Supermini has grown up swiftly

With this version of its Swift supermini, Suzuki has stayed true to its design principles – low running costs, high quality and a spacious cabin.

For the latest model year, the range has been refined and extra equipment added.

Other changes in recent times have included the addition of a 4x4 model and a five-door Sport bodystyle.

Plus there’s a frugal 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine as an option.

That previous generation Swift had an almost Mini or Fiat 500-like cheekiness which Suzuki wanted to keep in this model – and it continues to maintain that in the lightly facelifted version we’re looking at here.

Nearly all UK Swift customers choose 94hp 1.2-litre petrol power in this car – so many, in fact, the old 1.3-litre DDiS diesel has been discontinued.

Thanks to an advanced variable valve timing system which controls the intake and exhaust valves on each cylinder to optimise performance, the green pump 1.2 is reassuringly high-tech.

Its useful output is a lot for a 1.2-litre engine, as is its 118Nm of torque.

The 0-62mph trial takes 12.3 seconds and the top speed is 103mph.

As an alternative for top-spec SZ4 customers, there’s also a torquier, greener 90hp “Dualjet” 1.2-litre petrol power plant. Swift Sport hot hatch customers get a 1.6-litre petrol unit good for 62mph in 8.7s on the way to 121mph.

As for the 4x4 version, well it too offers both the 1.2-litre petrol units.

The 4x4 drivetrain features a proven and simple fully automatic and permanent four-wheel-drive system which transfers extra torque to the rear wheels when required – great for those living in rural areas who don’t want to stretch to a small SUV.

If you haven’t checked out this Swift for some time but are familiar with the model, you might notice the latest versions have been treated to a minor wash and brush-up, running to things like a revised front bumper and grille and silver detailing to the lower front bumper.

For added safety and style, an LED high level brake lamp has been added.

The interior design has been given some thought too, with better quality seat fabric featuring black as its keynote colour, with lined accents of blue and grey.

Otherwise, in both three and five-door hatchback forms, this remains a neat piece of design, with nice features like the curving bonnet and blacked-out pillars that create a “floating roof” effect.

Sit in the rear and you’ll find one of the bigger cabins in the supermini class.

Affordability has always been a Swift strength and like so much else, that has not changed with the latest car.

Price-wise, it’s positioned at the lower end of the supermini market and even looks attractive next to some city cars from a value point of view.

There’s a choice of either three or fivedoor bodystyles and prices start at around £9,000.

While the Swift has always been cheap to buy and reliable, its fuel economy and CO2 emissions tended to let the overall cost of ownership down a little.

That’s no longer the case, with the latest model achieving some standout returns at the pumps.

You don’t need to spend long with this improved version to realise that it’s a more grown-up proposition than many of its rivals.

You come away from a drive in one thinking Suzuki deserves a higher profile than it enjoys in the UK – but maybe that’s the way Swift owners like it.

This isn’t a supermini most Fiesta or Corsa buyers will ever consider. However, it’s an alternative they should have tried before signing on the dotted line.

Pictures: Newspress. Evolution not revolution. The Suzuki Swift has become a very desirable budget supermini.