Is a used Suzuki Swift a good buy?

The Suzuki Swift is a small car that sits in a gap between bargain-basement small cars such as the Dacia Sandero and mainstream small cars like the Ford Fiesta.

If you are looking for a car that offers top value while providing more feel-good factor than the cheapest small cars, then keep reading for the latest offers on the Suzuki Swift.

The most recent version of the Suzuki Swift arrived in 2017 and it is this generation we are focusing on below.

The improvements over the previous model were significant, especially on higher-spec models which come with equipment such as a rear parking camera, sat-nav and a mild hybrid petrol engine.

In the car world, a mild hybrid system is one that uses a small amount of electrification to take some of the strain off the engine to give a modest boost in fuel economy and performance.

Mild hybrid cars also have slightly reduced exhaust emissions compared to models with the same engine but without the mild hybrid tech. Most of the systems are so subtle you won't notice when they are running.

The Suzuki Swift is also available with four-wheel drive, which is very rare in a car of this size. It is a fairly lightweight four-wheel-drive system, meaning that it is more suited to providing a little extra grip on greasy wet roads rather than helping you to drive up riverbeds as part of a mountain rescue attempt.

Compared to its rivals, the Suzuki Swift is very lightweight, which makes it nice and agile when cornering. It also allows the engines - which aren't the most powerful units available - to get the Swift buzzing along on 60mph and 70mph roads without too much effort.

Practicality isn’t the Suzuki Swift’s strong suit, and the boot is notably smaller than cars such as the Ford Fiesta, but then the Swift is significantly shorter, too. Its smaller dimensions make it easier to park in exchange, so it's worth weighing up whether ease of parking or luggage space is more important to you.

There is plenty of space up front for two adult passengers and the rear will squeeze two more adults in relative comfort, provided they aren’t over six foot.

Read our full Suzuki Swift review

Which used Suzuki Swift should you buy?

Generally speaking, the Suzuki Swift is something of a bargain by new car standards but there are more savings to be had when buying nearly new and used models, as like nearly all new cars, the Swift loses value quickly, making it much more affordable even as a six-month-old or one-year-old car.

As for engines, your choice is very straightforward - there is a 1.2-litre petrol or a 1.2-litre mild hybrid petrol. The former was available until 2019 whereupon the 1.2-litre mild hybrid became the only option. It actually became the only option for the entire Swift range.

What used Suzuki Swift trim levels are available?

For the best Suzuki Swift deals on trim levels including SZ3, SZ-L, SZ-T, SZ5, Attitude and Sport and a roundup of which equipment comes with each version, keep reading below.

Suzuki SZ3

Suzuki Swift SZ3 trim was the entry point into the Suzuki Swift range until very recently, meaning it makes for one of the most affordable Suzuki Swifts to buy or finance.

This also means that SZ3 versions come with the least amount of equipment as standard. That does not translate to SZ3 models being overly basic, though, as they come with a digital radio, Bluetooth, air-conditioning, electric front windows and a leather steering wheel as standard.

Mild hybrid models are claimed to have a marginally better official fuel consumption figure than non-hybrids, meaning that they should cost less to fuel. Also, all SZ3 Swifts come with a manual gearbox and are two-wheel-drive.

Suzuki Swift SZ-L

Towards the end of 2020, Suzuki introduced a new entry-level trim - SZ-L. Being so new, all Suzuki Swift SZ-L models come with a 1.2-litre mild hybrid petrol engine and are only available with a manual gearbox.

SZ-L brings better standard equipment than SZ3 spec, as adaptive cruise control, front and rear LED lights and alloy wheels are all included. There is also a seven-inch touchscreen media system which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The same display shows footage from the reversing camera when parking.

One mark against the Suzuki Swift is that it sits in relatively high insurance groups - which normally means insurance premiums will be higher. However, car insurance costs vary dramatically, depending upon factors such as your age, home address and occupation, so if you like the look of the Suzuki Swift, it's worth getting a couple of insurance quotes to see how the premiums stack up for you.

Suzuki Swift SZ-T

From 2017 to 2019 the Suzuki Swift SZ-T trim was available with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which had notably more power than the 1.2-litre used in other non-hybrid versions. The added power gave a noticeable increase in acceleration, so this is a good model to look for if you value the extra punch of the turbocharged engine.

There was additional equipment, too, although what you get is very similar to what comes with SZ-L models. This means a rear-view camera, 16-inch alloy wheels and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are all standard.

After the 1.0-litre engine was dropped, all SZ-T models used the 1.2-litre mild hybrid setup paired with a manual gearbox. Newer models have the additional option of an automatic transmission.

Suzuki Swift SZ5

Suzuki Swift SZ5 specification is one of the range-topping Suzuki Swift trims. Back when the latest Suzuki Swift was launched in 2017, SZ5 trim came with standard equipment such as sat- nav, LED headlights which can automatically turn the main beam on and off when oncoming cars are detected, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.

Four-wheel-drive models all come in SZ5 spec. That means that all four-wheel-drive Suzuki Swifts are very well equipped but also that they are amongst the most expensive to buy.

One thing to highlight with the Suzuki Swift is that both inside and out, changes between trims are very subtle. For example you might get a different design of alloy wheel or the additional piece of chrome or black trim. Unlike with many cars, adding lots of options such as a full leather interior or endless combinations of colourful pieces of trim is not possible with the Swift.

The result of this, is that you don't need to trawl through dozens of models to find one with a colour combination you like and all the optional extras you want, as all Swift models should be pretty similar.

Suzuki Swift Attitude

Suzuki Swift Attitude models were quite short-lived in that they arrived in 2019 and are no longer on sale. For a time, though, they were the top-of-the-range option. Like many on this list, all left the Suzuki factory with a 1.2-litre mild hybrid petrol engine under the bonnet. They all come with a manual gearbox, too.

Suzuki tried to add a little visual drama with Attitude models - mostly by adding a dark rear spoiler and dark trim along the bottom of the car. Other than that, Attitude models were largely identical to SZ-T spec, so they have 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Suzuki Swift Sport

If you like the idea of a light, simple, fun-to-drive small car, the Suzuki Swift Sport is an excellent choice. Where rival small performance cars seem to be chasing ever-higher power figures - and ever-higher price tags - the Swift Sport has remained a light and nimble alternative.

This not only makes the Swift Sport great fun on a twisting road but it also means it is a doddle to drive around town and won’t cost the earth to run. On the subject of cost, the Swift Sport costs over £20,000 when bought new, which is a little pricey. Going for a nearly new or used version, therefore, is definitely the way to go with Sport models.

Standard equipment is as good as it gets with the Swift. Adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, rear parking sensors and reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are all standard. The styling is more aggressive than regular models, the front and rear bumpers have been given a redesign and there are two sporty-looking exhausts poking out from the rear bumper.

Under the bodywork, there were some changes, too. These include a powerful petrol engine, which punts the Swift Sport along with surprising speed, firmer suspension, so the car is more stable when driving at higher speeds and bigger brakes for slowing down from higher speeds easily. Yes, there are many faster cars, but the Swift Sport is very engaging and involves you in the driving process more than most high-performance hatchbacks.