New Suzuki Swift Sport Honoured

The Suzuki Swift Sport has been named 'Best Buy Hot-Hatch' for less than £15,000 by What Car? magazine. And why not? This pint-sized plaything has a 1.6-litre 136bhp engine, after all – and that propels it to 62mph in only 8.7 seconds. Top speed is 121mph, which is quick for a car that costs £13,499. You can pay more for a litre of fuel at a motorway service station. This boy racers' dream is also reasonably frugal, so it averages 44.1mpg and can be taxed annually for £130. You can pay that for sandwiches on the M3.

Chas Hallet, What Car? Editor-in-Chief commented: “The all-new Suzuki Swift Sport is a brilliant junior hot hatch which is at home on all kinds of roads thanks to its strong grip, tight body control, and accurate steering. Priced at £13,499 - and equipped with luxury specification - it’s a great hot-hatch that is perfect for young drivers.”

Fair enough Chas, those are fair points. The new Swift's specification is particularly impressive. Features include: seven air-bags, an electronic stability programme, and shock-absorbing body pillars that soften any contact with the occupants' heads. Less safety focussed gadgets include: Bluetooth, a USB port, rear privacy glass, cruise control, and automatic air-con. Good stuff, that makes service stations seem much more bearable.

By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk

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