Used Suzuki Swift cars for sale

The compact Suzuki Swift arrived on British roads in 1985. Since then, it has been through a string of iterations, with the Mk5 launching in 2005 and the Mk6 arriving in 2010. It kept things refreshingly simple, offering a choice of three and five-door body styles, two engines and three trim levels. The Swift Sport followed in 2012, offering more athletic styling and a punchier engine, while the Swift 4x4 joined the lineup in 2013.

Suzuki Swift updates and facelifts

The third generation launched in 2017 in five-door guise only, boasting eye-catching styling and upgraded equipment. A facelift in 2020 saw further tech updates and a revised front end, and four key trims are included in the lineup: SZ3,, SZ-L,, SZ-T, and SZ5,, with the Swift Sport sitting at the top of the range.

The Suzuki Swift occupies a niche in the supermini market that the most popular models struggle to fill. Not only is it charmingly styled and full of character, it also puts performance, rather than practicality, at the forefront of its design. Whether you choose the Mk6 or the Mk7, you’re in for a fun and responsive drive. Efficiency is excellent, sitting comfortably at about 50mpg and the Mk7 won the Honest John Real MPG award in 2019 for its ultra-economical performance. That said, cabin space and equipment levels are good, meaning this zippy hatch has been a consistently popular choice for those who are looking for something a little different.

Practicality and style of the car

If you’re living in town, the Suzuki Swift is an ideal vehicle. Its modest dimensions (it’s some 150mm shorter than the Škoda Fabia) mean it’s easy to manoeuvre and nip through city streets effortlessly, while parking in small spaces is a breeze. If you’re primarily using it as a two-seater, it more than meets your needs for space, but it can also accommodate a couple of adults in the rear, offering generous head and legroom.

If you’ve got kids, the five-door variant is the more practical choice, since it makes it easier to get young children into their car seats. There are two sets of ISOFIX mounting points on the rear bench.

The Mk6 Swift prioritises cabin space over luggage capacity, but its 211-litre boot is still spacious enough to accommodate your shopping or gym bags. Plus, with 60/40 split folding rear seats and a maximum load capacity of 892 litres (three-door) or 902 litres (five-door), there’s ample room for larger items. Choose the Mk7 edition for a larger 264-litre boot alongside the retained flexibility of 60/40 split folding rear seats. The Swift can also manage towing a small trailer thanks to its braked capacity of 1,000kg.

Running costs

The Swift’s focus on performance does mean insurance premiums are higher than some superminis. Models from 2017 onwards occupy groups 19–27 out of 50, which is similar to some versions of the Audi A1 Sportback. Annual road tax for most Mk6 models ranges from £35 to £150, while newer Swift and Swift Sport editions incur the standard fee of £180 per year.

How a used Suzuki Swift drives

The Suzuki Swift is a great car to drive, with light, precise steering, lots of grip and minimal body roll. Whether you’re navigating the urban jungle or out on the open road, you’ll find it responsive and rewarding. Opt for the AllGrip four-wheel drive version of SZ5 trims if you’re looking for extra comfort and traction.

The Mk6 Swift comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that delivers 93bhp and 118Nm of torque. It’s fast and fun, particularly with manual transmission (although automatic is an option) and returns an impressive combined fuel economy of 61.4mpg. The 1.3-litre diesel, meanwhile, excels over long distances, providing efficiency of up to 72.4mpg on the combined cycle. For more power, opt for the 1.6-litre petrol engine that comes with the Swift Sport model. This will propel you from 0-62mph in only 8.7 seconds.

Choose a Mk7 Swift and you only have petrol options, but these suit the model’s driving characteristics. The entry-level unit is a 1.2-litre Dualjet mild hybrid producing 82bhp and 107Nm of torque – the Swift is such a light car that it’s more than enough to get you around town with ease. The more powerful 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged engine has an output of 110bhp, delivering a 0-62mph time in as little as 10.0 seconds while returning an exceptional combined fuel economy of up to 53–59mpg. This improves further with mild hybrid technology; the 1.0-litre Boosterjet SHVS returns 58.8mpg. Both engines come with a choice of manual or CVT automatic transmission.

The 2018 Swift Sport is endowed with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 127bhp and 235Nm of torque. It’s the best option for those prioritising performance, achieving 0-62mph in just 9.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph. Efficiency remains respectable in this variant too, with a combined economy of 50.4mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 125g/km.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2010 - 2017

Engine	Official NEDC MPG
1.2	56.5 mpg
1.2 4X4	51.3 mpg
1.2 Automatic	50.4 mpg
1.2 Dualjet	65.7 mpg
1.2 Dualjet 4x4	51.3–58.8 mpg
1.3 DDiS	67.3–72.4 mpg
1.6 Sport	44.1 mpg
Sport	44.1 mpg

2017 - onwards

Engine	Official NEDC MPG	Official WLTP MPG
1.0 Boosterjet	58.8 mpg	-
1.0 Boosterjet Automatic	53.2 mpg	-
1.0 Boosterjet SHVS	65.6 mpg	-
1.2 Dualjet	61.4 mpg	51.7–57.2 mpg
1.2 Dualjet Automatic	-	52.8 mpg
1.2 Dualjet SHVS 4x4	64.2 mpg	-
1.6 Sport	44.1 mpg
Sport	44.1 mpg

Features you can expect in a Suzuki Swift

Interior

Stepping into the Suzuki Swift gives an impression of solid build quality and functionality. The cockpit has a clear, simple design and there are silvery and shiny black accents that add a smartness to the cabin. Drivers also benefit from a multi-function steering wheel in many models, which can be used to control audio and call features.

Technology

Infotainment features vary throughout the model years and trim levels. Early Mk6 models feature an AM/FM radio with a CD player and USB socket. Meanwhile, the 2014 Swift Sport boasts DAB radio and sat nav as standard. The entry-level Mk7 trim – the SZ3 – offers a four-speaker stereo with DAB radio and Bluetooth. Step up to the more modern-feeling SZ-T to get everything you’d expect from today’s hatchbacks: a seven-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety

In 2017, the Mk7 Suzuki Swift received a three-star rating from Euro NCAP – but that’s not to say it falls short on protection measures. In fact, adult occupant protection scored 83%, with child protection at 75%, so you and your passengers can travel with peace of mind. All models come with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Higher up the range, you’ll find driver aids such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and LED headlamps with high-beam assist. If you’re choosing a Mk6 edition, there are multiple airbags and ESC as standard.

Those looking for extra traction with their Swift can choose a model with AllGrip four-wheel drive. This is available on SZ5 trims, and offers not only greater on-road confidence but some light off-road ability too.

Trims available on the Suzuki Swift

As with all cars that have enjoyed consistent popularity for years, the Suzuki Swift has seen a range of trim levels come and go. Choose a regular Mk7 edition, however, and you have four main trim options (listed below). Meanwhile, the Suzuki Swift Sport has its own spec, with sports styling kit, a small roof spoiler, sports seats and an upgraded engine.

Suzuki Swift SZ3

The entry-level SZ3 trim offers 15-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights and privacy glass as standard, as well as a leather steering wheel, air conditioning and a four-speaker sound system with DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

Suzuki Swift SZ-L

Choose the SZ-L grade for a little more style and substance, including 16-inch polished alloy wheels and LED headlights and taillights. Additional technology includes a monochrome LCD screen for the infotainment system, as well as radar brake support and adaptive cruise control.

Suzuki Swift SZ-T

The SZ-T adds a host of advanced technologies, including dual sensor brake support, lane departure warning, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert. It also makes manoeuvres easier thanks to rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, and the infotainment system features a seven-inch touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration.

Suzuki Swift SZ5

The top-spec SZ5 offers everything from the SZ-T trim, as well as sat nav, keyless entry and start and automatic climate control.

Search our stock of used Suzuki Swift cars for sale.