Motoring

Suzuki Swift Attitude 2019 review

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Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

Does Suzuki have the right attitude with their special edition Swift model?

By motoring journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay – Twitter @carwriteups Instagram @tbarnesclay.

Suzuki’s Swift is a good seller for the Japanese automaker. And now it hopes the latest Swift Attitude will boost sales even higher.

The special edition model is anticipated to account for up to 40 per cent of all Suzuki Swift sales in Britain during 2019 and beyond. The £14,599 Attitude is centred around the mid-spec SZ-T grade but includes a slightly sportier body kit, a new spoiler, a mesh grille and 16-inch alloys.

Fun and nimble drive

However, where the standard Swift SZ-T trim houses a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit, poke in the Attitude come from a non-turbocharged 1.2 Dualjet powerplant. This has been harvested from the basic SZ-3, driving the wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

The Attitude’s engine may sound a bit lame in comparison with a turbo assisted one, but it’s still a fun, nimble hatch to drive. This is because the car only weighs 980kg and has a short wheelbase.

The Swift Attitude is forgiving, too. You can chuck the little tyke into corners at the last second without any worry that the Suzuki might have a tantrum. Indeed, the car almost enjoys being driven hard.

Engaging supermini

Of course, the Attitude is not a hot-hatch, but it’s a seriously engaging supermini – if burning along twisty rural lanes is your thing. Mind you: its off-the-line performance isn’t quite so exciting. A zero to 62mph time of 11.9 seconds isn’t going to mean you’ll be changing your underwear any time soon.

The Swift isn’t unacceptably underpowered, though – its light weight helps with this; you just need to stir the gears hard and keep your right foot down to feel the speed. The car is also economical, returning over 50mpg on an average run.

When it comes to ride quality, you’ll find the Swift Attitude comfortable, for four-up. And even though the cabin is awash with plastics and the steering column doesn’t have reach adjustment, it offers a lot for its price. Certainly, for this amount, the Suzuki is a sensible second car, or it could even serve as the main car for a small family.

Fast Facts (Suzuki Swift Attitude 2019)

  • Max speed: 111 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 11.9 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 51.4 mpg
  • Engine layout: 1242cc 4-cylinder petrol
  • Max. power (PS): 90
  • CO2: 124 g/km           
  • Price: £14,599