On an extended test: The Suzuki Swift

Shooting the sales lights out again and again. That’s that “darling”, dare I say small car with a big heart. I just loved my recent time testing the manual edition.

A few things that ticks the boxes. Firstly, it’s light on fuel with around 5l per 100km. Then, the stop/ start where the engine cuts off when the vehicle stops.

The back wiper was very useful. And then the interior is spacious as you like, with three adults occupying the back seat comfortably. The Suzuki Swift keeps on hitting the sales figures out of the park.

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Month after month, the figures, as provided by Naamsa, are really not surprising, absolutely astounding. Now that is saying something! Real value for moneyThe sales figures will tell you that the Swift is very much loved by South Africans.

And you are bound to see a view, if not more, on your daily commutes. The price tag is arguably the lowest in class, best safety features across the range, a new three-cylinder engine with running costs as low as 98c per km and a smooth and comfortable ride, with ample space all-round. Then there’s the dapper good looks and the exciting new colours that the Swift is available.

Fresh exterior styling, a revamped interior and advanced digitisation, smooth and comfortable ride and more. What sets the new Swift apart from the outgoing model?You don’t mess with a winning recipe. With over nine million units sold globally since 2004, it’s clear the Swift’s youthful and energetic exterior styling is a big part of its all-round appeal.

Key revisions comprise restyled headlight clusters with L-shaped signature lamps; an oval radiator grille with a piano black finish and a muscular new bumper beset with a more pronounced lower intake. Adding extra front-end spice is a clamshell bonnet with shut-lines that blend effortlessly into the creased shoulder line. Drive it!Certain parts of KZN presents an ideal platform to test vehicles, both on and off road. I put the Swift through some undulating and rolling ups and downs, sharp lefts and rights and flat out on the straights.

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