MOTORS: Here's why the new Suzuki Swace might look familiar to you
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
If you think the latest version of Suzuki’s estate car, the Swace, looks familiar, your eyes are not deceiving you.
Yes, it has the distinctive S badge on the bonnet and boot lid but apart from minor body styling differences, it is both under and on the surface, a Toyota Corolla and built at the same factory at Burnaston in Derbyshire.
Apart from its name – it’s a combination of swagger and grace – Suzuki’s venture into the estate segment is an interesting machine.
It’s the result of what’s called a collaborative agreement between the two brands from which they both benefit. Suzuki gets to share Toyota’s engineering expertise in hybrid technology without incurring development costs and an estate car which was missing from their range, while Toyota can tap into Suzuki’s reach into export and developing markets such as India and Africa.
About 2,000 of the Suzuki version will take to UK roads each year, just a proportion of the output of the best-selling Corolla.
The Suzuki is about £2300 cheaper for the equivalent specification but there are slight differences in the length and detail of the warranty so a potential buyer has to weigh up whether to have the Suzuki or Toyota badge.
RELATED: Is new Kia sufficiently electrifying to justify price tag?
You can be sure of consistent build quality but one area in which Suzuki prides itself is on customer service.
For the sixth year running, they’ve come top automotive brand in an independent survey of 260 organisations across a range of industries. The nearest car company, Skoda, was 17 places behind.
According to Suzuki’s British bosses it’s all about trust in the product, the dealers and customer service and it seems to be paying off as owners are a loyal bunch who keep returning again and again.
The latest version of the Swace is going to appeal with significant changes to the engine and hybrid electric system to bring livelier performance, two seconds faster to 62 mph, without a drop in economy or an increase in emissions. The electric motor power has been increased and that has brought a higher level of torque.
There have been a few tweaks to the exterior along with the latest LED lighting and the two model grades, Motion and Ultra, have more technology as standard and extra safety features such as Safe Exit Assist which triggers a warning if a door is about to be opened into the path of a vehicle or cyclist approaching from behind.
The newly-developed Emergency Driving Stop System works with Lane Departure to monitor the driver and bring the car to a halt if it detects they are becoming inattentive, such as falling asleep.
The Pre-Collision System has been improved to detect motorbikes and prevents collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians by monitoring the road ahead with radar and a camera.
On the road, the featured Ultra grade test car felt lively, especially in the Sport mode, but there’s also the standard Normal and Eco settings or EV which uses only electric power if there’s enough capacity in the battery.
The CVT transmission can be a little whiney when pushed but I enjoyed how it smoothly progresses with increased speed unlike a normal auto box.
With a low centre of gravity and the hybrid battery under the rear seats, there’s very little body roll and the car felt very stable on a twisty and demanding test route around the English Peak District.
Internally, there’s a higher definition colour 8-inch central display and the 7-inch multi-information dash screen has been upgraded with three modes.
The boot space is generous, if not expansive and the carpeted floor can be lowered for taller luggage. It is also reversible with a resin underside if you’re throwing in wet or muddy boots.
So it comes down to a simple choice between the two brands but with the Suzuki you have a couple of grand to spare.
VITAL STATS
CAR: Suzuki Swace Ultra 1.8 Full Hybrid CVT
PRICE: £30,799 (£31,399 as tested)
ENGINE: 1798cc 4 cyl petrol hybrid
POWER: 102 PS
TORQUE: 142 Nm
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 112 mph. 0-62 mph 9.4 secs
TOWING CAPACITY: 750 Kgs (braked)
ECONOMY: 62 mpg combined
CO2 EMISSIONS: 102 g/km
