SUZUKI has treated its Swift supermini, a Drive favourite, to a facelift to help keep it fresh for 2021.
There's a new front end, equipment levels have been raised and more safety kit is offered.
Trim levels now start at SZ-L, rising from there through SZ-T to SZ-5. The four-wheel-drive Allgrip model comes only as an SZ-5.
The entry SZ-L is very well equipped - it has six airbags, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, LED headlamps, air conditioning, DAB radio, privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
SZ-T trim adds safety kit such as lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.
The SZ-5 gets a navigation system, automatic air conditioning, keyless entry and start, telescopic steering wheel adjustment and rear electric windows.
Despite all this kit, the Swift SZ-L is still a flyweight 911kg - the car's lack of flab is part of a virtuous circle that leads not only to greater efficiency but also helps make the Swift be such good fun to drive.
There's a new 1.2-litre Dualjet engine, with 82bhp and 79lb ft and CO2 emissions of 111g/km. Its combined fuel consumption is 57.2mpg.
It comes with a 12 volt mild-hybrid system; compared to the previous version, the lithium-ion battery's capacity has been upgraded from 3Ah to 10Ah.
The mild-hybrid system incorporates an 'integrated starter generator' which acts as both a generator and starter motor. It assists the engine during vehicle take off and acceleration and also generates electricity through regenerative braking.
It makes a modest 3bhp but a more useful sounding 37lb ft of torque, and the whole system adds just 6.2kg to the weight of the car.
A five-speed manual is standard, and the SZ-T and SZ5 models can also be ordered with a CVT automatic transmission.
Prices start at £14,749 for the SZ-L, which represents very strong value, with the SZ-T £16,249 and the SZ5 £17,749. The CVT adds £1,000, as does four-wheel-drive.
