2020 Suzuki Swift Review: GL Navigator Auto
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 6/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
Although there are fewer and fewer cheap and fun new cars on sale over the years, a few key models hang in there as the market shifts towards SUVs.
One such model is the Suzuki Swift. The instantly recognizable skylight has gained a cult following of its own, ensuring it stays alive and well.
While cheap and fun new cars have been on sale for years.
So, what does the Swift look like in 2020 as a cheap and fun car? We recently tested its entry-level GL Navigator variant to find out.
| Suzuki Swift 2020: GL Navi (QLD) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.2L |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 4.8l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $14,000 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
The current Swift is certainly one of the prettiest lightweight hatches, building on the appeal of its two predecessors.
First, the front panel literally smiles at you! This is a simple affair, accentuated by bulging wings.
This chunky theme also prevails at the rear, where the taillights pop out at you to create a distinctive look.
Our favorite part, however, is the seamless integration of the rear door handles into the greenhouse. The extra design effort has definitely paid off.
The extra design effort really paid off.
Inside, the Swift is about as attractive as a cheap and fun car can be. This means there is no padded armrest or soft-touch plastic in sight, making it feel less plush.
In fact, the best element of the interior is the steering wheel, which is sheathed in leather and has a flat bottom. Sports, really.
The best element of the interior is the steering wheel.
The dashboard is dominated by a 7.0-inch touchscreen, which is small by 2020 standards. And the multimedia system that powers it is even less impressive.
Luckily, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support is standard, so be sure to connect your smartphone!
A monochrome multifunction display is wedged between the old-school tachometer and speedometer, serving the trip computer and nothing more.
How practical is the interior space? 6/10
The Swift is small, even by the standards of lightweight hatches (3840mm long, 1735mm wide and 1495mm high), meaning it doesn't have the most comfortable second row or trunk.
Swift is small, even by the standards of light hatches.
Sitting on a flat back bench is not exactly pleasant. Behind my 184cm driving position, I have just about enough head and legroom, the former being affected by the Swift's sloping roofline.
Needless to say, adults won't like the second row, but they'll feel much better up front, where the bucket seats have decent lateral support. And let's not forget headroom is much better.
Needless to say, adults won't like the second row.
The trunk offers 242 liters of cargo capacity with the rear seat upright. Drop it and the storage space goes up to 918L. Yes, the Swift is by no means a cargo lugger.
The trunk offers 242 liters of cargo capacity with the rear seat upright.
In terms of storage, the driver and front passenger get two small cup holders in the center console and door shelves that can hold two large bottles. There's also a small space under the manual air conditioning for knick-knacks, but no central storage drawer.
Trunk volume increases to 918 liters with the second row lowered.
Connectivity is provided by one USB-A port, one auxiliary input, and one 12V outlet, all located at the bottom of the center stack.
Rear passengers don't get the same amenities. In fact, they only have small door bins and even less storage at the rear of the center console, behind the traditional handbrake.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
The GL Navigator starts at $17,690 plus travel expenses, making it one of the most affordable lightweight hatches on the market.
However, at this end of the market, you can't expect a long list of standard equipment. Even its main competitors, the Toyota Yaris and Kia Rio, don't set the world on fire in this regard.
Nevertheless, The GL Navigator comes with a spare part to save space. with daytime running lights, front fog lights, 16" alloy wheels, 185/55 tires, compact spare, power side mirrors and rear privacy glass.
Inside, sat-nav, Bluetooth, a dual-speaker audio system, manually adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery and chrome trim.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
The GL Navigator is powered by a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that delivers a meager 66kW of power at 6000rpm and 120Nm of torque at 4400rpm. Those looking for turbo power will have to stretch out on the 82kW/160Nm GLX Turbo ($22,990).
This naturally aspirated unit can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The latter was installed on our test car, paying $1000.
As with all variants of the Swift, the GL Navigator sends drive exclusively to the front wheels.
The GL Navigator is powered by a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Suzuki claims the GL Navigator CVT consumes a modest 4.8 liters of standard 91 octane gasoline per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle test (ADR 81/02).
Our actual testing showed a figure of 6.9 l / 100 km. This is the result of a week where we spent more time driving in the city than on the highway.
Our real-world testing showed fuel consumption of 6.9 l/100 km.
For reference, the claimed carbon dioxide emissions are 110 grams per kilometer.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
In 2017, ANCAP awarded the GL Navigator a five-star safety rating.
However, it does without advanced driver assistance systems. But thankfully, Suzuki offers a $1000 "Safety Package" that solves this problem.
Installed on our test car, it includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control to help bring it up to standard.
In fact, with the safety package in tow, the GL Navigator has the most complete safety of any cheap, fun car on sale here.
However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are noticeably absent.
Other safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side and curtain), electronic stability and traction control systems, two ISOFIX child seat attachment points and three overhead cables, and a rearview camera.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
As of October 2019, all Swift variants come with a competitive five year or unlimited mileage factory warranty.
All Swift variants come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
At the same time, GL Navigator service intervals have been extended to 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.
A five-year/100,000km limited-price service plan also became available for the entry-level variant, which costs between $1465 and $1964 at the time of writing.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
GL Navigator is a pretty decent drive. With a curb weight of 900kg, its 1.2-litre engine really gets the job done despite its modest power output.
Given that most Swifts are destined to drive around town most of the time, even the most sluggish unit of the model performs relatively well.
However, where the 1.2-liter engine really gets stuck is on the open road, where it doesn't have the overtaking ability you'd like to have. And don't take us up steep hills...
Variator is fine. Our preference will always be proper torque converter automatic transmissions, but the gearless setup used here is harmless.
Typical of almost any CVT, the engine RPM will go up and down all over the place. This can make driving noisy, even with careful throttle and brake control.
So we'd suggest pocketing $1000 and opting for a six-speed manual instead. This not only makes the drive more fun, but also more consistent.
The power steering has a variable ratio that makes it razor-sharp when turning.
However, the GL Navigator more than returns respectability with its smooth ride and handling balance, which shouldn't come as a surprise given Suzuki's penchant for great hot hatches.
Its power steering has a variable ratio that makes it razor-sharp when turning. This throwing ability brings smiles to faces when attacking a twisty road where body roll is more than manageable.
In fact, the steering is by far the best quality of the GL Navigator. While a well-weighted wheel helps, it's a big credit to the Swift's diminutive dimensions that make it easy to guide it to the right place.
The suspension setup is also a winner. City riding is great and stays that way until hitting bad pavement, at which point the rear end can become unstable, an inevitable consequence of such a light weight.
The fault, however, lies with the torsion beam rear suspension, which doesn't perform as well as the much softer MacPherson struts up front.
Verdict
The Swift remains a great cheap and fun car in range-opening GL Navigator form. Sure, some rivals feel more special on the inside (we're looking at you Volkswagen Polo) while others look sportier (Rio) or more approachable (Yaris), but the Swift's allure can't be denied.
Simply put, those who want a station wagon will be happy with the GL Navigator's talents, especially if a safety package is available as an option.
