Used Suzuki Swift cars for sale

Suzuki Swift buying guide

What Suzuki Swift trim levels are there?

SZ3 is the basic trim level for the Swift and has since been phased out of the Swift lineup. The stereo system includes DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, and you'll find air-con, tinted rear windows and 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps as standard.

SZ-L is the new entry-level trim introduced partway through 2022, with higher spec at a higher price. As standard, you get 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head and brakelights, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added to the infotainment system.

SZ-T was previously the upgrade trim over SZ3 and added 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, and front fog lights. Plus an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With the introduction of SZ-L, recent SZ-T models have moved further upmarket, gaining automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and rear parking sensors.

SZ5 is the range-topping trim for the Swift. You get a built-in sat-nav for the infotainment system along with slightly upgraded stereo speakers. There's also adaptive cruise control, rear electric windows, keyless entry and start, and automatic climate control.

Attitude special edition was available for a few years. These cars start with SZ-T trim and gain sporty exterior touches including a carbon-fibre-effect front splitter, spoiler and side skirts, and a mesh front grille.

What's the Suzuki Swift's interior and technology like?

You'll find more hard plastics in the Swift's interior than you will in some more premium rivals, but that does make the Swift much more affordable than plenty of cars in this class. Nevertheless, the interior is well-built and simple to operate, still using proper knobs and switches to operate key climate and entertainment functions. All but entry-level versions include an infotainment system which, while hardly a tech tour-de-force like you'll find in some cars, has a clear layout that's easy to navigate.

Almost all recent Swift models fitted with an infotainment system include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, allowing you to use your navigation and entertainment apps on the move through the car's screen. Top-end models do include a built-in sat nav, but this isn't really worth the upgrade on its own.

The Swift is among the smallest cars on sale in the UK, which makes it impressive that two adults can actually sit in the back seats in reasonable comfort, with headroom being helped by the fairly flat roof. Nevertheless, there's little room for anyone to stretch out back there and it'll be a squeeze to secure a child in their seat. The boot is tight, likely at the expense of rear passenger space, so you'll need to fold the back seats if you want to carry anything larger than the weekly shop.

Suzuki Swift engine range explained

There are three main engines available for the Swift – a 1.2-litre non-turbo petrol and a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol in regular models, and a 1.4-litre turbo petrol in speedy Swift Sport models. The former two have been variously offered with and without a mild-hybrid system that was briefly branded SHVS (Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System). Some engines are also paired with a 4x4 system giving the Swift some light off-roading credentials.

Suzuki Swift 1.2 Dualjet

This non-turbo petrol engine makes 90hp, which is enough for the Swift to keep up with traffic but might feel a little underpowered when overtaking on the motorway. You'll find examples with hybrid assistance, but you won't notice it in day-to-day driving, regardless of whether you pick the five-speed manual or the CVT automatic gearbox. The 0-62mph run is fairly slow, taking around 12 seconds, but you should be able to average around 50mpg with a light right foot – expect around 55mpg for the hybrid.

Suzuki Swift 1.0 Boosterjet

The 1.0-litre Boosterjet might trade a little capacity to the 1.2 but gains a turbocharger giving it much more grunt. Again, this engine is offered both with or without the mild hybrid system that fractionally improves fuel economy. You get 111hp for more relaxed performance at motorway speeds and the potential for more than 60mpg if driven gently.

Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet

This much larger engine is only offered in the Swift Sport and feels substantially more powerful than lesser models. That not only pays dividends when accelerating hard, but also makes the car feel more relaxed when merging or overtaking on the motorway. The nine-second 0-62mph time sounds slow but feels faster in the real world, aided by the Swift Sport's poised, grippy handling.