One of Suzuki Philippines’ most anticipated models of the year, the all-new 2018 Swift has finally arrived. Launched side-by-side with the all-new Dzire sedan (you can read our initial impressions here), the Swift enters the market with a bolder look, impressive specifications, and an affordable price tag.

Designed around the concept of “evolution”, the all-new Swift undergoes a daring transformation while retaining some of the features that Filipino buyers love. Suzuki’s sub-compact hatchback retains its characteristic strong shoulders, blacked-out A-pillar, dynamic window treatment, and vertically-arranged taillights. For this generation, it’s been given lower and wider proportions accentuated by a wider and aggressive grille, rear pillar-mounted door handles, LED taillights, and turbine-style two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels. The GLX gets LED headlights with daytime running lights as well.



Just like the Dzire, the Swift is underpinned by Suzuki’s next-generation HEARTECT platform which makes it up to 30 kilograms lighter than its predecessor (it tops out at just 920 kilograms) despite being slightly bigger than its predecessor all aspects except overall length (shorter by 10 millimeters) and overall height (lower by 15 millimeters). Also shared with the Dzire is the Swift’s 1.2-liter K12M 4-cylinder engine. It makes 82 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. Unlike its sedan sibling though, the Swift is available with a 5-speed manual or CVT.

Inside, Suzuki engineers have managed to optimize all available space in the Swift to give it a surprisingly roomy cabin. Thanks to lower seat mounting points (down 21 millimeters in the front and 25 millimeters at the back), the 2018 Swift boasts of more headroom than before. Additionally, the space between the seats and the center line has been boosted by 10 millimeters resulting in more shoulder room. At the back, the cargo space has been increased by 54 liters as well (265 liters with the rear seats up). Furthermore, the rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 split.



“We introduced a new-generation platform and engineered a completely new chassis, body structure, and powertrain. We set out to create a car that would let people experience a new level of excitement. The instant they see it, the instant they get inside, and the instant they step on the accelerator,” explained Masao Kobori, Chief Engineer of the all-new Swift and Dzire.

The all-new 2018 Swift is sourced from Thailand and arrives at all Suzuki dealers by July with the following introductory prices: P 755,000 for the GL M/T, P 799,000 for the GL CVT, and P 899,000 for the GLX CVT. Pricing will go up anywhere between P 8,000 to P 10,000 after a few months. There are 6 colors for the Swift: Speedy Blue Metallic, Fervent Red, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, and Super Black Pearl.



2018 Suzuki Swift Specifications

• Overall Length x Width x Height (mm); 3,840 x 1,735 x 1,495
• Wheelbase (mm): 2,450
• Front / Rear Tread (mm): 1,520 / 1,520
• Minimum Turning Radius (m): 4.8
• Minimum Ground Clearance (mm): 120
• Engine Type: 1.2-liter K12M 4-cylinder, 16-valve
• Compression Ratio: 11.0
• Maximum Output: 82 @ 6,000 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 113 @ 4,200 rpm
• Fuel Distribution: Multipoint Injection
• Transmission: 5MT or CVT
• Steering: Rack & Pinion
• Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
• Rear Brakes: Drum (GL); Disc (GLX)
• Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut with Coil Springs
• Rear Suspension: Torsion Beam with Coil Springs
• Tires: 185/55R16
• Seating: 5
• Luggage (Rear Seats Up/Down): 242/546
• Fuel Tank (Liters): 37
• Curb Weight (kg): 860 (GL); 895-920 (GLX)

Exterior:

• Black-colored A- and B-pillars
• Body-colored front and rear bumpers
• Black front grille (GLX: with chrome accent)
• Electromagnetic tailgate opener
• Halogen multi-reflector (GLX: LED projector)
• GLX: headlamp leveling
• Front fog lamps
• Position lamps with DRL
• LED rear combination lamps
• 2-speed + intermittent front wiper
• 1-speed + intermittent rear wiper
• Body-colored power adjust side mirrors (GLX: with signal repeater, power fold) 

• 3-spoke urethane steering wheel w/ audio controls (GLX: leather, w/ cruise control)
• Tilt-adjustable steering column (GLX: Tilt/telescopic)
• Segment display information display (GLX: 3.5-inch monochrome LCD)
• Clock
• GLX: outside temperature gauge
• On-board computer (fuel consumption, range)
• Light-off and key reminder
• Door ajar reminder
• Driver’s seatbelt reminder
• Passenger’s seatbelt reminder
• Low fuel warning lamp
• White with dimple pattern instrument panel ornament (GLX: pearl white)
• Black shift knob (GLX: piano black)
• CVT models: driver’s foot rest
• Black inside door handles (GLX: chrome inside door handles)

• Front and rear power windows
• Central door locking
• Remote-control door locks (GLX: with answer back function)
• GLX: keyless push start system
• Manual air conditioner (GLX: automatic climate control)
• Heater
• Pollen filter
• 4 speakers (GLX: 6 speakers)
• 7-inch multimedia touchscreen (GLX: 8-inch multimedia touchscreen)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Aux/USB
• GPS Navigation
• GLX: auto volume control

Safety:

• Dual SRS airbags
• Front: 2 x 3-point ELR seatbelts with pretensioners and shoulder height adjustment
• Rear: 3 x 3-point ELR seatbelts
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Childproof door locks
• Front / rear side impact beams
• ABS with EBD
• Brake assist
• GLX: rear parking sensors with reverse camera
• LED high-mount stop lamp
• Immobilizer
• Security alarm