Suzuki Swace | Test Drive
SUZUKI SWACE
Words Carlo Brema / Photos Ilario Villani
The partnership signed with Toyota in 2019 gives Suzuki a model that was still missing from its list and which represents in all respects a further leap forward, both in terms of size and overall quality. We are talking about the Swace – the Corolla Touring Sports counterpart – which, although it differs from its sister because of small cosmetic details, has a very specific identity and shares all the mechanical wizardry which makes it an interesting alternative for those looking for a car that is reliable, practical and that does not exceed thirty thousand Euros.
It is precisely the front that most characterizes the Swace, not only for a sporty look granted by thin lines and the marked curvature that outlines the optical groups and the grille, but also because it gives a personal identity that differs well from the Toyota own model. In a segment in which design is often limited to a stylistic concept that makes compromises dictated by size and family feeling, the Swace stands out for its personality and is immediately appealing, being easily noticed in traffic and making the whole side profile much less obvious than usual. The back is that portion that takes less stylistic freedom, but at the same time offers a truly remarkable load capacity with 600 liters in standard configuration and 1,606 with rear seats folded down. Being a wagon it is obvious that the first aspect that comes to mind is the space on board and in this regard we have five comfortable seats and soft materials and precise assembly almost everywhere. In short, the cockpit is a nice place to stay, where we also find an intelligent climate control system with physical buttons, something that is never to be taken for granted.
There are two displays, a 7″ in front of the driver and an 8″ touch screen positioned in the upper portion of the dashboard. Although the basic set-ups do not have satellite navigator, you can always connect your smartphone via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and use an external software, thus saving a few pennies that allows you to maintain an extremely competitive purchase price. Being a car designed both for daily commuting and for long journeys, we have a Full Hybrid unit, a 1.8 cc 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with two series motor-generators, for a total of 122 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. Traction is only at the front and is combined with the robust E-CVT which, despite some hesitation on secondary roads, is effective in an urban environment and able to confirm an average consumption of 5 liters per 100 km, even on motorway sections.
There are three different driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport, which affect the throttle response and consequently the range at disposal, without forgetting Brake Mode, which increases the engine brake, thus offering greater regeneration to the batteries. It is the car that decides how and when to use the electron reserve (and therefore the EV mode), the driver doesn’t have to worry about anything other than driving from one point to another and in this segment it doesn’t really have to be otherwise. The package in terms of level 2 driving assistance is also consistent, with cruise control, blind spot sensors, rear view camera, parking sensors and emergency braking with pedestrian recognition.
The Swace thus proves to be an excellent car that is also pleasant to drive, offering good visibility and a quiet ride accentuated by the soundproofing of the passenger compartment. The weight, just under a ton and a half, plays in favor of a truly negligible fuel consumption, while the 1.8 – even if it has no performance ambitions – proves to be brilliant and certainly able to satisfy regardless of the context of use. Is there something that does not work here? Seat adjustment and specs that are limited to a single engine. However, if we analyze the whole picture and an attack price of € 29,500, we found a car that is convincing in every point of view and undoubtedly capable of leading Suzuki towards an even more mature identity which at the same time maintains solidity and practicality as its main features.
SUZUKI SWACE HYBRID
Engine 4 cylinder Full Hybrid, 1.798 cc Power 122 hp Torque 142 Nm
Traction Front-Wheel-Drive Transmission E-CVT Single Speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 1.475 kg
0-100 kph 11,1 sec Top Speed 180 kph Price from €29.500