Endurance test: Seven months in the Suzuki Swift Sport

Asked time openly among us car connoisseurs: What do you think of strong small car? Maybe the VW Polo GTI? Or in this booklet featured Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi? Certainly a good choice, but a racer has hardly any on the screen: the Suzuki Swift Sport. This may be because the Japanese with 0.8 percent market share act more in the background, but also that their vehicles are quite inconspicuous. This principle remains true to the Swift Sport. Him we have taken during seven months and nearly 16,000 km under the microscope. When he rolls before our editorial, the unobtrusive appearance shows in natura. Certainly, a different front bumper, two single tailpipes at the rear and standard 17-inch alloy wheels along with 195er tires indicate the flagship of the Swift series. Then there is the color "Ablaze Red Metallic". It belongs to the extensive standard equipment, extra paid services are part of Suzuki not provided. On board are for 18,990 euros in addition to climate control, a CD Radio with USB port and bi-xenon headlights, cruise control and heated seats.

Ultimate Extras are missing
Lots of it and much in it, but we would at least still desired rear parking beepers, since the Swift Sport is not optimally visible in this direction despite only 3.89 meters in length. For astonishment ensured the execution of some extras: So degenerates the music selection from a USB stick in a game of patience and the single-stage seat heating mutated after a few minutes to grill. About the fact that it was the Swift Sport so far only in three-door, one may argue, there are now also a version with rear portals. But why are the rear seats to be folded is only as a whole, remains a mystery. It could use a split back good, because the trunk with 211 liters fälllt in the normal state pretty puny. Extremely annoying turns out the shaky rack. It is not hung up on the tailgate, so that often the window is hidden when forgotten, they hinunterzuklappen.

Noisy but elastic
Inside the grip steering wheel and comfortable sport seats were praised, but there were deductions for the simple and scratch-prone material appearance. With respect to the standard sports chassis, the opinions were divided: here "firm, but well balanced," there "somewhat hard". Law consistently the judgment was on the drive: Overly bubbly the 136-hp engine is not going to work, but he prefers elastic at low engine speeds up. Only at higher tours of the Suzuki acting reasonably fast. Then it's uncomfortably loud as the sixth gear of the otherwise crisp gearbox is translated too short. In general, the soundscape is improved, dull-brummig the Swift Sport goes to work. Even Suzuki admits himself that the highway is not his best area. Actually makes the small Japanese in the city and on the highway the most fun. For the direct steering provides, in town can at 50 km / h are chosen fifth gear. Finally, we were surprised when consumption: Despite a high proportion of highway average was acceptable 7.6 liter or 1.2 liter above the factory specification.