Used Suzuki Swift Sport for sale: everything you need to know

The Suzuki Swift Sport is now in its third generation in the UK, and the current model is quite different from its high-revving predecessors. Different doesn’t always mean better, but the Sport is still an appealing brisk supermini in a market where fewer and fewer manufacturers are offering such things.

The range is broadly split between pre- and post-2020 cars, the latter using hybrid assistance and actually being a little slower. The Sport was always quite expensive when new, which means there’s a real advantage to buying used.

In terms of performance, hot city cars like the Volkswagen Up GTI and Abarth 595 are closer to the Swift Sport than superminis like the Ford Fiesta ST, MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen Polo GTI, and if you’re prepared to look a little older, the choice opens up to Renault Sport Clios and Peugeot 208 GTIs too.

Should you buy a Suzuki Swift Sport?

The Suzuki Swift Sport is one of those cars that possibly makes more sense as a used buy than a new one. Suzuki’s reputation for reliability means a used car is unlikely to cause you much trouble, but shopping used means avoiding the sting of the car’s new price, which looked a little high at launch in 2017 and has only risen since.

Going hybrid in 2020 also changed the car’s character slightly. As we note in our full review, the car won’t be for everyone as a result - it’s among the slower hot hatches on the market - but the hybrid is even more frugal than the regular petrol car was, so it’s also pretty affordable to run by hot hatch standards.

Modest performance is made up for by the Swift’s light weight and agile handling. Earlier models leaned a little in corners and had surprisingly hefty steering for a small car, but the 2020 updates improved things. It’s genuinely fun to drive, the controls are all satisfying to use (it’s got a snappy gearshift and a nice firm brake pedal), and even rides quite well.

For one of the smaller superminis, it’s still practical too. You can fit two adults in the back seats, and the 265-litre boot is only slightly less than that of the larger and heavier Ford Fiesta. The interior feels a little low-rent in places, but it’s well-built - only the slightly old-tech infotainment screen lets things down.

When the current Swift Sport first arrived in 2017, its price tag was a little too close to the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is a much quicker, more serious alternative, while the Volkswagen Up GTI was more stylish and a lot cheaper. Newer Swifts don’t have that problem though, despite being more expensive, as neither of those rivals exists any longer. But the Up and Polo GTIs, Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTI, and Renault Sport Clio are still tempting used alternatives.

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What’s the best used Suzuki Swift Sport model to buy?

With no trim levels to choose between, this should be a simple answer, but it’s actually quite tricky given Suzuki made the car a mild hybrid in 2020. Performance took a bit of a tumble and the later engine doesn’t rev with quite the same enthusiasm, but Suzuki did improve the Swift Sport’s handling at the same time. So we’d recommend the earlier car if you want the most performance out of the box (especially if you’re inclined to modify your car, as hot hatch buyers are wont to do), and the later model if corners matter more than straights - and the chance of getting a nearly new model still in factory warranty.

Used Suzuki Swift Sport fuel economy and performance

• Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet: From 2017 to 2020 the Swift Sport used a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder attached to a six-speed manual gearbox. Peak power was quoted at 140PS, with 0-62mph taking 8.1 seconds and WLTP combined economy of 47.1mpg.
• Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid: Since 2020, the Sport has used a similar 1.4-litre turbo engine but assisted by a 10PS hybrid motor. Combined output has actually dropped to 129PS, and the 0-62mph time is slower too, at 9.1 seconds. Combined economy has improved slightly to 50.1mpg.

What used Suzuki Swift Sport trim levels are available?

Suzuki has kept things simple with the Swift Sport, with no separate trim levels. This means the company has given the Sport a pretty high standard specification to start with, while options amount to a selection of different colours (and on 2020-on versions, a couple of colours are available with a black roof).

• The Suzuki Swift Sport gets 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, auto LED headlights, electric folding door mirrors, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, a rear parking camera, a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, sports seats, privacy glass, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. 2020-on models get a similar list of equipment, with a handful of additional safety features.

Used Suzuki Swift Sport dimensions and boot size

The Suzuki Swift Sport’s dimensions are:

• Length: 3890mm
• Width: 1735mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1495mm

The Suzuki Swift Sport’s boot size is:

• 265 litres
• 579 litres (seats folded)

Used Suzuki Swift Sport road tax

A 2017 launch means that all Swift Sports of the current generation attract a flat rate of Vehicle Excise Duty, currently set at £180 per year. Going hybrid doesn’t affect things in this case, as it’s only a mild hybrid, so you’ll pay £180 for those too.

How much is it to insure a Suzuki Swift Sport?

Opt for the 2017-2020 model and you’ll be subject to surprisingly high group 35 insurance. The later hybrid drops this down to group 28, though this still seems like a lot - a Volkswagen Up GTI is just group 17, and the more powerful Fiesta ST still only starts in group 28, the same as the hybrid Swift Sport.

Read our full Suzuki Swift Sport review