I WAS intrigued to drive the Swace because it takes Suzuki to a new sector of the market.
As the owner of an SX4 S-Cross, I am well aware of the Japanese brand’s reputation for building excellent compact family 4x4 SUVs.
But the Swace is modestly sized family estate – based on the Toyota Corolla Hybrid – and it certainly didn’t disappoint during my week with it.
I found it fun to drive, admired the striking exterior looks and appreciated the stylish, spacious cabin, as well as its load-lugging capabilities.
The Swace is powered by a combination of a 102PS 1.8-litre petrol engine, a 53kW electric motor and a CVT gearbox providing a maximum output of 122hp.
And this set-up proves to be both efficient and pretty willing, with a quoted average of 64.2mpg and tailpipe emissions of 99g/km. I certainly found the fuel gauge needle seemed reluctant to drop despite covering a good few miles.
To me, the acceleration felt quicker than the official 0-62mph time of 11.1 seconds, while the top speed of 112mph meant it was always easy to overtake. The hybrid system seamlessly switches from using the motor, engine or both depending on the driving conditions.
And a mix of deceleration and engine power is used to keep the motor battery suitably topped up, so there is no need to plug it in for a recharge.
Meanwhile, an EV mode means it is possible to drive for short distances solely on electric power if you wish. In addition, there are Normal, Eco and Sport modes selected by a handily placed toggle switch.
I found the calmer Eco setting ideal for motorway cruising as well as stop/go city driving, while sport was great for a more agile response on the winding, hilly country roads near my home.
Most of the time, though, Normal mode is perfect for the job, providing a composed ride and reassuring acceleration response. And the Swace holds the road well – its stability aided by the fact that clever placing of the hybrid battery under the rear seats helps give it a low centre of gravity.
The steering feel and braking responses are as good as the acceleration, while the suspension is up to the job of coping with weather-ravaged surfaces.
Suzuki has certainly put its own stamp on the exterior design – and none of my pals recognised its Toyota roots in the golf club car park. Sporty features include a large grille and strong fog lamp bezels with a black honeycomb pattern and a low front bumper.
Above this, sit sleek, dynamic-looking headlamps that are echoed by the rear light clusters and the Swace has flowing lines and bright double five-spoke 16in alloy wheels.
The cabin has an elegant simplicity to its design, with a wide instrument panel and sweeping horizontal lines that flow across the front. I particularly admired the slimline chrome detailing and appreciated the strategically placed soft-touch finishing.
Seated on comfortable fabric upholstery, heated up front, four adults or a young family of five will really appreciate the space they have to travel in.
As good, the boot should easily meet their needs, whether for shopping, holiday luggage or stowing leisure gear, with 596 to 1232 litres of capacity.
My Swace was an SZ5 model – the higher of two trim levels – and was packed with goodies and safety features given it is usually priced from just £29,299.
The eight-inch centrally mounted infotainment touchscreen includes Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as a DAB radio.
Other items included keyless entry and start, auto lights (including high beam) and wipers, dual-zone air con, heated steering wheel and a parking assist system.
Added to that were parking sensors, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control with stop/go function, blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts, lane keeping aid, collision avoidance system and an emergency call set-up.
All in all, I felt the Swace was a worthy rival to its many competitors and a welcome addition to the already impressive Suzuki range of vehicles.
