Suzuki Swift 2021: hatch packs more tech from under $19k driveaway in Australia

Suzuki has updated its much-loved Swift hatchback here in Australia, kitting it out with a slew of upgrades – but the faithful hatchback still starts well under the $20,000 barrier.

The facelifted 2021 Suzuki Swift has landed in Australia, with the updated hatchback offering an appealing amount of safety and tech upgrades with a starting price of just $18,990 driveaway.

The second in-house generation of the Suzuki Swift first launched in Australia in 2017 and will continue to be offered in a choice of three grades known as the GL Navigator, GL Navigator Plus and GLX Turbo.

Suzuki Swift 2021 rear — The Suzuki Swift has been updated for 2021 with more safety and tech

Kicking off the range is the Swift GL Navigator at the headlined $18,990 driveaway price point with a five-speed manual hooked up to a 1.2-litre four-cylinder putting out 66kW/120Nm, with the CVT automatic option bumping up the price to $19,990 driveaway.

A sub-$20,000 driveaway price point with an included automatic is becoming rarer in this segment, with the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris moving considerably more upmarket in the last twelve months.

Suzuki Swift 2021 interior — The Swift comes with a seven-inch touchscreen as standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Suzuki has added a digital speedometer and automatic windows to the Swift as standard for 2021. Building on existing features included with the base model such as a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Buyers opting for the automatic-only Swift GL Navigator Plus grade pay slightly more at $21,490 driveaway, but gain a slew of new safety features including blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert.

Suzuki Swift 2021 front — The Swift is available in three grades, with the base model GL Navigator starting from just $18,990 with a manual transmission

The top-spec Swift GLX Turbo bumps to price up to $25,290 driveaway and adds niceties such as LED headlights, keyless entry and push button start but the real standout feature is the turbocharged one-litre three-cylinder engine.

The smaller engine delivers slightly worse claimed fuel economy – at 5.1L/100km compared to 4.8L/100km – but packs 82kW of power and 160Nm of torque, alongside a more inspiring torque converter six-speed automatic transmission.

The Suzuki Swift now wears a slightly sharper exterior, with revised front bumper and grille along with new 16 alloy wheels. Metallic paint is a $595 extra across the range.

Suzuki Swift Sport 2021 — The Suzuki Swift Sport is a potent hot hatch that can do 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds

Suzuki also offers an entry-level hot hatch in the form of the Swift Sport model.

The Suzuki Swift has gained a reputation for being an affordable city hatchback but for also being incredibly good fun and seriously rapid in the Sport variant.

Under the bonnet is a potent little turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine putting out 103kW of power and 230Nm of torque. That might not seem like a lot but when the entire car weighs just 970kg that tiny engine can propel the Swift Sport from 0 to 100km/h in around 7.5 seconds.

Suzuki continues to offer the Swift Sport with a six-speed manual ($29,990 driveaway) alongside a six-speed automatic with wheel-mounted paddle shifters ($31,990 driveaway).

All Suzuki models are offered with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty with capped price services also offered for five years or 100,000kms.