Review – Suzuki Swift AllGrip (2025): 4×4 at a bargain price?
Smart all-wheel drive
The Suzuki Swift AllGrip is equipped with a special form of all-wheel drive: AllGrip Auto. This system works fully automatically. If you lose grip with the front wheels – for example, on a wet road surface, in the snow or on an unpaved surface – then the system immediately engages the rear wheels. The engine torque is quickly distributed, giving you more traction and stability. Without you having to do anything yourself.
Viscoupling
The technology behind this system works with a viscocoupler, a type of hydraulic clutch in front of the rear differential. This contains thick silicone oil. As soon as there is a difference in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels, heat is generated. The oil expands, builds up pressure and activates a multi-plate clutch. This automatically drives the rear wheels. As soon as the system senses that the front wheels are losing grip, it automatically distributes drive to all four wheels. The car does the work. Why would you want that? Perhaps the presence of such a system makes you experience extra peace of mind, confidence and a sense of security. That could be a buying point. On the other hand, such a Swift AllGrip gets pretty far in unpaved terrain and the increased ground clearance.
More ground clearance for Suzuki Swift AllGrip
All AllGrip versions of the Suzuki Swift stand a bit higher on their legs than regular models. This gives you more ground clearance, which comes in handy if you take a bumpy route. Normally that’s about 25 millimeters. But in the case of this particular test car we are even talking about 32 millimeters of extra ground clearance, because this car has different rubber.
The version pictured and in our Suzuki Swift AllGrip video review features additional accessories that give the car a tougher look. These include a Thule roof rack, chunkier all-season tires (size 195/55R16), gloss black rims and wheel arch extensions. There are also black Suzuki logos, a rubber protective strip on the rear bumper and eye-catching AllGrip stickers. For better visibility at night, a Tralert LED bar is mounted on the grille. Inside, you’ll find a Dometic cooler and storage box, rubber floor mats and leather upholstery.
Always with mild hybrid technology
The Swift’s engine is paired with Suzuki’s 12V Smart Hybrid system (SHVS) as standard. On paper, this system makes you drive more economically and emit less emissions. By the way, the ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) provides 2.3 kW and 50 Nm of extra power. This helps with starting, driving and acceleration and also supports systems such as the air conditioning or your music system.
When braking and decelerating, motion energy is converted into electricity, which is stored in a lithium-ion battery. That energy is then used to support the engine during acceleration. This should reduce fuel consumption. In the “normal” Suzuki Swift, we achieved 1:20 with two fingers in the nose. Now the average fuel consumption is stuck at 1:15. This is mainly due to the ‘wind catcher’ on the roof.
Performance three-cylinder gasoline engine
The Suzuki Swift’s three-cylinder gasoline engine delivers 60.9 kW (83 hp) and 112 Nm of torque. Combined with AllGrip, the Swift reaches a top speed of 160 km/h and sprints to 100 km/h in 13.6 seconds. Average fuel consumption is around 4.9 liters per 100 km (about 1 on 20). As mentioned, keep in mind that accessories such as a roof rack affect aerodynamics and can increase fuel consumption.
By the way, the gasoline engine hangs on the throttle just fine, but you should not hesitate to press the gas pedal a little harder. You sometimes have to give this Swift quite a spur to achieve a pleasant acceleration. In addition, the five-speed manual transmission shifts fine, but also somewhat without feeling. The clutch is very light to operate. That takes some getting used to. Steering is pleasant on this AllGrip version with 16-inch alloys. What a bigger tire can accomplish.
Suzuki Swift dimensions
So what about the Swift AllGrip’s dimensions? The car has a length of 3,860 mm, a width of 1,735 mm and a height of 1,510 mm. This makes the Swift nice and compact, while the boot is still perfectly usable at 265 liters. Do take into account a higher lift threshold.
Weight and towing capacity Suzuki Swift AllGrip
The all-wheel-drive version weighs slightly more than the regular Swift. The AllGrip weighs 1,070 kilograms roadworthy (registration weight: 970 kg), compared to 994 kilograms for the standard version. That means slightly more road tax. All versions of the Swift can tow a trailer of 1,000 kilograms, with a maximum nose weight of 60 kilograms. For this you do need a tow bar, which costs about 800 euros from Suzuki.
Prices and warranty
The regular Suzuki Swift comes from 22,299 euros. The AllGrip version starts at 28,449 euros, and the more luxurious Style version with AllGrip costs a minimum of 30,049 euros. AllGrip is only available with a five-speed manual transmission. The warranty is 6 years or a maximum of 150,000 kilometers.
This one has a number of options, including:
- Leather Interior: costs 1,550 to 1,768 euros depending on your needs
- Plastic mat set: 74 euros
- Rear bumper protection plate: 105 euros
- Black 16-inch alloy wheels: 1,150 euros
- A high-gloss black Suzuki logo: 122 euros
- An all-carrier: 398 euros
If you add it all up, you quickly arrive at 33,500 euros. The Thule roof rack is an official accessory for the Suzuki Jimmy. But as you can see, it also fits on the Swift. The height with all these accessories is 2.10 meters. Something to keep in mind in parking garages.
Conclusion review Suzuki Swift AllGrip
So is this Suzuki Swift AllGrip a 4×4 at a bargain price? Yes and no. Yes, because an alternative to this Swift with AWD does not exist in the B-hatchback segment. So in that respect, this Japanese is one-of-a-kind. And no, because an amount of 28,000 euros is of course an awful lot of money. But if we look purely at the purpose of this car: then, of course, that 28 grand is not much for a car that takes you further than the average car. Those nice looks, you get as a gift. Perhaps such a Swift AllGrip is even something for the Forestry Commission. During our test, this Suzuki proved to itself that it can also hold its own in more extreme situations.
