Suzuki Swift Sport 1.3 DDiS SZ3

21:26, Feb 4 2012 Road Test by John Murdoch, drivingforce.uk.net

THE Suzuki Swift is one of my favourite superminis with its blend of sharp styling, space and economy. I have just been driving the diesel version which was introduced  to the UK market last summer and it is a cracking option. It will save private and  company drivers a small fortune in tax as it falls into the £20 car tax bracket and has C02 emissions of just 109g/km. Powered by a 1,248cc four cylinder unit the DDiS engine produces 75bhp. That is good enough to give the Swift a top speed of 109mph and a sprint to 62mph in 12.7 seconds. The figures don’t tell the real story as the Swift always has plenty punch on tap when you need it. A bit noisy when first started the engine soon settles down and is very smooth on the move. The Swift’s compact dimensions mean that it is a fine companion in town and very easy to park because of its excellent all-round vision. On the open road the diesel provides a satisfying drive and the Swift is agile and offers plenty grip.  It cruises comfortably on the motorway and at the same time sips fuel. The combined figure claimed is 67.3mpg and while I did not get that over the course of a week, I did average over 60mpg without trying too hard. On longer journeys it was easy to exceed the claimed figure as long as you were not too heavy with the right foot. The Swift’s cabin is very comfortable and provides a huge amount of space for a compact car.  The instruments and controls are clear and tidy and easy to read and use. It all feels very well built and the materials are as good as anything else in the class. The boot is not huge but can easily handle the shopping and the space can be increased if you collapse the rear seats. The five doors also make it more practical than many rivals. The Swift line-up comes in three trims but the diesel version is only available in the mid Z3 level. Equipment is generous. You get a CD player, USB port  and steering wheel mounted audio controls as well as alloy wheels and air conditioning. Strong on safety features the Swift has a stability programme as standard with seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, a reinforced body with crumple zones and many other features. An engine immobiliser and deadlocks help to prevent your pride and joy from being nicked. The Swift has been a huge success for Suzuki and over 1.75 million have now been sold throughout the world. This diesel priced at a keen £13,335 will build on that success and win the Swift even more fans.   FAST FACTS Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS SZ3 5dr Price: £13,355 Mechanical: 75bhp, 1,248cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox Max speed: 109mph 0-62mph: 12.7 seconds Combined mpg: 67.3 Insurance group: 3 CO2 emissions: 109g/km BiK rating: 10% Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles