Tuesday 28th February 2017

Suzuki Swift Sport: PH Fleet

Will Matt's loyalty falter after exposure to another Japanese hot hatch?

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I know, I know, a comparison of the Swift Sport with the old Honda Civic Type R is not fair. Or all that valid, come to think of it. Because if you're interested in a Sport - and you very much should be - then you won't also be considering an 11-year-old Honda as an alternative. However as two light, revvy and fun Japanese hot hatches, it was interesting to compare and contrast.

Not much size difference, is there? Both are on 17-inch wheels, with the Swift appearing fractionally taller and similar on width too. The Civic is longer, but it goes to show how the B and C segments have changed over the past 15 years.

Inside both sit you a bit too high, however each also with good seats and steering wheels. Both even have electric steering that could be better. There are more similarities than you might think, basically, with that pleasing Japanese tradition of placing the driver right at the centre of things.

Of course what really separates the Civic from the Swift, plus its contemporaries, is that powertrain. The Type R's engine shines in the package like the Maltesers in a tin of Celebrations, the best bit that's on offer by a long way. The zeal, energy and frenzied nature of that 2.0-litre VTEC is addictive, complemented beautifully by the six-speed manual. Even now it feels fast and almost exotic, to a level that the Swift can't compete with.

But as I said, that's not a relevant comparison. Not only does the Swift remain a performance car bargain at £14K, I'm finding more things to like about it. The dimensions are spot on for someone who spends a lot of time in urban areas, the Swift's slender frame ideal for darting into gaps and parking in small spaces; the latter's particularly good if your parking skills aren't exactly up to scratch.

It's still large enough and comfortable enough on longer journeys however, small boot notwithstanding. It does make you wonder why people bother with things so much bigger.

Foolishly this month I've let other people borrow the Swift, from which praise has been less forthcoming. I shan't name names, however complaints of meagre performance that's too difficult to access have been heard. Heathens! The very joy of the Swift is that its modest numbers have to be worked for and that it can be driven hard without (much) fear, chasing revs and the limit of grip to your heart's content. The truly humble hot hatch is dying, though it's not hard to see why when issues like this are raised. Said staff members will surely be happy when the next turbocharged Swift Sport arrives, presumably with even wider tyres and a host more driver aids. Or maybe the diesel.

I must finish with an apology too, as the comparison that is genuinely relevant - with other forgotten hot hatches from days gone by - hasn't been organised yet. It will be done soon! I really need to get that foglight sorted as well; the little Swift has largely been kept in airport car parks recently, which I don't like. Finally, employing a more economical (kind of) driving style - albeit without many motorway miles - saw the Swift return 35mpg. Back to the old way it is then!

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FACT SHEET
Car: Suzuki Swift Sport
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: October 2016
Mileage: 4,009 (delivered on 300)
List price new: £14,399
Last month at a glance: Others may not agree, but it's still a super Swift for Matt

Previous updates:
A Swift hello!
Doors for thought as Matt gets in a five-door Sport
A Goodwood great? Not far off...
More miles means more smiles

[VeeFource]

There's nothing that special about the mpg of the Swift when driven economically, but there is when pushed compared to other modern turbocharged stuff which seems to drop like a stone when on boost.

[VeeFource]

davidcharles said:

KevinCamaroSS said:

I think Matt has lost the plot. A Suzuki Swift Sport is absolutely NOT a hot hatch.

its not??...why not?.... its a faster/sporty version of a hatchback....what else does it need to be a hot hatch?

Exactly, the Swift is almost identical to the power:weight of a 205 GTI, are you saying that's not a hot hatch? Granted it's at the bottom end of the spectrum.

If you're comparing it to a Leon Cupra or something similar then you're talking mega hatch, not hot hatch.

[VeeFource]

KevinCamaroSS said:

A lot more power. It has no more power than cooking versions of other manufacturers. It can, at best, be described as 'warm'.

Same power to weight as a 30 year old hot-hatch? Woopee-doo, hardly cutting edge is it?

So you're judging and writing off a car solely by it's power output and nothing else. I think I speak for most of us when I say..

PS Never go go-karting, you'd be too embarrassed to sit in such lowly peasant machinery.

[VeeFource]

Fire99 said:

BricktopST205 said:

True but the Civic lacks the creature comforts like climate, keyless entry, xenons, dab etc etc. There is no doubt the Civic is the better car for a driver but the Swift gives the same feeling of enjoyment (Having to wring the neck out of the engine) while being a lot more modern. I think that's what he was trying to point out.

Now I'm pretty certain the one I drove had AirCon and I have a canny feeling the later type R came with full 'Climate' if you wanted it. Keyless Entry I still see no need what so ever for and HID's (having had them on my last car) cause more annoyance for other drivers and not vast benefit than conventional projectors with decent bulbs..

I'm not particularly a Civic fan (bar the engine) but I honestly don't see anything offered in the Swift that would be a deal breaker in the Civic, as a daily driver..

What about cruise control? That would be a deal breaker for me. The electric retractable mirrors are mega handy for putting the car in the garage too. There's also the factory nav with usb/bluetooth etc though this could be retrofitted to the Civic in fairness.

great_kahn said:

Suzuki Swift Sport, definitely a car for the minority who love to justify there purchase of the wrong car.

Hot hatch? Pull the other one.

That would make for the most bizarre reason to choose a car. How about a car others resent as they know a Swift Sport driver will be having more fun more of the time for less cash? Sorry if I hit a nerve

[VeeFource]

HannsG said:

My choice was between this and a Panda 100HP.
I chose the Panda cos of MPG and fun factor.

I know they're meant to be riots to drive, but I can't imagine it would have the edge over the SSS for fun factor? Surely it's all about the cost savings?