IT is always refreshing to be able to sample an honest, simple yet sporty car in the current day and age where almost every new offering is rather heavy, too easy to drive and packed with technologies to keep the driver in check.
Today's bad boy is the new Suzuki Swift Sport.
First, a little bit of background. Suzuki returned to Malaysia earlier this year under Naza Eastern Motors and the Swift Sport was the first model introduced, followed by the new Jimny recently.
Globally, the third-generation Suzuki Swift (A2L) has been around for a couple years already and Malaysian enthusiasts who hoped to own one previously had to opt for the recond units. But it's better to be late than never, isn't it?
For the first time ever, the Swift Sport only has a five-door body style, perhaps due to the shrinking demand of three-door hatchbacks.
However, it still looks like a three-door car as the rear door handles are "hidden" near the C-pillar — a classic trick.
The A2L Swift is available globally with a host of powertrain options such as petrol, diesel and hybrids, with displacements ranging from 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre.
This bad boy being offered in Malaysia, clad in Pearl Pure White, is a ZC33S unit, meaning that it gets a K14C 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Boosterjet engine, making 140hp and 230Nm of torque.
The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic and is the mandatory option for now. It is a bit of let down really, as some cars are just meant to be driven with a proper three-pedal manual transmission for the most enjoyable experience.
Don't attack me just yet for I did not come from the "Real Men Drive Three Pedal" club and I truly have no issue with cars like the Ferrari F8 Tributo or the Mercedes-AMG A45 S having super-quick dual-clutches. It's just that you should always go for the six-speed manual in the Swift Sport even if there is an auto option.
As for the styling, the front fascia of the Swift Sport looks like an angry puppy, which seems to suit the character of the car.
The rear profile features the wide footprint but smaller glasshouse, giving the impression of a stable and athletic stance. Coupled to the trademark twin exhaust outlets, this is simply the icing on the cake.
Overall, the Swift Sport seems refreshed and modern yet stays true to the cues of its predecessors.
The interior is actually a lot more spacious than what the exterior design suggests. There is a generous amount of headroom and legroom for both front and rear occupants. The front seats appear sporty, feel sporty, offer good support and yet deliver excellent comfort.
Typical of a Japanese car, seating position in the Swift Sport is logically ideal and natural, which is also important for what the car can offer.
THE DRIVE
Driving the Suzuki Swift Sport was a refreshing experience because the car was honest.
The steering was pinpoint sharp, the throttle response was pretty nice and the transmission behaved cleverly, all combined to make for a confidence-inspiring drive.
You could immediately feel the car reacting to the slightest input from the steering, making it among the sharpest I had tested.
The 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo engine was highly punchy; 140hp/230Nm and after you put lightweight into the equation (the car weighs in at 970kg), you have a very eager and energetic car to drive.
As for the driving modes, there were no buttons whatsoever. Just use your right foot to dictate how the car behaves.
Be more aggressive with the throttle if you want to play. Tread gently and the car feels just like any other regular hatchbacks.
To be honest, I did not miss the Eco/Normal/Sport/Race modes at all. In fact, I quite liked the honesty of the car.
You would soon realise the hunger for corners and twisty roads as the Swift Sport could take them in higher speeds than you could imagine while hiding a rather playful chassis.
The Yokohama Advan A13 complemented the car's handling very naturally and offered a healthy amount of grip all around.
The automatic six-speed gearbox was sufficiently responsive to inputs and delivered the correct gear each time.
But sometimes, my heart screamed: "This car desperately needs a manual!"
This was because even though the Swift Sport was already responsive and capable, you just knew that a three-pedal manual would complete the whole driving experience.
It would definitely elevate the sense of control and connectedness between the driver and the car, especially when you could execute a perfect heel-and-toe downshifting.
My other gripe with the car would be the exhaust note, which was just too muted.
Some pops and crackles like the AMG A35 or Megane RS would be highly welcomed.
Perhaps Suzuki wanted to play safe with the car (other than to meet strict emission regulations) by making it to appear "more friendly" to city commuters.
VERDICT
The Suzuki Swift Sport is priced at RM139,900 with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.
Is it worth the money? If you ask me, yes it is.
Some people will say this is a selfish buy but other than being sporty and fun to drive, the Swift Sport can be very fuel-efficient (over 430km from a tiny 35-litre tank) and is practical for a small family.
It can also be quite comfortable and quiet on the highways. So do use the correct points to convince your spouse to get one.
