Hello, Cesar here. A few months ago, just before the second enhanced community quarantine, I bought myself a used 2018 Suzuki Swift. So why a used Swift? Well, let me share with you why I chose that car and why I am content, and even happy with my choice.
Here it is folks, my 2018 Suzuki Swift
Necessity outweighs wants
Just like most future car buyers, I had a plan. Now this plan wasn’t the most logical, as it involved saving up money to buy something fun instead of something practical. I was even prepared to commute for years on end just to get the car I wanted.
To be specific, I originally wanted a Japanese two-door coupe. This meant something along the lines of the GT86, a good ol’ NA Miata, or an MR-S. So yeah, these are the kinds of cars that tickled my fancy. Agile, low-to-the-ground cars are the furthest thing you can think of in relation to usability and practicality.
While not a sports car, the Swift actually handles great
In the words of the great Mike Tyson though, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” In this particular case, the aforementioned punch came in the form of COVID-19. And boy, what a punch that was and still is.
If you’re living under a rock, COVID-19 is highly infectious and definitely deadly. So yeah, my old, possibly not very healthy self certainly had fears of getting exposed. On top of that, I realized the need for a car in getting my monthly groceries and other needs.
Sure, existing Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) has been reliable, but there were several times during the length of the pandemic (first ECQ) that it wasn’t available. Being my paranoid self, I thought that if the proverbial crap hits the fan once again, I'd have to walk and lug around my groceries from the nearest mall. No one wants to deal with that for sure.
Of note, the rear seats doesn't have much legroom. For smaller folks though, its alright
But why a used Suzuki Swift? For starters, its total price fits exactly my budget like a glove. Then again, with the same amount I could’ve put the downpayment something brand-new. However, I didn’t want to deal with interest rates and depreciation. In short, it was something that I could pay in cash for, and being a used car, the previous owner already shouldered the cost of depreciation.
So, what’s a 2018 Swift like in 2021?
Simple but Sprightly
In my particular case, the Swift that I bought was a facelifted second-generation AZG 2018 model with around 45,000 km on its odometer. For the Philippine market, this version of the Swift was released back in 2015, and it uses the same 1.2-liter inline-4 engine that the 2013 version used. At most, this engine makes 87 horsepower and 114 Nm. I of course chose the five-speed manual version because I like to row gears.
With that kind of output, the AZG Swift 1.2-liter isn’t a fast car by any stretch. Then again, I feel like its very light 960 kg curb weight makes it really agile and surprisingly stable when taking on corners. Plus, the engine is very thrifty too.
The 2018 Swift's 1.2-liter K12M inline-4 engine
Due to its size, I also have no trouble maneuvering in tight parking buildings and roads. Then again, the rear seats can be a bit short on legroom, otherwise the cargo space is more than enough especially with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats. Do note though that there are only two of us in my household, and since I bought this car no one has since used the rear seats.
As an affordable car though, there are some things about the Swift that might put other people off. For instance, it doesn’t have a lick of soft-touch surfaces at all. Its interior door cards, and the entirety of its dashboard are made out of hard plastic. It isn’t plush, but then it's really easy to clean.
The steering-wheel has some discoloration, but otherwise everything works just fine
Being relatively low mileage, the car as a whole doesn’t have that much wear and tear. The engine bay looks fresh, and the paint was decent enough for a three-year-old car. Although I had to replace the stock tires whose treads were getting shallow. Also, I took it for its 45k periodic maintenance schedule at Suzuki East Ave, where they replaced all of its filters, and oil.
Again, I am happy with my used Suzuki Swift 1.2 MT. It is small enough to zip around town and not be bothered that much by traffic, but also large enough to carry my groceries.
For more car news, car reviews, and car buying and selling tips, keep it here on Philkotse.com.
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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