Road test review: Suzuki Swift Hybrid LTD

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Watch how Suzuki's SHVS mild hybrid system works.

SUZUKI SWIFT LTD HYBRID
Base price: $28,500
Powertrain and economy: 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder, 61kW/107Nm (plus 50Nm electric motor assist), continuously variable transmission, FWD, combined economy 4.1L/100km, CO2 94g/km (source: RightCar).
Vital statistics: 3845mm long, 1735mm wide, 1495mm high, 2450mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 265 litres, 16-inch alloy wheels, 185/55 R16 tyres.
We like: Refined hybrid-assisted stop-start response and easily achievable mid-four litres per 100km city consumption.
We don't like: Reversed indicator and wiper stalk layout and some missing spec elements compared to conventional and cheaper Swift GL auto (notably sat-nav).

You wouldn’t know this is a hybrid just by looking. Reckon that’s a good thing?

Suzuki has made its first foray into electrified motoring with the new Swift Hybrid.

Available in GLX and Ltd grades it brings mild-hybrid efficiency to New Zealand’s favourite small car. Comparing a conventional base model Swift GL auto with the GLX Hybrid suggests a $3510 premium and a 0.7L/100km fuel saving.

**READ MORE:

Regardless, the Swift Hybrid is a looker and now it uses even less fuel.

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The proof is in the pudding, or the centre screen, at least.

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The equation isn’t that simple. Working out if the hybrid Swift actually stacks up on dollars and cents is all about weighing marginal gains against higher costs.

Engine bays have certainly looked cleaner but it’s all there for a reason.

Why does the Swift need hybrid help – it’s a fuel miser anyway?

That’s becoming important in many markets and Suzuki has just announced that all Swifts sold in Europe will be adopting the hybrid tech.

For Kiwis, the Swift we know and love is already a frugal car and significantly improving its consumption would involve the added weight, complexity and cost of plug-in technology.

Suzuki has kept things simple with a 12-volt battery and belt-driven starter-generator assist that gets the car moving from standstill and can provide a brief acceleration boost from low speeds. The energy recuperated to the battery during deceleration powers the engine management, air conditioning, instrument display and audio system.

The evaluation is about costs and benefits. In the city the assisted Swift will trim your fuel consumption and eke out some extra range between refills of the unchanged 37-litre tank. But more expensive 95-octane fuel is required, adding an ongoing premium beyond the initial purchase cost.

So, it doesn’t make much sense then?

It depends on where you drive it. On my highway run the Swift Hybrid averaged 5.2L/100km but the city numbers are more impressive and I achieved 4.5L/100km in peak Tauranga traffic.

The prime attribute of the Hybrid is how much smoother the stop-start experience is in busy city traffic with the starter-generator nudging the car forward before the engine starts. It’s more refined than cars that use a starter motor to crank into life.

In other aspects the hybrid doesn’t compromise the Swift. The lithium-ion battery hides under the front passenger seat so load space and fuel tank capacity aren’t reduced. And the total system only adds 25kg to a Swift.

Why are some things different to other Swifts?

The Swift Hybrid is built in a Euro market specification so the indicators fall to your left hand while the wipers are on the right-hand stalk.

The four-cylinder engine is also a little smaller at 1179cc and not quite as powerful as the 1242cc unit but the starter-generator, which contributes up to 50Nm, helps by filling the lower part of the torque delivery. A raised 13.0:1 compression ratio creates the need for 95-octane fuel.

It’s a well-equipped small car with the Ltd mainly matching the RS specification to benefit from auto high beam control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and rear park sensors.

But in a car with a relatively high specification the manual wind-up windows in the rear are an odd choice and at Ltd grade you shouldn’t need to put the keys into the ignition.

Compare to other Swift models available in New Zealand and it’s noted the $22,990 GL auto gets satellite navigation as standard.

And what hasn’t changed?

Little of the Swift’s cheerful character and small hatch practicality has been altered. The cabin offers generous front and rear headroom with reasonably tight rear set legroom.

In the front seat of a Swift you sit reasonably upright with a moderately high hip point which is a bonus for visibility and access.

There’s no space saver spare wheel in the Hybrid (an emergency inflator kit takes its place) which yields an additional 23 litres of boot space.

Any other cars I should consider?

While hybrid choices are increasing, for now the only similar small-sized – and priced - rival to the Swift Hybrid is Toyota’s new Yaris Hybrid. The Yaris has a larger battery and higher voltage system to operate in hybrid mode across a wider range of driving situations with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 3.3L/100km.