GIVEN the current state of the world, you could be forgiven for forgetting what fun is, and getting caught up in the doom and gloom of isolation. But thanks to the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport II, we’ve rediscovered the pure joy of the simple things in life.
Cool, sporty, sexy and fun. Not words you would have once used to describe Suzuki, but boy oh boy, the Swift Sport earns every single one of them. It’s like being transported back to a time when cars were simpler, more direct, and raw.
Now you might be thinking this is a negative thing, but take that notion and combine it with some of today’s refinement and you have simple driving pleasure. Something the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport II delivers in spades.
On looks alone you can tell that it is something more special than a garden variety Swift. Muscular curves accented by carbon fibre-look trims, 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, and the eye-popping Flame Orange paint, top off a distinctive looking exterior.
The interior design doesn’t disappoint either, continuing the sporting theme with a leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, well bolstered body-hugging seats and an interior that is purely focused on the driver.
Alloy sports pedals and red contrast stitching complete the theme. Press the engine start button and the 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo engine whirs into life with minimal fuss, giving no indication of its Jekyll and Hyde character that is still to come.
It produces 103kW, which doesn’t sound all that exciting until you read the torque figure of 230Nm. Putting that power in a car weighing in at 970kg, makes all the difference. It returns 6.1-litres/100km fuel economy from a relatively small 37 litre fuel tank.
The 2020 Swift Sport II is remarkably efficient for a car that delivers so much fun. When you factor in that it can return a maximum distance of 740km, those numbers stacked together add to what is already an impressive package.
As we mentioned earlier, the engine has a real Jekyll and Hyde personality which perfectly complements the many applications this car will have in daily life. As an everyday runabout and commuter, it has a docile side which is easy to live with in traffic.
On the flip side, using your right foot with reckless abandonment will reward you with endless, linear power combined with a mountain of low-down torque. Especially when matched to the peachy 6-speed manual transmission.
Precise and direct in its action, the 3-pedal choice tops off the driving experience and mates perfectly with the small but powerful turbo engine. A light clutch pedal and perfect spacing for heel-and-toe changes makes the Swift Sport a hoot when driven hard.
Aim the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport at a corner and the response is instant and satisfying, it harks back to the days of the old Suzuki Swift GTI. The ride is on the firm side, but not to the point where we would call it uncomfortable.
Besides, once you experience the agility and sheer grip of how the Swift Sport handles, you will forgive a little compromise for the huge smile it puts on your face.
Take a breath and relax inside the Swift Sport and you will appreciate all the extra features it has to offer, and there’s more than you would think for a small car.
On the infotainment front; voice recognition, satellite navigation and all your media needs including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are found on the 7-inch colour touchscreen. The system works well, even if it is a little slow to react at times.
The safety systems offered are also top notch for a car of this size and price. Adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning headline a 5-star ANCAP safety rated vehicle, for added piece of mind.
It’s backed up by rear cross traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking and weaving alert. Size and practicality are polar opposites in the Swift Sport too. While it is undeniably small, Suzuki have used all the available space to great effect to maximise practicality.
With the Swift’s boot only measuring 265-litres, it can grow to 918-litres with the rear seats folded down. Combined with clever use of space for water bottles and storage cubbies, the Swift demonstrates that small and practical can go hand in hand.
The Swift Sport takes on two of the heavyweights of the small hot hatch segment in the Volkswagen Polo GTI and the Ford Fiesta ST. While it cannot match either when it comes to power or torque, it can more than keep up in terms of fun factor and immersion.
And with a near as makes no difference price advantage of $6,000 over both the GTI and the ST, the Swift Sport is the plucky underdog just nipping at their heels and keeping the front runners honest.
Priced from $29,990 drive away, the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport really is a bargain for the level of equipment, fun and excitement it delivers. Choose the 6-speed manual transmission, and you complete a fantastic package that rewards with endless smiles.
If you are in the market for something fun, practical and fuel efficient, give the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport II a serious look. Able to cater to your daily life, it’ll leave you grinning at how much fun it is on the weekends.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Suzuki Australia. To find out more about the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport II, contact your local Suzuki dealer.
