Suzuki Swift Sport review

I know; all cars have become more expensive. But that’s a full £5000 costlier than the VW Up GTI. In its defence, the Swift Sport does come loaded with kit, although at its new and lofty list price you’d have to overlook quick Minis and the brilliant Ford Fiesta ST, plus the Up GTI, to choose one. The major development for 2020 is the addition of a mild hybrid system, which thankfully only weighs 15kg.

It tickles the car along at low speeds, eking out a little more fuel efficiency. It’s paired to a small turbo engine that develops 127bhp. So the new Swift Sport is slightly down on power compared to earlier versions, but on the road you don’t crave any more performance. It just isn’t that kind of car. What you do long for is a more energetic engine – this one wilts at 5000rpm and is finished before 6000.

The chunky seats are supportive, but what grabs your attention is just how much fun this thing is to drive. There’s lots of body roll and plenty of give in the suspension, so it never feels numbly locked into the road surface. It’s also well balanced and it oversteers on a sharply lifted throttle brilliantly. It’s a pity the brake pedal does precisely nothing at all until, a millimetre later, it does everything. Mostly, though, it’s a pity the Swift Sport now costs as much as it does.

Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid
Engine: 1373cc, 4-cyls, turbo, hybrid
Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD
Power: 127bhp @ 5500rpm
Torque: 173lb ft @ 2000rpm
Weight: 1025kg
Power-to-weight: 124bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 9.1 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
Price: £21,570
Ti rating 7/10