Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki's Swift Sport is a small fave of ours. The company added a CVT option to the range soon after the launch of the second-generation model, yet this is the first time we’ve sampled it. Has the CVT spoiled the Sport? Um, yes, and no. The auto makes the Sport an easier drive day-to-day but this Swift is just not the same little character when you get out and about. As a commuter, the 1.6-litre four and CVT mate well, the transmission setting the engine to just 1200rpm at 50km/h, and just under 2000 at 100km/h. Give the throttle a prod and the CVT responds quickly, reducing its ratio to have the engine bubbling away again. There’s the odd judder and jolt in operation but there’s no doubting the convenience this transmission adds, which strengthens its appeal for the traditional buyers of small cars (women 40 plus).

The auto Sport is still fun to throw at a corner or two, but just not a riot like the six-speed shift-it yourself version. It’s still light on its wheels, turning in quickly and changing direction on a whim but the CVT undermines the Sport’s driving charm. The CVT doesn’t hold the ‘gear’ when you’re off the throttle, the engine revs dropping right off, and so you need to flip the paddles when in Swift Sport
mode. Brake, clip the down shift paddle, turn the wheel, gas it up early and then manage the poweron understeer. Yeah, it’s still fun, but for those who don’t mind shifting gears, save $1500 by buying the Sportier manual. It’s almost a second quicker to 100km/h and swifter on the overtake too.

Swift Sport now comes standard with integrated Garmin sat-nav, yet the price remains unchanged at $28,990 for the auto. It’s a touch screen unit and is fairly easy to navigate around (even if some of the buttons are a little small), while offering a raft of connectivity. It’s annoying though that you have to clear a safety message every time you start the car. We get it already.

The Swift’s interior is very dark and while there’s nothing wrong with the way it’s made, it’s uninspiring and everything is hard to the touch. The seats are good though, supportive in the right way and easy to get in and out of. Small cars make good commuters and are easy to park, but you can’t cart a whole lot of stuff around with you. The boot area is particularly wanting; you need to fold both the rear seats to fit the lawn mower in for example.

Some of the newer cars in the class have upped their game to chip away at the Swift’s value proposition but the Sport is still cheaper than the likes of the top Yaris and Polo, and still much more fun to drive, even with its CVT.