In Suzuki’s ambitious plans to grow its global sales, GreenCarCongress is reporting via a Japanese subscription-based news site that the Japanese automaker will be bringing its Swift subcompact to the North American market as early as 2007. Suzuki has obviously noticed the “Small is big” mentality that’s gaining cred with consumers over here. As fuel efficiency rises in priority among North American consumers, a vehicle like the Swift emerges as a solid business case. While Suzuki has not indicated what powertrains would be offered for the Swift over here, the thought of a MINI-like pocket rocket with a Hyundai-like price couldn’t be more tempting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ferguson McSqueege @ Jan 23rd 2006 7:38AM
Bring the Swift GTi, and I'll be a happy man.
m_ron @ Jan 23rd 2006 9:27AM
Thank you Jeebus! I have been wishing and hoping for this car since it was announced. I will definitely be forgoing the Fit, Yaris, Versa, etc. etc. for the Swift. They are incredibly solid in person and definitely don't look cheap.
bhtooefr @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:09AM
Very interestingly, the Suzuki Swift was once sold here as the Geo Metro :P
Get me that 1.3L diesel. Actually, if they're using the same engine mounts, just get me the engine, and I'll drop it into a $200 Metro.
Kevin Brancato @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:13AM
Since the 2006 Swift is not now available in the US, why does the EPA have gasoline mileage estimates for it?
http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/E-SUZUKI-Swift-06.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/21774.shtml
Kyle @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:26AM
The Suzuki Swift was sold here once as the Suzuki Swift, too...
Simon Speichert @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:05AM
Kevin, I'm guessing that's the Swift+ / Pontiac Wave / Chevy Aveo.
I'm really stoked about this coming to North America. It's better looking than their (outgoing?) Aerio, and better looking than the Versa/Fit/Yaris trio as well. Add this to the nice-looking facelift for the Grand Vitara, and Suzuki has a bright future in small cars.
sensitive_man @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:59AM
For Suzuki's sake those best not be the right MPG Estimates. 24 city and 34 hwy is horrible for a small practical vehicle like the Swift.
I have a 96 Geo Metro, Swifts sister and it gets 40+mpg
Dolan Halbrook @ Jan 23rd 2006 1:51PM
sensitive_man, keep in mind that in the last 10 years, cars in the US have gotten a lot heavier mostly due to safety equipment and increased expectations of what's considered "standard" (like aircon). I agree that the fuel economy should be better, but a small car these days has the safety, comfort, power, and hush of a mid-size car of ten years ago (they're also nearly the same size as a mid-size car of ten years ago, but that's another matter).
scooter @ Jan 23rd 2006 2:50PM
I just went to the Suzuki Canada site and the Swift shown for sale is obviously a rebadged Aveo. Now I am confused.
Are we getting the cool Japanese version or the lame Korean badge job?
ebm14 @ Jan 23rd 2006 4:13PM
We are suppose to get a car based on the SX4 for the US. Currently the European version will be made in Hungry for Suzuki and Fiat and a US bond model will be imported from Japan, so I am wondering if this will be the new Swift or something else.
Derek @ Jan 23rd 2006 4:58PM
The swift won car of the year in England, so it must be good.
Robert Brodrecht @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:36PM
Back when the new Swift concepts were out and I was eyeing the market for a new car, I said I'd buy one if they came out here. While it was the underpowered-yet-super-fuel-efficient 3 cylinder, I liked the Geo Metro I drove years ago during college and wouldn't mind having this as a daily driver. I think the design is a lot cooler than anything in the newest sub-compact bum rush from Japan. So, if the new Swift ends up in the U.S. I will do my best to put my money where my mouth is.
ebm14 @ Jan 25th 2006 4:52PM
This is pretty cool and affordable when it arrives in the States sometime late this year.
1. To take a look at the interior and exterior, select the top two link button on the upper right hand corner of the web page.
Opps...it will also have awd and come in either a 3 to 4 door configuration
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/swiftsport/
-cut and paste to browser the above link!!!
karen @ Feb 15th 2006 2:56AM
the new swift has been on sale in australia for almost two years i have a 5 door manual with the 1.5lt petrol and just love it! it has large car safty with twin air bag and A.B.S as standard. it handles realy well (very stable)and ite motor has good responcivenes.
Jean LaPalme @ Feb 20th 2006 5:57PM
Went to see the Swift and the Aerio and they are
bigger inside than they look from the outside.
Jean D. LaPalme.
Steve @ Feb 22nd 2006 11:35AM
I'm thinking if the actual Japaneese company announced they are bringing the swift to north america then they are most likely talking about the "real" Suzuki Swift and not the Daewoo kalos based swift that is sold in Canada. The EPA's mileage figures can't be for the "real" Suzuki Swift because even a 2.5 litre Nissan Sentra get better mileage than what they are quoting for the "Swift".
I agree with most people here, I'd love to have the opportunity to purchase a "real" Suzuki Swift here, I currently own a 2000 Grand Vitara and it has been wonderfully reliable. I really wanted a Suzuki Aerio, but Suzuki never really brought over the right content mix to make that car a must have, I was looking for something with head protecting side air-bags, and a sunroof so I ended up with a 2004 Nissan Sentra instead of the Suzuki - Hopefully Suzuki will package the Swift better and won't link the fun options like the sunroof to the un-fun options like the automatic transmission (they do this in the Grand Vitara and that kind of packaging makes the 2006 Grand Vitara very undesireable in my opinion)
BJ @ Feb 23rd 2006 4:14PM
I've driven an Aerio before for about a month while my car was in the shop for repairs and I was impressed overall with the amount of space and how it drove. It could've gotten a bit better mileage I suppose but it seemed a very solid car for the price.
Everything I've seen so far about the Swift has been very positive and I love the look. I'd definitely consider replacing the wife's car with that if/when it's released in the US. If not that then the SX4 looks promising as well and a bit larger then the Swift.
Jet @ Mar 19th 2006 1:37AM
Ok to clear things up.... the New Suzuki Swift that is coming to North America is NOT a Daewoo and has nothing to do with the Aveo or the current Swift+ that is being sold in Canada. The current Swift+ being sold in Canada is the same car as the Aveo, in other words, that one is a Daewoo.
The New Suzuki Swift coming to north America is Suzuki designed by Japanese and Indian Suzuki engineers. It's a totally new design from the ground up.
Ok as for the Suzuki SX4...... the new Swift is NOT based on the SX4, it's quite the opposite. The SX4 which IS coming to North America also, is based on the Japanes Suzuki Swift platform. As Suzuki Japan themselves call it.."SX4 is a highly modified Swift and slightly bigger.
So yes, BOTH the SX4 and the New Swift are coming to North America.
Fiat will also be selling the car under their own badge in Europe. And before the question starts..... the only fiat part on the new SX4 is the Diesel engine (and aparently the tranny in Europe). All the rest of the car is pure Suzuki.
And finally..... yes the new SX4 is replacing the current Aerio in North America. The Aerio will continue on under the Liana name in other parts of the world though.
As for the Verona, the Forenza, and the Reno, those are korean rebadges that Suzuki is currently selling.
With GM now having sold most of its stock in Suzuki, it's not clear if Suzuki will coninue selling rebadge versions for much longer past the new upcoming versions of these cars. The new Verona and Forenza due to be released in 2007 will most likely continue on until 2009, at which point Suzuki may replace them with their own Japanese developed platforms. Which would make perfect sense with Suzuki's current long term plan for global sales.
ok hope that helped clear things up.
Jae @ Apr 13th 2006 7:12PM
I have a 1995 Geo Metro base/fleet 3dr model w/ 1L 3cyl engine and I get 54mpg on the highway and 48 city. This is gonna be great! I've owned a Suzuki Swift GTi (1992) and a 1996 Swift 3dr. My li'l Metro is getting up there in age and mileage and has survived two accidents in it's life. Bring it on!
Steven Greeson @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:46PM
I have a 1989 Geo Metrow and get 49 MPG. I have looked for one as a parts car But they are hard to find. When Gas hit $3.00 everyone started fixing up old ones out of the junk yard. If you bring this car back with its old MPG. You could make a ment. I know I would bye one.