placed fresh air outlets. Another high points –for a light car very well bolstered and supportive seats. I’m David Berthon
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