First Drive: 2021 Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is one of the most beloved hatchbacks in South Africa. Locals have taken kindly to how economical, stylish, and affordable it is, and given how successful it has been so far, it probably will not stop anytime soon. The Swift is clearly a crown jewel for the brand and has become a big reason as to why Suzuki is as popular as they are. Well, many brands suffered from a global pandemic last year, Suzuki ironically strived and had their best-selling year. Earlier this year, Suzuki brought highly popular Vitara Brezza to our local market and now a newly-faced Swift. The team of AutoAdvisor recently attended the launch of the facelifted edition of this beloved hatch and we must admit, we are loving the Swift swag just a bit more.
Engine and drive
Suzuki is a brand that never faults in their engines and given that the latest Swift has the same engine as before, we can expect the same. Under the hood, the Swift sticks to its delightful 1.2-litre engine producing its reasonable 61Kw of power and 112 Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency is of course the name of the game here and the Swift consumes just 4.9 litres per 100 km, making this ideal for any consumer trying to save a few bucks. In terms of the drive, the Swift drives as it should. After all, there was not anything to fault its predecessor. The Swift comes in a 5-speed manual gearbox which proved to be as smooth as we would expect.
More stylish exterior
The Swift has always been a stylish hatch and given how sporty its latest is, that will not be changing anytime soon. Seriously the Swift is looking cooler than ever and its dual-tone colour options have certainly given the Swift a unique edge. Its dual-tone colour range offers unique colours such as Midnight Blue Pearl with a White roof, Arctic White Pearl with a Black roof, and our personal favourite Fire Red with a Black roof. In front, the grille has also gotten some changes and gets a more distinctive mesh pattern design. The changes may be subtle, but one can certainly see the Swift becoming a more stylish choice for younger consumers. The Swift does ride on larger 15-inch alloy wheels, so distinctive differences from its predecessor can be made.
Sightly changed interior
The changes outside may be evident but inside the Swift sticks to its humble designed interior. The biggest highlight is of Suzuki’s high-resolution touch screen which features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a, wait for it, reverse camera. These features do make the Swift feel slightly above its asking price as it practically gives its consumers everything it would expect from a higher-priced vehicle. Despite these brilliant features, however, the Swift still feels like a Swift, meaning cheap materials have been used. At the end of the day, something as to give and given how much the Swift offers, such as a push-button start button to name a few, you may just look past it. Other standard features in the Swift include electric windows, air conditioning, and central locking, USB and AUX ports, and electrically adjustable mirrors.
Safety gets upgraded
Suzuki has clearly seen a demand in more safety and like all good brands, when you ask, you shall receive. The latest Swift does get a range of upgraded safety features such as Hill Hold Assist on all Automated Manual Models (AMTs) a luggage bay to hide important gear and Electronic Stability Control (ESP). These features will come standard across the range as well as SRS front and passenger airbags, ABS-brakes with emergency brake assistance (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), ISOFIX anchor points for child restraint systems, central locking, safety belts, and an immobiliser and alarm system.
Verdict
So far, calling a verdict may seem a bit unfair given the fact that our time with the Swift was short. One thing we comment on however is the Swift stylish new appeal which is bound to take the market by storm. The Swift has always been Suzuki’s best seller and given the fact that they have taken it upon themselves to give it a fresh look means that the brand has not forgotten its humble beginnings. While the Vitara Brezza continues to dominate the compact SUV market, we see the latest Swift dominating a large portion of the sales in its segment too.
Also worth a look: the Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Starts 2025 with Record-Breaking Sales in South Afric.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2021 Suzuki Swift cost in South Africa?
The 2021 Suzuki Swift starts from around R199,900 for the base GL model, while the top-spec GLX with dual-tone paint will set you back approximately R229,900, making it one of the most affordable stylish hatches you can buy in SA.
Q: Is the 2021 Suzuki Swift worth buying?
Absolutely, the 2021 Swift is worth every rand if you want a reliable, fuel-efficient hatchback that looks good and won't break the bank, plus Suzuki's reputation for bulletproof reliability means you'll be driving this thing for years without major hassles.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of the 2021 Suzuki Swift?
The 2021 Swift delivers an impressive 4.9 litres per 100km, which translates to serious savings at the petrol pump and makes it perfect for daily commuting or long road trips across the country.
Q: How powerful is the 2021 Suzuki Swift engine?
The Swift packs a proven 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 61kW of power and 112Nm of torque, which might not sound like much on paper but delivers perfectly adequate performance for city driving and highway cruising.
Q: What colours are available for the 2021 Suzuki Swift?
The Swift comes in stunning dual-tone combinations including Midnight Blue Pearl with White roof, Arctic White Pearl with Black roof, and the eye-catching Fire Red with Black roof, plus several solid colour options for those who prefer a more understated look.
Should You Buy It?
The best affordable hatchback under R230,000 in SA is definitely the 2021 Suzuki Swift. At R199,900 for the entry-level model, you're getting proven Japanese reliability, excellent fuel economy, and surprisingly stylish looks that'll turn heads at the local shopping centre. The Swift's 4.9L/100km consumption alone will save you hundreds of rands monthly compared to thirstier competitors, and Suzuki's reputation for going the distance means minimal maintenance headaches. Yes, you should absolutely buy the 2021 Swift if you want maximum value for money in a compact package that's perfect for SA roads and budgets.
