There are some who will say that a car whose bhp figure sits at a mere 134 does not qualify as a hot hatchback, and that a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds is simply too slow to ever feel exciting. We reckon a quick go in a Suzuki Swift Sport might change their minds.
It's a car that takes everything that is brilliant about the hot hatch formula, then wraps it up in a package that is both affordable and accessible. Think of it as a Japanese take on the Peugeot 205 XS or Ford Fiesta Zetec S and you’re on the right track. A track, indeed, that leads to an awful lot of fun.
Buying Guide: Suzuki Swift Sport Mk2
What is the Suzuki Swift Sport Mk2?
In this guide we are concentrating on the generation of Swift Sport sold between 2011 and 2017, initially as a three-door, and then followed later by a five-door for added practicality. The former cost what is still an unbelievably cheap £13,499 when new, and is now down to well below half that price as a used buy with a reasonable 50,000 miles or so on the clock.
For that, you get a hot supermini with a naturally aspirated (i.e. non-turbocharged) petrol engine of 1.6 litres, lowered suspension, quick steering, a sporty bodykit and smart alloy wheels. The fact that the engine produces its maximum power at 7,000rpm tells you a lot about the rev-happy character of this car, a trait it’s easy to make the most of thanks to the snappy and precise six-speed manual gearbox.
Equipment levels are good, too. All Swift Sports come with climate control, power folding mirrors, keyless entry, Bluetooth and cruise control. Being so light (the kerb weight is just 1045kg), it’s also refreshingly good on fuel economy for a hot hatch, with more than 40mpg on the cards if you drive gently, and it’s even relatively cheap to insure thanks to its group 19 rating.
Suzuki Swift Sport Mk2: Driving
Fizzing, enthusiastic and playful without ever being frightening, the Swift Sport is the perfect antidote for anybody who has grown tired of the seemingly endless power war in the hot hatch class. Better still, because it’s only got 134bhp, you can enjoy every last ounce of performance without putting your licence at risk, savouring the razor-sharp throttle response as that little engine spins away up front.
As with any great hot hatch, it’s not just about the engine, but the handling, too, the first impression of which is the beautifully weighted, direct steering that has the car darting into corners with unbridled enthusiasm. Once there you’ll note that the chassis demonstrates not only tenacious grip but also a rare adjustability depending what you do with the throttle and brake pedals so that you can make the car move underneath you, all the while clamped in place by the excellent – if slightly high-mounted – sports seats.
Tightly controlled suspension helps here, but by the same token, the Swift Sport never feels overly firm, thanks in part to sitting on relatively modest 17-inch wheels. Imagine a Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup with a third less power and a third less grip but a similar sense of harmony to its controls, and you’ll have some idea of what the Swift Sport feels like.
It gets better, too, because while this Swift Sport’s predecessor was also hugely entertaining to drive, the lack of a sixth gear made it a proper buzz box on the motorway. No such problems with this follow-up model, which is a much happier long-distance companion, although still no executive cruiser.
Suzuki Swift Sport Mk2: What to Look For
Before you even think about the usual checks for kerbed wheels (easily done on the Swift Sport) and a full service history, it is vital to assess whether Suzuki’s pocket rocket is large enough for your needs. It might look Ford Fiesta-sized on the outside, but the boot is small, and it struggles to accommodate a weekly shop. Space for a couple of passengers in the rear seats is slightly better, with access helped if you go for the five door.
What might bother you regardless of the example is the interior’s tendency to squeak, creak and rattle as the car gets older, for which you can blame plastics that feel as cheap as they look. Sometimes these noises can be fixed, but some owners just learn to live with them as a quirk of the car.
If you want sat-nav and a DAB radio, then you’ll need to look for a car registered from 2014 onwards. Using the relevant filter on the CarGurus search panel will do the hard work for you. For something a little different, the rare SZ-R model was a special edition for the UK only, and featured two-tone Cosmic Black and Ablaze Red paintwork, red stitching for the interior and a numbered plaque on the sill as you open the door. They're tricky to find, though, because only 100 were built.
Once you’ve established that a Swift Sport is the car for you, the usual checks apply. A sheet full of advisories from the last MOT test will, at the very least, warrant some significant haggling on price. The same goes for service history and maintenance. A vehicle history check is also advised, to be fully confident your candidate is clean and accident-free.
Suzuki Swift Sport Mk2: Check List
ENGINE
The Suzuki is so far proving to be very reliable and, as long as you find a car that’s clearly been cared for – including evidence of servicing every 9,000 miles – then you’d be unlucky to experience any major headaches. The VVT sport engine likes to use oil, so ask about how diligently those levels have been topped up. Oxygen sensors can get grubby leading to illuminated ECU lights, too.
GEARBOX
Beware of a notchy or noisy gearbox. The Swift Sport has a bespoke transmission, which is not cheap to replace or repair. Roughness on gear engagement can be a sign the expensive input shaft needs to be changed. These are fun cars that have likely been used ‘properly’, so the gearbox may have had a tougher life than most.
DRIVELINE
Turn the steering to both lockstops, in order to inspect the drive shafts and more importantly, the rubber boots going to the wheel hub and gearbox. Tears and leaks from these aren’t good.
SUSPENSION
As a sporty car on UK roads, the Swift Sport’s suspension is rarely in for a good time unless it's on a track. Listen out for any nasty clunks from the suspension on a test drive, which could be a sign of worn top mounts at the front, tired bushes (especially common in the lower arm) and more.
BRAKES
The Swift is a 'warm' hatch rather than an all-out performance model, so it doesn't require hugely uprated or complex discs and pads. Nevertheless, be sure to feel for a lip on the discs and listen for screeching on your test drive, because worn brakes are a good bargaining chip. Feel for a vibrating steering wheel under braking, which could indicate warped discs. Check that the handbrake holds the car on a hill, because cables are prone to stretching.
WHEELS
Inspect the Swift's 17-inch alloy wheels, because they may well have been kerbed, while steering vibration could be an indication that the wheels are bent, a common problem. Look for premium brand tyres in good condition, which is a good sign that a previous owner has spent some money on the car.
BODY
For a Japanese car, the Swift Sport has so far proven relatively averse to rust. The panel gaps aren’t the tightest, so check out the boot and the door shuts for rot. Given this is a popular fast hatchback, you’d do well to check for any undeclared repair work. Look for mismatched paintwork and overspray as a sign of replaced bumpers, but keep in mind paint ages differently on metal and plastic over time.
FAST FACTS
Suzuki Swift Sport
Built 2011-2017
Power 134bhp @ 7000rpm/118lb ft @ 4400rpm
Acceleration 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds
Top speed 121mph
FAQs
What year is the Suzuki Swift Sport?
The first of the new-generation Swift Sports appeared in 2005 and was sold until 2012 when the second-generation car (discussed here) appeared. This ran from 2012 until 2017.
What engine and horsepower does the Suzuki Swift Sport have?
The second-generation Swift Sport uses a 1.6-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine with 136bhp and 120lb ft of torque. It’s a heavily detuned version of an S1600 race engine.
What are the fuel consumption figures of the Suzuki Swift Sport?
The 1.6 is thirsty when it's worked hard but frugal when it settles down. Official combined figures put it at 44.1mpg, although you can expect between 30mpg and 50mpg depending on how you drive it.
What is the price of the Suzuki Swift Sport?
The Swift Sport is decently priced for what it offers, and how new it is. At the time of writing, the earliest cars with high mileage started around £4,000, while the late low-milers in top condition stood at around £10,000.
What could I have instead of a Suzuki Swift Sport?
This area of the hot hatch space isn’t as densely populated as the more serious areas of the segment above it. However, the Swift Sport always had a good rival in the RenaultSport Twingo 133. If you go older, the Fiat Panda 100hp is a compelling option, while the Volkswagen Lupo GTI is a sure bet for build quality. Newer rivals include the Volkswagen Up! GTI, which is great fun.
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