1. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Which hatchback is better on paper?
Unlike some parts of the world, small hatchbacks are popular in the Philippine market. They’re cheap, reasonably comfy, and relatively easy to maintain. Plus, these cars are the go-to vehicles for new car buyers. The reason for this is that its diminutive dimensions make it easy to park and can drive through tight urban streets.
The Suzuki Swift has been in the Philippines for years now and it is one of the marque’s best-selling models. It’s stylish, small, and is easily one of the best city-going hatchbacks in the market today.
As a side note, Honda dominated the market with the Civic hatchback in the 1990s. In recent times however, that role has been replaced by the lively and youthful Honda Brio. It is one of the more affordable cars in Honda Philippines’ current lineup, and it’s shaping up to be a popular city-going car.
While the Swift is a subcompact hatch, the Brio is considered as a smaller city car. Despite that, each has variants falling roughly within the same price range. To put things in perspective, the entry-level Suzuki GL 1.2 MT variant has a somewhat similar price range as compared to the Honda Brio RS Black Top 1.2 CVT.
With that in mind, Honda Brio vs Suzuki Swift, which presents better value for your money? Which has more specs for the buck? Let’s find out.
Which hatchback has the better specs? Let's find out
2. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Exterior
In terms of dimensions, the Suzuki Swift GL is 3,840 mm long, 1,735 mm wide, and 1,495 mm high. Its wheelbase measures 2,450 mm long, and it has a ground clearance of 120 mm.
In comparison, the Honda Brio RS Black Top measures 3,815 mm long, is 1,680 mm wide, and 1,485 mm high. Its ground clearance is 137 mm, and its wheelbase is 2,405 mm in length.
Compare the Swift GL (left) with the Brio RS Black Top (Right) using this slider
To sum it up, the Suzuki Swift is the larger car in general. It is after all considered a subcompact car, whereas the Brio is actually a small city car. While that may be the case, the Brio has more ground clearance. This might allow it to better deal with speed bumps and poorly maintained city roads. In turn, the Swift is much lower to the ground, which gives a lower center of gravity, hence better handling on curves and tight turns.
As for exterior amenities, both the Swift GL and the Brio RS Black Top are equipped with halogen projector headlamps and fog lamps. For exterior styling though, the top-of-the-line Brio RS Black Top looks sportier. It comes with a tailgate spoiler, a blacked-out roof, and a set of 15-inch RS Design alloy wheels.
>>> Related:
- Which Suzuki Swift should you buy? [Philkotse Guide]
- Which Honda Brio variant should you buy? [Comparison Guide]
3. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Interior
When it comes to interiors, both models are decently comfortable, and both can fit up to five people. To keep their occupants comfortable, both the Swift GL and the Brio RS Black Top are equipped with manual air-conditioning, manual seat adjustment, fabric seats, tilt-only steering wheel adjustment, and 12-volt accessory sockets.
Both also sport predominantly dark-themed cabins. This Honda Brio, however, comes with orange trim pieces surrounding its air-conditioning vents.
Swift GL's simple but well-arranged interior
Moving over to onboard tech, both of these hatchbacks are equipped with seven-inch touchscreen head units. Both are capable of connecting via Bluetooth, USB ports, and Aux jack. Both are also linked to a four-piece speaker set.
The one on the Brio RS Black Top, however, can connect to an iPod and can provide audio streaming, while the one on the Swift GL cannot.
For driver amenities, both cars come with power-folding mirrors, a digital trip computer, an analog gauge cluster, and power windows.
The Brio RS Black Top's interior. Note the orange trim pieces
Despite being smaller than the Swift GL, the Brio RS Black Top provides a larger trunk. In its default setting with the rear seats up, it can fit up to 258-liters of cargo.
With the rear seats folded down, its cargo space expands up to 710-liters. In comparison, Swift GL’s default trunk capacity measures at 242-liters, and its maximum provides 556-liters of space. That’s a 154-liter difference in favor of the Honda-made city car.
>>> Related:
- 2021 Honda Brio: Expectations and what we know so far
- 2021 Suzuki Swift: Expectations and what we know so far
4. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the Suzuki Swift GL is powered by a 1.2-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that can make up to 82 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque. In comparison, the Honda Brio RS Black Top’s 1.2-liter inline-4 gasoline engine can produce a maximum of 89 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque. In short, the Brio RS Black Top makes more horsepower, while the Swift GL makes more torque.
Like most entry-level variants, the Swift GL makes use of a five-speed manual transmission. The Brio RS Black Top, on the other hand, uses a continuously variable transmission.
Both cars send their power to the front wheels. These two hatchbacks are also equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension setup and a torsion beam type suspension for the rear. Lastly, both also use a ventilated disc for their front brakes, and a drum brakes for their rear.
| Specs | Suzuki Swift GL 1.2 MT | Honda Brio RS Black Top 1.2 CVT |
| Engine | K12M Inline-4 Gasoline | L12B- i-VTEC Inline-4 Gasoline |
| Displacement | 1.2-liter | 1.2-liter |
| Horsepower | 82 hp | 89 hp |
| Torque | 113 Nm | 110 Nm |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel-Drive | Front-Wheel-Drive |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | CVT |
>>> Related: 2020 Kia Picanto vs Honda Brio Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle
5. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Safety
In terms of safety, both the Swift GL and the Honda Brio RS Black Top are equipped with what one would expect from modern cars.
Both come with dual-front airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic door locks, a car security alarm, and an engine immobilizer. The Honda Brio RS however does have speed-sensing door locks, while the Swift GL does not.
6. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Variants
| Suzuki Swift Variants | Price |
| Swift GL 1.2 MT | Php 755,000 |
| Swift GL 1.2 CVT | Php 799,000 |
| Swift GL 1.2 MT Special Edition | Php 804,000 |
| Swift GL 1.2 CVT Special Edition | Php 848,000 |
>>> Find your nearest Suzuki dealership here!
| Honda Brio Variants | Price |
| Brio S 1.2 MT | Php 598,000 |
| Brio V 1.2 CVT | Php 658,000 |
| Brio RS 1.2 CVT | Php 730,000 |
| Brio RS Black Top 1.2 CVT | Php 735,000 |
>>> Find your nearest Honda dealerships
7. 2020 Suzuki Swift GL vs Honda Brio RS Black Top: Conclusion
To summarize the Honda Brio vs Suzuki Swift comparison, the slightly more expensive Swift GL is the larger car. Due to its longer wheelbase, it might provide more legroom for its occupants.
Despite that though, one cannot deny that the Brio RS Black Top has more practicality due to its larger default and maximum cargo capacity.
Do you like the sleek and more elegant Swift GL?
So if you’re the type who’s in the market for a small but cargo swallowing hatch, then the Honda Brio might be more to your liking. If you’re more concerned with the passenger room, then the Swift might be more suitable for you.
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When it comes to which car provides better performance, it isn't clear cut. But if you have no issues with rowing through gears despite the horrendous traffic situation, then the Swift GL is ideal for you. Conversely, the Brio RS Black Top’s CVT might be more suitable for your daily commute.
Or do you prefer the sporty-looking Brio RS Black Top?
To answer this better though, we encourage you to take each of them for a test drive. Note also that the Brio offers more ground clearance than the Swift. That’s a big factor that can affect driving feel and ride quality. So again, we urge you to give each car a spin.
For more comparison articles, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.