DT Garage: Suzuki Swift Sport – what’s it like on longer journeys?
Country roads (motorways), take me home, to the place I belong
As things have continued to open up, that means longer journeys around the UK. Home-home is a good 180 miles from home.
But how would the Suzuki Swift Sport cope? Would there be enough space for all my stuff (I do have a lot of stuff), and would it be comfortable on longer journeys?
Me and my supermini were off on an adventure. As it’s just me and my other half, and no dependents, most of the time I’m only really using the front two seats.
I have had two adults in the back seats, albeit not for a three-hour journey. But plied with some Haribo, even on an hour and a half long journey, there were no complaints about space. They were both smaller than 6 feet tall though, and if you have friends of a taller persuasion, the result might be a little different, even with copious amounts of sugar. Head and leg room should be fine, but knee room might be a little more of an issue.
At the tender age of 31, I’ve still not learned the art of likely packing lightly. Going for a weekend away, most people would assume I’m going on a three-week holiday. The boot space of the Suzuki Swift is 264 litres, which is pretty average.
The boot is nothing particularly fancy...
The Ford Fiesta has a bit more space at 290 litres, and other superminis have a bit more than that, but I’m not sure people looking to buy a Suzuki Swift Sport would be looking at the likes of a Kia Rio, for example. Just a hunch. Also, in fairness to the Suzuki Swift Sport, the whole car is quite a bit shorter than most of its rivals, so you’ll always be able to squeeze into a parking space.
There is quite a significant lip to lift things over in the boot, but that’s never really bothered me in cars. And honestly, like parking spaces, I have squeezed so many bags and suitcases and various bits and bobs in there over the past few months, it’s probably broken some sort of record.
On longer journeys, you do find those sport seats a little firm on the old thighs after a while, but I never had any issues with back pain or neck pain. The suspension is also quite firm, but it’s not too bad on motorway stints. Naturally, it’s not as cushty as a big soft SUV, but for most people it would be fine.
One of the more annoying things about the Suzuki Swift Sport on long journeys is how noisy it is. At around the 70mph mark, it’s doing just shy of 3000 rpm… of course you can turn your music up to drown it out, and soundproofing has been improved since the last model, but it’s still not perfect.
After a few treks in the Suzuki Swift Sport, it does have its issues, but I’ve never been desperate to get out of it after a long journey. I am still missing some heated seats though…
Join In
Comments (4)
I do genuinely love this car, I just can't get my head around the price. The Ford Fiesta ST is far quicker and just not really comparable, but the price gap wouldn't have you think that.
Nice car and can do the longer journeys but I there are better suited cars for those journeys.
I drive a diesel Mercedes e class estate, it does the long journeys perfectly, it’s quieter than my petrol on those journeys as it runs 1350rpm at 70mph and better insulated. I get out after long journeys totally relaxed.
The swift’s natural environment is the city and if that’s what you do most of the time then great. I’d hire a large car for those longer journeys and you have the best of both.
I'm probably the two Jean's trousers and many
t shirts guy so luggage isn't a problem for me😂😂 the trick is to wear more james mayie tropical floral tops as possible
Oh, 3000rpm at motorway speeds, I once had a Fiat 124 Sports CC coupe that was the same, and long journeys were always noisy, that I've never forgotten.