The 2021 Suzuki Swift: A facelift and added safety features

Suzuki has facelifted its budget-friendly Swift for the 2021 model year, offering minor visual changes. The hatchback still presents excellent value for money with three consecutive Cars Awards Budget Car of the Year triumphs.

What has changed?

The Suzuki Swift now comes with two additional colour choices (comprising a few 2-tone options on the GLX variant) and a fresh 15-inch alloy wheel design. 

The Japanese automaker has also augmented the safety profile by adding electronic stability control across the line-up. Moreover, the automated manual models now have Hill-start assist, making it easier to manoeuvre the car on an incline. The GA and GL variants come equipped with rear parking sensors, while the GLX gets a reverse-view camera.

The power comes from the same naturally aspired 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine creating 61 kW and 113 Nm of torque. Perhaps, Suzuki doesn't have to change the mill since it is highly fuel-efficient, regularly returning about 4.9L/100 km. The engine mates to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. 

The city car features a floating roof style, dense shoulder lines, and a strong side-body carving, giving it a distinct look. It also has a slightly lower, shorter and wider stance than other hatchbacks on the South African market, making it easier to spot it on the road.

Inside, you can expect the typical cabin of a city hatchback. The entry-level GA gets a simple radio that doesn’t even have a mobile connectivity option… quite sad for a 2021 model car! The GL comes equipped with a CD player radio with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port. The top-of-the-line GLX has something every driver would want - a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system similar to what we find in the Ignis and the Vitara Brezza. It supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity through a USB port.

While it doesn’t come with any driver assistance features, the inclusion of an electronic stability control system is a healthy addition. Driver and passenger airbags are standard, and so is the ABS/EBD. It would have been excellent to get curtain airbags, but perhaps it is not a priority in this class. The inclusion of standard rear parking sensors and the reverse-view camera for the GLX also adds to the 2021 Suzuki Swift’s merits. 

The entry-level Suzuki Swift GA manual-only starts at R180,900. The GL manual costs R199,900, while the automatic variant is priced from R214,900. The range-topping GLX manual sets you back R218,900 while the automatic starts at R234,900. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

Suzuki offers a 5-year/100,000 km promotional warranty and 2-year/30,000 km service plan for the Swift.

The 2021 Suzuki Swift comes with few visual changes, and perhaps they were enough for buyers seeking excellent value for money. Evidently, the company didn’t want to spoil its winning formula, so they made a few tweaks to keep the offering fresh. The addition of electronic stability control definitely enhances its appeal.

Looking for other cars in this segment? Read our monthly reviews on the MotorHappy blog. 

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.zigwheels.com