The outgoing Suzuki Swift managed to do almost everything right, even in its twilight years. It has been very well-received, and to a certain extent, very well-loved. This is even more so for the third generation where the car remains to be the automotive equivalent of hitting the sweet spot in the subcompact car segment. This should come as no surprise as the car earned 67 Car of the Year awards in 26 countries, with more than two million units sold worldwide.

And my does the car push its limits to perfection. For the fourth and latest generation Swift, it's even better than its predecessors. It manages to keep up with the automotive trend by etching a name for itself as a stylish, fun and economical small hatchback.

With an attractive mix of handsome looks (inside and out), the Suzuki Swift has the combination of Japanese quality and driving dynamics of European inspiration. After an extensive time spent with the car over the long weekend, one thing was certain to us - size isn't everything in the small yet funky Swift.

Exterior

It's clear that Suzuki followed the safe play method when it came to the Swift. They have somehow used the phrase "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" to maintain the successful reign of the Swift which is precisely why significant changes weren't incited on the new car. You may even be forgiven for assuming the new Swift to be the old one in the absence of a side-by-side picture evidence.

While the looks are almost similar, this Swift sports a tweak up front, with larger headlamps that are swept further back than usual, giving the car a more dynamic and energetic stance. The grille has also been modified to share strong design cues with the Kizashi's, Suzuki's flagship model. But what it does maintain is its sporty side profile. The glass profile progressively tapers from the front to the rear windows, resulting in a somewhat similar taste of side profile good looks alike to the Nissan Juke's.

Changes round the back are minor but no less unique. The tail lamps are now sharper round the top and are also stretched out further towards the rear doors. And unlike the previous version where the tail lights are covered with an entire red case, this new version has a white casing in the centre of the red blob, allowing it to have a more outstanding and athletic look from afar.

Other than mere on-body aesthetics, the new Swift is noticeably larger too. It has grown almost 100mm in length and is also slightly wider. But you'd really have to be a Swift aficionado to be able to pick it. Still, the car remains stylistic with minor changes that manage well not to conform to the usual boxy-lookalike hatchbacks on the roads. The formula to success is clearly preserved by Suzuki on this new car.

Interior

Fans of the Swift will be pleased with the car's interior. Like the Kizashi, the interior is no exception to a layout that conveys a fresh and refined appeal. Drivers are greeted with the new black and silver configuration when inside while the overall fit and finish combined with the high quality plastics will give them a sense of pride. It's a brilliant idea from Suzuki because the silver helps to break up the boredom of blacks that are usually found in most cars.

This upmarket GLX model that we tested is a gem of a pleaser indeed. No doubt the rear occupants may suffer a lack of headroom due to the tapered roofline, but the increase in the overall length of the car has allowed a significant boost in the legroom compared to its predecessor. Plus, the seats are comfortable and firm enough to make even the most demanding occupants satisfied.

However, the boot space has been compromised a tad. A mere 210 litres of space could still allow you to load in your weekly grocery bags but having the rear seats knocked down may be needed for your luggage or travelling bags.

Buttons and controls are situated exactly where you would expect them to be, making it very intuitively easy and convenient. Unlike the previous version, the new Swift now comes with a Start/Stop button (only in the GLX variant), iPod integration, a USB input and a piano black centre console that makes the whole car look more than what it's actually worth.

The Drive

It's usually the case of disappointment and boredom when the engine capacity of a perfectly good car drops. Not so for the Swift. The previous generation saw a 1.5-litre under its bonnet but not for this new loverboy. Although under the hood lies a 1.4-litre engine powering the one tonne machine, drivers will be happy to know that the Swift continues to retain the character that made the previous generation such a huge success. Yes, this naturally aspirated engine is at the very least engaging.

Regardless of whether you're cruising on the highways or around town, the Swift is a sprightly little thing. The engine revs with ease and mates perfectly with the competent 4-speed automatic transmission gearbox, offering a silky, seamless progress in all driving conditions. It's incredibly easy to handle too, thanks to the newly developed steering system which allows for a crisper and a well-weighted response.

On open roads where higher speeds are always welcome, the Swift sits supremely composed and behaves obediently around bends, making it one of the most engaging Japanese cars when provoked. With a maximum power and torque of 94bhp and 130Nm, it's no speed demon on the road but it handles neatly and predictably in all conditions. Additionally, supplementing its superb ride are the low levels of wind and road noise which intrudes only at illegal speeds but is never distracting.

There's no doubt that the Suzuki Swift could have been a more exciting drive with a bit more fire under the hood. But it has surpassed most of our expectations and remains a fabulously comfortable express. Plus, drivers will be very happy to know that the Sports version has been rumoured to reach our shores at the end of the year, giving its fan base a more enthusiastic weapon of choice.

Conclusion

As with the exterior styling, major surprises are kept to the bare minimum with the way the Swift behaves on the road. It may be small but it sure is great compared to the many other small hatches on our roads. Even with our soaring car prices due to the COE, the Swift confidently offers a deal that's difficult to reject.

Comparing it to the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo, the Swift is not an automotive breakthrough but it sure does make toppling its competitors look easy.

What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.

The outgoing Suzuki Swift managed to do almost everything right, even in its twilight years. It has been very well-received, and to a certain extent, very well-loved. This is even more so for the third generation where the car remains to be the automotive equivalent of hitting the sweet spot in the subcompact car segment. This should come as no surprise as the car earned 67 Car of the Year awards in 26 countries, with more than two million units sold worldwide.

And my does the car push its limits to perfection. For the fourth and latest generation Swift, it's even better than its predecessors. It manages to keep up with the automotive trend by etching a name for itself as a stylish, fun and economical small hatchback.

With an attractive mix of handsome looks (inside and out), the Suzuki Swift has the combination of Japanese quality and driving dynamics of European inspiration. After an extensive time spent with the car over the long weekend, one thing was certain to us - size isn't everything in the small yet funky Swift.

Exterior

It's clear that Suzuki followed the safe play method when it came to the Swift. They have somehow used the phrase "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" to maintain the successful reign of the Swift which is precisely why significant changes weren't incited on the new car. You may even be forgiven for assuming the new Swift to be the old one in the absence of a side-by-side picture evidence.

While the looks are almost similar, this Swift sports a tweak up front, with larger headlamps that are swept further back than usual, giving the car a more dynamic and energetic stance. The grille has also been modified to share strong design cues with the Kizashi's, Suzuki's flagship model. But what it does maintain is its sporty side profile. The glass profile progressively tapers from the front to the rear windows, resulting in a somewhat similar taste of side profile good looks alike to the Nissan Juke's.

Changes round the back are minor but no less unique. The tail lamps are now sharper round the top and are also stretched out further towards the rear doors. And unlike the previous version where the tail lights are covered with an entire red case, this new version has a white casing in the centre of the red blob, allowing it to have a more outstanding and athletic look from afar.

Other than mere on-body aesthetics, the new Swift is noticeably larger too. It has grown almost 100mm in length and is also slightly wider. But you'd really have to be a Swift aficionado to be able to pick it. Still, the car remains stylistic with minor changes that manage well not to conform to the usual boxy-lookalike hatchbacks on the roads. The formula to success is clearly preserved by Suzuki on this new car.

Interior

Fans of the Swift will be pleased with the car's interior. Like the Kizashi, the interior is no exception to a layout that conveys a fresh and refined appeal. Drivers are greeted with the new black and silver configuration when inside while the overall fit and finish combined with the high quality plastics will give them a sense of pride. It's a brilliant idea from Suzuki because the silver helps to break up the boredom of blacks that are usually found in most cars.

This upmarket GLX model that we tested is a gem of a pleaser indeed. No doubt the rear occupants may suffer a lack of headroom due to the tapered roofline, but the increase in the overall length of the car has allowed a significant boost in the legroom compared to its predecessor. Plus, the seats are comfortable and firm enough to make even the most demanding occupants satisfied.

However, the boot space has been compromised a tad. A mere 210 litres of space could still allow you to load in your weekly grocery bags but having the rear seats knocked down may be needed for your luggage or travelling bags.

Buttons and controls are situated exactly where you would expect them to be, making it very intuitively easy and convenient. Unlike the previous version, the new Swift now comes with a Start/Stop button (only in the GLX variant), iPod integration, a USB input and a piano black centre console that makes the whole car look more than what it's actually worth.

The Drive

It's usually the case of disappointment and boredom when the engine capacity of a perfectly good car drops. Not so for the Swift. The previous generation saw a 1.5-litre under its bonnet but not for this new loverboy. Although under the hood lies a 1.4-litre engine powering the one tonne machine, drivers will be happy to know that the Swift continues to retain the character that made the previous generation such a huge success. Yes, this naturally aspirated engine is at the very least engaging.

Regardless of whether you're cruising on the highways or around town, the Swift is a sprightly little thing. The engine revs with ease and mates perfectly with the competent 4-speed automatic transmission gearbox, offering a silky, seamless progress in all driving conditions. It's incredibly easy to handle too, thanks to the newly developed steering system which allows for a crisper and a well-weighted response.

On open roads where higher speeds are always welcome, the Swift sits supremely composed and behaves obediently around bends, making it one of the most engaging Japanese cars when provoked. With a maximum power and torque of 94bhp and 130Nm, it's no speed demon on the road but it handles neatly and predictably in all conditions. Additionally, supplementing its superb ride are the low levels of wind and road noise which intrudes only at illegal speeds but is never distracting.

There's no doubt that the Suzuki Swift could have been a more exciting drive with a bit more fire under the hood. But it has surpassed most of our expectations and remains a fabulously comfortable express. Plus, drivers will be very happy to know that the Sports version has been rumoured to reach our shores at the end of the year, giving its fan base a more enthusiastic weapon of choice.

Conclusion

As with the exterior styling, major surprises are kept to the bare minimum with the way the Swift behaves on the road. It may be small but it sure is great compared to the many other small hatches on our roads. Even with our soaring car prices due to the COE, the Swift confidently offers a deal that's difficult to reject.

Comparing it to the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo, the Swift is not an automotive breakthrough but it sure does make toppling its competitors look easy.

What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.