Suzuki is a Japanese company that produces various types of vehicles. They manufacture cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and even wheelchairs. When it comes to road vehicles, Suzuki is mostly known for its small and quirky designs that are both reliable and fun to drive.
One example is the Suzuki Swift. While this name was first applied to a car called the Suzuki Cultus in 1983, the Swift officially hit car markets in 2004 and is still in production today. The Swift was considered a subcompact car in the United States when it was sold here, it’s a b-Segment marque in the European single market, and this tiny car is known as a supermini in the British Isles.
As with most cars produced by major car manufacturers, there are many comparisons to the Suzuki Swift. Some of those rivals are the Yaris from Toyota, the Mazda 2, and the Ford Fiesta. All three are similar to the Swift in size and outward appearances, but how do they stack up?
We took a look at all four vehicles and this is what we found.
Main Features Of The Suzuki Swift
Let’s first begin with the engine and transmission for the Suzuki Swift. The car is powered by a 1-liter K-series Dual Jet that has a displacement of 1197CC with a max power of 88.50bhp at 6,000 RPM. It also has a max torque of 113Nm at 4,400RPM. Buyers of the Suzuki Swift can choose between either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.
In terms of fuel, the car runs on standard petrol and achieves gas mileage of 23.76 ARAI. The capacity of the full tank is 37 liters. This amounts to about nine gallons of gas in total.
When it comes to comfort and convenience, the Suzuki Swift has everything you’d expect a car of this level to have. It has all the basics such as cruise control, a keyless entry system, and an engine start/stop button instead of a key. However, a few things missing are rear AC vents, remote start, and folding third-row seats.
Finally, in terms of entertainment, the bases are all covered. The Suzuki Swift has a 7-inch infotainment screen, it works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This car has four speakers, but none of those are in the rear. Also, wireless phone charging is not supported.
Now Let’s Look At The Rivals
The Toyota Yaris is a great deal similar to the Suzuki Swift, but these are certainly not identical. The Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter engine that produces 106 hp at 6,000 rpm and 103 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission and the car is front-wheel drive.
When it comes to fuel economy, this small ride gets a stellar 32 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway. The fuel tank used here has a max capacity of 11.6 gallons, which gets you 371.2 miles in the city and 464 on the highway. The Yaris uses regular unleaded fuel.
The Yaris and Swift have a lot in common when it comes to comfort and convenience, although the Toyota adds a few bells and whistles. Not only does this car from Toyota add a rear-view camera and an overhead console with storage, but you also get heated mirrors. While this is not an absolute deal maker, it is a nice addition.
As for the Ford Fiesta, this happens to be one of the most well-known cars of this size on the market. In terms of engine and transmission, this sweet ride comes with a 1.6-liter I4 engine that achieves 120 hp at 6,350 rpm and 112 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm.
For fuel economy, the Ford Fiesta gets 27 miles to the gallon for city driving and 35 for cruising on the highway. The tank holds 12.4 gallons of gas, which is larger than both the Swift and the Yaris. For the overall range in miles, this car gets 334.8 in the city and 434 on the highway.
The Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris are pretty much identical when it comes to comfort and convenience, which means they both edge out the Swift. However, this car has six speakers in total, which makes it a winner in the audio sound department.
Last but not least, let’s look at the Mazda 2. It is powered by a 1.5-liter engine that has a max 100 hp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 98 at 4,000 rpm. The fuel system is a sequential MPI and it runs on regular unleaded fuel.
The Mazda 2 gets 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This amounts to a full range of 316.4 and 384.2, respectively.
When it comes to comfort and convenience, the Mazda 2 is nearly identical to the Swift as well as the Yaris and the Ford Fiesta. Much like the other rivals, it has everything you’d expect from a car of this type. It has sufficient power and a few extras that make driving a bit more fun.
The Art Of Comparison
Comparing cars of this type can be difficult. This is because rides this size are generally made to fit a certain purpose, which means there isn’t a great deal of difference from one to the next. What is clear is that the market for these small cars is dwindling. It’s not that everyone wants a big sedan or SUV; it’s just that there are so many other options out there in the middle ground.
This is illustrated by the Ford Fiesta being discontinued, Suzuki cars no longer being sold in the US, and the Yarus also no longer being in production. Only time will tell how this market of cars evolves to keep up with the changes happening with other styles.