Hello, car fans. Joseph here, Content Lead for Philkotse.com. Like many of my contemporaries from Generation X, I grew up watching Japanese henshin and super sentai shows on TV, where characters used improbable transformations and shouted their fighting moves out loud.
Cool costumes, fantastical weapons, and even the awe-inspiring mechas used in an episode’s climactic fight scene were known trademarks of this genre. But the ones that made the biggest impression on me were the vehicles that the protagonists used when they were out on patrols.
And more often than not, those rides were made by Suzuki. Whether it was the Bio Mach motorcycles on Choudenshi Bioman, the nondescript blue SJ with the top down on Shaider, or even Mask Rider Black’s Battle Hopper, the product placement ingrained in my young mind that Suzuki was what the good guys used.
The Suzuki Swift wasn't built for fighting aliens, but it will still get you pumped up
Years later, I got a front-row seat to probably the first Suzuki I’ve ever wanted to get since: the Suzuki Swift.
Small yet incredible
It isn’t exactly built as a battle steed against alien monsters and villainous cyborgs, but the Swift still has the chops to get you ready for action. The small dimensions on the subcompact hatchback make it a joy to bring on urban commutes, aside from resulting in hassle-free parking. It has a wide and low-slung stance inspired by a certain British four-wheeled icon, and the generous greenhouse does away with much of the blind spots, inspiring confidence even for newbie drivers.
Its petite dimensions make it a breeze to drive
Don’t let the conservative proportions fool you though, as the Swift has more than ample space inside for up to five occupants, especially with the current generation’s increased proportions. Plastic surfaces are par for the course on the Swift’s price range, but the generous head- and legroom overall won’t leave you feeling shortchanged. There’s ample space for groceries and luggage with 242 liters behind the rear seats, expandable to 918 liters with all but the driver’s seat folded down.
The anti-theft head unit on the first release appealed to me, but I suppose the Swift has to keep up with the times, which explains the presence of a multimedia touchscreen display in the center of the dashboard. At least the flat-bottomed steering wheel is a nice touch, echoing Suzuki’s sporty aspirations for its hatchback.
The current generation has a sporty-looking interior
A curb weight of just 1,000 kgs. helped the Swift effortlessly live up to its name, especially with the 1.5-liter M15A gasoline engine from Japan on the first generation. The particular downside of that motor was that it was a bit too thirsty for its own good, which wasn’t consistent with Suzuki’s reputation for economy and efficiency. That changed with the switch to a more frugal 1.2-liter engine along with a lighter body. The cool factor of having a 4-speed gated automatic gave way to the practicality of a CVT, but hey, at least you’re guaranteed to be left with more than just chump change by the end of the week.
There's ample space behind the rear seats for cargo, and the included tonneau cover is a nice touch
Despite the downsized powertrain, the Swift doesn’t feel compromised. Even when you tap the gas pedal midway to the floor, the smaller engine is happy to oblige. There’s less mass to deal with, which consequently means better handling, near the top of its class. The belts and pulleys that pass for a gearbox might feel a little strained at times with spirited driving, but it’s more to remind you of what the Swift is for rather than something to be concerned about.
Despite being downsized, the engine feels as responsive as ever, if not more so
Before taking the wheel of the Swift, I had been accustomed to rear-wheel drivetrains and truck-based platforms. This front-driven mighty mini with the unibody frame made outdoor forays less of a chore for me, giving way to a realization: the Swift might be a decent family car, but it’s also an indulgence to hoard all to yourself, especially when it tackles corners with aplomb like an oversized go-kart, to your passengers’ occasional chagrin.
I tend to be drawn towards cars that are not about acceleration so much as agility. In that regard, the Suzuki Swift fits the bill nicely, so it qualifies as a car that I’d want to buy someday. But for now, I’ll be off to watch reruns of more tokusatsu shows over the weekend.
Know more about Suzuki Swift 2024
The Swift is the Japanese small-car expert Suzuki's entry into the growing demand for reliable subcompact hatchbacks. For the Philippine market, the Suzuki Swift 2025 has one variant which is the Swift 1.2 CVT. It comes with a price tag of Php 989,000.
Powering the Philippine-spec Suzuki Swift is a 1.2-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. This four-banger can make up to 82 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque. The said engine is then paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) only. Power is then sent to its front wheels.
Size-wise, the Suzuki Swift is 3,840mm long, 1,735mm wide, and 1,495mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,450mm and a ground clearance of 120mm.
Locally, the Swift Philippines competes against the likes of the Toyota Wigo, Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Brio, Kia Picanto, and the Mazda2 Hatchback.
>>> New and used Suzuki Swift 2025 for sale in the Philippines
Suzuki Swift Launch
The Suzuki Swift was released on June 28, 2018, together with the Suzuki Dzire. The revamped model got more curves, letting go of its previous boxy build. This helps Suzuki make its entry to the local market more competitive as other rivals such as the Toyota Wigo come with great hatchback styling.
Suzuki offers the hatchback in the Philippines with one variant only, namely the GL 1.2 CVT priced at Php 844,000.
The Suzuki Swift goes to Guitar Pusher | Philkotse Trippings
Suzuki Swift Exterior
The overall look of the Suzuki Swift Philippines is clean, athletic, and mature in a good way. Its sporty-looking grille, LED headlights, and daytime running LED light complements each other, creating a strong front fascia look. Meanwhile, the body lines on the sides going to the rear are sleek, connecting with the taillights that are wonderfully incorporated which give a fluidity throughout.
A noteworthy update is the hidden rear door handle. It makes the Japanese hatchback look like a two-door sports car from afar. Another well thought detail is the black accents below the roofline that goes all the way to the back. It gives a snazzier styling on the side.
Suzuki Swift Interior
Dominating inside the Suzuki Swift 2025 Philippines is mostly sturdy plastic beneficial to the car’s weight capacity, as well as for cost-cutting measures. Interior panels are black and shiny providing a solemn vibe. As for the head and legroom, these are pleasant for adult-size passengers, while the cargo compartment can carry 242 liters and can be further expanded by folding the rear seats. The driver and passenger seats at the front and back are plush, making near or long drives enjoyable.
The standard features Suzuki Philippines incorporated in the hatchback include fabric seats, a sun visor for passenger's side with a vanity mirror, two cup holders for the front and one for the rear passenger, two bottle holders upfront and two at the back, chrome parking brake release button, and white door trim ornaments with a dimple pattern.
Suzuki Philippines Colors
For something affordable, the 2025 Swift Swift five-seater hatchback looks like it could do well on twisty roads. Specifically, Suzuki gave it a planted look that has some degree of sportiness to it. To further give flavor to its design, there are six Suzuki Swift colors to choose from.
That said, the Suzuki Swift Philippines can come in white (Pure White Pearl). One can also have the Suzuki Swift in red (Ablaze Red Pearl). There’s also the Suzuki Swift grey (Mineral Gray Metallic), and Suzuki Swift blue (Speed Blue Metallic).
Technology & Safety
The Suzuki Swift is equipped with an 8-inch infotainment screen as standard that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The said system is complemented by two front and two rear speakers for the entertainment of all passengers on the road.
As for safety, the Japanese hatchback was accredited with an outstanding four-star by the ASEAN NCAP and three-star by the Euro NCAP for its safety performance. It is designed with a lot of safety features such as an anti-lock braking system paired with electronic brakeforce distribution, crash and reversing sensors, and front dual airbags.
Platform & Chassis
The Suzuki Swift Philippines is a five-door hatchback with a front-engine, front-wheel layout considered as a Supermini (B segment) type. Though small compared to other vehicles in the Philippines, it generally functions like a sedan. Its platform is the Suzuki HEARTECT, known for its reliable metal strength, innovative design, and body structure that can absorb impacts. Meanwhile, the chassis was designed to equally distribute force, ensuring a small amount will be felt inside the vehicle in case of a collision.
Suzuki Swift Engine & Drivetrain
The Suzuki Swift is powered by a 1.2-liter K12M gasoline engine that makes 82 hp at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 4,200, providing a fuel-efficient vehicle for Filipino car buyers. It is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard.
Suzuki Swift 2025 Price List
Let's check out the Suzuki Swift 2025 price in January in the Philippines.
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL | ₱989,000 |
Suzuki Swift FAQs
1. Is the Suzuki Swift fuel efficient?
Yes, the Swift's average fuel consumption is 20km/L when driving on the highway.
2. Is the Suzuki Swift Philippines 2025 reliable?
Yes, the Suzuki Swift can handle great, is fuel-efficient, and most importantly, very affordable. It is a suitable option for those who live and work in the city.
3. How much is Suzuki Ertiga 2025 in the Philippines?
Suzuki Ertiga 2025 has only available variants. It is a Suzuki Swift GL 1.2 CVT with a price tag of 989,000 PHP.
4. What is the body type of the Suzuki Swift?
Suzuki Swift is a Hatchback.
5. Which Suzuki Swift Philippines color is best?
It’s difficult to tell which color is best since this depends on each one’s preference. However, Suzuki Swift White seems to be a popular choice.
₱ 972,000
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