Hot hatches have become expensive (wait, cars have become expensive). Gone are the days when you could walk into a showroom and order a Volkswagen GTI for a little more than the current price of a Chevrolet Cruze 5 Sportback now. On the bright side, the mature boy racers who are looking for a bit of punt with their practicality can now consider the latest hatch from Suzuki.

Available with a CVT automatic transmission or a six-speed manual that you see here, the Suzuki Swift Sport (aka SSS) is a breath of modest fresh air amongst the bigger and boastful MINI Cooper S, Focus RS, Golfs and Polos. Ironically, the naturally aspirated SSS could even be considered as a hotter hatch than other turbo nut jobs in the market.

Why, you may ask?

Well, combining the warm temperate character and practicality with its quick steering and bodywork enhancements (not to mention its cheaper pricing), the SSS has excelled at the art of hot hatching, starting with the Swift GTi over two decades ago. As a result, in times when COE prices are constantly ridiculed at, the car bearing the 'S' logo is one that embodies the term 'affordable' almost so perfectly.

Exterior

Where styling is concerned, the Sport's predecessor didn't disappoint, which was why it was such a hit with its fans and the new one here isn't an exception. Suzuki took the old winning formula and tweaked it, more so on the front, making the car a visual enjoyment whether it's on the move or stagnant at the lights.

It's now more aggressive up front, with sharp-edged fog lamps surrounds and enlarged grilles. As a matter of fact, the entire face has been pulled back - headlamps are now stretched further in while the bonnet is angled slightly higher, giving the hatch an energetic and dynamic stance. Where it does remain is the sporty side profile, where it progressively tapers from the front to the rear windows, resulting in the similar good looks to the Nissan Juke and the Kia Soul.

Although the test car wasn't equipped with the bodykit (that's on 50% off now), there is something alluring about the SS. But the closet Ah Beng is sure to like the juicy looks of the added frame on the front, side skirts and rear bumpers, along with led lights on the interior floors. Beng-ish looks aside, the car puts on 16-inch shoes which does look sensible, though options for 17-inch rims are currently available, also at half the price, at Champion Motors.


Unlike most hot hatches we see today, the SSS is a Japanese cracker that is small and humble, doing without the swollen wheel arches, spoilers and huge air vents. Instead, the only differentiation between the Sport and the regular Swift are the badges, foglamps and tailpipes.

Another difference is its size. Although the current Swift Sport looks similar to its predecessor, it sits at 3890 x 1695 x 1510 (L x W x H) - 125mm longer, 5mm wider and 10mm taller - with its wheelbase extended by 50mm to 2,430mm.

Interior

Although minor size difference to some, it is immediately felt when you're seated inside. Legroom has significantly improved all round, thanks to its new wheelbase figure while headroom remains to be adequate for adults. The only quibble here, though, is the lack of boot space.

The sporty treatment continues throughout the cabin, with aggressively bolstered front seats, manual gear lever and leather-clad steering wheel - all with a touch of contrasting red stitching - which reminds you a lot of the cult car, VW GTI. Comparing to the previous generation model, we like this subtle set-up better, doing without the heavy red colour on the front benches.

The centre console also sports a classier look, with black high-quality plastic controls and buttons that resembles the Kizashi flagship model. Although the only soft touch materials used in the SSS are the seats, the combination of plastics look good and are generally well-finished. Thus, feeling secured in this car is but mere icing on the cake.

The Drive

So the Swift Sport here won't be on the headlines for setting record lap times but what it does is set your mind on an alert mode as it moves up to speed in a very lively and linear delivery that makes progress seem quicker than it is. It scores significantly well in real word driving, all thanks to the new six-speed manual transmission that's mated to the 1.6-litre powerplant.

Although not used frequently, the sixth gear allows for a wider spread of ratios and acts as an overboost which allows for better fuel economy and refinement on empty straights and it's almost immediately felt as you step on the left pedal and shift the gear lever to the higher final drive.

It's hardly inspiring on paper, with a maximum output of 134 horses and 160Nm of torque. But this fine warm hatch is anything but dull. Unlike its predecessor, the new born baby has shed 30kg off its body and it feels more spritely and confidence-inspiring, especially round the bends and curves. Chuck it round a corner and the car will follow through the line with precision, with high levels of grip and low levels of body roll. The body feels tight and rigid regardless of the quick inputs from the well-weighted steering.

But while the twisty sectors highlighted the elasticity of the lower gears, stretches of open tarmac exhibited the car's enthusiasm to bolt through the straights. Coupled with its manual operation and clear slots, the six-speed shifter offers flawless changes, allowing the car to finish its century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds. Perhaps the only complain is the lack of pull in the second gear, although the third is a particularly versatile gear ratio.

Conclusion

While it is no match to other bigger and more powerful hot hatches, the Suzuki Swift Sport remains to be a warm and affordable one with enough vim and vigour to bring a smile to your face, especially when the road starts to curl and curve.

With COE prices going haywire, it may not be a wise choice to get one now. But should the time come when it goes south, this is one exceptionally well-engineered car that you shouldn't miss.

Hot hatches have become expensive (wait, cars have become expensive). Gone are the days when you could walk into a showroom and order a Volkswagen GTI for a little more than the current price of a Chevrolet Cruze 5 Sportback now. On the bright side, the mature boy racers who are looking for a bit of punt with their practicality can now consider the latest hatch from Suzuki.

Available with a CVT automatic transmission or a six-speed manual that you see here, the Suzuki Swift Sport (aka SSS) is a breath of modest fresh air amongst the bigger and boastful MINI Cooper S, Focus RS, Golfs and Polos. Ironically, the naturally aspirated SSS could even be considered as a hotter hatch than other turbo nut jobs in the market.

Why, you may ask?

Well, combining the warm temperate character and practicality with its quick steering and bodywork enhancements (not to mention its cheaper pricing), the SSS has excelled at the art of hot hatching, starting with the Swift GTi over two decades ago. As a result, in times when COE prices are constantly ridiculed at, the car bearing the 'S' logo is one that embodies the term 'affordable' almost so perfectly.

Exterior

Where styling is concerned, the Sport's predecessor didn't disappoint, which was why it was such a hit with its fans and the new one here isn't an exception. Suzuki took the old winning formula and tweaked it, more so on the front, making the car a visual enjoyment whether it's on the move or stagnant at the lights.

It's now more aggressive up front, with sharp-edged fog lamps surrounds and enlarged grilles. As a matter of fact, the entire face has been pulled back - headlamps are now stretched further in while the bonnet is angled slightly higher, giving the hatch an energetic and dynamic stance. Where it does remain is the sporty side profile, where it progressively tapers from the front to the rear windows, resulting in the similar good looks to the Nissan Juke and the Kia Soul.

Although the test car wasn't equipped with the bodykit (that's on 50% off now), there is something alluring about the SS. But the closet Ah Beng is sure to like the juicy looks of the added frame on the front, side skirts and rear bumpers, along with led lights on the interior floors. Beng-ish looks aside, the car puts on 16-inch shoes which does look sensible, though options for 17-inch rims are currently available, also at half the price, at Champion Motors.


Unlike most hot hatches we see today, the SSS is a Japanese cracker that is small and humble, doing without the swollen wheel arches, spoilers and huge air vents. Instead, the only differentiation between the Sport and the regular Swift are the badges, foglamps and tailpipes.

Another difference is its size. Although the current Swift Sport looks similar to its predecessor, it sits at 3890 x 1695 x 1510 (L x W x H) - 125mm longer, 5mm wider and 10mm taller - with its wheelbase extended by 50mm to 2,430mm.

Interior

Although minor size difference to some, it is immediately felt when you're seated inside. Legroom has significantly improved all round, thanks to its new wheelbase figure while headroom remains to be adequate for adults. The only quibble here, though, is the lack of boot space.

The sporty treatment continues throughout the cabin, with aggressively bolstered front seats, manual gear lever and leather-clad steering wheel - all with a touch of contrasting red stitching - which reminds you a lot of the cult car, VW GTI. Comparing to the previous generation model, we like this subtle set-up better, doing without the heavy red colour on the front benches.

The centre console also sports a classier look, with black high-quality plastic controls and buttons that resembles the Kizashi flagship model. Although the only soft touch materials used in the SSS are the seats, the combination of plastics look good and are generally well-finished. Thus, feeling secured in this car is but mere icing on the cake.

The Drive

So the Swift Sport here won't be on the headlines for setting record lap times but what it does is set your mind on an alert mode as it moves up to speed in a very lively and linear delivery that makes progress seem quicker than it is. It scores significantly well in real word driving, all thanks to the new six-speed manual transmission that's mated to the 1.6-litre powerplant.

Although not used frequently, the sixth gear allows for a wider spread of ratios and acts as an overboost which allows for better fuel economy and refinement on empty straights and it's almost immediately felt as you step on the left pedal and shift the gear lever to the higher final drive.

It's hardly inspiring on paper, with a maximum output of 134 horses and 160Nm of torque. But this fine warm hatch is anything but dull. Unlike its predecessor, the new born baby has shed 30kg off its body and it feels more spritely and confidence-inspiring, especially round the bends and curves. Chuck it round a corner and the car will follow through the line with precision, with high levels of grip and low levels of body roll. The body feels tight and rigid regardless of the quick inputs from the well-weighted steering.

But while the twisty sectors highlighted the elasticity of the lower gears, stretches of open tarmac exhibited the car's enthusiasm to bolt through the straights. Coupled with its manual operation and clear slots, the six-speed shifter offers flawless changes, allowing the car to finish its century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds. Perhaps the only complain is the lack of pull in the second gear, although the third is a particularly versatile gear ratio.

Conclusion

While it is no match to other bigger and more powerful hot hatches, the Suzuki Swift Sport remains to be a warm and affordable one with enough vim and vigour to bring a smile to your face, especially when the road starts to curl and curve.

With COE prices going haywire, it may not be a wise choice to get one now. But should the time come when it goes south, this is one exceptionally well-engineered car that you shouldn't miss.