► Suzuki’s latest Swift hatchback lands on our fleet
► Lightweight, mild hybrid power and weird looks
► Read month 1
Falling 7mpg short of an official mpg figure isn’t normally any- thing to get excited about, but when said shortfall still leaves me averaging 57.4mpg from a petrol engine, it does leave a feelgood glow.
I have Suzuki’s 1.2-litre mild-hybrid triple to thank for that. It makes just 81bhp, but with turbocharging, a kerb- weight of just 984kg to whisk along and revised gear ratios, it feels swifter than its 12.4sec 0-62mph time suggests, especially around town. On rural roads or motorways it needs working harder, though.
I’m sure I could match the WLTP economy figures if I did fewer of those journeys. But even so: 57.4mpg? I’ll take that.
Logbook: Suzuki Swift Hybrid Ultra (month 2)
Price £19,799 (£19,799 as tested)
Performance 1197cc turbocharged three-cylinder, 81bhp, 12.5sec 0-62mph, 103mph
Efficiency 64.2mpg (official), 57.4mpg (tested), 99g/km CO2
Fuel cost 11.4p per mile
Miles this month 896
Total miles 3232