News Release
AA Heaps Praise On Swift
31 March 2008
AA heaps praise on Swift There’s a thumbs-up for the Swift from a major independent New Zealand motoring body. Recently the Automobile Association sung the praises of the little hatchback, confirming what so many owners already know. “We’re not alone in loving the current Suzuki Swift,” said the AA. “It’s New Zealand’s most popular small car – even two and a half years after its launch. It’s also the brand’s biggest consumer hit globally. “So, wisely taking a ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ approach, Suzuki’s designers were hesitant to change the shape greatly during the model’s recent facelift,” said the AA which pointed out the results were barely perceivable to the untrained eye. “Suzuki has obviously been listening to feedback from media and customers and has remedied the outgoing model’s most significant let down, the poor fold ability of the tumble down rear seating, which required bothersome straps to ensure they remained folded. The seat bases now stay static while the seat backs fold with one touch convenience - no more straps! A false floor can be removed for improved luggage capacity.
Iconic status consolidates The iconic reputation of the Swift continues to grow as an ever-growing number of New Zealanders are attracted to this great Suzuki success story. Drive around Auckland streets and you’ll hardly spend a few moments before sighting a Swift. And, hey, there’s another one just around the corner. It’s not so much the sheer numbers of them on our roads, but more the actual appeal of the model and the enduring style. Gary Lord, writing in the British Auto Express magazine believes the Swift Sport reminds people of the pioneers of the supermini class. “First times stick in the mind. First day at school, your first bike and your first love…Mine was a Mini – ready and waiting for me after I passed my driving test, fortunately at the first attempt,” wrote Lord in a recent edition of Auto Express. He became excited when BMW launched its version of the Mini but reckons the Swift comes the closest to replicating the driving experience of the original British baby. That’s why he was in his element driving a Swift and appeared in the magazine with the Suzuki alongside an early 1959 model Morris Mini. “The Japanese firm clearly followed a back-to-basics approach with the hot hatch, which makes the Swift a great car to live with day-to-day. Its fantastic driving dynamics and handling means pretty much every journey is special,” wrote Lord. He finds the car is a real favourite in towns, nipping in and out of traffic, and sliding into even the tiniest of parking spaces. “The Swift Sport is proving to be an ideal companion. Little, cute, compact – these are some of the words that we’ve used to describe the Swift. And I have to agree. At times it’s as if I’ve got my own real-life Dinky toy. The Sport is great fun to drive, and everyone at Auto Express who’s tried it has nothing but praise for its ability. Yet despite it being a ‘warm hatch’ and the fact that the majority of the mileage has been covered in town, I’m pleased with the overall economy of 30.9miles per gallon. So you’ve got to hand it to Suzuki – the Swift is a real winner!”
Critics give their answer New Zealand Autocar magazine named the Swift the best small car of the 2005 model year and later on when the publication matched the Suzuki against the rival Toyota Yaris wrote highly about the small car renaissance in recent years. They were no longer econo-boxes, barren of equipment and woeful to drive, wrote the magazine. And with every petrol price rise, the time of the small car had dawned. Into this scenario Autocar said the Swift was an immensely popular car thanks to its stunning mix of value, entertaining handling and snazzy looks. The Swift went on to win the comparison test with the journalists rounding up the car with these comments: “With a genius price, ample equipment, and a chassis and engine combination to put it at the sharp end of the small-car pack, Swift is hard to pass over.” In many ways, the headline for the article said it all: “Small but perfectly formed”.
The Scots have their say: Little Suzie Sizzles!
On the other side of the world, Bill Caven reckons the Swift is a little Suzie that sizzles. Writing in the Glasgow Daily Record in Scotland, Caven said if one car had ever lived up to its name then it was the Suzuki Swift. The city slicker had proved to be an absolute sales winner since it was first launched, with demand far exceeding the wildest dreams of the automaker. What’s more, demand was showing no sign of slowing up. Caven said this was no wonder as the Swift was “one of the best cars in its class by far”. He went on to say: “Suzuki has always had a strong interest in the low-budget segment of the market. Unfortunately the previous Swift fell into the cheap-and-cheerful category and did the brand no real favours. Recognising the need to move up the motoring ladder, Suzuki bosses undertook a complete rethink over the future role of the next-generation Swift. Thankfully, it has proved to be a master-stroke as it has proved a massive winner in the UK and across Europe.” To this, of course, add other markets like New Zealand, Australia and India where the model has also been a winner. Caven believes Suzuki’s decision to create a funky, well constructed, solidly built supermini is paying dividends. “The latest Swift is much more funky, yet still adheres to the same principle of offering excellent value for money. In fact, the Suzie sizzler ticks all the right boxes of what today’s small car should be about. It has to be agile and easy to drive. Throw in the fun factor and nipper performance, and the full picture is beginning to emerge. “Despite the compact dimensions, it also has to be spacious enough inside to accommodate at least four adults in comfort. Above all there should be quality and substance about the finish as well as clever touches that set it ahead of the rest. Well, Suzuki not only found the master plan but stuck to it to craft this amazing little machine. The latest generation Swift is a real breath of fresh air in every respect,” wrote Caven.
Lots of power and kit – and more to boot With the Swift you get lots of power and kit for the money, and it is fun to drive and stylish, too, according to the authoritative English motoring monthly magazine What Car? The publication pointed out that the model undercuts many rivals price-wise. “The Swift feels nimble and responsive around town, although the steering could do with a little more initial feel. On faster roads it handles and grips keenly, too,” said the magazine’s writers. They went on to say: “Close fitting panels, slick lightweight controls and a smartly designed dashboard conspire to give a feel of a product that is built to last. Just as encouragingly, like most Suzukis, we expect the Swift to prove reliable.” The cabin was well laid out, smartly styled and solidly constructed, said the magazine.
Owners have their say So what are owners saying about their Swifts? Not surprisingly, they like them! Here are some typical comments from enthusiastic owners and drivers of New Zealand’s most popular small car: “….I like the car more the more I drive it. The Swift feels much bigger than it is in the cabin.” “….I have had mine for four months and got the Copper metallic colour, automatic transmission, and it’s the best car I’ve ever had. It runs smoothly and is quite a nippy little car. I wish I had bought the Sport as I like the extras, but all in all this is a great car to drive. “…. This is the first time I have driven an automatic and I never intend to turn back to a manual. I love the shape of the car and inside is very spacious for its size. I can also get quite a lot of shopping in the boot.” “…. Mine is white and a real head-turner but not over the top. The car has been in our possession for ten months and hasn’t even thought about breaking down.” “…. We particularly like the driving position and the responsiveness of the engine.” “…. We bought the Swift after deliberating over the Mazda2, Daihatsu Sirion, Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris. As soon as I test drove the Swift I knew it was a beauty. Solidly built, lovely smooth and quiet engine, great automatic, excellent brakes, steering and good room inside. The engine is perfectly matched to the gearbox and the size/weight of the car.”
Rediscovering the Swift Sport Listening to the critics is often a good idea. John McIlroy is chief sub-editor on the British motoring weekly Autocar which is the oldest car magazine in the world. In a recent piece entitled “Like it. Loathe it”, John clearly opted for the former rather than the latter when commenting on the Swift Sport. He had this to say: “Rediscovered our Swift Sport the other night and remembered what a proper little buzz box it is. Does that sound critical? It’s not. “What Suzuki has created is a car that has just enough poke and which encourages you to exploit it at every turn. In a way it’s like an old small Fiat, except that it doesn’t go wrong. Brilliant.”
