► Suzuki Swift Hybrid review
► Popular choice in a shrinking sector
► Lightweight supermini rated
It’s a tough time to sell small cars. With profit margins getting ever slimmer and demand for SUVs increasing, releasing a Suzuki Swift could almost be seen as foolish. However, plucky Suzuki saw an opportunity here, swooping in to hoover up sales no longer destined for bigger brands.
After all, the ongoing popularity of small SUVs such as the Ford Puma, Kia Stonic and Nissan Juke have killed the once popular Fiesta, Rio and Micra. Indeed, Suzuki estimates 250,000 Britons will be left without a direct replacement to the supermini they bought within the last three years.
So, along came the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift Hybrid. An evolution rather than a revolution of the familiar name, Suzuki set its sights on grasping what had become an enticing gap in the market with a model resplendent in modern tech but still supping petrol to suffice the public’s needs.
Should you buy this car? If you want a cheap, cheerful, and fun small hatch, the Swift’s still a cracking choice. It’s affordable, light, fun to drive, and feels appealingly old school these days.
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At a glance
Pros: Great economy, slick manual gearbox, fun to drive
Cons: Cheap and scratchy interior, not very powerful
What’s new?
The Suzuki Swift Hybrid has now been on sale since 2024, but it still represents a significant update over its predecessor. Rather than outsourcing the hybrid technology to Toyota like Mazda did with the 2 Hybrid, Suzuki kept things in-house. The four-pot of the old car was given the chop to make way for an all-new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mild hybrid engine. It’s about as powerful as the unit in the old car, but it’s 8% more fuel efficient, produces less CO2 and can push the car from rest to 62mph nearly a second faster.
Both inside and out, the Swift was re-styled for this generation. The car is still based on Suzuki’s lightweight HEARTECT vehicle platform, so the dimensions haven’t changed, but the headlights and front grille were revised to give the car a more contemporary look, while the rear tailgate was refreshed with an integrated rear hatch spoiler, among other changes.
Suzuki worked hard to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car with a series of exterior amendments, while a new adhesive was introduced to the underbody to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
Several adjustments were also made to the Swift’s suspension setup. The front stabiliser bar was modified to improve roll rigidity, while at the rear the suspension was fettled to allow the back wheels to glide over changing road surfaces more comfortably.
What are the specs?
With so many updates, many of the Swift’s data figures were refreshed for this generation. The mild hybrid three-cylinder engine produces the same 81bhp as the old four-pot model, but it now has a quicker 0-62mph time of 12.5 seconds – 5% faster than before. Its torque rating is 83lb ft at 4500rpm, and flat out it’ll do 103mph in Motion spec or 106mph in Ultra. The Swift’s ALLGRIP four-wheel drive variant can’t quite match that, with a top speed of 99mph.
With its electric assistance, this engine is kinder to the planet, too. Our long-term Swift managed 57.4mpg in Ben Barry’s hands, and officially produces 99g/km of CO2 (106 in Ultra spec, 110 with ALLGRIP). Being a mild hybrid, the Swift can’t be charged up from the plug like a full EV, but instead uses energy regenerated when braking to help power the vehicle and improve efficiency. It’s also a genuine lightweight in modern terms, coming in at 984kg.
How does it drive?
The last Swift was lauded for its cheap date driving pleasures, and this generation follows suit. Owing to the aforementioned suspension updates and its light kerbweight, the Swift feels nimble on the road, capable of controlling its body well through corners for an all-round gratifying driving experience.
With 81bhp, the Swift doesn’t have the power to push you back in your seat, but its slick manual gearbox is one to savour. Couple its short throw and precise action with the car’s well-weighted steering and it becomes a joyous thing to hang through the bends. It feels nimble, well-balanced and agile despite a fair bit of body lean. Most rivals feel lead-footed in comparison.
The Swift is also available with an optional CVT transmission. We’ve yet to try it, but we suspect it won’t be a box worth ticking for those in search of an engaging experience. For the less speed-conscious Swift drivers, it probably won’t make much of a difference.
Performance isn’t exactly sparkling, but it’s sufficient for this sort of car and feels strong enough on the motorway. The mild hybrid system means the engine can slog from well under 1500rpm, making it feel like a bigger, torquier lump in part-throttle situations. You’ll still need to rev it out to find the power, though.
As for the ride, the Swift cushions well enough for the class. You’re aware of bumps and crevices passing beneath you, yet it’s less twangy and more settled than its predecessor. It’s more comfortable than a Yaris or Mazda 2 Hybrid, that’s for sure.
What about the interior?
Just as the exterior was re-styled, so too was the car’s cabin. The Swift starts from £19,699, so it’s no surprise that the interior isn’t resplendent in luxurious materials. Hard, scratchy plastics are abundant and soft surfaces rare, but it all looks decent and there are plenty of physical controls for stuff like the climate control and heated seats.
In fact, the interior feels no less luxurious than a bottom-spec Vauxhall Corsa. Suzuki has focused on sustainability in its choice of materials while opting for a series of funky surface design textures to liven the cabin up. Do they work? Yes. The cabin isn’t exactly plush nor does it scream artistic flair but it’s a nice enough place to be and feels up to date.
There’s a case to be made that what the Swift falls short on in material quality, it makes up for in interior tech, as a 9.0-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and heated front seats are all included as standard.
The seats themselves are supportive and comfortable enough on shorter runs with decent mechanical adjustability, though it does feel like you sit rather high up and the foam bases are rather hard. Front space is good, and there’s loads of headroom front and rear. Legroom in the back is good for the class but not palatial. It is a supermini after all…
Before you buy
In line with the Swift’s minimalist ethos, Suzuki has kept the trim range short but well equipped. There are only two grades to choose from: Motion and Ultra. Even the entry-level Motion trim comes generously specified, with features like adaptive cruise control, a nine-inch infotainment display, heated front seats and plenty of driver assistance systems all included as standard. As of mid-2025, prices for a Swift Motion start at £19,699 for the manual, or £20,949 if you want the CVT.
For buyers wanting a few extra creature comforts, the Ultra trim adds automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors and some additional styling touches. It’s priced from £20,799 for the manual, making it around £1,100 more than the Motion. Whether Ultra is worth the stretch depends on how much you value a handful of extra niceties, but the Motion trim remains the sweet spot, offering excellent value and plenty of kit for under £20k.
Key rivals for the Swift include the Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris Hybrid, although several in this class are starting to exit the UK market or transition to hybrid-only line-ups with higher prices. Budget-friendly options like the Dacia Sandero undercut the Swift on price but can’t match its sense of fun, while the new MG3 Hybrid is looming as a value alternative. With models like the Ford Fiesta now gone, the Swift finds itself in a shrinking pool of small hatchbacks, leaving it in a relatively unique position for buyers who still crave a classic supermini vibe.
Verdict
Since 2004 Suzuki has sold over nine million Swifts. It’s been one of the quiet success stories of Japan’s automotive industry, relying on back-to-basics functionality with few frills for a great price. It’s unlikely this generation of Swift will upset the wasabi cart, as it carries much of the same ethos over while bringing the model up to date with all the requisite tech and a little more polish.
Yes, the interior is a little harsh to the touch and the boot a little small, but the Swift remains cheap, well-equipped and is more efficient than ever. Crucially, it feels like a light, nimble thing that reminds us that you don’t even need 100bhp to have a jolly good time.