Suzuki Swift hatchback - Reliability & safety (2017-2024)
Owners find the brand dependable, but clever safety technology is only standard on the top-spec Suzuki Swift
Suzuki has built its reputation on simply engineered cars that are known for being hard-wearing and reliable. Little of the latest Swift’s technical make-up is unproven – its engines are also used in other Suzuki models and the ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive system is a Suzuki staple. Only time will tell whether the latest Swift is as dependable as many of its forebears.
Suzuki Swift reliability
In our 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, Suzuki owners placed the brand in 14th place out of the 29 manufacturers covered. However, only 6% of owners reported having faults with their Suzuki, which means the company has a pretty impressive reputation for reliability. Although the Suzuki Swift was not specifically featured, few have a bad word to say for Suzuki when it comes to fuel economy and running costs, including dealer charges.
Interior and exterior design aren't widely praised, though, and owners would prefer a smoother ride and brakes.
Safety
Crash-test body Euro NCAP has given the Swift a dual rating, with the entry-level SZ3 trim receiving a disappointing three stars. This is due to its lack of advanced safety technology. The new SZ-L entry-level trim has features like adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, so we suspect this model will enjoy the rest of the range’s four-star score.
The SZ-T model gets plenty of safety features you’d normally expect to find on a much more expensive car. There’s technology that monitors your blind spots, keeps the car in its lane and reads traffic signs, for example.
