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Even if in Europe it is known as the first generation Swift, Suzuki Swift II is in fact a continuation of a car that has been produced for over 250 years throughout the entire world. But history aside, I don’t understand why Suzuki Swift II and III are women magnets. THE women magnets.

Seriously, women aged between 18 and 30 are running towards the Suzuki Swift II and III faster than Peking Express contestants who travel half the globe in 2 months, by foot. And it’s easy to understand why: It’s a car that looks harmless and won’t be able to intimidate even the most shy, panicked, anxiety-ridden, diaper-wearing 18 year old driver who just got her driver’s license and is preparing herself for the wilderness called traffic. Practically, if I think about it, the only girl’s car from this period that could compete with the Swift would be the MINI Cooper. Sure, technically there is also the Yaris, but the Yaris contemporary with the Suzuki Swift II generation does not particularly impress me. Neither me nor the girls.

So you have a car that looks decent enough, harmless non-intimidating looks which is cheap to buy, reliable, economical and is easy to drive. Sure, they are not the most equipped cars possible, but neither are their typical 18 year old owner… did you get the joke? Was it funny? Yes? Not? Do I have to show myself out? OK. However, if you work a little harder and go for a posher model, you will find automatic air conditioning and some controls on the steering wheel and, get ready, Keyless Entry and Keyless Go. Yes, it was one of the few cars of its time that came with this option in the compact segment. You don’t have to worry about putting the key in the ignition and turning it on, you get in the car, press a button and you’re good to go.

Much like the Suzuki Ignis I which did the heavy lifting instead of the first gen Swift in Europe, the differences between the trim levels are so small that it didn’t make sense to pay more for the next level engine, so most of them come with the 1.3 petrol of Suzuki’s own recipe. Yes, there is also the Suzuki Swift Sport, which is a Polo GTI in a lighter version and there is also the all-wheel drive option, but it is not difficult to realize that these options are less likely to be found than the likeliness of Sofia Boutella leaving a comment on this article.

Suzuki Swift II Engines

Petrol

• 1.2 K12B of 85 horsepower – This engine is the main reason why the Suzuki Swift II was such a succes in India and China, and it was exclusive to them. Simple, reliable, economical and cheap. Affordable, quality motoring as this engine has no specific issues other than the coilpacks which are the bane of the naturally aspirated petrol existence. The only real downside would be the automatic gearbox which is an Jatco CVT, this being the only engine with an CVT automatic.


• 1.3 G13BB and M13A of 92 horsepower – The base international model comes with Suzuki’s excellent M13A. An engine devoid of issues, aspirations, consumption or performance. Excellent for the urban driving and let’s just say limited highway driving abilities. But that’s kind of the what the Swift is all about.


• 1.5 M15A of 102 horsepower – You get the same engine with 200 cmc extra capacity and 10 more horsepower, at a higher price and some additional minimal options. Excellent engine, but which unfortunately too few have bought. Suzuki Swift II, the car of the extremes – you either go the full Tony Hawk or you can just go home.


• 1.6 M16A of 125 horsepower – Many people (mainly just me) consider the Suzuki Swift Sport to be the spiritual succesor to the Lupo GTI, which itself is the spiritual succesor to the Golf II GTI. A cheap, light, small car, with a small engine but fast enough for a car that weighs exactly the same as a purse. And the Suzuki Swift Sport is exactly that. A flying purse. Like the ones that hit me whenever I get within 10 meters of a woman.


• Diesel


• 1.3 DDiS of 75 horsepower – I don’t really understand why you would want a diesel engine on a Suzuki Swift II when the petrol engines are already fuel efficient on their own, but on the other hand I remember that UrFavxBoyfriend X GoldSoul were #1 in Trending on Youtube for months days. I better not ask questions. Occasional issues with the EGR and the particle filter, but at least the engine is the same italian powerplant as the one used on the Corsa D, Fiat 500 and Fiat Punto III, so you can actually find parts on all roads. Usually scattered, in a pool of their own oil.

Suzuki Swift II Common Issues

• Like any Suzuki, regardless of whether it is old, ancient or modern, the price of success… sorry…. the low purchase price is reflected in the quality of the interior materials.


• The dashboard has it’s own concert as if Bill Bailey and Peret had joined hands and bands, and in the passenger seat you have Powerman 5000. But then again, for this kind of money you shouldn’t have too many pretenses. And if you’re a 20 year old learner driver, you won’t even care if a bunch of plastic squeaks. Does the car get you around cheaply? Check. Looks good? Check.


• Onto the manual gearbox because it slides into reverse harder than …, but also in gears 1, 2 and 5. Basically, you should only drive in 3rd and 4th. Although the people from Suzuki insist that it’s not a bug but a feature. As for the automatic, which is actually a 4 speed automatic from Aisin (the guys from Toyota), good luck finding one.


• The rear axle was welded in an employee’s backyard during a Saturday grill and because of this the rear tires will never be aligned properly so you will have to visit to the tire shop every 5 trips.


• The suspension arms are made of a combination of chewing gum, sugar and water so you will have to change them more often than you would like.

Suzuki Swift II Verdict

If the Yaris is a kind of Tefal Cook4me+ of the automotive world, the Suzuki Swift II is a pair of Converse sneakers. Abit out of fashion, but still cool. And I still don’t understand why the 18-30 year old girls are attracted to this car with the force of a pink magnet. Nor the hungarians (the only EU country where they bought it so much it became somewhat of a national car) and indians and pretty much everybody outside of Europe, as the Swift was and still is a massive succes. 

Which engines do I recommend? The 1.3 litre 92 horsepower petrol is like the commercials for bank loans. Everywhere. And honestly, it’s all the engine you’ll ever need. Yes, the 1.3 and 75 horsepower diesel is decent, but do you really want a Suzuki Swift diesel?