The All-New Suzuki Swift: A Fresh Look, But How Powerful Is It?

Suzuki has reintroduced the Swift to the Vietnamese market after more than a year of absence. Notably, this hatchback is now imported directly from Japan but boasts a price not too far off from its Thai-imported predecessor.

Join Tri Thức – Znews as we explore the changes, both inside and out, of the new Suzuki Swift. And with this transformation, how different will the power under the hood of this Japanese “swift” be?

Eye-catching and youthful exterior

Previously, the Suzuki Swift has always been a favorite among many users, especially women, thanks to its compact and fashionable design.

This time around, the Swift has been enhanced with a sportier exterior design. The wheelbase has been increased to 2,450 mm, while the ground clearance has been reduced for improved stability for this Japanese “swift.”

The Suzuki Swift’s exterior has been significantly altered. Photo by Đan Thanh.

The front grille features a slightly different design with a new mesh pattern, and the main headlights have been lowered, creating a more modern look compared to its predecessor. However, the front bumper no longer includes fog lights, indicating a shift towards a purely urban vehicle.

The front of the vehicle is also equipped with radar, a first in the B-segment hatchback class. This addition supports the ADAS safety system installed in the car.

The interior of the new Swift is quite similar to its hybrid sibling, the XL7. It retains the familiar four-seat configuration. Of course, one cannot expect a spacious interior in a B-segment hatchback, but the Swift’s rear seats still offer adequate space for adults up to 170 cm tall.

With this height, passengers over 180 cm tall may touch the ceiling when sitting upright. Photo by Đan Thanh.

For individuals taller than 180 cm, sitting in the rear seats may result in their heads touching the ceiling. The infotainment screen is prominently positioned, and the air conditioning is now fully automatic. The steering wheel has been upgraded with additional buttons for lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control functions.

With its new design, the Swift continues to appeal to customers who favor a compact and stylish appearance. However, the cabin space may still be a constraint for male users with larger physiques.

New engine is smooth but lacks punch

Even in its previous iteration, Suzuki has always managed to make the Swift’s suspension a standout feature compared to its competitors. And this time is no exception; the suspension on the new Swift has been further optimized, delivering precise, confident, and road-hugging handling.

This makes the B-segment hatchback stand out from its peers, which typically feature more basic suspension setups.

Moreover, when cornering, the Swift offers a driving experience akin to that of a BMW Mini Cooper worth billions, thanks to the robustness of its chassis.

The optimized suspension provides a fun driving feel. Photo by Đan Thanh.

Under the hood of the new Swift is a mild-hybrid Z12E engine that produces a maximum output of 80.5 horsepower and a peak torque of 108 Nm, paired with a CVT transmission.

The addition of an electric motor makes this hatchback smoother and more fuel-efficient, both in terms of production costs and fuel consumption. According to the manufacturer, this mild-hybrid engine reduces the Swift’s fuel consumption by 18% compared to its predecessor.

This could also be the reason why, despite being imported directly from Japan, the Swift is priced at only 569 million VND, just 10 million VND more than its Thai-imported predecessor.

However, the 1.2L engine may not provide an exhilarating acceleration experience, thus underutilizing the advantages of the refined chassis.

During the launch event and test drive of the Swift in Vietnam, many automotive experts expressed their slight disappointment with the Japanese “swift.”

“If the Swift had an additional 20 horsepower, the driving experience would be so much better,” said , a content creator at Tinhte.vn forum.

The 1.2L mild-hybrid engine makes the Swift more docile than its international counterparts. Photo by Đan Thanh.

Globally, the Swift is loved for its 1.4L and 1.6L engines, which offer a more thrilling driving experience. This model is also Suzuki’s flagship in many markets, with sales of over 3 million units in its home country in 2024.

However, offering this more powerful engine option would make the Swift less accessible to a wider range of customers, going against Suzuki’s recent sales strategy.

Currently, the Japanese automaker aims to provide vehicles with competitive pricing, appealing to female drivers, and easy maneuverability in urban settings rather than focusing on performance. Of course, we can hope that Suzuki will introduce a flagship variant with a more powerful engine to cater to speed enthusiasts.

The 1.2L Mild-hybrid engine makes the Swift more subdued compared to its international versions. Photo by Đan Thanh.

While this strategy may be risky, it has proven successful with the Suzuki Jimny. Despite being considered a challenging sell due to its high price for its segment, the Jimny recorded sales of 437 units in Vietnam in 2024 and even commanded a premium over its official price at one point.

Overall, at a price of 569 million VND, the Swift remains a compelling option. When compared to competitors such as the Mazda2 Sport or BYD Dolphin, Suzuki’s hatchback stands out in terms of performance, driving experience, safety features, and pricing. For those who crave speed, perhaps some time is needed to adjust to the Swift’s smoothness or explore ways to upgrade this hatchback.

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