New nose!
Despite marginal sales volumes, the Suzuki Swift+ gets a slight makeover for 2009 -- just like its twins, by the way. A new, sharper grille that's specific to each one, redesigned headlights and taillights, a reshaped hood and front fenders that now integrate fake air vents are among the upgrades that define the new model.
Inside, the dashboard also went under the knife for a subtle facelift. Don't expect anything radical; it's just a bit of freshness added to the layout and nothing more.
The overall design remains friendly and material selection is decent. The Yaris and Fit are much better executed, though. I have to admit that the two-tone fabric used for the seats of my tester was quite becoming. Moreover, a few chrome inserts now embellish the dashboard and liven up the entire cockpit, which would otherwise be dominated by run-of-the-mill black plastics.
I was disappointed not to find any large storage bins to empty my pockets. It seems as though Ital Design experts, who are responsible for the general lines and interior layout of this tiny Korean, haven't even thought about this important detail.
From minuscule to humongous!
Access to the driver's seat is easy, much more so than in a Pontiac Vibe or even a Chevy Malibu! The generously-sized opening and ultra-low sills of the front doors make entry and exit a real child's play.
In the back, however, the limited legroom reduces comfort for adults. Granted, a car like the new 2010 Mazda3 doesn't fare better. Go figure...
The 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks add versatility to the interior of the Swift+, which is great since they allow owners to adjust the size of the cargo area based on their needs. Folding all seatbacks increases cargo capacity from a meager 200 liters (the smallest of all econoboxes on the market, including the smart fortwo) to a whopping 1,190 liters, which is enough to load big items. In comparison, the Fit offers 25-percent more room for your luggage. That said, the Yaris is 36-percent less accommodating than the Swift+.
Despite marginal sales volumes, the Suzuki Swift+ gets a slight makeover for 2009 -- just like its twins, by the way. A new, sharper grille that's specific to each one, redesigned headlights and taillights, a reshaped hood and front fenders that now integrate fake air vents are among the upgrades that define the new model.
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| The dashboard gets a fresh look and the steering wheel is connected to a precise, nicely-calibrated steering. |
Inside, the dashboard also went under the knife for a subtle facelift. Don't expect anything radical; it's just a bit of freshness added to the layout and nothing more.
The overall design remains friendly and material selection is decent. The Yaris and Fit are much better executed, though. I have to admit that the two-tone fabric used for the seats of my tester was quite becoming. Moreover, a few chrome inserts now embellish the dashboard and liven up the entire cockpit, which would otherwise be dominated by run-of-the-mill black plastics.
I was disappointed not to find any large storage bins to empty my pockets. It seems as though Ital Design experts, who are responsible for the general lines and interior layout of this tiny Korean, haven't even thought about this important detail.
From minuscule to humongous!
Access to the driver's seat is easy, much more so than in a Pontiac Vibe or even a Chevy Malibu! The generously-sized opening and ultra-low sills of the front doors make entry and exit a real child's play.
In the back, however, the limited legroom reduces comfort for adults. Granted, a car like the new 2010 Mazda3 doesn't fare better. Go figure...
The 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks add versatility to the interior of the Swift+, which is great since they allow owners to adjust the size of the cargo area based on their needs. Folding all seatbacks increases cargo capacity from a meager 200 liters (the smallest of all econoboxes on the market, including the smart fortwo) to a whopping 1,190 liters, which is enough to load big items. In comparison, the Fit offers 25-percent more room for your luggage. That said, the Yaris is 36-percent less accommodating than the Swift+.
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| Folding the 60/40-split rear seatbacks results in a sizeable cargo area. |