Swift Hybrid Named Best Small Car at 2025 UKCOTY
February 20, 2025
Suzuki is thrilled to announce that the Swift Hybrid has been awarded the title of Best Small Car at the 2025 UK Car of the Year Awards (UKCOTY). After undergoing extensive testing alongside its competitors, the Swift was chosen as the winner by the judging panel.
Several jury members shared their thoughts on why the Swift stood out: “Practical, affordable small cars are rare these days, but Suzuki’s Swift comes to the rescue, offering honest motoring at an accessible price with low running costs. It’s fun to drive and packed with features, even in the base model,” said Alex Robbins. “The Swift strikes a perfect balance between value, economy, and style. Despite its compact size, its square proportions make the boot, especially with the seats down, very practical,” commented Trinity Francis.
“An unbeatable combination of reliability and efficiency, thanks to its simple powertrain. In a market full of complicated vehicles, the Swift stands out with its refreshing simplicity, all while keeping an affordable price that appeals to a wide range of drivers,” added Natisha Chatten.
Launched in Spring 2024, the new Swift Hybrid has been met with great praise, offering a high level of standard equipment, including the latest technology and enhanced safety features. With CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km and a competitive starting price of £19,199 for the Motion model with manual transmission, the Swift is an attractive option for many buyers.
The Swift Motion grade comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, navigation, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control, wireless smartphone link display audio, keyless entry and start, Driver Monitoring System, upgraded Dual Sensor Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Weaving Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, and enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition. The Ultra grade adds polished 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, rear passenger heater outlet, and electric folding door mirrors with integrated turn indicators.
Customers can enjoy up to seven years of warranty coverage once the car’s manufacturer warranty ends, provided it is serviced at an authorized Suzuki Dealer. This free warranty extends up to a maximum of seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and is renewed after each qualifying service.
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New Swift Hybrid Wins Top Gear Award
November 27, 2024
The new Suzuki Swift Hybrid has won the Small Car category at the TopGear.com Awards, held last night at the BBC Television Centre in London.
The Swift was crowned 2024 Small Car of the Year by the Top Gear editorial team following rigorous testing against its competitors.
Deputy Editor of Top Gear, Ollie Kew, remarked: “The new Swift is affordable, economical, fun to drive, unpretentious, comfortable, practical, and thoroughly likable. Isn’t that everything you could want from a small car?”
Launched just six months ago, the latest Swift has been warmly received thanks to its impressive standard equipment, advanced safety features, low CO2 emissions of only 99g/km, and competitive starting price of £19,199 for the Motion model with manual transmission.
An extensive range of features come as standard including:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlamps
- Navigation system
- Rearview camera and parking sensors
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Wireless smartphone connectivity
- Keyless entry and start
- Driver Monitoring System
Enhanced safety features include upgraded Dual Sensor Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Weaving Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, and advanced Traffic Sign Recognition.
The Ultra grade takes it further, adding polished 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, a rear passenger heater outlet, and electric folding door mirrors with integrated side turn indicators.
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Swift awarded Best Affordable Hybrid by Best Cars of the Year
August 15, 2024
Just three months after its launch, the new hybrid Swift has earned the title of Best Affordable Hybrid 2024-2025 from Best Cars of The Year, a recognition Suzuki is proud to announce. The judging panel named the new Swift the clear winner in its category due to its standard hybrid technology across the range, impressive fuel efficiency of 64.2 mpg, and most notably, its affordability, with a price well below £20,000.
Mike Rutherford of Best Cars of The Year praised Suzuki, saying: “Suzuki has to be applauded for making every model available as a hybrid – at a time when consumers are increasingly attracted to this affordable, highly flexible petrol-electric tech. Throw impressive Japanese build quality, a great dealer network and a sub-£20,000 starting price into the mix and it’s no wonder the little Swift appealed to our judges. It’s a car for the real-world.”
With over 3,700 customer orders already placed, the new Swift’s popularity highlights Suzuki’s success in offering vehicles that combine low ownership costs, essential technology, and standard hybrid features. For those needing additional traction in winter or rural areas, the Swift is also available with an optional CVT gearbox and ALLGRIP Auto 4-wheel drive technology. The new Swift will be showcased alongside other category winners and the overall Best Car of The Year at the British Motor Show, held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre from Thursday, August 15th, to Sunday, August 18th.
Strong Residual Values:
When buying a new car, considering its future value is crucial, and the new Swift Motion with CVT is projected to hold a strong residual value of 52%, according to industry experts CAP HPI. This translates to a retained value of £10,200 after four years and 40,000 miles (CAP Forecast May 2024). The manual transmission version of the Swift Motion follows closely with a 49% retention rate, or £8,975 over the same period.
Suzuki customers benefit from low ownership costs, further enhanced by an extended warranty of up to seven years. This complimentary warranty kicks in after the standard three-year manufacturer warranty ends, provided the vehicle undergoes its next scheduled service at a Suzuki dealership. The warranty is renewed with each qualifying service, lasting up to seven years or 100,000 miles—whichever comes first.
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Swift eras – Suzuki celebrates four decades of Swift
February 12, 2024
Leading up to the launch of the all-new 2024 Swift this Spring, Suzuki reflects on the 40-year journey of its immensely popular global model and provide insights into its evolution since 1983. This extensive evolution has endowed Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC’s) engineers with valuable experience and insight into the desires of their customers for a hybrid small car, both in the short and long term. Renowned as experts in small cars, Suzuki has seen Swift sales surpass nine million units since its global introduction in 2004.
1983-1989:
Originally known as the Cultus / SA310 in Japan, the Swift was introduced in 1983 at the Tokyo Motor Show. It entered a new class of cars with larger dimensions and engines compared to Suzuki’s previous models. Early models featured a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine and leaf spring rear suspension. Later versions boasted a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine known for its smoothness and fuel efficiency. The UK market saw both three-door and five-door hatchback options, including a sporty 1.3GTi variant.
1989-2003:
This iteration, introduced in the UK in 1989, showcased a wedge-style design and featured independent suspension. It was available with either a 1.0-liter three-cylinder or 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The GTi variant, with its powerful engine and lightweight design, earned praise as a pioneering hot hatchback of its time.
2005-2010:
Launched in the UK in 2005, this model marked a significant shift in design and driving dynamics. It was developed with European tastes and demands in mind, featuring sporty yet elegant styling. Available with various engine options, including a potent 1.6-liter Sport model, it garnered popularity for its driving performance and design.
2010-2017:
This version, introduced in the UK in 2010, emphasized fuel efficiency, safety, and driving performance. With advancements in chassis design and engine technology, it offered improved handling and lower emissions compared to its predecessor.
2017-2023:
The latest iteration, launched in the UK in 2017, received a facelift in 2021 with enhanced safety features and a new 1.2-liter hybrid engine. Embodying Suzuki’s commitment to innovation, it offers a stylish exterior, spacious cabin, and advanced technology as standard. The addition of a 48V hybrid option further enhances fuel economy and reduces emissions.
Throughout its evolution, the Swift has remained true to Suzuki’s commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, making it a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
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Highest ranking for Suzuki by What Car? readers
January 16, 2024
Suzuki, recognized as experts in small cars, is delighted to share positive outcomes from the latest What Car? Reliability Survey.
The survey, based on feedback from 21,732 owners of cars up to five years old, inquired about faults, repair duration, and costs over the last two years. Among the 32 car brands and 178 models evaluated, the Swift claimed the top spot in the small car category with an impressive 99.5% score. Only four percent of Swift owners reported issues, all of which were promptly and cost-effectively addressed within a day. An owner expressed, “My Swift has been incredibly reliable; I plan to get another one in a few years.”
In the small SUV category, the Ignis also secured the leading position with a remarkable 99.4% score. Additionally, the Vitara earned a spot in the top 10 with a commendable 96.7% rating. Suzuki as a brand achieved an overall ranking in the top four among the 32 manufacturers assessed, boasting a strong score of 96.9%. Claire Evans, Consumer Editor of What Car?, stated, “For those seeking an affordable and reliable small hatchback or SUV, the Suzuki Swift and Ignis are excellent choices. Owners reported minimal faults, swiftly addressed at no cost.”
Apart from the robust reliability and economical ownership of Suzuki vehicles, the Service Activated Warranty adds further assurance. This warranty, available after the expiration of the three-year/60,000 miles manufacturer warranty, continues until the subsequent qualifying service, extending up to a maximum vehicle age of seven years/100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
