Summary
The Suzuki Swift is a compact five-door hatchback that has been on sale in the UK in different iterations since 2004. This is the latest fourth-generation version, which became available to order in the UK in Spring 2024.
Available with either pure petrol or petrol mild-hybrid engine options, the supermini has been well-received by the British motoring media so far. Autocar’s Matt prior comments that the new Swift “keeps Suzuki’s trademark compactness and lightness” but introduces “new looks and a new engine”, while Car’s Seth Walton concludes that the Swift “remains cheap, well-equipped and is more efficient than ever.”
As of October 2024, the Suzuki Siwft holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 70%. Its rather average UK review scores are bolstered by a good eco rating and lower-than-average running costs.
Swift highlights
- Class-leading petrol fuel economy
- Neat handling
- Well-equipped as standard
Swift lowlights
- Rather firm ride quality
- Some cheap interior plastics
- Rivals are more spacious
Key specifications
Body style: Small hatchback
Engines: petrol, petrol mild-hybrid
Price: From £18,699 on-road
Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Ultra
Score: 8 / 10
“Practical, more fun than one might expect and with loads of equipment, the new Suzuki Swift is a bit of a gem.”
Author: Andrew Charman
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swift is a value champion in a slowly shrinking class. It feels built to a price in a way the MG3 doesn’t, but the trade-off is a lightweight construction that provides agile handling and rock-bottom fuel costs.”
Author: Richard Ingram, Max Adams
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With more bulbous curves, it may not look as dainty as its predecessor, but the new Swift remains similarly proportioned. It’s now packed with the latest safety features, making it great value for money too.”
Author: Catherine King
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Fourth gen of supermini brings new look and new engine but keeps Suzuki’s trademark compactness and lightness.”
Author: Matt Prior
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Yes, the interior is a little harsh to the touch and the boot a little small, but the new Swift remains cheap, well-equipped and is more efficient than ever. Crucially, it feels like a light, nimble thing that reminds us that you don’t even need 100hp to have a jolly good time.”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The new Suzuki Swift doesn’t make any major changes from the old one — it’s still affordable, still frugal, and should still be reliable even if it does look a bit cheap inside, and isn’t the most practical thing around.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“There are bigger and more comfortable small cars, but the Suzuki Swift is frugal, fun to drive and, if you’re signing up to a finance agreement, great value. We recommend the regular front-wheel-drive (2WD) version with a manual gearbox and entry-level Motion trim.”
Author: Will Nightingale
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Adult protection: 67%
Child protection: 65%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 62%
The Suzuki Swift was assessed by Euro NCAP in July 2024 and scored a disappointing three-star rating.
Scores for adult protection, child protection and accident avoidance (safety assist) were all below the results of rival small cars. Protection for vulnerable road users (ie – pedestrians and cyclists) was good, however.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Suzuki Swift to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the new Swift, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 61 mpg | A | 58 – 64 mpg | A – B |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 104 g/km | A | 99 – 111 g/km | A – A |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 20 | A | – | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £152 | A |
| Year 2 | £451 | A |
| Year 3 | £689 | A |
| Year 4 | £895 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,278 | A |
| Overall | £3,465 | A |
The Suzuki Swift is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Only available with a petrol powertrain, the Swift is very efficient, its average fuel consumption of 61mpg (ranging from 58 to 64mpg) matching many hybridised cars of this size. It’s insurance bracket is on the cheap side too.
The Swift’s estimated servicing and maintenance costs are also excellent, pretty much costing the same as its predecessor over the first five years of ownership.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Suzuki Swift, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Honda Jazz | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | Mini Cooper | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Suzuki Swift at The Car Expert
Buy a Suzuki Swift
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Suzuki Swift, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Lease a Suzuki Swift
If you’re looking to lease a new Suzuki Swift, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Suzuki Swift
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)