Suzuki Swift road tests and consumer car reviews

Suzuki Swift 2009

If you are thinking of buying one, do yourself a favour and don’t. What a load of undiluted rubbish! I have owned about 20 cars, everything, a 1926 Morgan, 1937 Morris, 1963 Bubble car, 1971 v8 Rover and a 1980 Transit to name but a few. I have never had any problems getting a car into first gear until I acquired the Swift. You pull up to a road junction, put it into first gear, go to pull away only to find out it’s in third gear. If there are any cars coming towards you when the engine falters... This car is dangerous! Then on other occasions you will try for maybe a minute before you find first gear. The gear box is perfect, the problem is the selector. Then there is reverse, absolutely perfect for the first 18 months, then all of a sudden it would not go into reverse no matter what I did. This lasted for 4 months, then one day it was ok. Basically it’s a good car with an absolutely third world gearbox. Anyway you have been warned. Regarding the previous review regarding the burning smell: This is when your car has accidently gone into third gear and the clutch is slipping when your trying to pull away in third gear. It’s happened to me.

Suzuki Swift 2006

I purchased my Suzuki Swift in Aug 2006 and within the first week it had a fault with the clutch. I took it back to the Suzuki dealer a few times before they recognised that there was a problem. Then last Oct it failed its MOT due to a problem with the power steering. Suzuki said it was the sensor, but this part could not be purchased seperately, only as a whole steering rack and after fitting the total cost was £1600.00. Absolutely ridiculous! They also said no one has had a problem with steering before and it was not caused by anything I had done. I’m very frustrated and will never buy another Suzuki again or recommend one to another person. I have also had so many recalls with other defective parts I have lost total faith in Suzuki. Can anyone else please say if they have had any issues with steering on their Suzuki?

Suzuki Swift SZ4 Automatic 2011

I have a new Swift SZ4 Automatic replacing my 3 year old 1.5 Automatic and I have hardly notice the drop of 300cc; it pulls at the higher end of the rev-range exactly the same. I do have an issue, however, with dealership support. My fuel gauge is in need of some TLC as it appears to give random readings and is, at present, stuck at just under half full. The digital "miles left" display, which started this morning at 60 miles, but after driving 20 miles now shows 140 miles left!! I informed my dealership by email 2 weeks ago. My email read, I have recieved zero response. If there is a general issue with fuel tank senders Suzuki are keeping quiet about it. I have asked "Honest John" for advice.

Suzuki Swift vvt 2008

I bought my car 18months ago with 8700 miles on the clock and I spend 8 to 12 hours a day in it as a driving instructor. It has been very reliable and is well liked by my pupils, the only problem being selecting 1st gear following harsh braking. A quick double clutch and its in. It gives 330 miles to a tank of fuel. A personal moan would be the size and shape of the head restraints, which cause a blind spot from the interior mirror. Mine has now done 67000 miles and has only needed one clutch and a set of brakes. A good car.

Suzuki Swift Attitude 2009

I bought this car in November 2009, with 3000 miles and only one previous owner. Now I know why it had been returned after 3000 miles as I have had more issues and faults with this one car than my previous 3 cars combined. I very quickly noticed a problem with the gear change - it was very difficult to get in to first gear or reverse and there was a horrid burning smell. Initially I thought maybe I just needed to get used to the new gear change but the problem persisted. So when I put it in for its first service in september 2010 I mentioned the problems and they replaced the gearstick and selectors. After a few weeks I again noticed the same problems with the gears sticking, and being very difficult to select gears. However, the problems were not as persistent and so I left it wondering if it again was my problem not selecting the gears correctly. When my car went in for service at 25000 miles I again mentioned the gear issues but nothing was done. Then several weeks ago 26000, I noticed a high pitched whining noise from the engine. I could hear this over the music in my car. It appeared to happen when in first, 2nd and 3rd gear like the engine was over-revving or not even in gear at all. Then yesterday I noticed in first gear when I lifted my foot from the clutch the gear stick moved back. Today on my way to work this progressed to 2nd gear. Then when I was driving the car popped out of 2nd gear altogether. So, I took my car to the Phoenix dealership on my lunch break. They told me that the gearbox has to come out to locate the problem. So here I am... would I recommend a Swift? I really don’t know. It’s a great looking wee car but its just not been reliable. And I haven’t even mentioned the issues with the alloys wheels....

Responses to this review

My daughter has an ’08 Swift, it’s a nice car but has started having gear change problems but it’s going to be done on warranty just inside date. Also speed bumps and small potholes keeps buckling her wheels, had 4 replaced this year. I have never known of a wheel buckle problem, is this a common problem on Suzuki? - Kevin Kenworthy from Durham

I bought a 2009 Swift brand new. After four weeks, I stopped on a hill and had a problem getting it into first. When it went in, there was a terrible burning smell. I know now I had gone into 3rd gear by mistake. It happens all the time on mine. The car is dangerous, when you approch a major road which is busy. You pull out in front of traffic only to find it has gone into 3rd gear and it won’t pull away quick. It’s dangerous. Then, let’s talk about reverse. You’re lucky you have difficulty getting into reverse. My car would not go into reverse for three months, it made parking difficult. You are correct the Swift looks good but with these faults I am sure that it’s the biggest load of junk out there. Suzuki, never again - John Manning from Worcestershire

Suzuki Swift 1.6 vvt Sport 2007

Having had bigger cars before like a Lexus IS200 and a 325i BMW I suppose the Suzuki Swift Sport might seem a strange choice but with petrol and insurance prices soaring, my wife and I decided to get one and try it. In pearlescent supreme Red with its sparkling silver 10 spoke 17" alloys, it looked the part. I particularly like the floating roof styling of it along with the bulbous front end and deep bumper. The ride is surprisingly good with the superb sports seats holding you firmly, the 1.6vvti engine is very nippy but needs revving quite high to get you really going and with a top speed of 124mph its real fun. The handling is excellent, hardly any body roll when you sling it into tight corners and grip of the 195/45-17 Goodyear Eagles is second to none. Giving it some beans through a tunnel brought a reassuring rasp from the twin tailpipes that exit from the sporty rear bumper, catch a glimpse of a reflection while passing a glass shopfront and it sits proud on the alloys with a gorgeous rear roof spoiler worthy of a JWRC car. Inside it feels bigger than it is, with cubby holes and drink holders in abundance. The boot is quite small but do-able and if you need more space the rear seat folds down to give you a small van-like space, the only gripe with seating is the tilt on the passenger seat doesn’t go back to the position it was in and the drivers seat has no such lever to allow rear access. The built in CD player is superb and very very stylish, easy to use and its all controllable from the 3 spoke sporty steering wheel. When Jeremy Clarkson took one for a test he moaned about the heater taking a while to warm up, all I can say is mine is warm in seconds and the air con is super cool on sunny days, the feel of the aircon controls is another plus, with positive clicks when dial turning and it feels intuitive to control, everything in the right place. The dashboard is a wrap around style and the rev counter, speedometer, temp and fuel gauges are all trimmed neatly with chrome rings and I love the way the rev counter sits at 6 o’clock when the engine is off, reminiscent of a GSXR sports bike. All in all I think Suzuki are on to a winner here and at under 12k its easily the best choice of supermini by far; Mini’s are everywhere you go, the Renault twingo sport is awful inside and noisy as hell. If I was in control of the next Swift sport I would give it a 1.8 litre engine, a 6 speed box and around 160 bhp mark. I love our Swift Sport, its great, get it on a twisty B-road and I guarantee you a broad cheshire cat-type grin when you get out. Take one for a test drive and see for yourself.

Suzuki Swift 1.3 2006

My Suzuki Swift 1.3 was fine until now at 4 years old with one owner from new. It keeps overheating on motorways and has a whining noise on the clutch. Have had new temperature gauge fitted but problem still happening. Now Suzuki garage have charged me 95 pounds to tell me I need a new radiator and the gear box needs to be removed to find the problem of the whining noise, this will cost £825 and then there is the cost of repairing the whining noise on top!! This is disgraceful as the car is 4 years old with one lady owner and car has done 55000 miles and has been serviced every year. I will NEVER buy another Suzuki car.

Suzuki Swift 2010

I am quite happy with my suzi. It is my second car and I will be keeping this car for a few more years. I love the way it feels like driving a rally car because it hugs the corners so well. My only concerns that I had with the car was the original tyres and the selection of first and reverse gears. With the tyres: Initially the handling of the car was jerky when in the lower gears, but since I have had the original tyres replaced with 16" mags the handling of the car has changed completely for the better, and it looks great too. As for the gear selections: Initially when I got the car and you put it into first gear, you have to be stopped for it to go into place, you could not be rolling even the slightest, this has changed now I suppose after being worn in. As for reverse I have had more troubles than anything but have worked out that you must start the car with your feet on the clutch and the brake peddle, if the gear stick still wont go into place, Do NoT force it, remove your feet from the clutch and gear after each other and try again. I have found that there is something about the brake peddle, that must be a safety mechanism, so that you don’t accidentally put it into reverse while driving. I have never came across this in any other car to this severity and found it unusual at first but has now become second nature. It doesn’t happen every time I start the car. Great car other wise for a good price.

Responses to this review

Regarding your clutch/gears, this is a manufacturing fault and your gearbox may need replacing. Many people have had this problem, myself included. After 18 months and several visits to Suzuki about this issue, my gearbox completely failed. I am just lucky that my car is still under warranty because it needs completely replacing and it would cost me £1,000 approx - Trudi Tokarczyk from Scotland

Suzuki Swift sport 1.6 2010

Superb car in every respect; looks, performance, comfort, reliability, BUT has one major drawback, namely tyre size. NO spare wheel, of any size, is supplied, which is bad enough, but the crime is compounded by the lunatic choice of 195/45 tyre size. This was originally made only by Goodyear, and although other makes are now on the scene, availability is extremely limited. When faced with serious tyre damage, how to keep mobile? My (very costly) solution was to change to readily available 205/40, and carry a spare wheel in the (already tiny) boot; at least any tyre problem now only involves a 10min wheel change.

Suzuki Swift 1.3 SZL Petrol 2009

What I like: It handles well and, if you push it, it can be quite nippy. Build quality is generally good. Odd rattle from driver’s door - seems to come and go. Rides like a bigger car on the motorway - at motorway speeds it glides along, is pretty quiet and eats up the miles. I am happy to do long journeys in it (this is my first small car for quite a long time). What I don’t like: The clutch. I have been driving for 40 years and have driven everything you can think of. I cannot get used to the clutch. On a couple of occasions I have been on a hill and, as you engage the clutch/depress the accelerator/release the handbrake ... there has been an almighty ’thunk’ from the transmission and the engine has stalled. To be fair, one year on, I am getting a bit more used to it - but the operation of the clutch is one of the most important factors in whether you enjoy driving a car. Over a 100 years of making cars - you’d think all manufacturers would get this right by now. The other thing I am a bit disappointed in is the fuel consumption. I deliberately down-sized as petrol is now so expensive and was expecting (with my very careful driving style) to get 47 mpg. No matter how carefully I drive (sometimes as if I am on the Mobil economy run) I can’t get better than 41 mpg out of it. Conclusion: On the whole I like the car. If you take into account the fact they are pretty cheap, the car is well made and, so far, completely reliable. I read someone’s review who said it was useless in snow. Well, obviously, any 2 wheel drive car is not going to be great in snow, but in the recent snow we’ve had, I’ve not had any problems with it. If you drive sensibly - start in 2nd gear and keep the revs down - you won’t have any problems. My wife had a Yaris about 10 years ago and, when we were thinking about the Swift, I was favouring getting another Yaris. But the equivalent model was at least 2 grand more and, from what I read these days, Toyota’s legendary build quality is not what it was. Would I buy another Swift? Maybe - depends what else is around at the time.

Suzuki Swift 1500 GLS 2007

We bought our Swift 1500 GLS when it was 6 months old in 2007, it had 2300mls on the clock. We have had 2 recalls, which were not serious and were sorted by the Suzuki dealer in Bolton Lancs. It’s a great little car and it’s our 5th Suzuki we have owned. They are very reliable and we have had no problems with any Suzuki we have had. It’s a good car for about town and the ladies. My only niggles with the car is the throttle is very light and takes a bit of getting used to, fuel consumption in urban running is not too good, also it dosen’t have a large fuel tank so the fuel seems to go down pretty quick. All in all it’s a great little car.

Suzuki Swift 2008

I love this little car despite its 3 recalls! Driver’s door airbag fault, gear lever change and now difficulty changing gears. I called my garage as the warranty was almost up to advise of the issue that had been bugging me for some time only to be advised that my car chassi number shows on the "AFFECTED" list, but no recall letter...thanks Suzuki!! Tones of space inside for a deceptively small car however, I’m not the one driving when it comes to shopping trips, if I’m lucky I can get 4 full bags of shopping in the boot! It’s a good job this car comes with back seats!! I’ve had nothing but bad luck with this car but it’s all been purely cosmetic......and down to other people! despite the numerous spray jobs and an alloy refurb I still love my swift. I wouldn’t recommend this car for families, it’s got space but its more height than overall space. ONE MASSIVE SEASONAL FLAW this car is horrible in snow, it could get stuck in an inch of slush. There’s barely any weight in the front so I find having a shovel and deflating my tyres always comes in handy.

Suzuki Swift 4X4 4 door 1300 2007

With only 25,000kms, 17,000 miles on the clock, the engine started to run very rough, missing, sometimes stalling at lights. The amber engine light stayed ON. The car limped home. Staggered into to the agent next morning. The analyzer detected that 2 crankshaft sensors had failed, thus the onboard computor could not calculate the correct fuel and ignition for the engine. Driving it for a longer period would have resulted in serious engine damage they told me. The cost for 2 new sensors plus instalation was just under €300, out of warranty! Why did the sensors fail? They dunno. Where were the sensors made, and by whom? I am checking. Were the sensors properly testedy pre-production? Nobody knows. Would I buy another Suzy Swift. Silly question, but, NO never. (And how do you think I about driving longer distance on this one now?? Scary!!) Recommend a Suzy Swift to a friend? Not on on your life, they would massacre me when it fell to bits. Conclusion. An unnecessarily over-engineered, highly computerised, unreliable, plastic junk transporter, with c**p parts.

Suzuki Swift 2008

20,000 Km and cluch is gone, being replaced today. This is not good Suzuki!

Responses to this review

Rear window just shattered in ’cold’ weather, no impact, no-one near it, blew out - no glass inside the car. Swift still under warranty but new window = £350 fitted. NOT GOOD! These aren’t exactly extreme weather conditions - wasn’t even snowy - Stevi Page from Sussex

Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport 2010

I’ve just got the 1.6 Sport 2010 in black, full leather trim. It looks great and goes like stink on the back roads. A bit noisy on long runs but very comfy. I love this little car, my wife and daughter also have one, the 1.3 and 1.5 - we are the Swift Family Gibson!

Suzuki Swift 1.3 2006

Bufits a lot with wind. Had 4 recalls with was one a year. one was my handbreak faiied after it was recalled and checked. repaired it then a year later where they repaired my panel from the recall rust came though and because I have 12 years body warranty on it they replaced the panel free of charge.

Suzuki Swift 1.5GLS

I feel as if the car goes and pulls back all of the time. I took it back to the dealers and the salesman thinks I should wait for the first service. It feels as if the revs drop down. Any suggestions?

Suzuki Swift 1.3 petrol 2010

Got a 1.3 litre petrol Swift a short time ago. Peppy, nimble, good mileage, reasonably roomy, slightly noisy at speed, good road-holding. Fully satisfied so far an improvement on the old Swift. Suzuki are the biggest assemblers in my country but have a reputation for rough and ready work, this cannot be said for the new Swift.

Responses to this review

@Riaz Hassan... Now that you have driven for more than 6 months, what is your feedback? Umer Khan from Pakistan

Suzuki Swift 2006

Nice car, nice drive but...the speed sensor went on it at its first MOT date and was replace in goodwill by Suzuki and the dealer. That was August 09. It has gone again on 1 May this year and the dealer and Suzuki took a quick step backwards. No mileometer, no odometer, fuel consumption readout not working, power steering affected. After a deal of frustration the dealer is going to sort it - has anyone else had this problem with the speed sensor. Also because it was a goodwill gesture from Suzuki they reckon they need not guarantee the part?

Suzuki Swift SZ4 2009

I was given a ’10’ reg one of these with 1 mile on the clock for a day when I took my Mitsubishi Lancer in for a service, as it is a joint dealership with Suzuki. The looks are a bit of an acquired taste but the basics of what you want in a car: handling; performance (especially for a 1.3 litre engine); economy; interior layout etc., were all good, to very good. Being used to a low slung Lancer Sport it did feel a bit like you were sitting in a 4x4, but high sided vehicles are the modern trend and a good chassis and excellent visibility made some amends. My mother owned the previous generation Swift and it was totally reliable, as are most Suzukis. If I wanted a nippy, fun supermini that got virtually all the important things right I’d consider one of these.

Suzuki Swift 1.3 2009

Very happy with my Swift 1.3. No problems what so ever. It just runs. Very well built and cleverly designed for such a small car.

Suzuki Swift 1.5 VVT 2005

I bought my car (Swift 1.5 VVT) on Wednesday, and got about 200 yards from the garage when the clutch "went" - could not get any gears. Took my foot off the clutch and back on, could get gears then. Still waiting to hear from the garage - great customer care! NOT. Happened and all the roundabouts/lights on the way home, eventually stalling with my foot on the brake and clutch....

Suzuki Swift 2009

Is anyone else having problems with the clutch on the Swift 1300? I find it is not biting until the last minute especially on a slope - so stalling. Have been back to the garage but was informed it is a ’ hydraulic clutch ’ and needs getting used to. Apart from that a great little car!

Responses to this review

We are getting a similar problem with 2009 1.3 ZX-L. On a slope it is hard to balance clutch and engine rev’s when pulling away so it is prone to stall, very un-nerving, what is the solution? Like the style and the handling BUT do not like the problem - Nigel Brown from Bedfordshire

Just bought a new Suzuki Swift SZ2, and I’m stalling it occasionally pulling away in 1st. gear. Assume it is just me not being used to the clutch. I used to drive a Fiat Punto which was almost impossible to stall, so I guess I’ve been spoiled - Stephen Coombs from Wiltshire

My wife has a 2009 1.3 Attitute and it’s the same. The clutch is either on or off you can’t slip it, it just stalls. My Wife’s friend has a 1.3 GLX and thats the same, I dont think that the cars have a fault its just a characteristic of the model - Wayne from Yorkshire

There is a modified gear lever for the Swift, when you think you have selected 1st you have actually selected 3rd. This can easy be identified as a fault by putting your car into 3rd gear and seeing if it has alot of movement from side to side. If it has then more than likely you are goint to need the modified gear lever - Timmy Bee from England

Own new 1.3GL similar problem with the clutch,prone to stalling on inclines,garage say thats the way it is, is it? - Harry Clark from Durham

Suzuki Swift 2009

I bought my first Suzuki swift in 2006 (Diesel). It was such a fantastic car with good driving experience. Did any one drive this car under 3 years time up to 100000 miles? I did. When I was selling the car it was already completed 98000miles. What is the next car I bought? No question - another Swift 1.3 diesel. Why? I can trust this car to take from Cambridge to Aberdeen just taking a single break. No back ache no other problems. Apart from normal oil changing and oil filter changing I paid one time changing my wiper. That is the extra I spent for my car. I never had any problem with this car even though I drive in different climate conditions all over the country. The new auto volume controlled CD player supporting Mp3 and leather steering with additional place for hide to keep luggage in the luggage area and after all a very silent car made my choice second time also brilliant. Within 3 months I completed 11000+ miles. I would say It is a nice small car but good also for journeys like Cambridge to Aberdeen.

Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS 2007

Had this little gem for over 12 months now and love it to bits. Great all-round drive and very well built. I actually live in France, northern Alps and it’s great on the twisting roads, great in the snow also (with snow tyres). Nippy when it needs to be and very economic, over 720kms on a nearly full tank. For me, it’s the best in it’s class as I tried a few other small cars before deciding on the Swift.

Suzuki Swift 2008

Excellent car! Looks nice, my wife likes to drive this car so much, she is very happy. I give only 4 star, because in Vietnam; where I stay now; I have to pay 34k used for version 1.5L, MT gear box . So expensive!

Suzuki Swift 2008

Had the car for about 1 month now, overall very happy. Only 4 stars because the one problem we do have is the quietness of the indicators, if for any reason the indicators do not cancel automatically the beeping noise is so quiet you cannot hear it on a lot of road conditions. I’ve nearly had 2 accidents because of this, has anyone else come across this problem? I rang Suzuki direct and they told me it was the relay, I asked if these cars could be recalled to have a louder relay fitted before a accident occurred and was told in no uncertain terms they could not. I also spoke to the dealer I purchased the car from, the lady there told me she herself as come across this problem and had several other customers mention this problem to her - an accident waiting to happen?

Responses to this review

My daughter has just ordered a Z3 (new style) due for delivery 1 Sept. During test drives I took particular notice of the indicator repeater signal and it is loud and clear. My interest in this is due to our Fiat Punto also suffering from an almost inaudible repeater signal and like you I have had a few near squeaks when indicators did not automatically cancel. Fiat dealer informed me that this was normal for the model (1.2 Active 2004, bought new) and several customers had complained but Fiat don’t seem to want to know. All he could suggest was that I fitted a secondary repeater of the type in cars towing towing caravans but this would cost in region of £100. Incidentally we do like the Punto very much - James from Northumberland

Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX 5 Door 2007

Had the car for almost a year now and I like it as much now as I did when I bought it. It has proved to be a good travelling companion. The 1.5 engine is a cracker with ample for most situations, it handles extremely well; it is comfortable and returns excellent mpg. So far over the year, according to the average fuel consumption indicator in the car it is returning 40.8 mpg. On a recent trip to North Yorkshire I worked it out manually and it returned just over 44 mpg. The reason I have marked it down to 4 stars is that there is an annoying rattle in the dash on cooler days that my local Suzuki dealer does not seem able to rectify. If it wasn’t for that it would have been a definite 5 star.

Suzuki Swift 2007

Great car to drive, you can drive this car with pride. Great price and a very comfortable place to be! Only my second car and i was very happy that dad gave it his seal of approval! I haven’t had it too long but so so good!! Only reason i would give it a bad review is so that the road doesn’t have one on every corner!

Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX 2007

Nice car, smart, cool and a dream to drive. Reliable too. A small car with street cred.

Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX

This is a FUN car. It’s aptly named and you get plenty of power under the hood. It looks nice and sporty and comes well equipped. Amazing amount of car for the money and surprisingly cheap to run. I couldn’t give this any less than 5 out of 5. Really excellent car.