When a manufacturer brings out a car that is genuinely fun to drive, expectations are always going to be high when it comes to the possibility of a sports derivative. This is certainly the case with the Suzuki Swift.
Slowly earning itself a reputation for exciting driving dynamics, Swift fans rejoiced when the Sport model hit the market, relishing the opportunity to buy a truly affordable hot hatch (or warm hatch in this case).
Now in its second-generation, the Swift Sport offers a slightly perkier engine, enhanced on-road prowess and some nifty exterior extras to boot, giving those who love the standard Swift something to put on their Christmas list.
But even when the source material is excellent, some manufacturers can overdo it and ultimately tarnish a good model. Is that the case with the Swift Sport?
Performance
Unlike the standard range, the Swift Sport gets a 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 134bhp. This can complete the zero to 62mph sprint in 8.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 121mph.
These figures may not seem that impressive – especially when compared to the likes of the Fiesta ST with its 6.9 seconds benchmark time. However, when the gearbox is worked right, the 1.6-litre petrol can deliver surprisingly entertaining results. The required work in this department, however, is what makes the Swift Sport truly engaging. Keep your eyes on the revs, feel out the peak torque and you can have a lot of fun.
The six-speed manual gearbox on offer is also very slick and snappy, making it easier to quickly climb the gears when needed - ultimately adding to its fun-factor.
Ride and Handling
If you push the Swift Sport a little too far into the corners then you will be met with a bit of understeer, but this essentially acts as a safety net to let you know where the cars limits are.
When pulling off for the first time and going over a few bumps you may notice that the ride is ever so slightly firmer, but not enough to become a nuisance. In fact, you will be grateful for the added rigidity when you drive more enthusiastically. Suzuki has done a great job of retuning the chassis in the Sport, as it is much more composed in the corners with excellent grip and little body roll. There is also great amounts of feedback, which makes cornering truly enjoyable. It is not as engrossing as the MINI Hatch Cooper, but as an entry-point into the hot hatch segment, it is brilliant. If you push the Swift Sport a little too far into the corners then you will be met with a bit of understeer, but this essentially acts as a safety net to let you know where the cars limits are. Thanks to the suspension not being overly firm, the Swift Sport is also happy when cruising around urban and city streets.
Interior and Equipment
The Suzuki Swift supermini has been around since the early 1980s.
Sitting above the top-of-the-range SX4 trim of the standard Swift range, the Sport grade brings with it the most luxurious features of the Swift line-up, including Bluetooth, sat-nav, air-conditioning and DAB digital radio. Front passenger space is very impressive thanks to the capacious amount of head room. Rear passengers may struggle a little due to the sloping roof, but not enough to warrant complaints. The biggest grievance with the cabin is the quality of the materials used. As with the standard Swift, the plastics are very scratchy and feel cheap – also, the touchscreen set-up looks very dated. Practicality isn’t great either as it offers the same 211 litres of boot space as the standard model, which can be extended to 512 litres by folding the seats down. At least Suzuki added a five-door body style option in 2013 to add a bit more flexibility.
Cost
Even if you go for the five-door version, it will still only cost £14,999.
Fuel economy and efficiency figures are not massively impressive, at 147g/km and a claimed 44.1mpg (realistically around 35mpg) respectively. But what makes the Swift Sport an appealing option is its price tag of just £13,999 – making it the cheapest hot hatch on the market. Even if you go for the five-door version, it will still only cost £14,999.
Our Verdict
The Swift Sport is a great example of a manufacturer doing just the right amount of tweaking to make a good model great. Also, if you are desperately after the closest thing to a racy hot hatch, but at an affordable price, then the Swift Sport is what you would typically call a ‘no-brainer’. Interior quality may not be as good as some of its rivals, but that is where its chiselled price tag takes effect and if you are after fun, this won’t bother you too much. Those who are after a hot hatch with mouth-watering performance figures may scoff at the Swift Sport, but you really have to drive one first to get what it is all about. Surely it can only get better for the Swift Sport – and we can’t wait for the next-generation.