Suzuki Swift review - Interior & comfort

Interior quality has never really been a strong point for the Suzuki Swift, and unfortunately that’s still the case on the latest version. There’s a noticeable use of lots of cheap, scratchy plastics, where many other rivals instead feature soft-touch materials that give a more upmarket feel. On the other hand, while the Swift may be lacking in flair, it does make up for it in standard equipment, which will be important for many buyers.

We like the fact that the Swift’s headlining is finished in a light grey colour, as it helps to brighten up what could otherwise be a fairly dark and gloomy cabin. The two-tone dashboard contributes on this front, too, while making the interior space a little more interesting with its angular design. The replacement of the large funky speedo from the outgoing car by a more conventional one is disappointing, though, as it was one of the few interesting elements. While its analogue dials are nice and clear, we also can’t help but feel they’ll look increasingly dated next to the digital items of an increasing number of rivals.

Is the Suzuki Swift’s infotainment and navigation system easy to use?

The latest Swift gets a larger touchscreen than before, and it’s perched on top of the centre of the dash, meaning it’s easier to glance at without taking your eyes off the road. However, despite being a new system, the infotainment already feels dated alongside that of competitors such as the MG3. The screen isn’t particularly sharp, the whole unit is surrounded by a chunky bezel and Suzuki’s software feels very basic and isn’t the most responsive. On a more positive note, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard, meaning you can use these instead. The infotainment setup in rivals like the Hyundai i20 feels more cohesive.

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Is the Suzuki Swift well equipped?

For the price, the Swift is fairly well equipped. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility will be a key feature that many buyers will appreciate, and all cars also get LED headlights, keyless entry and go, a reversing camera, heated seats and lots of driver assistance tech. It’s clear Suzuki is hoping to win over buyers with its value-for-money offering.

What options should you choose on the Suzuki Swift?

The Suzuki Swift doesn’t come with many optional extras, but buyers can choose from a wide variety of colours in three categories: premium single-tone colours, dual-tone colours for an added level of depth, or premium dual-tone colours. There’s not as much scope for customisation as you’d find offered on a MINI, however.