Suzuki Swift lifestyle
At the time of writing, Suzuki South Africa had secured sixth place in the South African vehicle sales market with 1 787 units sold in September of 2020. One of the frontrunners driving the success of the Japanese marque is its Swift. The team at AutoAdvisor recently spent time with the Swift in manual GLX guise to see how the added specification of the newer derivative has added to the lifestyle appeal of the product.
Added exterior kit
The exterior of the GLX benefits from the addition of 15-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured mirror caps and door handles as well as blacked-out A-and-B-Pillars. The test unit is fitted with an optional body kit which includes a rear spoiler, rear bumper, side mouldings, and front spoiler. Suzuki offers items such as door visors, bumper protectors, garnish for the C-Pillars, door handle covers, roof racks, mud flaps, taillamp garnish, fog lamp garnish, rear bumper garnish, an enhanced front grille as well as both front and rear underbody spoilers.
These additions mean that you can personalize your Swift to your heart's content while maintaining your factory warranty. While many of these accessories are there to add style, some, such as the mud flaps and especially the factory-approved roof racks, allow for added functionality, allowing you to mount items such as a roof box, bicycle racks, and surfboard carriers, transforming your city-based hatchback into an adventure machine.
Interior Features
In addition to the exterior additions, GLX model Swifts also benefit from interior upgrades such as automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel as well as keyless access with a Start/Stop button. Perhaps the most important addition is that of the brand's latest 7.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system is thoroughly up to date, featuring niceties such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth and voice command functionality.
Verdict
The addition of 'big car' features, as well as the option of customization to the Swift line-up, has made the Swift a compelling option within the market. The Swift GLX is the perfect product for those looking to either upgrade or downscale on their current automotive companion without compromising on both features and the ability to personalise their vehicle.
Also worth a look: the Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Starts 2025 with Record-Breaking Sales in South Afric.
FAQ
Q: What does the Suzuki Swift GLX cost in South Africa?
The Suzuki Swift GLX manual typically retails from around R285,000 to R315,000 depending on the dealer and any optional extras you spec, making it one of the more affordable ways to get proper alloy wheels and a decent infotainment system in a compact hatchback.
Q: Is the Suzuki Swift GLX worth buying over the base model?
Absolutely, the GLX's extra R30,000 to R40,000 over the base Swift gets you 15-inch alloys, automatic climate control, keyless entry, and that crucial 7-inch touchscreen, which transforms the driving experience from basic transport to proper lifestyle vehicle.
Q: What engine does the Suzuki Swift GLX have and how powerful is it?
The Swift GLX runs Suzuki's proven 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 61kW and 113Nm, which is perfectly adequate for city driving and weekend adventures, especially given the Swift's lightweight 890kg kerb weight.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Suzuki Swift GLX?
Suzuki claims the Swift GLX manual delivers around 5.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, and in real-world driving you can expect between 5.5 to 6.5 litres per 100km depending on your right foot's discipline.
Q: What accessories can you add to the Suzuki Swift GLX?
Suzuki offers an extensive accessory catalogue including body kits, roof racks, mud flaps, door visors, and various garnish pieces, with the full styling package adding roughly R15,000 to R25,000 to transform your Swift into a properly personalised ride while maintaining your factory warranty.
Should You Buy It?
The Suzuki Swift GLX manual is absolutely worth your consideration if you're shopping for a stylish, reliable hatchback under R320,000 in South Africa. At around R295,000 to R315,000, it delivers genuine lifestyle appeal with those smart 15-inch alloys, automatic climate control, and a proper touchscreen infotainment system that many competitors charge extra for. The extensive accessories catalogue means you can personalise it from sensible city runabout to adventure-ready weekender without voiding your warranty. Sure, the 61kW engine won't set your pants on fire, but it's perfectly adequate for SA conditions and delivers excellent fuel economy. The Swift GLX hits that sweet spot of affordable purchase price, low running costs, and enough style to make you smile every time you walk up to it in the shopping centre car park.
