An Hour with the All-new Suzuki Swift
I liked the previous Swift especially its exterior design which very closely resembles the classic Mighty Mini. However, in the latest iteration, it seems that the company didn't know what made the Swift click with the masses with almost 60% of them at ages 30 and below. Looking at it, I cringed at the huge bonnet and the overly bulging back end. And the tail lamps... My goodness have they done a good job... Of ruining the classic lines of the old swift. I think I've had enough talking about the design. Minor design glitches of the Jazz, Mazda2, and the Fiesta are bearable but with this... It makes me want to commit suicide.
Let's move on to the interior. I liked the well-bolstered seats up front which provides good cushioning to your buns with good lumbar support. Then I touched the steering wheel and I was delighted to the feel of leather. A leather steering wheel on a cheap subcompact!? Woo-hoo! Then as you graze your eyes over the dash and the door panels. Man, the pattern of the textured plastic really is a nice touch. Feels kind of high quality.... Until you touch them! What excitement that you've got looking at it vanishes. Light pressure is enough to depress the flimsy plastic. And the panels are poorly fitted with creeks and squeaks everywhere. That is a bad sign considering the unit that I tested has only got 800kms on it. It's basically brand new and already with all those creaking everywhere? The steering column doesn't offer a robustness I was used to with my old Galant. When I was done driving it, I parked the vehicle then pulled the handbrake. And boy was I scared. The handbreak is so flimsy and light that I felt I was about to pull it out completely. The storage space is disappointing too. This new model looks longer than the old one but the cargo area looks the same if not smaller. I like the reversible cargo flooring though. The other side is lined with hard plastic For your trips to the groceries.
Remember how I found the bonnet inappropriately huge? You'd think that it houses a sizeable engine. That's what I thought at first. Boy, how wrong was I! The engine on the high end model is only 1.4L. Anyhow, the engine seems responsive enough. Though a touch underpowered, accelerating from zero to cruising speed is adequate. The 4-speed auto mates well with the engine with smooth transition between gear shifts, though a 5-speed tranny would have given the engine a better chance at reaching its maximum potential. Steering is sharp and direct which is the case of almost all subcompact car these days. Though steering feel is slightly off as compared to the previous Swift but still offers good feedback. City driving with the Swift is nothing but pleasurable, the low quality interior aside. Bumps are well cushioned though not so soft to the point of experiencing massive body roll in tight corners.
Sales people of Suzuki are telling would-be buyers how the Swift is 100% made in Japan as compared to others which are from Thailand.... point to the Honda Jazz please. Well, actually, I read that the Jazz is only assembled in Thailand but the parts are mostly from Japan. I don't know but comparing the quality of the two, I would think that it is the Swift that's made in Thailand. Anyhow, I am sure many will object to this review but well, styling is always a subjective one. So... because of the so-so engine and the good ride quality, I'd give this new Swift a score of 5.5 out of 10. Hell, if they only kept the looks of the old Swift it might have gotten a 7.5. Too bad though. They messed up something that does not even need repairing. Sigh.... Top man of Suzuki, you know who you are, please fire the man responsible for the design armageddon of the Swift. Good luck.
An Hour with the New Suzuki Swift
[/url]
Originally Posted by juknojukno
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
