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Suzuki Swift (2011-2018) Buyer’s Guide
Searching for a big-on-value yet fun-to-drive used hatchback (or, indeed, sedan)? Let’s take a closer look at the 2nd-generation Suzuki Swift’s strengths and weaknesses, plus which variant you should consider…
When Suzuki returned to South Africa in early 2008 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hamamatsu-based company, it had just 2 products on offer: the original SX4 and the first-generation Swift (though the badge’s obscure history stretches back to 1983, the first global version debuted in 2004). Today, the Japanese firm’s local range comprises as many as 13 nameplates, with the 3rd-generation Swift leading the sales charge and helping Suzuki Auto SA slingshot itself into 3rd place on the list of the country’s biggest automakers by volume.
Of course, a 2nd-gen Swift was available locally from 2011 to 2018, and that’s the model we’ll focus on here. Though the AZG-generation Swift stayed true to its forebear’s winning formula, it was a little larger and featured a slightly smaller engine. While some overseas markets offered both 3- and 5-door body styles, only the latter was available in Mzansi (along with the 4-door notchback sedan that arrived in 2014 in the form of the somewhat awkwardly styled Swift DZire).
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Searching for a big-on-value yet fun-to-drive used hatchback (or, indeed, sedan)? Let’s take a closer look at the 2nd-generation Suzuki Swift’s strengths and weaknesses, plus which variant you should consider…
When Suzuki returned to South Africa in early 2008 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hamamatsu-based company, it had just 2 products on offer: the original SX4 and the first-generation Swift (though the badge’s obscure history stretches back to 1983, the first global version debuted in 2004). Today, the Japanese firm’s local range comprises as many as 13 nameplates, with the 3rd-generation Swift leading the sales charge and helping Suzuki Auto SA slingshot itself into 3rd place on the list of the country’s biggest automakers by volume.
Of course, a 2nd-gen Swift was available locally from 2011 to 2018, and that’s the model we’ll focus on here. Though the AZG-generation Swift stayed true to its forebear’s winning formula, it was a little larger and featured a slightly smaller engine. While some overseas markets offered both 3- and 5-door body styles, only the latter was available in Mzansi (along with the 4-door notchback sedan that arrived in 2014 in the form of the somewhat awkwardly styled Swift DZire).
Suzuki Swift (2011-2018) Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know about the Suzuki Swift when it comes to buying a used model. What goes wrong? What to look out for?
