Nissan Note 1.2 DIG-S (A) vs Suzuki Swift 1.4 (A) vs Toyota Yaris 1.33 (A)
25 Oct 2013|54,030 views
Compact hatchbacks are almost the perfect mode of transport for a cityscape like ours. Their miniscule dimensions make driving (and parking) much less of a hassle, which arguably, is what you'd really want after a long day at work.
Truth be told, these small little shoeboxes aren't anything less capable than their bigger counterparts, and nowadays, you may be surprised with the features they pack - almost to the brim of expectations we reckon.
The trio of cars we have picked here are some of the most recent in their segment, but that's about all they share. There is a clear disparity in the way they look, feel and perform.
The latest entrant to the segment - the Yaris - looks the smallest among the trio
Exterior
Let's start by saying that it is a close tussle in the looks department. We've encountered a fair share of supporters for each and every of them - the Yaris is favoured for its chic and smart look; the Swift loved for being the most sporty, and its clean, ageless sheet metal; and the Note garnered votes for its toned up muscles, thanks to the body kit.
Parked next to each other, the latest Yaris certainly looks the puniest of the lot. But in actual fact, it is 35mm longer than the Swift. Its nip and clear cut edges have helped to hide its bulk, while the Swift's rounder overalls portray a more graceful but bigger silhouette.
Truth be told, these small little shoeboxes aren't anything less capable than their bigger counterparts, and nowadays, you may be surprised with the features they pack - almost to the brim of expectations we reckon.
The trio of cars we have picked here are some of the most recent in their segment, but that's about all they share. There is a clear disparity in the way they look, feel and perform.
Exterior
Let's start by saying that it is a close tussle in the looks department. We've encountered a fair share of supporters for each and every of them - the Yaris is favoured for its chic and smart look; the Swift loved for being the most sporty, and its clean, ageless sheet metal; and the Note garnered votes for its toned up muscles, thanks to the body kit.
Parked next to each other, the latest Yaris certainly looks the puniest of the lot. But in actual fact, it is 35mm longer than the Swift. Its nip and clear cut edges have helped to hide its bulk, while the Swift's rounder overalls portray a more graceful but bigger silhouette.
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The Note, on the other hand, edges out the competition with its size and stance. Measuring 4,100mm from head to tail, the car is a good 250mm longer than the Swift. Equal credits go to the boxier template, which helps it stand out better among the crowd.
And we reckon the 'meaner-looking' body kit - a street racing treatment of sorts - should easily find fans among the local crowds.
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Interior
The Note easily triumphs the space contest with its voluminous interior. It also helps that the Note's quarters are fully decked in white, which give it a more spacious feel.
The Note's quarters are the most noteworthy for its generous dimensions, with excess in areas such as head and leg room
Apart from the Note, the Swift and Yaris are closely matched, and will still fit three adults at the rear with a slight squeeze. In terms of boot space, the Note and Yaris are close with 295 litres and 286 litres respectively. The Swift, however, only managed 210 litres of luggage capacity.
What the Swift loses in space, it makes up for with quality. Though the most 'aged', the Swift's cabin feel genuinely well put together, with its soft touch plastics and plush leather exuding a premium feel. We particularly liked the stylish front panel, which is fuss-free to operate - even though it comes without a touch-screen multimedia display.
The Note easily triumphs the space contest with its voluminous interior. It also helps that the Note's quarters are fully decked in white, which give it a more spacious feel.
Apart from the Note, the Swift and Yaris are closely matched, and will still fit three adults at the rear with a slight squeeze. In terms of boot space, the Note and Yaris are close with 295 litres and 286 litres respectively. The Swift, however, only managed 210 litres of luggage capacity.
What the Swift loses in space, it makes up for with quality. Though the most 'aged', the Swift's cabin feel genuinely well put together, with its soft touch plastics and plush leather exuding a premium feel. We particularly liked the stylish front panel, which is fuss-free to operate - even though it comes without a touch-screen multimedia display.
The Yaris's console also charms with its simple yet ingenious design, with well mapped out controls for its audio and climate settings that are easy to use even on the move.
In other areas, the Yaris' cabin feels more utilitarian with plastic door cards instead of leather-wrapped ones, though the embossed patterns help portray a chic and trendy feel.
Opposed to its squarish sheet metal, the Note's control panel takes on a more roundish design. It fills the function, but seems less appealing than the others.
The white leather upholstery stands out among the trio with the greatest contrast, which is further accentuated by the red stripes. The matching of colours, though, may be an acquired taste to some.
Boot space is the Swift's Achilles' Heel (centre) - with only 210 litres to spare, while the Note's (left) and Yaris' (right) are closely matched at 295 litres and 286 litres respectively
In other areas, the Yaris' cabin feels more utilitarian with plastic door cards instead of leather-wrapped ones, though the embossed patterns help portray a chic and trendy feel.
Opposed to its squarish sheet metal, the Note's control panel takes on a more roundish design. It fills the function, but seems less appealing than the others.
The white leather upholstery stands out among the trio with the greatest contrast, which is further accentuated by the red stripes. The matching of colours, though, may be an acquired taste to some.
 |
The Drive
The Note is the only one that comes with a force-induced powerplant. Despite being the smallest in terms of cylindrical volume, the Note's three-cylinder pushes out a healthy 97bhp and 142Nm of torque - though not without lag.
As with the law of Physics, the Note's bigger dimensions make it less nimble on the road. Its ride is tuned towards the comfort side, which gives occupants another reason to smile, but induces more body roll over corners (a frown for keen drivers) than the Swift and Yaris.
Note's supercharged 1.2-litre (left) dishes out 97bhp and 142Nm of torque; Swift's 1.4-litre (centre) manages 94bhp and 130Nm of torque; Yaris' 1.3-litre most powerful at 99bhp, but least torquey with 125Nm
The Yaris' ride speaks of its continental upbringing (the only one that is made in the Western continent - France). The supple setup strikes a fine balance between agility and comfort, which gives it a fun-to-drive factor without being too harsh on passengers.
Although the Yaris' 1.3-litre packs the most punch on paper with 99 horses, it prefers to be driven with less urgency. Its real charm lies in its smooth, refined character during cruising, and not in sporty manoeuvres.
The Note is the only one that comes with a force-induced powerplant. Despite being the smallest in terms of cylindrical volume, the Note's three-cylinder pushes out a healthy 97bhp and 142Nm of torque - though not without lag.
As with the law of Physics, the Note's bigger dimensions make it less nimble on the road. Its ride is tuned towards the comfort side, which gives occupants another reason to smile, but induces more body roll over corners (a frown for keen drivers) than the Swift and Yaris.
The Yaris' ride speaks of its continental upbringing (the only one that is made in the Western continent - France). The supple setup strikes a fine balance between agility and comfort, which gives it a fun-to-drive factor without being too harsh on passengers.
Although the Yaris' 1.3-litre packs the most punch on paper with 99 horses, it prefers to be driven with less urgency. Its real charm lies in its smooth, refined character during cruising, and not in sporty manoeuvres.
On the other hand, the Swift's 1.4-litre may lose out in the power chase with only 94bhp and 130Nm of torque. However, that does not seem the case when put to the test. Among the trio, the Swift feels the most perky, and is the most willing to rev.
The lively drivetrain is further helped by the Swift's excellent handling dynamics. As a result, it feels more chuckable into corners than the Note or Yaris, and is naturally the most rewarding to drive.
The Swift's handling dynamics is the sweetest of the trio
Conclusion
We could not have come to a more disparate conclusion - these hatches are eloquent in different areas, and are equally as capable in their own fields.
The Note charms with supreme practicality, while the Swift will garner an equal amount of likes with its sweet handling and rewarding drive.
But when it comes to the Yaris, both of these desirable traits are carefully compromised, and cleverly composed in a smart-looking package. And to us, it's the best of both worlds.
The lively drivetrain is further helped by the Swift's excellent handling dynamics. As a result, it feels more chuckable into corners than the Note or Yaris, and is naturally the most rewarding to drive.
Conclusion
We could not have come to a more disparate conclusion - these hatches are eloquent in different areas, and are equally as capable in their own fields.
The Note charms with supreme practicality, while the Swift will garner an equal amount of likes with its sweet handling and rewarding drive.
But when it comes to the Yaris, both of these desirable traits are carefully compromised, and cleverly composed in a smart-looking package. And to us, it's the best of both worlds.
Compact hatchbacks are almost the perfect mode of transport for a cityscape like ours. Their miniscule dimensions make driving (and parking) much less of a hassle, which arguably, is what you'd really want after a long day at work.
Truth be told, these small little shoeboxes aren't anything less capable than their bigger counterparts, and nowadays, you may be surprised with the features they pack - almost to the brim of expectations we reckon.
The trio of cars we have picked here are some of the most recent in their segment, but that's about all they share. There is a clear disparity in the way they look, feel and perform.
Exterior
Let's start by saying that it is a close tussle in the looks department. We've encountered a fair share of supporters for each and every of them - the Yaris is favoured for its chic and smart look; the Swift loved for being the most sporty, and its clean, ageless sheet metal; and the Note garnered votes for its toned up muscles, thanks to the body kit.
Parked next to each other, the latest Yaris certainly looks the puniest of the lot. But in actual fact, it is 35mm longer than the Swift. Its nip and clear cut edges have helped to hide its bulk, while the Swift's rounder overalls portray a more graceful but bigger silhouette.
Truth be told, these small little shoeboxes aren't anything less capable than their bigger counterparts, and nowadays, you may be surprised with the features they pack - almost to the brim of expectations we reckon.
The trio of cars we have picked here are some of the most recent in their segment, but that's about all they share. There is a clear disparity in the way they look, feel and perform.
Exterior
Let's start by saying that it is a close tussle in the looks department. We've encountered a fair share of supporters for each and every of them - the Yaris is favoured for its chic and smart look; the Swift loved for being the most sporty, and its clean, ageless sheet metal; and the Note garnered votes for its toned up muscles, thanks to the body kit.
Parked next to each other, the latest Yaris certainly looks the puniest of the lot. But in actual fact, it is 35mm longer than the Swift. Its nip and clear cut edges have helped to hide its bulk, while the Swift's rounder overalls portray a more graceful but bigger silhouette.
The Note, on the other hand, edges out the competition with its size and stance. Measuring 4,100mm from head to tail, the car is a good 250mm longer than the Swift. Equal credits go to the boxier template, which helps it stand out better among the crowd.
And we reckon the 'meaner-looking' body kit - a street racing treatment of sorts - should easily find fans among the local crowds.
And we reckon the 'meaner-looking' body kit - a street racing treatment of sorts - should easily find fans among the local crowds.
Interior
The Note easily triumphs the space contest with its voluminous interior. It also helps that the Note's quarters are fully decked in white, which give it a more spacious feel.
Apart from the Note, the Swift and Yaris are closely matched, and will still fit three adults at the rear with a slight squeeze. In terms of boot space, the Note and Yaris are close with 295 litres and 286 litres respectively. The Swift, however, only managed 210 litres of luggage capacity.
What the Swift loses in space, it makes up for with quality. Though the most 'aged', the Swift's cabin feel genuinely well put together, with its soft touch plastics and plush leather exuding a premium feel. We particularly liked the stylish front panel, which is fuss-free to operate - even though it comes without a touch-screen multimedia display.
The Note easily triumphs the space contest with its voluminous interior. It also helps that the Note's quarters are fully decked in white, which give it a more spacious feel.
Apart from the Note, the Swift and Yaris are closely matched, and will still fit three adults at the rear with a slight squeeze. In terms of boot space, the Note and Yaris are close with 295 litres and 286 litres respectively. The Swift, however, only managed 210 litres of luggage capacity.
What the Swift loses in space, it makes up for with quality. Though the most 'aged', the Swift's cabin feel genuinely well put together, with its soft touch plastics and plush leather exuding a premium feel. We particularly liked the stylish front panel, which is fuss-free to operate - even though it comes without a touch-screen multimedia display.
The Yaris's console also charms with its simple yet ingenious design, with well mapped out controls for its audio and climate settings that are easy to use even on the move.
In other areas, the Yaris' cabin feels more utilitarian with plastic door cards instead of leather-wrapped ones, though the embossed patterns help portray a chic and trendy feel.
Opposed to its squarish sheet metal, the Note's control panel takes on a more roundish design. It fills the function, but seems less appealing than the others.
The white leather upholstery stands out among the trio with the greatest contrast, which is further accentuated by the red stripes. The matching of colours, though, may be an acquired taste to some.
In other areas, the Yaris' cabin feels more utilitarian with plastic door cards instead of leather-wrapped ones, though the embossed patterns help portray a chic and trendy feel.
Opposed to its squarish sheet metal, the Note's control panel takes on a more roundish design. It fills the function, but seems less appealing than the others.
The white leather upholstery stands out among the trio with the greatest contrast, which is further accentuated by the red stripes. The matching of colours, though, may be an acquired taste to some.
The Drive
The Note is the only one that comes with a force-induced powerplant. Despite being the smallest in terms of cylindrical volume, the Note's three-cylinder pushes out a healthy 97bhp and 142Nm of torque - though not without lag.
As with the law of Physics, the Note's bigger dimensions make it less nimble on the road. Its ride is tuned towards the comfort side, which gives occupants another reason to smile, but induces more body roll over corners (a frown for keen drivers) than the Swift and Yaris.
The Yaris' ride speaks of its continental upbringing (the only one that is made in the Western continent - France). The supple setup strikes a fine balance between agility and comfort, which gives it a fun-to-drive factor without being too harsh on passengers.
Although the Yaris' 1.3-litre packs the most punch on paper with 99 horses, it prefers to be driven with less urgency. Its real charm lies in its smooth, refined character during cruising, and not in sporty manoeuvres.
On the other hand, the Swift's 1.4-litre may lose out in the power chase with only 94bhp and 130Nm of torque. However, that does not seem the case when put to the test. Among the trio, the Swift feels the most perky, and is the most willing to rev.
The lively drivetrain is further helped by the Swift's excellent handling dynamics. As a result, it feels more chuckable into corners than the Note or Yaris, and is naturally the most rewarding to drive.
Conclusion
We could not have come to a more disparate conclusion - these hatches are eloquent in different areas, and are equally as capable in their own fields.
The Note charms with supreme practicality, while the Swift will garner an equal amount of likes with its sweet handling and rewarding drive.
But when it comes to the Yaris, both of these desirable traits are carefully compromised, and cleverly composed in a smart-looking package. And to us, it's the best of both worlds.
The lively drivetrain is further helped by the Swift's excellent handling dynamics. As a result, it feels more chuckable into corners than the Note or Yaris, and is naturally the most rewarding to drive.
Conclusion
We could not have come to a more disparate conclusion - these hatches are eloquent in different areas, and are equally as capable in their own fields.
The Note charms with supreme practicality, while the Swift will garner an equal amount of likes with its sweet handling and rewarding drive.
But when it comes to the Yaris, both of these desirable traits are carefully compromised, and cleverly composed in a smart-looking package. And to us, it's the best of both worlds.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLX (A)
CAT A|Petrol|16.1km/L
Horsepower
70kW (94 bhp)
Torque
130 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Suzuki SwiftNissan Note 1.2 DIG-S (A)
CAT A|Petrol|19.6km/L
Horsepower
72kW (97 bhp)
Torque
142 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Nissan NoteToyota Yaris 1.33 (A)
CAT A|Petrol|19.6km/L
Horsepower
74kW (99 bhp)
Torque
125 Nm
Acceleration
12.6sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Toyota Yaris
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