Suzuki introduces new Swace hybrid to European market

In a nutshell: Suzuki Introduces the new Swace

• New Suzuki Swace unveiled for the European market.
• Based on a Toyota Corolla, it’s a car born of the new collaboration between the two Japanese firmsS
• Hybrid system marries 1.8 litre petrol engine with 53kW electric motor.
• Crafted with ‘comfort and practicality’ in mind, the Swace boasts a roomy interior and large 596-litre boot.
• Precise UK pricing and spec to be revealed in the coming weeks.

New Suzuki estate pairs economy with no-nonsense practicality

But as a handy estate with advanced hybrid technology, the innovative new ‘Swace’ should be a seriously safe pair of hands for a variety of needs.

The Swace is the second car to be born from Suzuki’s new partnership with Toyota - the previous vehicle being the recently-released Suzuki Across.

While the SUV Across was based on the Toyota RAV-4, the new Swace is underpinned by the Toyota Corolla estate.

And while Suzuki talks of an ‘athletic exterior styling’ and ‘low centre of gravity’ thanks to the car’s wide stance, this is a vehicle built for steadfastness, not sport.

With the exterior you get LED headlamps, a large honeycomb-patterned hexagonal grille, as well as integrated roof rails and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, Suzuki adopts a shame-free ‘less-is-more’ approach, with an ‘elegant yet simple interior design that focuses on spaciousness, comfort and practicality.’

The Swace is equipped with an 8-inch multimedia audio system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a Qi wireless charging pad is available in the front console to charge smartphones, along with two USB terminals and an AUX terminal within easy reach of the driver and front passenger.

There’s also ambient lighting throughout the cabin, as well as heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

It should also be a nice place to be for passengers, with a distance of 928 mm between the front and rear seats ensuring legroom is one of the best in its class. Legroom in the Golf Estate, for example, is a shorter 903mm.

A 596 litre boot should swallow almost anything you can throw at it - that’s also 15 litres more than the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports upon which it’s based.

Meanwhile the hybrid performance comes from a powerful electric motor, producing 71 hp, alongside a 1.8 litre petrol producing a further 97 hp.

That equates to a 0-62mph time of 11.1 seconds, and a top speed of 112 mph.

There’s also a full EV drive mode, where the Swace can be driven solely by its motor with power supplied from the battery.

The Swace is equipped with three driving modes - NORMAL, ECO or SPORT, so you can play fuel economy off against a little sporty fun.

And there’s a host of advanced safety features, including ‘Simple-Intelligent Parking Assist’, which will automatically park the car for you should you let it, Pre-Collision System, which uses radar to monitor the road in front of you and to tip you off about dangers, as well as Lane Tracing Assist, which helps to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, there’s also Road Sign Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Crossing Traffic Alert and ‘eCall’, which dials the emergency services should you have a nasty prang.

So far there’s no indication of price of full UK spec, but you can expect the Swace to have a price tag close to the Corolla Touring Sports, which is £27,000.

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