DubiCars Car Spotlight — Suzuki Swift History, Generations, Models & More: The Do-It-All Hatchback

When one thinks of entry-level hatchbacks, the Suzuki Swift is one of the first cars that comes to mind. It does all the things expected of a hatchback and then some more. Small wonder then, that the Suzuki Swift is one of the most popular hatchbacks in the world with over seven million units sold so far.

It is a hatchback that has captured the hearts of consumers since its inception. Over the years, this versatile and affordable vehicle has evolved through several generations, each one refining and redefining its identity. Suzuki even offered the Swift Sport as a hot hatchback for enthusiasts. In this edition of the DubiCars Car Spotlight, we take a look at the history, generations, models, and more about the Suzuki Swift.

Origins Of The Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift as we know it went into production in 2004. However, the Suzuki Swift name has been around since 1983. It was the year in which Suzuki launched a car named the Cultus. The Suzuki Cultus was sold only in Japan, but in international markets, the same car was known by several other names.

The various names given to the car included Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Forsa, Maruti Suzuki Esteem, Chevrolet Swift, Chevrolet Sprint, etc. In the year 2000, Suzuki discontinued the Cultus nameplate, replacing it with Suzuki Swift. This Suzuki Swift was produced until 2006 and was sold in some markets alongside the new global market Suzuki Swift launched in 2004.

First Generation | 2004 – 2021

At the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the first-generation Suzuki Swift was revealed. It received a lot of attention from the global media. Everyone appreciated the design aspect as it looked sporty and stylish. The hatchback went into production the same year, however, it was launched in international markets only in 2005.

The first-generation Suzuki Swift is still lauded for its agility and brilliant handling characteristics. Building on its sporty handling, Suzuki launched the Swift Sport in 2005 with a large 1.6-litre engine producing 123hp & 148Nm. It featured a 5-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. This made it one of the best hot hatches in the world.

Standard editions of the Swift were front-wheel-driven and were powered by several engine options depending on the market it was sold in. Petrol engines ranged from 1.2-litres to 1.5-litres in size while there was only one diesel option — a 1.3-litre inline-four unit sourced from Fiat. Production for most countries ended in 2010, but it was produced in India until 2011, in China until 2018 and in Pakistan until 2021.

Second Generation | 2010 – 2017

The second generation of the Suzuki Swift, which hit the market in 2010, introduced a more aerodynamic and streamlined design. It was available in three-door and five-door hatchback body styles, and it continued to win over drivers with its value for money and fuel-efficient engines.

The Swift’s reputation as a dependable and easy-to-maintain vehicle contributed to its sustained success. The second generation too was a fun-to-drive little hatchback. The same petrol and diesel engines were retained. However, the engines were tuned to be more efficient and environment-friendly this time.

Third Generation | 2017 – Present

The third generation of the Suzuki Swift, introduced in 2017, marks a departure from its predecessors in terms of design. It features a more sophisticated and stylish exterior, taking design cues from its more premium sibling, the Suzuki Baleno. The interior received an upgrade as well, with improved materials and technology, making it a more appealing option for tech-savvy consumers.

The third-generation Swift also boasts a range of powertrains. For the first time, the Suzuki Swift featured a mild hybrid powertrain option, and buyers could pick between a small 1.0-litre turbocharged inline-3 engine, a 1.2-litre NA unit, or a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. Even the Swift Sport features a 1.4-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine. This generation certainly solidified the Swift’s position as a global compact car.

Fourth Generation | Production To Start In 2024

On 25 October 2023, the next-gen Suzuki Swift was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki called it a concept, however, it looks production-ready and is expected to go into production early in 2024. The silhouette of the hatchback remains unchanged, however, the grille, headlamps, bumper, and wheels have all been redesigned.

Just like the previous generation, the new Swift will be powered only by petrol engine options. A 1.2-litre inline-three-cylinder mild hybrid has already been revealed. More engine options will be revealed soon.

Swift Dzire

To piggyback on the success that the Swift hatchback garnered, Suzuki developed a subcompact sedan measuring under 4-metres in length. It was launched in 2008 and powered by the same engine as the Swift hatchback. Three generations of the Swift Dzire have been launched so far.

Suzuki Swift In Motorsport

The Suzuki Swift has had remarkable success in motorsport and has solidified its reputation as a versatile and capable performer on the race track. The Swift has consistently demonstrated its prowess in various racing categories, including rallying and circuit racing. It has dominated events like the JWRC S1600 Rally, British Rally Championship, All-Japan Rally Championship, Suzuki Rally Cup and so much more.

Most Popular Suzuki Swift Generations In The UAE

The first-gen Suzuki Swift is a rare sight on UAE’s roads. However, the second and third generations are more popular and can be sighted more often. We can expect the fourth generation to arrive in the UAE as soon as production begins.