The original Suzuki Swift, sold from 1989 to 1994, comprised of a 2-door hatchback and 4-door sedan. Positioned at the entry level of the auto marketplace, the Swift appealed to budget-conscious buyers looking primarily for affordability and fuel economy. As such, it competed with the identical Geo Metro as well as the Toyota Tercel, Ford Festiva and Aspire, Hyundai Excel and Accent, and Kia Sephia.
After the Subaru Justy was discontinued in 1994, the Suzuki Swift (alongside the Geo Metro hatchback) became America's new smallest car in both length and width combined until 2001, when it was then replaced by the 2002–2008 Mini Cooper.
Year-to-year changes[]
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | Discontinued |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA 2DR Hatchback | Base 2DR Hatchback | 2001 | |||||||
| GA 4DR Sedan | Replaced by Suzuki Esteem | 1994 | |||||||
| GS 4DR Sedan | |||||||||
| GT 2DR Hatchback | N/A | ||||||||
1994[]
Along with the Geo Metro, this was the last model year for a new car being sold under $8,000 -- in this case, only the GA 2-door hatchback.
1995[]
The Swift GA 3-door hatchback was completely restyled for 1995. While Suzuki marketed only the hatchback, Geo dealers also carried a 4-door sedan, which discontinued both the base GA and upscale GS as well as the GT hatchback. Swifts have consistently been ranked among the Top 10 in EPA fuel efficiency, and the '95 model was no exception. It was rated at 37 miles-per-gallon in city driving and 43 mpg on the highway. The '95 Swifts boasted driver's- and passenger's-side airbags and front disc/rear drum brakes with an optional antilock system. The 3.9-in. longer wheelbase contributed to enhanced ride comfort with less choppiness over rough roads. The engine was Suzuki's well-proven 1.3-liter single-overhead-cam 4-cylinder, which produced 70 hp. The 100-hp twin-cam GT engine from the early '90s had been dropped. A 5-speed manual transaxle was standard, and a 3-speed automatic optional. Both drove the front wheels. The Swift also boasted 4-wheel independent suspension (unusual in this class of car) with MacPherson struts front and rear. A rear-window defogger and tinted glass were also standard equipment.
The entry-level Swift was discontinued in 2001, when the title was briefly transferred to the Suzuki Esteem afterwards.
Retail prices[]
| Model year(s) | Trim level | Body style | List price | Destination charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | GA | 2DR Hatchback | $7,659 | $315 |
| 1994 | GA | 4DR Sedan | $8,699 | $315 |
| 1994 | GS | 4DR Sedan | $10,199 | $315 |
| 1994 | GT | 2DR Hatchback | $10,839 | $315 |
| 1995 | GA | 2DR Hatchback | $8,699 | $330 |
| 1995.5 | GA | 2DR Hatchback | $8,699 | $360 |
| 1996 | GA | 2DR Hatchback | $8,999 | $360 |
Weblinks[]
http://www.suzukiauto.com/98_line_up/veh_swift.html
Gallery[]
