Driving the relatively new Suzuki Swift Hybrid five-door hatchback – available in
three models, I drove the top-line GLX. The latest Suzuki Swift now in its fourth
generation comes only in hybrid form – combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder
engine with what’s described as a mild hybrid system – a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The GLX grade at $29,490 drive-away
sharply priced and highly equipped, with CVT transmission and manual shift
paddles, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air, and wireless phone
charging. The latest Swift looks little different to its predecessor. Despite the
hybrid tag there is no EV-only motoring, this is predominately a petrol car with
minimal electric motor torque – as such the drive feels little different to a pure
petrol model - the three-cylinder engine has a distinct hum to it while with an all-
up weight of just 957kg the Swift GLX automatic is a particularly nimble small car
around town. I managed 5.3L/100km and whilst that’s impressive it does need a
diet of dearer 95-octane petrol. A pleasant small hatchback in many ways, well
priced, highly equipped with safety and driving technology but some elements of
this latest Suzuki Swift hybrid left me thinking it was becoming a little dated. I’m
David Berthon

Driving the relatively new Suzuki Swift Hybrid five-door hatchback – available in three models, I drove the top-line GLX. The latest Suzuki Swift now in its fourth generation comes only in hybrid form – combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with what’s described as a mild hybrid system – a 2.3kW integrated starter generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The GLX grade at $29,490 drive-away sharply priced and highly equipped, with CVT transmission and manual shift paddles, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air, and wireless phone charging. The latest Swift looks little different to its predecessor. Despite the hybrid tag there is no EV-only motoring, this is predominately a petrol car with minimal electric motor torque – as such the drive feels little different to a pure petrol model - the three-cylinder engine has a distinct hum to it while with an all- up weight of just 957kg the Swift GLX automatic is a particularly nimble small car around town. I managed 5.3L/100km and whilst that’s impressive it does need a diet of dearer 95-octane petrol. A pleasant small hatchback in many ways, well priced, highly equipped with safety and driving technology but some elements of this latest Suzuki Swift hybrid left me thinking it was becoming a little dated. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Suzuki’s Swift hybrid – fourth generation of a perennial favourite small hatch

Driving Mitsubishi’s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV – it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid – I’m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive – the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it’s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it’s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes – three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there’s much to like with Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I’m David Berthon

Driving Mitsubishi&rsquo;s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV &ndash; it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid &ndash; I&rsquo;m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD &ndash; a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive &ndash; the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it&rsquo;s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it&rsquo;s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes &ndash; three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there&rsquo;s much to like with Mitsubishi&rsquo;s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed SUV – well specified seven-seat family carrier

Driving Mitsubishi’s mid-size Outlander SUV today, the company’s best seller
and the second best selling mid-size SUV behind Toyota’s RAV4. I’m driving the
top spec 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol CVT automatic Outlander
Exceed 4WD at $52,640. On first impression, a roomy plush interior - in fact its
interior space gives the impression you’re driving a much larger SUV and you can
see why it is very popular with large families. And this is its best benefit over the
RAV 4 the fact that it has seven seats. All three rows also offer climate control air
with separate controls in each. Although the third row is best sized for kids.
Equipment comprehensive – a wireless phone charger, power tailgate. leather
seats with memory function up front, a head up display, 12.3-inch digital
instrument cluster, pull up sun blinds for the second-row seats and 10-speaker
Bose sound. And don’t forget Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty, a real
buyer benefit. Servicing, every 12 months or 15,0000kms, the first five years
costing a reasonable $1700. Towing average at 1600 kilos braked and here the
2.5-litre four-cylinder would struggle with a heavy load. Good economy though –
on 91 octane petrol I managed 8.7L/100. Five-star ANCAP safety. Drive details
next segment I’m David Berthon

Driving Mitsubishi&rsquo;s mid-size Outlander SUV today, the company&rsquo;s best seller and the second best selling mid-size SUV behind Toyota&rsquo;s RAV4. I&rsquo;m driving the top spec 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol CVT automatic Outlander Exceed 4WD at $52,640. On first impression, a roomy plush interior - in fact its interior space gives the impression you&rsquo;re driving a much larger SUV and you can see why it is very popular with large families. And this is its best benefit over the RAV 4 the fact that it has seven seats. All three rows also offer climate control air with separate controls in each. Although the third row is best sized for kids. Equipment comprehensive &ndash; a wireless phone charger, power tailgate. leather seats with memory function up front, a head up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, pull up sun blinds for the second-row seats and 10-speaker Bose sound. And don&rsquo;t forget Mitsubishi&rsquo;s 10-year/200,000km warranty, a real buyer benefit. Servicing, every 12 months or 15,0000kms, the first five years costing a reasonable $1700. Towing average at 1600 kilos braked and here the 2.5-litre four-cylinder would struggle with a heavy load. Good economy though &ndash; on 91 octane petrol I managed 8.7L/100. Five-star ANCAP safety. Drive details next segment I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed SUV – mid-size seven-seater with great interior

With 2025 just around the corner its worth reminding potential car buyers that
there is still some 2023 build stock in the market and if you are in the market to
buy a new car its worth checking the build plate on the model you buy. A 2023
build car purchased in 2025 has already suffered two years depreciation so you
need a better than average discount. Some car makers are offering incentives on
old stock – Honda for example is offering drive-away discounts on its 2023-build
ZR-V and CR-V mid-size SUV’s – $2,500 to $3,000 off their respective drive-away
price plus five complimentary scheduled services worth $995, and providing a
further $2,500 contribution when you purchase them through Honda Financial
Services. All 2023 ZR-V and CR-V models also come with an extended eight-year
unlimited kilometre warranty and eight-years roadside assistance. I’m David
Berthon

With 2025 just around the corner its worth reminding potential car buyers that there is still some 2023 build stock in the market and if you are in the market to buy a new car its worth checking the build plate on the model you buy. A 2023 build car purchased in 2025 has already suffered two years depreciation so you need a better than average discount. Some car makers are offering incentives on old stock &ndash; Honda for example is offering drive-away discounts on its 2023-build ZR-V and CR-V mid-size SUV&rsquo;s &ndash; $2,500 to $3,000 off their respective drive-away price plus five complimentary scheduled services worth $995, and providing a further $2,500 contribution when you purchase them through Honda Financial Services. All 2023 ZR-V and CR-V models also come with an extended eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty and eight-years roadside assistance. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Suzuki’s Swift hybrid – fourth generation of a perennial favourite small hatch

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