One of our favorite cars to pop up on the show circuit this year was the Suzuki Swift Sport. It managed to capture our hearts with its chunky Mini-like bulldog stance. No normal Swift, this 126-hp version looked to deliver on the promise of its name. Alas, it isn't headed to the States and therefore joins the C1 Focus as one of the cars we must pine for from afar. But maybe our love was only infatuation. Nihon Car has driven one and came away wanting.
More after the jump and click here for a full high resolution gallery of Suzuki Swift Sport shots.
[Source: Nihon Car]
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Based on the new-in-2004, fourth generation Swift, the Sport was added to the Japanese market menu in '05. Along with the top of the line powerplant, Sport buyers get fog lamps, a new body kit, 16-inch alloys and some suspension tweaking. And the interior receives a makeover that lends a sportier appearance too. Sounds good so far. But looks can be deceiving, according to Nihon Car.
They were disappointed by the spartan interior that seemed old-fashioned and lacked comfort, but admitted keeping the price low made it an understandable compromise. More troubling were the driving dynamics. Despite high hopes, the VVT DOHC 1.6-liter 4 felt lethargic to them from the first kilometer. They blame it on a lack of torque (148Nm) and an inappropriately geared transmission that couldn't seem to move even the 2400 lb Swift with much verve. Such a pitty. We had high hopes for this little hatch.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PiCASSO @ Dec 29th 2006 3:13PM
Rumours have it that this Suzuki Swift will be available up here in Canada. I hope that they are true...
Christine @ Dec 29th 2006 3:22PM
In a way i'm glad..we already have the Fit, the versa..etc.
Martha @ Dec 29th 2006 3:33PM
In the end this Suzuki is far from a bad car, its style and elegance combined with a perfected chassis make it a very pleasant car to drive on a daily basis, but, for a sport version we were expecting more from the 126HP engine or more precisely the gearbox.
emor8t @ Dec 29th 2006 3:34PM
Bulldog stance? Hrmm Bischon stance more likely.
Sid @ Dec 29th 2006 3:51PM
As a owner of a Mazda3 Sport GT (the fully-loaded hatch version in Canada), I grin everytime I read posts about 'bring the C1 Focus to the US'. Umm...I'm already driving that platform every single day!
Crosmyn @ Dec 29th 2006 4:00PM
They need to start tapping into their motorcyle expertise for more than advertising. This is a company that makes some of the most competitive sportbikes available.
C @ Dec 29th 2006 4:01PM
Tiff had a good time chucking one of these around on a wet, twisty road on Fifth Gear. To me, that's a pretty good recommendation.
ME @ Dec 29th 2006 4:35PM
"Tiff had a good time chucking one of these around on a wet, twisty road on Fifth Gear. To me, that's a pretty good recommendation."
And it made it into to EVO's car of the year, which to me is a huge recommendation.
BRING IT! to the US I mean.
lavardera @ Dec 29th 2006 5:20PM
The sport version is fine, but they need to offer a version akin to the Mitsu Evo, tricked out like the rally racer, HP somewhere between 150-175, and priced slightly below the Mini CooperS. The MCS has absolutely no competition in this slot.
Stoneman @ Dec 29th 2006 5:40PM
#5, you hit the nail on the head! I'm getting a 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GT in 2007... with Leather package (and climate control, and the tiptronic transmission).
Awesome!!!
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
Sid @ Dec 29th 2006 5:50PM
Stoneman...get ready to truly understand what they mean when they say 'you become one with the machine'. This car is incredible. I have the 2006 model. In Indigo Blue. It also has the leather package with heated seats, 6CD, Sirius, LED tail-lights, 17' alloys and the RSX-ish tip-tronic. NO ONE will tell you it's an economy car. It turns heads everywhere I go and people simpy LOVE the interior. Oh...and the sound system...wait for it:-)
PiCASSO @ Dec 29th 2006 6:52PM
I have a 2005 Mazda3 Sport GT... with the 2.3L 5-speed manual transmission. It's not bad... but it's not great either. Had many problems with the car and continue to be plagued by a noisy clutch and exhaust system. Fuel economy has been horrific, averaging 10.1 L/100km (or 23.5 MPG) even when I try to "granny shift". Very disappointing, especially when I drove the shit out of my '02 Civic Si coupe for 3-years averaging 7.7L/100km (or 30.4 MPG). Either I have a lemon or Mazda can't built efficient engines.
I don't think I will be getting another Mazda after my lease expires October 2007.
Carlos @ Dec 29th 2006 7:34PM
PiCASSO, I get that same mileage (~23mpg) in my 1.8L Miata. Some of it is the gearing, but I've previously owned old 4spd Japanese econoboxes that also gave me high rpm on the freeway and better mileage. So I'd say yes, it's a Mazda thing. I've had minor issues as well. And a lot of fun when all's well.
btw your post about the '02 Civic Si coupe will confuse most of us, since your Si was our EX. But that's OK.
Er... about the Swift. Suzuki's not that great at manual shifters from what I've heard. And in other countries where engine size and power makes a huge difference in tax and insurance, I'm sure 129hp is enough to call it a sport model. But they have to emulate the Miata, and the Corolla GT-S: give a small engine very tight gears. It works.
sfast @ Dec 30th 2006 12:15AM
My Mazda3 2.3 gets okay mileage. Its a california(PZEV) car so it most likely a little worse at the mpg game then a 45(or 49 or whatever) state car. But I get okay mileage at 26-34. I'm pretty easy on it but if I drive hard for the whole tank it will end up around 24 or 25. Anyway, 10,000 miles in, no problems what so ever.
Now back on topic. Cool car. They need to bring it state side. What are they thinking? I guess they just want to keep on selling cheap, ugly Korean cars.