Suzuki Swift Sport review – the back-to-basics drivers' hatch - Performance and 0-62 time

The Suzuki Swift Sport's technical spec reads like something from the 1990s - but that's not meant as a criticism. Powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and natural aspiration, the Suzuki Swift Sport produces 134bhp at 6900rpm and 118lb ft of torque at 4400rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels exclusively through a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox. The Swift does without a limited-slip diff, but with 134bhp traction is rarely an issue.

That’s not to say the Swift Sport is slow, though, because flat out it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 8.7sec and on to a top speed of 121mph. Compare it with the wider market and performance appears fairly tame, but focus on the Swift’s price bracket and it comfortably leads the way, beating a raft of superminis and lukewarm alternatives. Ford's Ecoboost-powered Fiesta Zetec S, for example, is three tenths slower to 62mph.

The Swift also feels punchier than the stats suggest. Unlike some of its more effortless turbocharged rivals, the Swift thrives when thrashed, so extracting its peak performance doesn’t leave you feeling guilty for not exploring the car's abilities afterwards. You get out of it what you put in, and that's really satisfying in this age of easy performance.