Suzuki’s evergreen Swift can best be described as a happy product. It’s a fresh, competent and honest little package boasting lots of the right stuff. Suzuki SA has now added even more.
The updates here are quite minor as far as product refreshers go. The big news is the addition of ESP on all 5 grades. This is good news for everyone and it heightens the appeal of the range. This should bode well for salespeople across the Suzuki network giving the Swift a suite of ABS, ESP and EBD safety features.
The Suzuki Swift’s pricing has risen ever so slightly. The base model retails from R174 900 and the 1.2 GLX Auto(AMT) is R234 900. It’s all within a strong price point and will see the Swift prove once again why this recipe of competitive pricing with a good product is successful.
Aesthetic Enhancements
The other big news is the introduction of two-tone colour schemes on the Swift. This is popular on more pricy Suzuki models such as the Vitara and the Vitara Brezza and presumably Suzuki has taken some learnings from these and other two-tone competitors to offer this funky new palette. Only the base model Swift 1.2 GA model cannot be purchased with a two-tone paint job but for everything else, you can choose from these combos: Fire Red with Black roof, Midnight Blue Pearl with White roof and Arctic White Pearl with a Black roof. These colours give the Swift a fresh and smart appeal especially at this price.
The grille has been given a very mild update with a chrome line across the centre and the addition of fog lamps on the GL and GLX models. New 14-inch wheel covers grace the GA spec Swift and smart new 15-inch alloys are fitted to the GLX models.
Same engine, same performance
No changes have been made to the drivetrain and there’s not much to be sad about here. The Swift drives well enough with the punchy 1.2 NA mill. 61kW and 114Nm are not much to celebrate on paper but within a sub 1-ton car, the Swift feels fast enough especially the 5-speed manual version. It’s nimble and adequately powered, never feeling underwhelming and boring.
On road manners is competent and especially at highway speeds, I was impressed with the quality of the drive through a lack of road noise and a comfortable ride. Body roll is noticeable in hard corners but this is a small entry-level car and in segment, the Swift is amiably agile.
South African Pricing of the 2021 Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GA MT R180 900 (incl VAT)
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL MT R199 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL AMT R214 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT R218 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX AMT R234 900
