2024 Suzuki Swift Launch Review

Think Suzuki, and you’ll immediately think Suzuki Swift. The Swift brand has certainly earnt itself quite the following over the years with a whopping 9-million Swifts finding homes around the world since the nameplate was launched in 1984. Come 2024, and enter the all-new 2024 Suzuki Swift.

In the current automotive landscape, selling small cars presents significant challenges. Profit margins are narrowing while the demand for SUVs continues to soar, making the prospect of launching a new Suzuki Swift seem rather risky. Suzuki actually views this as an opportunity to appeal to buyers not chasing small SUVs to capture sales that larger brands may overlook.

Sure, small SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 have led to the decline of once-popular models such as the Mazda2 and the Kia Stonic, and Nissan Juke have even led to the complete death of once-popular models such as the Rio, and Micra. Being a small car certainly isn’t easy in today’s day and age as it used to be.

This is where the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift hybrid enters the scene. While it maintains the essence of its predecessors, Suzuki has infused it with modern technology, a sleek aesthetic and some rather keen pricing. Sure, it’s no longer the sub-$20k hero it once used to be, but this new 2024 Suzuki Swift promises to be an excellent pick for those after a solid and affordable small car. We attended the local launch to find out whether this is THE small car to put on your shopping list.

How much does the 2024 Suzuki Swift cost to buy?

Suzuki has delivered big time on the value with Swift pricing starting off in the mid $20,000 range, with none of the new models exceeding the $30,000 mark (and that’s drive away, too!). This bodes well for those looking for a safe and dependable first car, or a sweet city runabout.

2024 Suzuki Swift pricing:

• Hybrid manual: $24,490
• Hybrid CVT: $26,990
• Plus hybrid CVT: $28,490
• GLX hybrid CVT: $29,490

At the time of launch, all of these prices are drive away nationwide.

The freshly-launched MG3 kicks off from just $23,990 plus on-road costs but currently doesn’t feature drive-away pricing. The MG3 does however feature an all-auto line-up, and while some models don’t have hybrid drivetrains, the hybrid drivetrains in the MG3 have substantially more power than the mild-hybrid drivetrain used in the Swift.

The MG3 also seems to be better equipped than the Swift, with a larger screen, auto-folding mirrors and a height adjustable driver’s seat on all models. The Swift makes do without any of these, though it does include satellite navigation, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and LED headlights at the base model.

2024 Suzuki Swift standard equipment:

Swift Hybrid:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights
• Rear fog light
• Intermittent manual wipers
• Keyless entry and push button start
• Electric front and rear windows with auto up/down functionality for the driver
• Electric mirrors with heating
• Urethane steering wheel with audio and cruise controls
• LCD driver’s display with a trip computer and digital speedometer
• 9.0-inch touchscreen
• Satellite navigation
• Wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Bluetooth calling and audio streaming
• 12V and USB-A charging ports

Swift Hybrid standard safety equipment:

• Six airbags
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning and prevention
• Lane keeping assistance
• Auto high beam
• Traffic sign recogntion
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Alarm

The Swift range is yet to receive an ANCAP rating, but we have high hopes for it thanks to the inclusion of decent active and passive safety tech.

Swift Hybrid Plus adds:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• ‘Premium’ seat fabric
• Heated front seats
• Height adjustment for the driver’s seat
• USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• CVT automatic transmission

Swift Hybrid GLX adds:

• Polished 16-inch alloy wheels
• Wireless phone charger
• Electric-folding mirrors
• Paddle shifters
• Single-zone automatic climate control with rear heater ducts

2024 Suzuki Swift colour options:

• Pure White Pearl
• Premium Silver Metallic (+$645)
• Mineral Grey Metallic (+$645)
• Super Black Metallic (+$645)
• Flame Orange Metallic (+$645)
• Burning Red Metallic (+$645)
• Frontier Blue Pearl with black roof (+$1,145)

How powerful is the 2024 Suzuki Swift?

Under the bonnet of the 2024 Suzuki Swift is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a tiny electric motor making 61kW of power (at 5,700rpm) and 112Nm of torque (at 4,500rpm) – or 7kW/8Nm less than the current model. The 12V mild-hybrid system, which helps the petrol engine, makes just 2.3kW of power and 60Nm of torque and incorporates an integrated starter generator that functions as both a generator and an electric motor to aid both performance and fuel consumption. True, the Swift never really gets to drive on electric power alone, like most proper hybrids such as the Toyota Yaris, but the electric motor does step to help the engine out in stop start traffic.

The Swift’s engine is actually an all-new unit designed in house and is about as powerful as the unit in the old car, but it’s now 8% more fuel efficient, produces less CO2 and get the Swift up to 100km/h from rest in about 12 seconds in the manual, and 13 seconds in the auto.

Thanks to the small engine and MHEV system, the 2024 Suzuki Swift is one of most fuel-efficient cars in Australia, rated at just 3.8L/100km for the manual and 4.0L/100km for the CVT automatic – an improvement of 0.8L/100km on the current Swift auto and a rather excellent result.

A Toyota Yaris Hybrid is rated at an even better 3.3L/100km and will use less fuel than any Swift in the real world. Having said that, the proper hybrid system in the Yaris does make it more expensive to purchase in the first place.

During our drive loop in the automatic Swift Hybrid Plus, we averaged around 5L/100km in a mix of urban and country driving, which is a rather decent result for a car of this size.

What is the 2024 Suzuki Swift like to drive?

In a nutshell? Really darn good. The new Swift is still based on Suzuki’s lightweight ‘HEARTECT’ vehicle platform carried over from the previous model and while the external design has been revised to give the car a more contemporary look, the basic dimensions and body underneath the panels are the same as before. Luckily, this also means the Swift is one lightweight small car, imparting it with both dynamic enthusiasm and decent comfort.

The engine is super sweet, with decent low-down torque and a playful character. The Swift is one light car, weighing only around 900kg, in a world of porky cars – so acceleration doesn’t feel laboured or too pedestrian. Kudos to Suzuki for retaining the manual too, which will always remain the driver’s pick with a slick and sporty shift action. The CVT automatic goes about its business just fine, even if it won’t win any awards for driver involvement. Both in town and on the open road, the Swift will never feel breathless, or too lacking in power. Sure, the Swift will never set the world on fire, but it will be acceptable for most buyers.

A true hybrid however, this certainly is not. The Toyota Yaris and even the newcomer MG 3 hybrid models are both proper hybrids which can run on pure electricity alone, where their electric motors provide a genuine boost to performance. Many would be hard pressed to feel the effect of the Swift’s electric motor in the rear world.

Suzuki has thoroughly reworked the Swift’s suspension setup to help it glide over changing road surfaces more comfortably, while still retaining the Swift’s fun to drive feel. On the open road, the steering impresses with quick and accurate responses, giving confidence in how much grip there is.

Through corners, the Swift’s light and eager feel truly pays dividends when it comes to handling as it grips tenaciously and changes direction keenly. The Swift truly is what a small, light and fun car should be with an honest, yet thoroughly sophisticated feel behind the wheel.

Suzuki has also worked hard to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car with a series of exterior amendments, while a new adhesive has been introduced to the under body to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Sadly, it’s still not a particularly hushed cruiser, but then again at this price point, what is?

How practical is the 2024 Suzuki Swift?

Suzuki hasn’t just spent effort on the restyling the exterior as the Swift’s interior has been thoroughly refreshed too. While scratchy plastics abound and soft surfaces are rare, everything feels built to last and looks decent. Things are understated and we were delighted to find plenty of physical controls for the climate control and heated seats even. This is very much an interior which prioritises function, over form with a splash of funky surface design textures to liven the cabin up. Still, things feel modern in here and bang up to date for those after a small car.

Measuring 3,860mm long, 1,735mm wide, 1,520mm tall and riding on a 2,450mm long wheelbase, the 2024 Suzuki Swift is 20mm longer, the same width, 25mm taller and riding on an identical wheelbase to the last-generation model.

Interior tech is strong with a bright and modern 9.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and some super clear instruments. We certainly wouldn’t expect digital dials at this price point. The screen itself works well with crisp and clear graphics, even if the actual software feels a little yesteryear.

Up front, the seats themselves are supportive and comfortable with decent mechanical adjustability on all but the base model. The base Swift misses out on heigh adjustment for the driver, meaning some drivers will find it difficult to find their ideal driving position. Front space is good, with a large glovebox but not quite enough room for larger mobile phones, which will sadly end up in the cupholders.

Heading into the rear, there’s loads of headroom thanks to the Swift’s boxy shape and legroom is good for the class, without being too expansive. Amenities are a little lacking in the rear, with not an armrest, air vent or USB port in sight. Outboard passengers get decent door bin bottle holders, though. The rear doors also open nice and wide, and the large expanses of glass help fend off any feelings of claustrophobia.

The boot is nicely shaped and comes with a 265-litre boot (measured below the parcel shelf), which is competitive with other small cars such as the Mazda2. Folding the rear seat unlocks 980L of space and overall, there is 23L/62L seats up/down respectively more space than the last-generation model.

There’s a big drop down from the boot edge and no height-adjustable floor to help with loading and unloading. The rear seatbacks split 60/40 and fold down to make more space for luggage but leave an annoying step in the floor making trips to Ikea not as smooth as they could be.

Sadly, no Swift comes with a spare tyre – all models feature tyre repair kits under the boot floor.

What warranty covers the 2024 Suzuki Swift?

Like other new Suzuki cars, the 2024 Suzuki Swift is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance. It includes five years/100,000km of capped price servicing, with servicing required once yearly or every 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Over five years/75,000km – split over 12-month/15,000km intervals – the Swift Hybrid costs an identical $1955 to maintain as its 1.2-litre four-cylinder predecessor, compared to $1225 for a Toyota Yaris Hybrid, $2116 for a Mazda2, $3031 for a Skoda Fabia, and a whopping $3423 for a Volkswagen Polo.

Should I buy a 2024 Suzuki Swift?

We really loved our brief taste of the 2024 Suzuki Swift and came away impressed with Suzuki’s latest small car. The Swift walks tall with a roomy interior, keen pricing and a brilliant fun to drive feel from behind the wheel. Yes, the interior is a little on the cheap side, the boot a little small, and there are some glaring spec omissions such as a lack of driver’s seat height adjustment, but the new Swift remains cheap and more efficient than ever. Crucially, it proves just how good small cars can be, and highlights that buyers don’t need to flock to SUVs to don’t need to have an SUV to navigate the urban jungle.

There are bigger and more comfortable cars out there, but for this money, the Swift is a great purchase and brilliant value. We recommend the base model with a manual gearbox or the mid-spec Hybrid Plus with the auto, if not having to swap gears in traffic is your thing. The Swift absolutely nails what a small car should be in 2024 and frankly, we love it.