Back in 2005 when we started this NihonCar thing we already had in mind a quite long list of cars to test drive. On this website we always try to get our hands on the cars that are worth it (in our opinion) and that may catch the interest of as many people as possible.
Among the numerous cars in this list was a small city car with sporty look that I had been eager to drive for ages: the Suzuki Swift Sport.
So let's begin with a little history because the Swift is no new car, the 1st version came out more than 20 years ago. All these years the Swift has been available on the Japanese, American and European markets but it's only recently, in 2004, that the fourth generation of the Swift started to claim a real success thanks to its elegant lines, good performances and an affordable price. Later on, in 2005, Suzuki added a "sport version" to the lineup in order to challenge some cars such as the VW Polo GTI, the Mini Cooper S or the Mitsubishi Colt RalliArt and therefore, to please some fans of the Swift who wanted it to be...swifter.
As a result the Swift Sport is a "spiced" version of the stock model, a hatch back with round, soft and good looking design, a short nose fitted with big headlamps giving what I consider as a pleasant style. Then, depending on where you live, you might have different choices for the Swift Sport with either 2 or 4 doors. Obviously the 2 doors version looks like a legitimate pick for this type of car but, oddly, it's not available in Japan ! So we had to stick with the 4 doors (UK readers will be pleased to know the 2 doors version is available in their country). With fog lamps, a dynamic body made of new side skirts, a rear spoiler and 16 inches alloy rims (17' in the UK did I say lucky guys ?!?) our Swift looks like a rally car ready for some action ! And honestly it is its look which gives it an advantage over the others, sporty and classy at the same time.
Once inside the "SSS" welcomes you with an interior that totally matches the sporty spirit shown outside, giving the car a real identity. Black/Red Recaro bucket seats at the front and a speedometer that proudly shows 220kmh (that you would have a hard time trying to reach), the steering wheel is covered by fine leather and aluminium pedals (slippery when your shoes are wet). The overall quality is good even though its relative simplicity disappointed us a bit.
As you expected the picture can (almost) never be completely clean so here are the 2 majors complaints that we have about the interior:
-The design of the dashboard looks old and the CD player is not attractive at all.
-The "comfort" of the bucket seat in normal condition becomes a disadvantage as soon as your right foot gets heavy and corners come along the way.
Of course it's important to keep in mind that we have here an affordable car and that, to keep this reasonable price, Suzuki could certainly not be on top on each part of the car.
The driving sensations now ! Swift Sport show me what you've got ! Well, unfortunately the enthusiasm of the first kilometres is replaced by the frustration of an underpowered engine. What we have here is a VVT DOHC 1.6L (4 cylinders) producing 126HP with a torque of 148Nm (compared to the 1.3L and 92HP in the stock version) but it's not enough even with a light body of only 1.090KG (2.400LBS)and a greatly reworked chassis(Monroe shock absorbers). Why ? Because of too long gearbox ratios and the lack of torque.Frustrating I told you.
In the end this Suzuki is far from a bad car, its style and elegance combined with a perfected chassis make it a very pleasant car to drive on a daily basis, but, for a sport version we were expecting more from the 126HP engine or more precisely the gearbox, really sad indeed when you know that Mitsubishi for example with their Colt Ralliart Version-R(
You can access to our test here), much less prettier is a more powerful and fun car to drive. Just like many other sports versions nowadays, the Suzuki Swift has the look but not the performances. So? what are you sold to ? Style or performance ?
This test was done on the NATS (Nippon Automobile College) circuit with the help of
Masaki Nishihara
Posted on 29/12/06 By G-A.G
