170710 Mazda 2 VS Suzuki Swift 01
170710 Mazda 2 VS Suzuki Swift 02
170710 Mazda 2 03
170710 Suzuki Swift 04
Andrea Matthews8 Aug 2017
REVIEW

Mazda 2 v Suzuki Swift 2017 Comparison

Suzuki’s all-new third-generation Swift takes on segment favourite, the Mazda2, in a light car showdown for budget conscious buyers
Review Type
Comparison

This battle for best value strikes a chord with both young first-time buyers and more mature downsizers. Yes, this is a dollar-driven segment where buyers demand value for money, but choice is on their side. We’re pitching mid-spec rivals, the Mazda2 Maxx auto priced from $19,690 (plus on road costs) against the all-new Suzuki Swift GL Navigator with safety pack priced from $18,990 ($19,190 drive away).

Twelve years and three generations later, the all-new Suzuki Swift is out to reclaim its position as the popular choice for light car buyers in Australia. But things aren’t straightforward for Suzuki, given the Mazda2’s solid standing in the 17-car segment which includes strong contenders such as the Hyundai Accent, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris and Kia Rio.

Why are we comparing them?
The Mazda2 is Mazda’s third-best selling vehicle (behind the CX-5 and Mazda3), and the Swift ranks second behind only to the ever-popular Vitara in Suzuki’s line-up. While our test vehicles share many similarities, they’re unique in both character and specification.

Suzuki offers the Swift with a choice of two petrol engines. A naturally aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit paired to a six-speed manual transmission or CVT automatic propels the GL and GL Navigator models, while a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, is employed in the top-spec GLX Turbo.

The GL, GL Navigator and GLX Turbo trim levels incrementally build on fit, finish and kit. There’s also a $1000 safety pack option (fitted to our test vehicle) available on the mid-spec GL Navigator, thus creating a four-model offering.

Mazda’s sole 1.5-litre for-cylinder petrol engine is offered with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. It runs with the familiar Neo, Maxx, Genki and GT line-up in hatch and sedan body styles.

These front-wheel-drive rivals hail from Thailand, in the case of the Mazda2, and Japan for the Swift.

The Swift takes the win where choice is concerned and budget savvy buyers will be drawn to the value it represents. However, even at this price point, refinement, design, technology and practicality can be game changers.

170710 Mazda 2 VS Suzuki Swift 02

Who will they appeal to?
Light cars have broad appeal: affordability, city-friendly dimensions and frugal fuel consumption are qualities all buyers respect – young and young at heart. Yes, the humble light car must please many, with the obvious exception of families requiring space for people and paraphernalia.

If you’re after bang for buck, the Swift is clearly hard to ignore, it is exceptional value and, on paper, it reads like the easy winner in this comparison. Its playful character and more communicative steering will appeal to drivers who like to get involved, however Suzuki’s CVT transmission (GL & GL Navigator) may well divide opinion.

170710 Mazda 2 05

For the more discerning driver, the Mazda2 ticks the right boxes. Its refinement and mature feel behind the wheel trumps the playful Swift. Its light manoeuvrability also better compliments city-based driving.

Both vehicles feature 60:40 split fold seats and comparable boot capacity: 242 litres for the Mazda and 250 the Swift.

With a little more cabin width and deeper seat bases, the Swift’s second row accommodation is a tad better.

170710 Suzuki Swift 06

How much do they cost?
Put your calculators away - the differences are negligible when it comes to dollars paid (as tested it’s merely $700 plus ORCs). It’s what you get for the dollars which deserves close attention.

The newer Suzuki Swift GL Navigator with safety pack claims segment-leading safety technology with inclusions such as autonomous emergency braking (forward only), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and drowsy driver detection. You can also add Apple CarPlay and Android auto plus satellite navigation to this already generous list - both of which are absent or cost options in the Mazda2 Maxx.

Our Maxx also misses adaptive cruise, but does feature autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse). It does however have idle-stop technology, remote keyless entry and push button start, adding a premium flavour to an affordable vehicle.

170710 Mazda 2 03

Metallic paint is a no cost option in the Mazda, save for ‘Soul Red Crystal’ and ‘Machine Grey’ colours. Choosing metallic colours in the Swift costs from $500-$1000.

After-sale support varies slightly. The Mazda offers a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with service intervals at 12 months or every 10,000kms. Thus Suzuki’s three-year/100,000km warranty and six-month/100,000km service intervals fall short. However the little Suzuki’s first service cost of just $175 does beat the Mazda’s equivalent of $286.

Both offer capped-price service plans up to 60 months or 50,000kms.

170710 Suzuki Swift 04

What do they do well?
Like Kia’s Rio the Suzuki Swift carves out an interior which feels more spacious than the Mazda2. That said, the Swift’s layout is not as user friendly as the Mazda 2.

Meanwhile, Mazda schools Suzuki on cabin ambience and ride refinement. Even at this price point, Mazda’s sophisticated design aesthetic is obvious and the Mazda2’s good ergonomics deliver a cabin which just feels easier to live with. And the Mazda’s conventional transmission is preferable to the Swift’s CVT, particularly out of town where it tends to hold onto gears for more spritely acceleration.

Fuel efficiency offers no real edge, 4.8L/100km for Swift and 4.9L the Mazda2.
Dual front, side and curtain airbags and five-star safety ratings are a common to both but, as previously detailed, the Swift shines brightly with its segment-leading safety and driver assist technology.

170710 Suzuki Swift 05

What could they do better?
The Swift’s cheaper fit and finish places it below the Mazda2, while no reach adjust on the steering wheel will be a disappointment to many.

Suzuki’s 1.2-litre engine (66kW/120Nm) is easily outperformed by the Mazda’s larger-capacity unit (81kW/141Nm) and, notwithstanding some features which see it well equipped for long freeway drives, its power delivery suggests otherwise. The Swift’s CVT feels laboured under pressure and lacks the zip of the six-speed Mazda2.

Our front-wheel-drive vehicles on-road behaviour varied greatly. The Swift, rode on 16-inch Bridgestone tyres, whereas the Mazda was shod with 15-inch Dunlops, but it was actually the heavier Mazda2 (1049kg) which felt less planted than the Swift (900kg), “light and a bit bouncy” compared to the “solid” Swift commented my co-driver Andrea Matthews. However, despite its more communicative (read: heavier) steering, the Swift lacks accuracy.

170710 Mazda 2 04

Which wins, and why?
It became a tit-for-tat exercise weighing up the merits of these worthy rivals. As you may have figured out, there’s not much in it. The re-invigorated Suzuki is a strong competitor, with excellent equipment as standard, boasting features absent on many larger, more expensive vehicles. But, in this company it does feel under powered and of a lesser quality.

It’s the Mazda2’s confidence behind the wheel and superior build quality, which underwrite its win by the narrowest of margins. We’re keen to throw their top spec siblings against each other, where we predict a turbo-powered Swift may shake things up.
For now, as tested, it’s the Mazda2…again.

2017 Suzuki Swift GL Navigator w Safety Pack pricing and specifications:
Price: $18,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 66kW/120Nm
Transmission: continuously variable
Fuel: 4.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 110g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: five-star ANCAP

2016 Mazda Mazda2 Maxx pricing and specifications:
Price: $19,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 81kW/141Nm
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 114g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: five-star ANCAP

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Written byAndrea Matthews
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