1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Suzuki Swift. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Suzuki Swift.

1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Review

Introduced for 1989, the Swift came in 2-door hatchback and 4-door notchback form. Riding a longer wheelbase than the 2-door, the 4-door model came in GA, GL, and GS trim, with a 70 horsepower, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. The GA edition came only with 5-speed manual shift, while other Swifts had a choice of the 5-speed or 3-speed automatic transmission. Two-door hatchbacks came three ways, too: entry-level GA, midlevel GL, and sporty GT. Equipped with a dual-overhead-cam 1.3-liter engine, the GT included a close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox, 4-wheel disc brakes, sport seats, sport suspension, and 175/60R14 tires. Swift was also marketed under the Geo brand as the Metro.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Suzuki Swift: The GL 2-door hatchback and GL 4-door notchback sedan were gone. Two hatchbacks carried on: a base GA with the 70 horsepower engine and the sporty GT with its 100-horse dual-cam engine. Four-door models came in GA and GS trim, each with the 70-horsepower engine and a choice of transmissions.

1992 Suzuki Swift: All models got redesigned front fascias and a fresh dashboard layout.

1993 Suzuki Swift: Automatic-locking front doors were installed for 1993, but little else was new.

1994 Suzuki Swift: Base GA models added a passenger-side mirror, and the GA hatchback got a removable cargo cover. Swifts were redesigned for 1995.

1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Noise

Acceleration (GT)	Passenger room

Handling/roadholding (GT)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Expect considerable engine and road noise from any Swift, due to lack of sufficient sound insulation. Both engines growl and snarl their way through traffic. In addition, the 70-horsepower has trouble keeping up with cement trucks. On the other hand, the 100-horsepower dual-cam engine revs eagerly and produces quick acceleration. Gas mileage is terrific, too. We've averaged close to 36 mpg with a 4-door model and 31.4 mpg with a GT hatchback. With its firmer suspension, the sportier Swift GT maneuvers deftly through traffic and takes tight turns with impressive agility. Unfortunately, the GT's ride gets stiff, so the overall road experience is mixed. A 2-door Swift isn't much fun for tall people. Six-footers have adequate leg room in front, but their heads are likely to hit the ceiling. Rear leg room is minuscule unless the front seats are pushed well-forward.

Value for the Money
For the most part, Swifts have reminded us of Japanese subcompacts from the mid-1980s: noisy, cramped, basic--but stingy with fuel. As economical runabouts, they'll do--but just barely.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Suzuki Swift GT	Rating

Performance	2

Fuel Economy	7

Ride Quality	2

Steering/Handling/Braking	2

Quietness	1

Controls/Materials	3

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	2

Total:	27

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Battery: The dome light may stay on due to a faulty door-jamb switch. (1990-91)

Engine misfire: Rough idle may be caused by a problem with the engine-control computer. (1993)

Engine misfire: A problem with the throttle-body base gasket results in rough idle and throttle stumble. (1990-92)

Hood/trunk: Because the spot welds for the striker were misaligned, the hood may not latch properly. (1990-93)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$540

Alternator	$400

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$770

Brakes	$200

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$410

Constant Velocity Joints	$700

Exhaust System	$145

Radiator	$335

Shocks and/or Struts	$660

Timing Chain or Belt	$190

NHTSA Recall History

1990-93: Hood inner panel may crack; hood could suddenly open.

1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Swift	$0	$0	$0

1991
Swift	$0	$0	$0

1992
Swift	$0	$0	$0

1993
Swift	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100

1994
Swift	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door hatchback	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	89.2	93.1

Overall Length, in.	147.4	161.2

Overall Width, in.	62.6	62.6

Overall Height, in.	52.4	53.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	1781	1894

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	10.3	11.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	10.6	10.6

Seating Capacity	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	37.8	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	36.5	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	29.8	32.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All Swifts except the GT held a single-cam 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 70 horsepower. A dual-overhead-cam 1.3 liter four, developing 100 horsepower, went into the GT hatchback, which came only with 5-speed manual shift. Other models might have either the 5-speed or an optional 3-speed automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	1.3 / 79	70	74	5-speed manual: 37/43 3-speed automatic: 29/34	5-speed manual: 35.8 3-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	1.3 / 97	100	83	5-speed manual: 28/35	5-speed manual: 21.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 Swift

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Canada, Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Suzuki Swift Review:

Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift Road Test

Suzuki Swift Reliability

Suzuki Swift Prices

Suzuki Swift Specs & Safety

Suzuki Swift Photos

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