RE: Suzuki Swift Sport: PH Fleet
Tuesday 28th February 2017
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.
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.
Suzuki Swift Sport: PH Fleet
Will Matt's loyalty falter after exposure to another Japanese hot hatch?
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.
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!
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
 |
 |
 |
 |
Discussion
Terrible MPG, lacklustre NA engine, poverty badge, next to no tuning potential. No wonder they are flying out of the showrooms... oh..
If this is paid review, surely it needs to be advertised as such?
You would need to be off your rocker to buy one of these when there are so many better alternatives out there.
If this is paid review, surely it needs to be advertised as such?
You would need to be off your rocker to buy one of these when there are so many better alternatives out there.
great_kahn said:
Terrible MPG, lacklustre NA engine, poverty badge, next to no tuning potential. No wonder they are flying out of the showrooms... oh..
If this is paid review, surely it needs to be advertised as such?
You would need to be off your rocker to buy one of these when there are so many better alternatives out there.
Go drive one and you will see how great they are to use as a daily. We have gotten too used to "POWAH" just because it is simply there when in reality we do not really need it. I daily share an Ignis Sport with the missus (The Swift Sports Grandfather). Together we do circa 12000 miles a year yet i get to drive a petrol that is immense fun to drive and no matter how much I rag it I still get 40MPG. Also I can have immense fun at the limits at a more reasonable speed. My highly modified GT-Four on the other hand needs some proper speed throwing at it for the same feeling. Also due to the simplistic nature of a N/A engine there is not much to go wrong and Suzuki's of this nature are highly reliable in return. Also as mentioned due to its size it is great around town. If this is paid review, surely it needs to be advertised as such?
You would need to be off your rocker to buy one of these when there are so many better alternatives out there.
Edited by BricktopST205 on Tuesday 28th February 09:32
Not the most compelling of articles.. The Swift gets compared with a Civic Type R and then half way though it's said that it's not a relevant comparison...
Personally, having driven a Type R pretty extensively over a couple of weeks (back when new), I'd still go with a good condition, Used Type-R over the Swift and it'll probably keep a large chunk of its value too.
The Swift has its charms but it's still a disposable 'white-goods' hatchback where as the Civic with that intoxicating engine creeps into the 'special' category where a mint, standard one is worth preserving (and driving)
Personally, having driven a Type R pretty extensively over a couple of weeks (back when new), I'd still go with a good condition, Used Type-R over the Swift and it'll probably keep a large chunk of its value too.
The Swift has its charms but it's still a disposable 'white-goods' hatchback where as the Civic with that intoxicating engine creeps into the 'special' category where a mint, standard one is worth preserving (and driving)
BricktopST205 said:
Go drive one and you will see how great they are to use as a daily. We have gotten too used to "POWAH" just because it is simply there when in reality we do not really need it. I daily share an Ignis Sport with the missus (The Swift Sports Grandfather). Together we do circa 12000 miles a year yet i get to drive a petrol that is immense fun to drive and no matter how much I rag it I still get 40MPG. Also I can have immense fun at the limits at a more reasonable speed. My highly modified GT-Four on the other hand needs some proper speed throwing at it for the same feeling. Also due to the simplistic nature of a N/A engine there is not much to go wrong and Suzuki's of this nature are highly reliable in return. Also as mentioned due to its size it is great around town.
Completely agree with you. I've hired Swifts at the Ring a fair few times and they are brilliant cars.Edited by BricktopST205 on Tuesday 28th February 09:32
Edited by motor mad on Tuesday 28th February 10:43
Fire99 said:
Not the most compelling of articles.. The Swift gets compared with a Civic Type R and then half way though it's said that it's not a relevant comparison...
Personally, having driven a Type R pretty extensively over a couple of weeks (back when new), I'd still go with a good condition, Used Type-R over the Swift and it'll probably keep a large chunk of its value too.
The Swift has its charms but it's still a disposable 'white-goods' hatchback where as the Civic with that intoxicating engine creeps into the 'special' category where a mint, standard one is worth preserving (and driving)
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.Personally, having driven a Type R pretty extensively over a couple of weeks (back when new), I'd still go with a good condition, Used Type-R over the Swift and it'll probably keep a large chunk of its value too.
The Swift has its charms but it's still a disposable 'white-goods' hatchback where as the Civic with that intoxicating engine creeps into the 'special' category where a mint, standard one is worth preserving (and driving)
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..
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?If you're comparing it to a Leon Cupra or something similar then you're talking mega hatch, not hot hatch.
VeeFource said:
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?If you're comparing it to a Leon Cupra or something similar then you're talking mega hatch, not hot hatch.
People who talk about the Swift as 'not a hot hatch' just don't get it. Having owned one of the pinnacle Type Rs (FD2 Civic), I am happy to report that driving my 16-plate Swift is immense fun and still capable of producing a grin on the face. The limited power actually has an advantage in that you can wring its neck and not immediately be into license-loosing territory. It's also a very involving car to drive, even at lower speeds. As for not being modifiable, an intake, backbox and remap will see just under 150bhp. At a fraction over a tonne, that's the same power-to-weight ratio as the FN2 Civic. Add in 40+mpg on the motorway, plenty of creature comforts, low insurance and great reliability, and what's not to like? 
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?Same power to weight as a 30 year old hot-hatch? Woopee-doo, hardly cutting edge is it?
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.. Same power to weight as a 30 year old hot-hatch? Woopee-doo, hardly cutting edge is it?
PS Never go go-karting, you'd be too embarrassed to sit in such lowly peasant machinery.
KevinCamaroSS said:
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?Same power to weight as a 30 year old hot-hatch? Woopee-doo, hardly cutting edge is it?
Hi all!
Just to say this is most definitely not a paid review!
We made the pitch to Suzuki for the car as it's the last naturally aspirated hot hatch and we're big fans of it; we wanted to see if the appeal lasted longer than the usual week long test. I appreciate that there are many other cars that are faster and not a great deal more expensive - the Fiesta ST being the obvious one - but, as has been discussed, the Swift most certainly has its merits.
As for the Civic thing, it wasn't pitched as a formal comparison. The car was there, I had just been driving the Swift and, as a fan of Japanese cars, I just thought it might be interesting to see how they compared.
And alright, maybe it's not a 'hot' hatch when you can buy a 300hp Golf, but in ethos and feel it certainly is. I'll keep to pocket rocket (or something close) in future.
Cheers!
Matt
Just to say this is most definitely not a paid review!
We made the pitch to Suzuki for the car as it's the last naturally aspirated hot hatch and we're big fans of it; we wanted to see if the appeal lasted longer than the usual week long test. I appreciate that there are many other cars that are faster and not a great deal more expensive - the Fiesta ST being the obvious one - but, as has been discussed, the Swift most certainly has its merits.As for the Civic thing, it wasn't pitched as a formal comparison. The car was there, I had just been driving the Swift and, as a fan of Japanese cars, I just thought it might be interesting to see how they compared.
And alright, maybe it's not a 'hot' hatch when you can buy a 300hp Golf, but in ethos and feel it certainly is. I'll keep to pocket rocket (or something close) in future.
Cheers!
Matt
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff