► Suzuki’s latest Swift hatchback lands on our fleet
► Lightweight, mild hybrid power and weird looks
► Read month 1
There are two big things I’d change about the Swift – the way it looks and the way it rides. There’s not much that can be done to ease the Swift’s geeky look, but the chassis would definitely benefit from a polish.
Arguably a little supermini doesn’t really need to handle, simply because the target market isn’t fussed about engagement on a trip to the shops. Fair enough (though Mini is a star witness for the prosecution), but the ride should be better.
The Swift bumps around in town, which I can kind of tolerate because those trips are typically shorter, but it never settles on the motorway, to the point that I’ve come to dread longer journeys.
Logbook: Suzuki Swift Hybrid Ultra (month 3)
Price £19,799 (£19,799 as tested)
Performance 1197cc turbocharged three-cylinder, 81bhp, 12.5sec 0-62mph, 103mph
Efficiency 64.2mpg (official), 56.8mpg (tested), 99g/km CO2
Fuel cost 11.3p per mile
Miles this month 1317
Total miles 4549