Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Suzuki Swift review – a lively, tech-laden supermini - Engine, gearbox and technical specs

The regular Swift and the Swift Sport share many attributes, but the hot hatch fails to live up to expectations

Evo rating
RRP
from £11,999
  • Comfortable, feels light, the regular model and the Sport are both surprisingly quick
  • Not a car that enjoys being driven too hard (a real problem for the Sport), the Sport’s steering is off-putting

Engine, gearbox and technical specs

There’s no diesel option in the new Swift, just a selection of relatively small-capacity petrol engines – just the sort that should live in the front of the supermini. The entry-level and least powerful motor is a 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine; it’s the only motor you can get in the basic SZ3 trim. The engine uses twin fuel injectors(!), and both are active, unlike the secondary set in a Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth – however, that really is the only trump card the Swift has over a RS500. The 1.2 puts out 89bhp, while maximum torque is 88lb ft at 4400rpm.

The next most powerful engine is a smaller capacity 1-litre three-cylinder engine, but thanks to a turbocharger it produces 109bhp and 125lb ft of torque available from 2000rpm to 3500rpm when it’s paired with a five-speed manual gearbox – the combination you’d get if you bought the Swift SZ-T. Go up a trim level to SZ5 and you can have that engine with a six-speed auto, while torque drops slightly to 111lb ft but peaks earlier at 1700rpm and stays there until 4000rpm.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There are a few other drivetrain options for the Swift in SZ5 trim, too. You can have the same 1-litre turbo engine and manual gearbox as the SZ-T, but with a mild-hybrid system. The SZ5 with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) gets a boost from an electric motor that replaces the starter. The SHVS electric motor only has 2.3kW (3bhp) on offer, but a more credible 37lb ft of torque. Or, if you don’t mind having the 89bhp engine from the basic model, you can have your SZ5 with four-wheel drive and the hybrid assistance.

The Swift Sport’s 1.4-litre engine is also boosted by a turbocharger with a clever wastegate valve that closes fully under high loads to maintain inlet pressure and a bypass valve that opens to keep air moving through the intake system and eradicate turbo stall when the throttle closes. The engine produces a maximum power of 138bhp and peak torque of 170lb ft is available from 2500rpm to 3500rpm.

The Sport doesn’t just have a more powerful engine than the more regular models, there’s a six- rather than five-speed manual gearbox and a host of chassis and drivetrain improvements, too. There are the bigger wheels, stiffer springs, uprated anti-roll bars, improved dampers and larger brakes that you’d expect. There’s also reinforced front hubs and rear trailing arms that can sustain greater lateral forces than the regular car’s suspension without camber or toe changing adversely under load.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025