SUZUKI

SUZUKI SWACE ESTATE 1.8 Hybrid SZ5 5dr CVT

Fuel

FuelPetrol/Electric Hybrid

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph11.1s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO299 g/km

SWACE ACE?

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

By this century's third decade, Suzuki was, literally, on a charge. Not only had it electrified its entire range, but it had also expanded it, albeit with more than a little help from its technical collaborator, Toyota. In this, the second model of that partnership, the curiously-named Swace borrowed the design of the familiar, respected Toyota Corolla Sports Tourer estate to give the Suzuki brand an entrant into the lucrative C-segment compact estate segment. Here, we check the original version out as a used buy.

Models

5dr Estate (Petrol -1.8)

History

When is a Suzuki not quite a Suzuki? For mainstream visitors to the brand, the answer to that question back in 2020 was when it was a Swace, the company's version of the Toyota Corolla Sports Tourer estate. With most shared product designs, the manufacturers involved take quite a lot of trouble to change the bits you can see to further the pretence that the products concerned are actually different. This wasn't one of those designs. At the end of this century's second decade, Suzuki needed a quick fix to reduce its average CO2 output in Europe and avoid punitive fines from Brussels. So they turned to Toyota, with whom the brand has a long-standing history of business partnerships - and this was the result. With this Swace, virtually no attempt at differentiation from the donor car was made, apart from a subtly different nose design and different badges on the wheels and, inside, on the steering wheel. At least you know what you're getting. And what you're getting is the estate version of a car we've previously recommended, the Toyota Corolla, one of the very few family hatchbacks available with a self-charging full-Hybrid engine. The Swace brought Suzuki back into a market sector it had been absent from since it offered the Baleno estate at the turn of the century - but that car never sold very strongly. Suzuki hoped that with the added draw of electrified technology, it would be a different story for the company in this segment. The Swace sold in its original form until early 2023 when it was significantly updated. It's the earlier 2020-2022-era model we look at here.

What You Get

Much like the Across SUV, the Swace almost exactly mirrors its Toyota cousin in design, save for a unique front face with LED headlamps and a prominent Suzuki badge. Even the Hybrid badges on the front wings are Toyota stock items. Unlike its Corolla cousin, the Swace was only available as an estate. Like that donor model, it's quite a sharp-looking car - and a far cry from Suzuki's turn-of-the-century Baleno estate, the brand's last offering in this class. Moving inside, the Swace once again offers few differences over its Corolla cousin, though you get Suzuki branding on both the instrument screen and the centre screen at start-up. Helping with the overall feeling of sophistication is the view you get through the three-spoke leather-stitched wheel - that of a smart instrument binnacle presented with a combination of digital and analogue design. Anything it can't tell you will probably be covered off by this 8-inch 'Toyota Touch 2' centre-dash display that deals with the usual DAB audio, Bluetooth, navigation and online connectivity options. The rear bench is a little tight by class standards, both in terms of leg and headroom, restrictions rather emphasised by the way the curved roof lining slopes down ahead and to the side of you. The footwells are also pretty tight and cramming three adult folk in the back is going to be something of a squash. Out back, there's a class-competitive 596-litre boot. The luggage compartment can be easily expanded into a fully flat space by using sidewall catches to fold down the second-row seats, which creates a total loading space of up to 1,606-litres.

What You Pay

Please contact us for an exact up-to-date valuation.

What to Look For

There aren't too many issues with this Swace. Toyota (who built it in Derbyshire) did have to issue a recall early on in production for issues with the CVT auto gearbox (there were fears that there was an issue that could lead to torque converter failure, which would result in a loss of power to the wheels). A check light might sometimes appear on, illuminating on the dash. This is due to the car's EVAP system; the only solution for this issue is to check the condition of the EVAP system. In the unlikely event that you're looking at a Swace that's done over 50,000 miles, you can expect it to drink a little more oil. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; check the interior for child damage; and the exterior for parking scrapes and alloy wheel scuffs. And of course insist on a fully stamped-out service history.

Replacement Parts

(approx - based on a 2021 Swace ex VAT) An air filter is priced in the £16 bracket. An oil filter costs in the £5 to £9 bracket. On to brakes. A set of front brake pads tend to retail in the £62 bracket. A front brake disc is around £110; think in the £54 bracket for rears. A set of wiper blades are om the £7-£24 bracket. A pollen filter is in the £15-£48 bracket. A headlamp will cost in the £452-£477 bracket (halogen) and around £893 (LED).

On the Road

The Swace combines a 1.8-litre, 102bhp engine with a 53kW electric motor and delivers drive through a CVT gearbox. Whilst not scintillating, performance is acceptable with a 0-62mph time of 11.1 seconds, whilst top speed is pegged at 111mph. Combined, the engine and electric motor offer a relatively seamless driving experience, where three driving modes can be selected - 'Normal', 'Eco' or 'Sport'. The driver can also select a fully electric 'EV mode' for those times when completely silent, or emission-free, running is preferred, such as for inner city work, or even early morning starts. In this mode, the car has the potential to cover a mile or so on pure battery power. 'EV mode' can be used for driving short distances without having to worry about noise or emissions, especially in residential areas early in the morning and late at night, or in garages and indoor parking lots. Combining both engine and electricity, however, can still reap the environmental rewards depending on what you select. 'Normal' mode will give the driver the optimal balance between fuel economy and performance, whereas 'Eco' will enhance the fuel economy through throttle response and even go as far as limiting the air-conditioning. 'Sport' will provide a quicker throttle response to emphasise acceleration when needed.

Overall

It might seem odd that Suzuki, often previously such an innovative manufacturer, would merely re-badge a Toyota to widen its electrified model offering. This technology though, demands years of experience and huge investment. Should Suzuki have made its customers wait for full-Hybrid tech - then charge them richly for it? Or should it, as here, use proven tech from an established partner, allowing them to bring this engineering quickly to market at a (relatively) affordable price? You can see why the second approach makes more sense and this Swace model fully embraces it. For the money you'd spend to get mild hybrid tech that makes hardly any difference to running costs on comparable estate versions of the Golf, the Focus, the Leon and the Octavia, here you get a full-Hybrid powertrain that can, in contrast, run at times exclusively on full-electric power, so delivering significantly lower running costs. If that makes sense to you, this car might too.

  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Rear window demister
  • Rear privacy glass
  • 2 speeds front wiper with intermittent + washer
  • 1 speed rear wiper + washer
  • Green tinted windows

  • Electric parking brake
  • Hill hold control
  • Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

  • Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

  • E-call
  • Bluetooth connectivity

  • Dynamic radar cruise control
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • L
  • ECO score
  • ECO accelerator guidance
  • Lane centering function
  • Front and rear parking distance sensors
  • Vehicle sway warning function
  • Steering assist function
  • Intelligent parking assist
  • Emergency stop signalling system
  • Lane departure warning system
  • Speed limiter
  • Rear view camera

  • Driving mode switch
  • Tailgate open with wireless remote control
  • Tailgate opener with electromagnetic type and inside remote control button
  • Push button start
  • Wireless charger

  • Road sign assist - RSA
  • Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto
  • Trip information
  • 7"colour LCD info display
  • Energy monitor
  • Blind spot monitor
  • Clock
  • Lights on warning

  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Electrically adjustable door mirrors
  • Body colour exterior door mirror

  • Chrome door inserts

  • DAB Digital radio
  • 2 x USB sockets in front
  • Steering wheel mounted audio controls
  • Front and rear speakers
  • Front tweeters
  • Speed sensing volume control
  • 8" touchscreen multimedia system

  • Shark fin antenna
  • Body Colour Exterior Door Handles
  • Roof rails
  • Roof spoiler
  • Black front grille

  • LED daytime running lights
  • Automatic lights and wipers
  • Rear combination lamp
  • Manual headlight levelling
  • Rear fog lamps
  • 'Guide me home' headlamps
  • High mounted stop lamp
  • LED front fog lamps
  • Auto high beam
  • Bi-LED projector headlights

  • Dual zone automatic air conditioning with S-Flow mode
  • Rear heater duct
  • Pollen filter
  • Dual zone climate control
  • PTC (Positive Temp Co-efficent) heater

  • Fabric upholstery
  • Door armrests
  • Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel
  • Boot compartment cover
  • 2 X front 12v power sockets
  • Leather heated steering wheel
  • Rear centre armrest
  • Luggage nets in boot
  • Leather gear knob
  • Front/rear assist grips
  • 12V power point in luggage area
  • Cupholder lights
  • Luggage area net hook x 4
  • Synthetic leather door armrest
  • Centre console armrest
  • 2 cup holders in the rear centre armrest
  • 2x Rear coat hooks
  • 2 cup holders in front
  • 2x Front and rear door bottle holders
  • Satin chrome instrument panel ornament
  • Satin chrome & piano black instrument panel centre ornament

  • Rear cabin lights
  • Luggage area lamp
  • Front map light
  • Ambient lighting

  • Front and rear seatbelt reminder
  • Curtain airbags
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Side airbags
  • 3 point ELR seatbelts front and rear
  • Driver and passenger airbags
  • Childproof rear door locks
  • Smart door lock system
  • Pre-collision system (AEB)
  • Driver knee airbag

  • Child seat tether anchorages x 2
  • Front head restraints
  • 2 Isofix seat anchors
  • Heated front seats
  • Rear head restraints
  • Driver + front passenger electric lumbar support
  • Driver/passenger front seatback pockets
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat

  • Remote central locking
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • Alarm/immobiliser
  • Deadlocks
  • Freewheeling key cylinders
  • Speed linked door lock

  • Dual illuminated vanity mirrors on sun visors

  • 16" alloy wheels

  • Tyre repair kit

  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion

  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 99
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Compression Ratio: 13.0:1
  • Transmission: AUTO
  • Gears: 1 SPEED
  • Engine Code: 2ZR-FXE
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 80.5
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3
  • CC: 1798

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 72.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 80.7
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 72.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 51.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 64.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 3.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 3.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.4

  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: True
  • AdBlue: False
  • Badge Power: 122
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.8
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Based On ID: N
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 21E
  • Coin Series: SZ5
  • Coin Description: Hybrid

  • Engine Power - BHP: 122
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 11.1
  • Top Speed: 112
  • Engine Power - KW: 90
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5200
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 105
  • Engine Torque - NM: 142
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 3600
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 14.5

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Tyre Size Rear: 205/55 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY
  • Tyre Size Front: 205/55 R16

  • Width (including mirrors): N
  • Height: 1460
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4655
  • Width: 1790
  • Wheelbase: 2700

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1345
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1835
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 43
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 596
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 450
  • Max. Loading Weight: 490
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1232
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.4

  • Metallic paint: £600
  • Mica paint: £600
  • Pearlescent paint: £900
  • Solid paint: Included

  • Metallic - Phantom brown: £600
  • Metallic - Oxide bronze: £600

  • Mica - Black: £600
  • Mica - Dark Blue: £600

  • Pearl - White pearl crystal shine: £900
  • Pearl - Precious silver: £900

  • Solid - Solid Super white: £0

  • Fabric - Grey: £0

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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