Huw Thomas tests the updated Swace - one of two ‘adopted’ Toyotas which enhance the Suzuki range
Toyota presented the current Corolla at the 2018 Geneva show for the 2019 model year. In 2020 Suzuki launched its adopted version, the Suzuki Swace, based on the Touring Sports (estate) variant. Now the Swace has had its first update.
Suzuki was also able to adapt Toyota’s Rav4 compact SUV, from 2020, too as the Suzuki Across. Both have Hybrid powertrains. The Across has a 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder engine. A Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), its claimed pure electric range is 75km.
The Swace however is a ‘closed loop’ hybrid set-up which relies on the usual energy capture elements to re-charge the battery. It’s built at Burnaston, Derby alongside the European Corolla. Engines for Burnaston come from Toyota’s Welsh Deeside plant so the Swace is Suzuki’s first (and so far only) Welsh-engined car.
Deeside builds both 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre ‘Hybrids’ for the Corolla (and further afield) but Suzuki chose the 1.8 rather than 2.0-litre engine for the Swace.
Apart from expanding the current range – the Across sits above the Vitara and S-Cross SUVs whereas Swace offers an entry to the still-significant ‘C Sector’ (lower medium sized) European mainstream – the move brought EU compliance benefits with regard to the company’s overall fuel consumption and emissions profile.
Moreover, UK company car taxation overtly favours electrification with benefits both to the employer and driver (Benefit in Kind, etc.) Private buyers also gain through lower emissions when it comes to Road Tax.
The 2023 Swace boasts “significant changes” to engine and hybrid system resulting in higher performance with “minimal change” to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Electric motor output has increased from 53kw to 70kw leading to a combined power output up from 122hp to 140hp (petrol engine alone: 97hp).
Styling and lighting have been refreshed, safety and general equipment levels improved while digital and multimedia features up-graded. Swace now comes in two variants, Motion and Ultra although there is no difference in technical specifications.
Equipment levels have improved with, for example, dual-zone air-conditioning, 8-inch LCD colour screen, heated front seats and steering wheel, rear parking camera, Type C USB port and ‘intelligent’ cruise control.
Ultra grade comes with – among other things - Safe Exit Assist, Front and Rear parking sensors, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and centre console tray with wireless charging.
But there is no standard-fit SatNav unit. However, both models offer a Smart phone link for wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto device. Also the usual apps such as Waze seem to work well. But they can’t match the familiarity or ease of operation of a standard built-in unit even if it might not be “cutting edge”.
Suzuki GB chose the Peak District National Park for the Swace up-date’s introductory media drive. A gentle route - albeit in changeable weather – involved plenty of up-hill-down-dale motoring but little opportunity for press-on driving.
Nonetheless the car seemed dynamically well resolved with a nicely judged trade-off between comfort and handling. Steering is not too light and quite communicative. It feels well planted when cornering and does not lose its poise if hitting a pothole.
Clearly a touring rather than performance car, the CVT transmission has a degree of ‘manual override’ – ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ or ‘Sport’ but hardly raises the adrenaline level. It works well enough within the parameters of this kind of car. Mated to the electric driveline it contributes to the sense of refined, smooth and quiet progress.
What does impress is the fit and finish, especially the interior. ‘Value’ cars are steadily closing the gap with ‘premium’ and Toyota build quality goes without saying.
There’s no spare wheel on cars sold here so the boot floor can be lowered for taller items. The carpeted floor board has a reverse side in resin and can be turned over for wet dogs, muddy walking boots, wellingtons and the like. Rear seats fold flat, the load-space is auto-illuminated and there’s a DC12V accessory socket too. Nice, practical touches which, for many, will sum up the car’s appeal.
Facts & Figures
Model Range: Motion & Ultra, £28,999 & £30,799.
Competition: Corolla; Golf; Focus; Astra; Octavia, etc.
Technical: 1.8-litre Full Hybrid CVT, 97ps & 70kw Electric Motor Output
Max Speed: 112mph
0-62mph 9.4 secs
Fuel consumption (WLTP, combined): 62.7mpg
CO2 emissions (WLTP): 102g/km
Road Tax: (1st year Included in purchase price-£175) £170;
Ins Grp: 17E
Warranty: 3yrs or 60,000 miles whichever comes first, extendable with service package.
Suzuki was also able to adapt Toyota’s Rav4 compact SUV, from 2020, too as the Suzuki Across. Both have Hybrid powertrains. The Across has a 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder engine. A Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), its claimed pure electric range is 75km.
The Swace however is a ‘closed loop’ hybrid set-up which relies on the usual energy capture elements to re-charge the battery. It’s built at Burnaston, Derby alongside the European Corolla. Engines for Burnaston come from Toyota’s Welsh Deeside plant so the Swace is Suzuki’s first (and so far only) Welsh-engined car.
Deeside builds both 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre ‘Hybrids’ for the Corolla (and further afield) but Suzuki chose the 1.8 rather than 2.0-litre engine for the Swace.
Apart from expanding the current range – the Across sits above the Vitara and S-Cross SUVs whereas Swace offers an entry to the still-significant ‘C Sector’ (lower medium sized) European mainstream – the move brought EU compliance benefits with regard to the company’s overall fuel consumption and emissions profile.
Moreover, UK company car taxation overtly favours electrification with benefits both to the employer and driver (Benefit in Kind, etc.) Private buyers also gain through lower emissions when it comes to Road Tax.
The 2023 Swace boasts “significant changes” to engine and hybrid system resulting in higher performance with “minimal change” to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Electric motor output has increased from 53kw to 70kw leading to a combined power output up from 122hp to 140hp (petrol engine alone: 97hp).
Styling and lighting have been refreshed, safety and general equipment levels improved while digital and multimedia features up-graded. Swace now comes in two variants, Motion and Ultra although there is no difference in technical specifications.
Equipment levels have improved with, for example, dual-zone air-conditioning, 8-inch LCD colour screen, heated front seats and steering wheel, rear parking camera, Type C USB port and ‘intelligent’ cruise control.
Ultra grade comes with – among other things - Safe Exit Assist, Front and Rear parking sensors, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and centre console tray with wireless charging.
But there is no standard-fit SatNav unit. However, both models offer a Smart phone link for wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto device. Also the usual apps such as Waze seem to work well. But they can’t match the familiarity or ease of operation of a standard built-in unit even if it might not be “cutting edge”.
Suzuki GB chose the Peak District National Park for the Swace up-date’s introductory media drive. A gentle route - albeit in changeable weather – involved plenty of up-hill-down-dale motoring but little opportunity for press-on driving.
Nonetheless the car seemed dynamically well resolved with a nicely judged trade-off between comfort and handling. Steering is not too light and quite communicative. It feels well planted when cornering and does not lose its poise if hitting a pothole.
Clearly a touring rather than performance car, the CVT transmission has a degree of ‘manual override’ – ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ or ‘Sport’ but hardly raises the adrenaline level. It works well enough within the parameters of this kind of car. Mated to the electric driveline it contributes to the sense of refined, smooth and quiet progress.
What does impress is the fit and finish, especially the interior. ‘Value’ cars are steadily closing the gap with ‘premium’ and Toyota build quality goes without saying.
There’s no spare wheel on cars sold here so the boot floor can be lowered for taller items. The carpeted floor board has a reverse side in resin and can be turned over for wet dogs, muddy walking boots, wellingtons and the like. Rear seats fold flat, the load-space is auto-illuminated and there’s a DC12V accessory socket too. Nice, practical touches which, for many, will sum up the car’s appeal.
Facts & Figures
Model Range: Motion & Ultra, £28,999 & £30,799.
Competition: Corolla; Golf; Focus; Astra; Octavia, etc.
Technical: 1.8-litre Full Hybrid CVT, 97ps & 70kw Electric Motor Output
Max Speed: 112mph
0-62mph 9.4 secs
Fuel consumption (WLTP, combined): 62.7mpg
CO2 emissions (WLTP): 102g/km
Road Tax: (1st year Included in purchase price-£175) £170;
Ins Grp: 17E
Warranty: 3yrs or 60,000 miles whichever comes first, extendable with service package.
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