The new Swace Hybrid provides Suzuki with an ‘elephant-in-the-room’
The second slice of evidence of Suzuki’s commercial collaboration with Toyota, following the Across SUV, states Iain Robertson, is a notional Baleno replacement that is manufactured in Derbyshire and is, therefore, the first-ever British-built Suzuki.
Our family dog, sadly no longer with us, was a short-haired Pekingese. With due deference to my motor industry connections, I named him Gordon Bennett, or ‘Benny’ for short. Independently minded but normally quite obedient (if it suited his mood), he loved ‘walkies’ and mention of the word ‘car’ would send him scurrying to the front door in readiness to assume his customary rear shelf post, from which he could observe the world imperiously.
Among his innumerable traits, some of which were intensely amusing, was a love of Extra Strong mints, the desire for privacy with his toilet habits and flatulence that even shocked him with its potency. Having been brought up alongside a Golden Retriever, he believed that he could be pally with larger dogs, although he could not tolerate smaller ones, a factor that could have been his undoing on several occasions. He could be accused of being aloof but the reality was that he was very selective in most of his choices. He was indefatigably loyal…to me.
Had Benny seen the Suzuki Swace, I know precisely how he would have reacted. He would have glanced at it and then totally ignored it, with the occasional askew glimpse, just to check it was still there but no other reaction. He would have been a willing passenger but, beyond a lingering fart and the (to him) uselessness of a retractable load cover, the Swace would have left him cold. Mind you, he would probably have felt much the same about the Toyota Corolla Sports Wagon that has fostered it.
As you might know, I am a fan of the latest Corolla. Its crisp styling, wide stance, excellent cabin packaging and sound dynamics combine to hike its positive attributes considerably above the Auris model that preceded it. The reason Suzuki has indulged in ‘badge engineering’ is, as I outlined with the Across, a shortcut means to hybridising, or part-electrifying its pan-European range, as we all steel ourselves for the 2030 onslaught of the EV scene and the ban on new sales of fossil-fuelled cars (although hybrids have a five years’ grace period to 2035).
As a result, Suzuki does not want the conventional Corolla but contents itself with the petrol-electric hybrid version; one power unit, two familiar trim levels (SZ-T and SZ5). It is a determined action that also provides Toyota with access to the previously ‘difficult’ Indian car market, with Suzuki producing some cars for Africa. It harbours mutual benefits.
As to the drivetrain, while Suzuki has accepted the lower (122bhp) of two power options available on Corolla, with an anticipated 2,000-unit annual registrations, the Swace, which I have nicknamed ‘Station Wagon Ace’, is a perfect niche-filler with fiscal purpose in mind. The entire package is based on the respected running gear of the Prius model, which means an unexciting 1.8-litre petrol engine attached to an ‘intelligent’ electric motor that works imperceptibly across its entire operational range, dipping in and out of EV-mode support as conditions allow it to. Its EV-only mode allows a range of around a mile but the overall fuel economy is its star turn at 64.2mpg, although I recorded in excess of 71.2mpg, accompanied by a low CO2 tax rating posted at 99g/km. Including the £3,000 government grant, the SZ-T costs £24,499 (Corolla equivalent: £25,755), while the more highly specified SZ5 weighs in at £26,299 (Corolla: £26,960).
Apart from the list price savings, the changes that Suzuki introduces to Corolla are purely cosmetic, with a Swift Sport-style front air intake and the Suzuki ‘S’ logo adorning both bonnet and tailgate, as well as the steering wheel and touchscreen graphics. Everything else is Toyota grade, which is eminently acceptable, made to last and very presentable. However, as with the Across, Suzuki is reliant on its customers’ use of either Apple, or Android personal communication devices, neither of which I own, which means that sat-nav is not included in the package, a factor that I believe to be a sad omission, especially as my Vitara in SZ-T trim does feature it. Yet, if you are mobile equipped, the in-built touchscreen system can mirror your travel app. Unsurprisingly, all of Toyota’s most up-to-date ADAS and connectivity options are carried into the Swace.
Earlier, I did mention that the drivetrain is ‘unexciting’. It is. However, it is also very refined. Given its head, the Swace will crack the 0-60mph dash in around 10.8s, before running out of steam at 112mph, which is not bad for a car that weighs around 1.5t with access to a mere 122bhp. The driver has a choice of three drivetrain modes, Normal, ECO and Sport, each of which optimises the desired setting but takes fullest advantage of the battery pack.
While Toyota markets a 5-door hatch version of the Corolla, Suzuki is taking only the Touring Sports body style, which is fine, because a spacious boot ranges capacity from 596-litres (rear seats and luggage cover in position) up to 1,696-litres, with the adjustable and reversible boot floor on its lowest setting and the back seats flopped forwards. Offering a practical width of almost 1.5m, height of 0.85m and a deck length of up to 1.86m, load-lugging comes as second nature to Swace, even if it is not elephant-sized.
Driving the Swace is a comfortable and effortless experience. Its ride quality is supple, yet sporty enough to allow a driver to indulge in its modest potency. Pushed to the limit, it is a stable but determined understeerer but never to disturbing levels. The brakes, which provide some energy recovery to top-up the battery, can feel a little hesitant at low speeds but work efficiently otherwise. Of course, the CVT (constantly-variable) transmission works well, aiding the overall refinement of the package.
With a low sales target, the Swace could seem a little half-hearted in Suzuki’s realm. Yet, as the just costlier Toyota base is so competent, even the most ardent Suzuki fan will not feel short-changed. Another niche is filled and wise Toyota customers can get a better deal.
