Despite Suzuki's importer, Traffic Devices, estimating earlier this year that the new Swift would only land here at the end of 2024, it is forward and already arriving now.
The car is classified as the sixth generation of the small Japanese model, but its dimensions are nearly identical to its predecessor, which has been produced since 2016: 3.86 meters (1.5 +) length, 1.74 meters width (0.5 +), 1.50 meters height (0.5) and a wheelbase of 2.45 meters (unchanged). The cargo compartment volume has grown slightly to 265 liters (13+). Thinking of buying a Suzuki Swift? We already drove the new model.
The dimensions, like the exterior design, hint at a "budget season", in which Suzuki reallocates resources to an expensive rejuvenation program with an investment of 15 billion dollars and refreshes petrol models while saving significant money.
The result is nice, but not really advanced, with a prominent wheel and grill that place the Swift closer to a mini car like the Kia Picanto than to a popular supermini like the Seat Ibiza.
The driver's environment has also been updated rather than new. There is now a 9-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in a dashboard-mounted screen, but the same colors and conservative design.
The engine is again 1,200 cc hybrid light, but a new one, with 3 cylinders instead of 4. The power has decreased by 1 hp to 82 hp, but the torque has strengthened to 11.4 kgm (0.5+), and the good fuel consumption has improved even more alongside an additional reduction in emissions: 21.3 km per liter in automatic with a continuous box, and 22.7 km per liter in manual (5 gears). A weight of about 920-950 kg allows it to display full hybrid fuel consumption data. The propulsion is front, while abroad double propulsion is also offered.
Performance? 12.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h in manual and 11.9 in automatic. The maximum speed is 165 km/h in manual and 170 km/h in automatic.
The equipment includes a 9-inch multimedia screen, with Android and CarPlay integration.
Safety systems include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, off-road vehicle detection, and systems such as lane keeping, distraction detection, automatic high beam, and preparation for alcohol lock GSR regulation that comes into effect this month for all new vehicles sold in Europe.
There is also a new Suzuki application that allows locating the car in the parking lot, receiving alerts about leaving lights on, driving history, and hours of use for young drivers, as well as notifications about recalls and service appointments.
The price has increased by about NIS 4,000: from 114,000 for the manual version, which is one of the latest importers making an effort to offer in the country, and NIS 127,000 for the automatic version.
These are high prices for a new supermini. For example, the price of the Skoda Fabia was reduced this week to a starting price of NIS 117,500, and the importer attributes this to the increased cost of cars due to GSR regulations. However, in times of rising fuel prices, the Swift boasts the best fuel efficiency in its category, second only to the more expensive Toyota Yaris hybrid.