For many years, Suzuki 
has been surviving on the European market with just four nameplates, the Swift hatchback and the Jimny, Vitara, and SX4 crossovers. In 2015, the Japanese added two more vehicles to its stable. The Ignis name was revived for a crossover similar to the Jimny, while the Baleno was conceived to compete in the subcompact market dominated by the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta. Now that it has gained access to new niches, Suzuki is focusing the Swift, one of its best-selling models in Europe. The four-generation hatchback is set to arrive for the 2017 model year and the first prototype has already been spotted on public roads.
The spy shots come two weeks after the first renderings for the new supermini leaked at a dealer conference and confirm that the new Swift will feature an evolutionary design rather than a new styling language. However, the platform underneath is brand-new. Shared with the Baleno, the underpinnings are about 15 percent lighter and increase body rigidity by about ten percent. The new platform should provide better driving dynamics and help the hatchback return improved fuel economy, a decisive factor in this highly contested niche.
A public unveiling is reportedly scheduled to take place at the 2016 Paris Motor Show in October, with sales to commence in the first half of 2017. Until that happens, keep reading to find out what we already know about the upcoming Swift.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Suzuki Swift.
Spy Shots
March 30, 2016 – First testing session
Exterior
Although the hatchback is camouflaged front to rear with only the headlamps and taillights left out in the open, most of the new styling features are visible through the black covers. Naturally, the first detail that catches the eye is the new headlamps design. Not only smaller than the previous model, they also employ a more angular shape similar to the Baleno’s. The grille is also new, now featuring a trapezoidal shape that is wider than the previous unit. As a result, the lower grille is thinner, which should give the Swift a sportier look. The foglamp housings also appear to the larger and mounted in deeper openings in the bumper.
Around back, Suzuki ditched the curved design of the previous taillights in favor of a more angular shape as seen on the Baleno
Around back, Suzuki ditched the curved design of the previous taillights in favor of a more angular shape as seen on the Baleno. Changes are a bit more difficult to spot here due to the camouflage, but the license plate suggests that the recess has been lowered into the bumper from its previous position just under the tailgate. Other than that, expect a mildly redesigned bumper and a new tailgate with a small spoiler at the top. The leaked renderings also depict a new diffuser like element with a couple of large exhaust outlets, but the prototype appears to to feature just one exhaust pipe. It could be that Suzuki is planning a sportier package for the Swift, but it remains to be seen if that is the case or not.
More changes are visible from the side. Although the overall shape and proportions are similar, the new Swift stands out by means of a new roofline that is slightly raked toward the rear, redesigned C-pillars, reshaped rear doors, and a new beltline that no longer ascends toward the rear fenders. The latter appears to be identical to the Baleno’s, with a noticeable bow above the front wheel arches.
Interior
Our paparazzi didn’t manage to get a glimpse of the car’s interior, but we expect it to be based on the Baleno’s. Highlights should include the V-shaped dashboard and center stack, redesigned A/C vents with chrome surrounds, a modern instrument cluster with a color LCD display, and a revised multi-function steering wheel.
A new seven-inch touchscreen should allow the driver to connect an iPhone to the car’s infotainment system and use the many features of Apple’s CarPlay, including maps, music, and audiobooks. A USB port and SD card slot will further enhance connectivity. The display will also show the view behind the vehicle when the optional rear-view camera is enabled.
Other features that debuted on the Baleno and will most likely find their way in the Swift include an adaptive cruise control system that uses a wave radar to monitor vehicles ahead. It will automatically accelerate or brake the vehicle to maintain it at a constant distance from the car in front. New front seats with optimized shape and improved comfort are also on the table, while the rear compartment should offer slightly more legroom. Luggage room should also increase compared to the previous model. Look for more than the 355 liters (12.5 cubic feet) you get with the Baleno.
Drivetrain
The current Swift is available with two gasoline engines in most European markets. The base unit is a 1.2-liter four-cylinder rated at 94 PS (93 horsepower) and 118 Nm (87 pound-feet) of torque and mates to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The Swift Sport gets a larger, 1.6-liter four-banger that cranks out 136 PS (134 horses) and 160 Nm (118 pound-feet) of twist through a manual gearbox.
For 2017, the Swift should receive an updated version of the 1.2-liter Dualjet that debuted in the Baleno
For 2017, the Swift should receive an updated version of the 1.2-liter Dualjet that debuted in the Baleno. Although it’s less powerful than the previous unit at 89 horsepower and 89 pound-feet, performance should remain similar given the lighter, sportier platform. More power will come from the new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder Boosterjet. Rated at 110 horses and 125 pound-feet in the Baleno, the turbocharged mill will probably motivate higher trim versions.
The Sport model, on the other hand, is likely to carry over with the 1.6-liter four-pot, which should receive updated internal for improved efficiency and maybe a few extra ponies.
In the transmission department, look for a standard five-speed for the 1.2-liter, an optional CVT, and a new six-speed automatic for the 1.0-liter turbo.
Prices
Pricing for the upcoming fourth-gen Swift is still a mystery, but given that the current model retails from £8,999 (around $13,980), Suzuki will want to keep the sticker below the £10K (about $14,420) mark in the United Kingdom. However, expect the better equipped trims to cost more than £11,000 (about $15,860) and the more powerful Sport model to fetch in excess of £14,000 (around $20,200).
Competition
Volkswagen Polo
One of the best-selling superminis in Europe, the current Polo was introduced in 2009 and is available with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines. The range begins with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder that generates 59 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque and ends with a 1.4-liter TSI that delivers 148 horses in its range-topping configuration. A 1.4-liter TDI diesel good for 89 horses and 170 pound-feet is also up for grabs. Unlike the Swift, the Polo can be had in a high-performance configuration that includes a GTI badge and a turbocharged, 1.8-liter with 189 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The German hatch starts from £11,300 (about $16,260) in the U.K. and costs £18,900 (around $27,200) before options in GTI trim.
Find out more about the Volkswagen Polo here.
Ford Fiesta
Unveiled about the same time as the Polo, the sixth-generation Fiesta is the other hot-selling subcompact on the Old Continent. Customers also have to choose between an array of small-displacement engines, including the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost, and the 1.5-liter TDCi diesel. Outputs range from the 79-horsepower 1.0-liter three-pot to the 123 horses of the turbocharged, EcoBoost mill. The 1.6-liter four-pot generates 104 horsepower, while the 1.5-liter diesel cranks out 74 horses. The 1.6-liter TDCi diesel generates 94 horses. Like the Polo, the Fiesta is also available in a performance-oriented version — the ST, powered by a turbocharged, 1.6-liter with 197 horsepower and 202 pound-feet of torque. Prices start from £10,145 (about $14,600) and go all the way up to £19,545 (around $28,130) for the ST-3 trim. Unlike the Polo and the Swift, the Fiesta is available in the U.S.
Read more about the Ford Fiesta here.
Honda Jazz
Also known as the Fit in North America and Japan, the Jazz is a relatively new nameplate on the market, being launched in 2001. The third-generation model was introduced in 2013 with heavily revised styling, a new interior with Honda ’s Magic Seat s, and various four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. In Europe, however, most markets get only the 1.3-liter gasoline four-banger that cranks out 102 PS (101 horsepower) and 123 Nm (91 pound-feet) of torque. It mates to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed semi-automatic and returns up to 61.4 mpg on the British cycle. Pricing starts from £13,495 (about $19,400), which makes it one of the most expensive superiminis on the market, but the Jazz comes with numerous standard features, including Idle Stop, cruise control with speed limiter, Magic Seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera.
Find out more about the Honda Jazz here.
Conclusion
The Suzuki Swift has always been one of the underdogs of the supermini segment and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. But despite not being a massive success compared to the Volkswagen Polo or Ford Fiesta, the Japanese hatch has been praised for its excellent value for the buck, sharp handling, and peppy performance of the Sport model. Hopefully Suzuki will enhance those characteristics with the fourth-gen car, as well as fix some of the issues of the current model. Ditching the hard interior plastics and enhancing cabin and trunk practicality would be a good start if Suzuki wants to give its competitors a run for their money.
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