We like
Sweet to drive, ridiculously efficient, cheaper than any other hybrid in Australia, doesn’t require a degree to operate, no annoying safety tech, lower pricing than previous non-hybrid model

Room for improvement
Only six airbags, rivals have full digital driver instrumentation, lacking amenities in the back row, no spare wheel, feels like a budget car inside

Overview

 

SUZUKI Australia has launched the cheapest hybrid car in Australia, and it’s simple and sensational.

 

Now, before we go too much further, the Japanese brand’s local arm calls the new-generation Swift a ‘Hybrid’, but in reality it’s actually mild-hybrid, employing a modest 12-volt lithium-ion system.

Does that really matter though, when the official fuel use number is lower than some rival ‘full hybrid’ models, and it costs less too.

That’s the big thing here. The Swift Hybrid line-up starts at $24,490 drive-away, and tops out at $29,490 drive-away, undercutting the just launched MG3 Hybrid+ (from $27,990 +ORCs - or about $30,200 drive-away) and the Toyota Yaris Hybrid (from $28,500 +ORCs, or about $32,200 drive-away).

 

There are three different versions of the Swift Hybrid on sale now, starting with the entry-grade, simply known as Swift Hybrid. It has the choice of a five-speed manual ($24,490 drive-away) or CVT auto ($26,990 drive-away) and comes decently equipped with LED headlights and daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels and plastic covers, heated door mirrors, keyless entry and push-button start, cloth seat trim, a 9.0-inch touchscreen media system with standard satnav, wired Android Auto and wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and DAB radio.

 

Mid-spec Hybrid Plus costs $28,490 drive-away, is auto only, but comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a leather steering wheel, heated front seats with a different fabric finish, driver’s seat height adjustment, USB-A and USB-C ports and added safety kit in the form of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

 

And the range-topping Hybrid GLX auto ($29,490 drive-away) gets a different set of 16-inch alloys, folding door mirrors, wireless phone charging, paddle shifters, single-zone climate control and a rear heater duct.

 

Plus for all grades there’s a digital speedo and plenty more standard safety spec’ including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, auto-high beam lights, traffic sign recognition, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors. There are six airbags fitted (dual front, front side and full-length curtain).

 

The interior of the new Swift is built to a price, and that’s fine but the MG3 feels more flashy inside. There are hard-wearing plastics and cloth seat trim, but it’s great to see seat heating fitted to the mid-spec model (can’t get that in any MG3), and the new dashboard design is contemporary enough despite lacking full digital driver instrumentation – but at least there’s a digital speedo, this time.

 

The 9.0-inch touchscreen should do the job for most customers but a lack of knobs and buttons may frustrate some. At least it has wired Android Auto, wired/wireless Apple CarPlay, satnav and simple menus.

There’s decent storage on offer with cup and bottle holders up front and a few loose item pockets. You have to spend up to the top-spec for a wireless phone charger, though. The rear seat is less impressive, with no map pockets, no armrest (and therefore no cup holders), and no directional air-vents or charging options. There are rear bottle holders, however.

In the boot there’s a decent 265 litres of cargo capacity and while there’s seemingly room for a space-saver spare wheel, one hasn’t been fitted - instead, buyers must make do with a repair kit.

 

All versions are powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 12-volt mild-hybrid technology. The outputs are 61kW of power and 112Nm of torque, which seems modest, but it has an integrated starter generator that pumps out 2.3kW and 60Nm and can act as an electric motor to restart or assist the engine in some situations.

 

The five-speed manual has a claimed fuel consumption of just 3.8 litres per 100km, while the CVT automatic claims 4.0 litres per 100km. There’s a 37L fuel tank, but it needs 95RON premium unleaded. Part of the reason the car is so efficient is its lightweight design - the manual tips the scales at just 919kg (kerb), and the CVT auto is 957kg (kerb).

 

Suzuki Australia backs the Swift with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service intervals are every 12 months/15,000km, and you get up to five years of roadside assistance included at no cost if you maintain the car with the brand.

 

Driving impressions

 

Here’s why I said it’s simple and sensational earlier on.

 

This is a refreshing new-generation car because it doesn’t have any of those utterly infuriating ‘safety assistance technologies’ that incessantly bing and bong at you. No, it has a speed-sign recognition system, but it’s visual only. And while other markets cop a driver monitoring camera in their new-gen Swift, we don’t, and I’m okay with that. Also, the lane-keeping assistance isn’t pushy. As a result, the safety tech is really, superbly well judged in this little car.

 

It’s also fun to drive.

 

The launch program consisted of primarily urban driving in speed zones up to 80km/h, which - given the size and price of the Swift - is where most will live their lives. And it was very amenable to that sort of stop-start driving in a mix of scenarios including arterial roads, traffic jams, and a bit of twisty stuff, too.

 

The ride is a touch firm when you hit sharp edges but general road compliance is exceptional for a car of this size and weight with such a short wheelbase, while the steering is direct and predictable, but the steering wheel itself is maybe a bit large for this category of car.

 

The hybrid system is almost imperceptible in its operation, with smooth integration and a clean change-over between the start-stop system powering up and the powertrain kicking into action. While it’s not as powerful as an MG3 Hybrid, it seemed adequate for overtaking and quick getaways from the traffic lights.

I drove both the manual and CVT models, too, and while the stick shift is a lovely and smooth action, hardly anyone in the city will buy one. The CVT has that typical drone noise to it, exacerbated somewhat by the three-cylinder thrum and can be a little slow to respond when shifting between drive and reverse if you’re attempting a quick park, but that’s not unusual.

 

While it doesn’t necessarily feel like a massive step forward for the Swift in terms of the drive experience, the real-world fuel use could be the clincher. On the loop we drove, trip computers read between 4.0 and 4.5 litres per 100km, so city-dwellers can expect properly frugal movement around town.