Suzuki Swift GLX Hybrid 2022 Car Review

ENGINE: 1.2-litre 4-Cylinder Petrol
POWER: 61kW, 107Nm
GEARBOX: CVT automatic, Front Wheel Drive
ECONOMY/CO2: 4.1L/100km, 94g/km (source: RightCar)
PRICE: $27,990 (+ORC)
CLEAN CAR REBATE: $3,160.52

According to Suzuki, making the decision to go hybrid doesn’t have to mean skimping on performance. We recently had the opportunity to sample the latest Suzuki Swift GLX Hybrid to discover this for ourselves.

Suzuki’s Smart Hybrid fuel saving technology, combines a responsive petrol engine with stop-start and electric engine assist for economical and easy driving. This fusion of power is where owners are doing their bit for the environment as it reduces harmful gas emissions.

The claimed fuel economy is 4.1L/100km with a CO2 emission rating of just 94g/km, making the GLX Hybrid eligible for a Clean Car rebate of $3,160.52.

As well as saving on fuel, the additional benefit of owning a Hybrid vehicle over a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is that owners don’t have to worry about plugging it in overnight as the Hybrid is self-charging and always ready to go.

The Hybrid is actually a ‘Mild-Hybrid’, which means it can’t run around the city on electric power alone. The key difference between a Hybrid and a Mild-Hybrid is that while a traditional Hybrid’s electric motor is able to move the car on its own, a Mild-Hybrid simply cannot. The Mild-Hybrid system, with its integrated starter/generator instead of an alternator, can actually boost the engine's power a little when you accelerate.

The reason they are referred to as “Mild” Hybrids is because the combustion engine handles the more demanding requirements with the electric motor serving only to assist.

The popular Suzuki Swift Hybrid is powered by a petrol engine and assisted by a compact and high performance 12-volt lithium-ion battery. Its system adds just 25kg to the car’s weight.

Suzuki’s Hybrid system is called a SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) and it’s comprised of a belt-driven integrated starter generator (ISG) and the 10Ah lithium-ion battery, with the ISG utilised as both a generator and starter motor. It recharges the battery with electricity generated by deceleration, stops unnecessary power generation during cruising and reduces engine load during fuel-consuming standing starts and acceleration by providing motor assist.

Swift around the city

For Kiwis the Swift range has always been known as Fun and Frugal. We spent most of our time sampling the Swift Hybrid in and around the Auckland CBD, so not any gravel off-roading. But why would you want too anyway? The Swift doesn’t cry out “take me for a spin” but rather “take me for a comfortable outing.”

This city commuter is light and agile – making it perfect for short trips to Auckland’s waterfront for a latte or running the kids to ballet lessons across town. That’s not to say it isn’t an ideal car for weekend getaways – just as long as there is a small number of passengers and luggage. On those longer trips the Swift Hybrid will certainly live up to its promise of fuel efficiency.

The Swift is just 3845mm long and 1735mm wide, with a generous height of 1495mm. While the steering is light, it’s also surprisingly responsive and engaging on the open road - although the road noise was a little too much at times.

We experienced some refinement and ride flaws, which were overshadowed by its cuteness and could be excused as simply part of its character. The suspension for example was often a little too bouncy over speed bumps, which might make you smile and cry at the same time.

Simplistic yet modern interior

Built to a Euro market specification, the indicators fall to your left hand while the wipers are on the right-hand stalk, this always take a while to get used to when you are used to driving a Japanese spec vehicle. Once this was mastered the level of specification seemed adequate, but we weren’t too sure about the manual wind-up windows in the rear, and you shouldn’t need to put the keys into the ignition.

The cabin offers generous front and rear headroom for a small hatch, but the rear seat legroom is reasonably tight – to be expected. Infotainment includes all the level of spec expected in a 2022 model with Apple Carplay, Android Auto™ plus the leather steering wheel includes phone & audio controls.

While the fabric seats were a bit on the bland side – not quite what you would expect in a Swift, they were comfortable. There is adequate storage for a small hatch, with plenty of drink holders – seven in total, plus we were pleased to see Suzuki didn’t skimp on the vanity mirrors which are included on both sides.

Safety sorted

The Swift Hybrid has the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating and incorporates the stronger HEARTECT chassis, ESP®, ABS with EBD, LED daytime running lamps, hill hold control and the six airbag system.

To find out more about the Suzuki Swift’s safety record, please click here.

Our verdict

The Swift Hybrid is a fun little city car that makes you smile. What’s neat is you can choose from a selection of interior and exterior colours to make it stand out and suit your individual style.

We liked the refined hybrid-assisted stop-start response, but it’s really a Mild-Hybrid. The hybrid technology is not quite the same as that found in its hybrid competitors like the Toyota Yaris (which is currently out of stock in NZ) or the Honda Jazz (which will cost you over $7,000 more).

As a city commuter, the Swift Hybrid is frugal and qualifies for the Governments’ Clean car Discount. So, if that’s what you are after – ticking just those two boxes, then the Swift GLX Hybrid could be the car for you.

The the model the AA reviewed was the Suzuki Swift Hybrid Ltd model

Pros

• Fuel efficient 
• Agile around the city
• Easy for parking
• Spacious for a small car

Cons

• Climate controls 
• Key start
• Lots of plastic

Safety systems

• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®)
• Radar Brake Support
• Adaptive cruise control
• Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) body design
• Side impact beams
• Cruise control
• Speed limiter
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Brake assist
• Brake override system
• Hill hold control
• Shift lock and key interlock
• SRS dual front airbags
• Driver and passenger side airbags
• Front and rear curtain airbags
• Front 3-point ELR with pretensioners and force limiters
• Rear 3-point ELR x 3
• Height-adjustable front seatbelt anchorages
• Child seat tether anchorages x 3
• ISOFIX child seat anchorages x 2

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

Vehicle experts you can trust