1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Review

Dual airbags and optional antilock brakes highlighted the redesigned front-drive Swift, as well as the similar Geo Metro. A 2-door hatchback body style returned, now on a longer (93.1-inch) wheelbase. The new Swift measured two inches longer overall, and weighed about 75 pounds more. A 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that made 70 horsepower returned as the sole engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard; 3-speed automatic transmission optional.

Year to Year Changes

1996 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: Except for new body colors and seat trim, nothing was new on the redesigned Swift in its second season.

1997 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: For its third season on the market in this generation, the mini-sized Swift displayed no significant revisions.

1998 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: Suzuki replaced the engine's 8-valve head with a 16-valve head. This increased hosepower from 70 to 79. Other changes included revisions to the front and rear fascia.

1999 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: Little change was evident on the '99 Swift.

2000 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: The base Swift was renamed GA, and a GL model with standard air conditioning and AM/FM cassette was added.

2001 Suzuki Esteem/Swift: No significant changes were made for 2001, the last year for the Swift.

1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Road Test

Pros	Cons

Optional antilock brakes	Ride

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room

Maneuverability

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Cornering grip remains modest, with lots of body lean. Still, a Swift maneuvers easily around town and can be fun to drive, especially with manual shift. Road, wind, and mechanical noise also are troublesome. Step on the gas and you get more sound than progress. Manual shift provides acceptable acceleration, but an automatic transmission slows things down considerably. Gas mileage remains a virtue. Considering the Swift's modest exterior dimensions, interior space is impressive. Leg room is adequate and head room generous in the front bucket seats. Two folks in back have adequate leg and head space, too, unless they're more than medium-size in stature. Getting in and out of the back seat is a battle, however, and the seat itself is firm and flat. Tall windows and slim roof pillars give the driver great visibility all around. A simple dashboard layout puts controls just where they're easy to see and reach.

Value for the Money
If low price is your top priority, a Swift (and its Metro counterpart) are worth considering. Even so, a larger, more substantial car could be a better bet in the end.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Suzuki Swift auto	Rating

Performance	2

Fuel Economy	8

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	2

Quietness	2

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	4

Total:	34

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.

1995-2001 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.

Brakes: Vehicle is susceptible to brake-pedal vibrations from warped rotor caused by uneven lug-nut torque. (1995)

Brakes: Antilock Brake System (ABS) light comes on, especially in hot or humid weather, due to binding in the ABS motor pack. (1995-97)

Doors: The rear doors may not open from the outside due to a problem with the latch. (1995)

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	$760

Brakes	$200

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$440

Constant Velocity Joints	$700

Exhaust System	$135

Radiator	$335

Shocks and/or Struts	$660

Timing Chain or Belt	$210

NHTSA Recall History

1997 w/automatic transmission: Shift lever may appear to be in "Park," but can easily be moved without use of the key, detent button, or depressing the brake.

2000: Owner's manual does not have proper instructions for child restraint systems.

1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1995
Swift	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1996
Swift	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200

1997
Swift	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200

1998
Swift	$1,600-2,000	$1,100-1,300	$200-300

1999
Swift	$1,800-2,200	$1,200-1,500	$300

2000
Swift	$2,000-2,600	$1,400-1,800	$300-400

2001
Swift	$2,300-3,000	$1,700-2,200	$400-600

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.

1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	93.1

Overall Length, in.	149.4

Overall Width, in.	62.6

Overall Height, in.	54.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	1878

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	21.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	10.6

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	36.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.8

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

Powertrain Options and Availability

An overhead-cam, 8-valve 1.3-liter 4-cylinder, rated at 70 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque was the standard engine till 1998. During that year, Suzuki replaced the 8-valve engine with a 16-valve engine. Still with a single camshaft and 1.3-liter displacement, the new engine made 79 horsepower and 75 pound-feet of torque. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic might be installed.

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: 39/43 4-speed automatic: 30/34	5-speed manual: 38.6 4-speed automatic: --

ohc I4	1.3 / 79	79	75	5-speed manual: 39/43 3-speed automatic: 30/34	5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: --

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

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

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

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

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Also in the 1995-2001 Suzuki Swift Review:

Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift Road Test

Suzuki Swift Reliability

Suzuki Swift Prices

Suzuki Swift Specs & Safety

Suzuki Swift Photos

Suzuki Swift Full Review