A grand estate
If you want a safe family car with lots of space then Suzuki’s frugal Swace hybrid has lots going for it, and more so when fuel duty gets hiked next month
The EV transition is well under way, but the pace of change differs from one carmaker to another. Polestar and Tesla offer only electric cars, and other makers such as Ford, Nissan, Peugeot, Jeep and Mercedes plan to be all-electric by 2030. In contrast, Honda will continue production of petrol and diesel cars until 2040.
But Suzuki is somewhat of an outlier and doesn’t plan to launch an electric car until next year. Likely to be the eVX, it will be powered by a 60kWh battery pack with a promised range of more than 550km. An entry level 48kWh version with 400km range will also be offered with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The compact crossover will rival the Hyundai Kona Electric and Jeep Avenger when it arrives here.
For now, Suzuki only offers hybrids and the Swace 1.8 hybrid is our test car this week. A smallish estate car, the Swace is really a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports with a few subtle changes. Whereas the Corolla comes as an estate and hatchback, the Swace is only offered as an estate. For 2024 it has been revamped with some styling tweaks inside and out, and updates to the engine and hybrid system.
From the outside little has changed, but inside you get a new eight-inch multimedia audio system with controls on the steering wheel for ease of use. It’s also now compatible for wireless Apple CarPlay for iPhone and for a wired connection for Android
Auto and MirrorLink.
New also is the central seveninch multi-information display, with the choice of three display modes. Everything is clear and easy to use, but overall the cabin is functional but dull.
As expected from an estate car, space is good throughout and generally passengers in the front and back will have little to grumble about though very tall ones might find the legroom a little tight. The boot capacity ranges from 596 litres to a very decent 1,232 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat so will easily carry everything from large suitcases to a set of golf clubs.
Some nice touches will appeal to families: for example, the rear carpeted floorboard can be placed in a lower position to store taller objects and is also reversible with
Suzuki Swace 1.8 Hybrid SZT CVT
Starting price: €34,295 (€34,980 as tested)
Engine: 1.8-litre petrol and electric motor
Transmission:
CVT (automatic)
Co2/Motor Tax: 103g/km/€190
Economy: 4.4l/100km
Speedy verdict
Spacious, safe and economical, Suzuki’s Swace is a sensible alternative to a family SUV a resin backside that can be used for stowing wet or dirty items.
Powering the car is a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. On the road, it’s comfortable and easy to drive and it makes a change to be sitting closer to the ground than in an SUV, but it’s let down a little by the noise of the CVT (automatic) transmission and doesn’t feel particularly engaging to drive. The fuel economy is impressive, though. With excise duty on petrol set to increase next month it should be a key selling point.
The Swace has not been crashtested by Euro NCAP, but potential buyers should take comfort from the Toyota Corolla getting the full five stars when tested in 2019.
Priced from €34,295, rivals to the Swace include Skoda’s Octavia Estate MHEV(€34,995), Kia XCeed PHEV (€37,000) and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports (€34,875).
The upgrades and tweaks to the Suzuki Swace may be subtle, but it is cheaper than a family-sized SUV, easier to park, practical, safe and very frugal and as a family car it will appeal to a wide audience.
Star Rating
Suzuki Swace 1.8 Hybrid SZT CVT