Cheaper at the pump and with a price tag to make you grin, there’s a lot to love in the small package of the Suzuki Swift Hybrid.

If you haven’t been won over by the modern electric engine craze, the new Suzuki Swift Hybrid might just be the car that changes your mind.

With fantastic fuel economy, an awesome set of safety features, modern tech out the wazoo and an ultra-low, market-leading price point, all wrapped up in the classic good looks of the Swift line, there’s a lot to love about this zippy newcomer.

Fuel? Where we’re going, we won’t need fuel

Suzuki is well known for producing cars with great fuel efficiency, but the introduction of the Swift Hybrid really shows off what they can do.

Specifications for both the GLX and the premium LTD model boast an incredible 4.1L/km, beating out the standard petrol-only GL model by 15%. Considering th the Swift is already one of the most fuel efficient vehicles out there, it’s seriously impressive to see those numbers drop even lower.

And before you worry about performance – don’t. The Hybrid is easily a match for its petrol counterparts, powered by a 61KW/107Nm 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine and boosted by an integrated starter generator at lower speeds. It’s very quick off the mark.

The price is right

But the savings don’t start at the pump. Drop into a car yard and take a look at the sticker price of a new Suzuki Swift Hybrid and you might think you’ve wandered into the used car section by mistake.

For a brand-new Swift Hybrid GLX, you’ll expect to pay just $26,500. Yes, that’s the lowest you’ll find for any new hybrid vehicle in New Zealand at the time of writing.

For that, you’ll get:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Heated electrically adjustable side mirrors
• LED projector headlights
• DRLs
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Reversing camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• Radar brake support

And for just $2,000 more in the LTD model, add:

• 4.2 inch colour LCD dash display
• Blind spot monitoring
• Dual sensor brake support driver assist
• Lane departure warning/prevention
• Rear cross traffic alert
• High beam assist

The fantastic value is easily one of the Swift Hybrid’s top selling points, particularly when paired with all those fantastic modern features.

European uniqueness

The Swift Hybrid drives great, doesn’t cost a huge amount and comes with those iconic Swift looks that are instantly recognisable on any city street. One important thing to note, though, is that the new Hybrids in New Zealand are technically European models, rather than the Japanese imports. This comes with a few quirks – all minor stuff when you compare it to the positives, but don’t be surprised if you reach for the blinker and turn on the wipers by accident!

Overall, the new Suzuki Swift Hybrid is a fantastic example of how an established, well-known line can continue to innovate and surprise us. It’s everything that you love about the standard Swift, but with better fuel economy and more modern technology.

Our advice? Drop into your local Nicholson Auto and test drive either the GLX or the LTD to get a real feel for this fresh faced hybrid Swift. We bet you won’t be disappointed.