The Suzuki Swift has notched up no fewer than 5 Cars.co.za Awards category wins – 1 in each of the past 5 iterations of our awards programme! Our opinionista lists the strengths (and a few weaknesses of the Japanese brand’s current, 4th-gen model.
Although small crossovers have become all the rage, a pair of humble compact hatchbacks – the evergreen Volkswagen Polo Vivo and the subject of this article, the Suzuki Swift – valiantly held the 1st and 2nd positions in the South African new-vehicle sales figures for September and October 2025!
See also: 2025 CarsAwards: Best Budget Car in SA
As a 1st car for many lower-income households or a 2nd vehicle for middle- to higher-quintile families, the no-frills Suzuki Swift 5-door ably balances space, value, features and economy. In my opinion, it’s refreshingly shorn of the pretentiousness of the countless faux-by-fours contaminating our streets.
All 5 variants of the current, 4th-gen Swift (launched in 2024) are priced in the R200 000-R300 000 bracket of the local new-vehicle market; by contrast, only the entry and 2nd-from-bottom Volkswagen Polo Vivo variants are priced under the psychological R300k price barrier, making the Indian-built Suzuki – for those that can swallow their badge snobbery – a more sensible buy than its Kariega-produced rival.
See also: New Suzuki Swift Specs & Prices in South Africa
The Swift was introduced into South Africa as a staple of Suzuki’s return strategy to the country in 2008. Successively, with a line-up initially comprising the now-defunct SX4 crossover and later the renowned Jimny off-roader, followed by a raft of ride-hailer-friendly budget sedans and hatchbacks, the brand rocketed up the sales charts, mushrooming into one of the fastest-growing brands in the country.
Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the 2024 Suzuki Swift:
Three generations later, the current, 4th-gen Suzuki Swift remains a top performer for its balance of affordability, reliability, low running and repair costs and peace-of-mind ownership experience.
See also: Is the Suzuki Swift an Ideal First Car for New Drivers?
Why should you consider buying a Suzuki Swift?
Performance & Efficiency
If Henry Ford famously declared that Model T customers could have their cars in any exterior colour as long as it was black, then prospective Suzuki customers can have any engine in the Swift provided it displaces 1.2 litres, has 3 cylinders and develops 60 kW/112 Nm.
That’s right – from entry-level GL to the elite GLX (except the Swift Sport), there’s just 1 engine, though by contrast and superseding Henry Ford’s obsessive production standardisation, Swift buyers do at least get to choose from 2 transmission types: a 5-speed manual and a gearless, automatic CVT.
Now that 60 kW couldn’t pry open a melted Easter egg, but it is worth knowing that all 5 Suzuki Swift variants tickle the scales at barely 900 kg apiece. That low weight translates into a less stressed motor, better fuel economy and yes, even a willing dance partner if you’re feeling frisky and the road is right.
Suzuki claims respective average fuel consumption indices of 4.4 L/100 km and 4.6 L/100 km for the manual and automatic Swift. While commendable, on the debit side, it is worth noting that the car is only fitted with a below-par, 37-litre-capacity fuel tank.
The Suzuki Swift’s overall feature value proposition
The Suzuki Swift range spans 3 trim grades: GL, GL+ and GLX.
As has become de rigeur on the suburban ladder of social stratification, this alphabet soup of feature encoding is tailored to suit respective households’ affordability ability – or, at least, credit appetite.
If impressing the neighbours is your thing, to this end, the frill-free GL will possibly get you a date with your gran (she can’t really turn you down, you’re her favourite little guy/girl, after all); GL+ possibly with the homely girl next door and the GLX maybe a smile from the yummy mummy at the gym.
Bluetooth and related connectivity only appear in the GL+ and GLX.
With that said, all derivatives are equipped with electric windows all around; as well as remote central locking, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split rear seat and rear parking sensors.
The GL+ adds a 7-inch touchscreen and a reverse-view camera; whereas the GLX gets keyless entry and LED headlamps, complemented with an interior upgraded to feature a 9-inch touchscreen, climate control (auto aircon), a leatherette steering wheel and cruise control.
See also: Suzuki Swift: Specs & Price (2025)
The Suzuki Swift was named the Budget Car champion of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards; watch Ciro De Siena compare the Japanese hatchback with the other finalists in that category:
What are the Suzuki Swift’s shortcomings?
All Suzuki Swifts are equipped as standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS) enhanced by emergency brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA or EBA); as are dual front-, side and curtain airbags, rear park distance control and a pair of ISOfix child-seat mounting hooks.
However, while the airbag count is commendable for the Swift’s price point and positioning, there are (admittedly) few inadequacies that can’t be ignored…
- The entry-level GL variant lacks basic features. There’s no Bluetooth, or any other facility for smartphone connectivity, for that matter – not even a USB port for charging your smartphone. Were you to be stuck by the roadside in the wrong place and time with a flat phone battery, that could be the difference between life and death.
- Rivals have bigger load bays and fuel tanks. The Swift’s rival, the Polo Vivo, has a 280-litre load capacity and a 45-litre fuel tank, compared with 265 litres and 37 litres for the Suzuki.
- No performance benefit from buying the GLX. Where once more expensive versions equalled more performance, owing to the single engine option available, you’ll reach your destination just as fast – or slowly – regardless of having bought the rep-spec or the range-ropping version.
- Swift Sport isn’t all that sporty, but it’s pricey. Given the Swift Sport‘s claimed 0-100 kph sprint of 8 seconds, it won’t be able to outrun a base Cherry Tiggo Pro 7 Max, which has space for your gran, her Zimmer frame and the month’s shopping, yet costs just R11 000 more than the automatic Sport.
The Swift Sport (based on the previous-gen model, but it’s still listed) personifies the eternal warm hatch conundrum: like a Zinger Wing, it’s spicy enough to make one come back for more (103 kW/230 Nm) – except you’re never completely satisfied. Prepare for that pang of buyer’s remorse every time you see a Polo GTI – at R100k over the Suzuki, it’s not that big a gap if you’re heavy-hoofed. And you know it.
See also: Swift Sport Review (2019)
See also: Suzuki Swift Sport (1st-, 2nd- & 3rd-gen): Classic Comparison
How much does a new Suzuki Swift cost in South Africa?
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Swift 1.2 GL 5MT | R227 900 |
| Swift 1.2 GL+ 5MT | R249 900 |
| Swift 1.2 GL+ CVT | R269 900 |
| Swift 1.2 GLX 5MT | R275 900 |
| Swift 1.2 GLX CVT | R295 900 |
| Swift 1.4T Sport 6MT | R469 900 |
| Swift 1.4T Sport 6AT | R493 900 |
Prices (correct in November 2025) include a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.
What does a used Suzuki Swift cost in South Africa?
There are more than 1 400 used Suzuki Swifts for sale on Cars.co.za (at the time of writing, in November 2025). When comparing prices of different year models, it’s worth bearing in mind that the previous-gen Swift was first introduced in 2018 and facelifted in 2021, which was succeeded by the current 4th-gen cars hitting showrooms at the end of 2024. Of the stock listed on our site, 35% were 2025 models.
R100 000-R200 000: Here you can find examples of all generations of the Swift. The eldest was a 2008 model that had 239 000 km on the odo, though interestingly, the honours for highest mileage went to a 2022 GA that had covered 254 000 km.
A great deal was to be had in the lowest mileage sample in this category: a 2025 GL for R195 000 that had just 1250 km on the clock, which amounts to a R30k discount on what is essentially a brand new car.
R200 000-R300 000: 52% of all available stock appears here, ranging in age from 2019 to 2025; though admittedly, 35% of this total is skewed towards low-mileage new examples being sold as demos/ used cars. The lowest mileage was 0 km for a new GL retailing almost R10k below its RRP. Conversely, the highest mileage in this category was 82 142 km for a 2022 GLX Auto.
R300 000-R400 000: Five more low to medium-mileage (14 000 km-81 000km) Swift Sports appeared here – all automatic; as well as a sole GLX automatic non-Sport lineup range-topper.
R400 000-R500 000: Representing the uppermost price bracket for the Swift, just 4 examples (2 manual and 2 automatic) of demo or nearly-new Swift Sports fell into this category.
Find a Suzuki Swift listed for sale on Cars.co.za!
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Suzuki Swift Sport (1st-, 2nd- & 3rd-gen): Classic Comparison
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