Talk about economy: Suzuki's pint-size Swift hatchback coupe pulls impressive low numbers to the bottom line for an initial purchase, then delivers high fuel economy figures to save more money down the road on gasoline.
The base three-door Swift GA hatchback with manual five-speed gearbox, which happens to be the lowest-priced car in a line of economical Japanese minicars, delivers some of the best fuel economy figures of all gas-burning cars sold in North America.
Thus, saving money, it seems obvious from the outset, becomes an overriding concept behind Suzuki's small car.
That penny-pinching stance extends beyond the fuel pump because Swift offers highly competitive retail prices, beginning at $9,099 for the Swift GA. Even the top Swift, a GL equipped with air conditioning, cassette player and an optional three-speed automatic transmission comes home for about $11,200.
Suzuki's Swift divides into two levels of trim: GA ($9,099) and GL ($10,099). The base Swift GA does not include air conditioning or a stereo audio package, which come standard on the GL.
Each version uses the same modest four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard. A three-speed automatic transmission is available as a $650 option.
Exterior styling for the Swift traces to a generational update which occurred in 1995, but the overall wedge-shaped form and aerodynamic sculpting of nose and wavy side panels continues to look fresh and contemporary.
The front hood slants sharply forward to a rounded prow accented by a narrow central grille and flanking pair of halogen headlamps, all underscored by a thick black sport bumper which extends around corners to the forward wheelwells. Curvy creases in the hood articulate the headlight clusters and put a bump in the hood's center dome, with all hood lines flowing upward and rearward until merging into the bold expanse of a canted windshield.
At the top of the windshield the roofline extends along in a flat line until interrupted by the quick descent of a forward-tilting hatchback lid that drops down to a thick back bumper in black. Side panels bulge in wavy undulations above the horizontal band of black protective molding, but black tires capped by full wheel covers measure only 13 inches wide and seem undersized in proportions of a toy car.
Still, a high wrap of tinted glass rings the passenger compartment and makes Swift look tall, although the roof actually rises only four and a half feet above the ground.
Swift's cockpit fits snugly like Spandex. Inside are twin bucket seats up front and a modest two-place rear bench. However, you don't feel crammed into subcompact confines of what otherwise could be a mobile sardine can because Suzuki's designers managed to deliver the impossible in a midget economy car: Elbow room.
The front bucket seats with firm side bolsters appear ideally placed to prevent shoulders and arms from bumping against either a fellow rider or the door panel. Headroom is generous for a small car, reflecting the high ceiling, although a long-legged rider will find the space left over for lower limbs only adequate.
In the rear, legroom diminishes further, making the back seat suitable only for children. When not needed for passengers, the rear bench folds forward to expand rear cargo space - the best configuration.
Front seats clad in stain-resistant fabric upholstery provide four-way directional adjustments and flank a central console with cupholders and the floor-mounted gearshift lever. Carpeting extends from front to rear, with each side door adding a vinyl insert and map bin. Overhead, a one-piece cloth headliner conceals extra insulation designed to dampen noise in the cabin.
The dashboard has a central section with controls for air management and optional audio equipment, and the straight-forward instrument panel adds analog gauges for speedometer, tachometer and water temperature, plus a trip odometer and warning lights for oil pressure and battery charge.
