Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation,
now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX
combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously
variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so
nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it,
the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big
improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but
understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company
hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it
doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three-
cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course
and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy,
5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small
hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. I’m David
Berthon

Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation, now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it, the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three- cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy, 5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. 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;

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