Not giving up: Suzuki Swift Manual in a test

• Price: NIS 114,000
• Competitors: None directly
• We liked: Fuel efficiency, gearbox operation, rear space
• We didn't like: Performance, safety
• Score: 8.5/10

The blue car in the pictures is the Suzuki Swift, the successful supermini model from the manufacturer that has been with us in various iterations for decades. This is its new generation, and you may have started to see it on the roads since its arrival in Israel a few months ago. But this specific car is entirely different from what the vast majority of new car buyers are familiar with. You can't see it from the outside – it's on the inside – it has a manual transmission.

At this point, many people might feel like the event is over for them. The Israeli public has warmly embraced automatic transmissions, which, until 30-35 years ago, were not a given, not even in small cars or even popular family vehicles. Today, for many, this is, at best, nostalgia, like "Where are the cars we used to push-start in first gear," or at worst, a tormenting memory of the dreaded uphill start during driving tests or parking in reverse on a slope in Jerusalem during winter (based on a true story).

And yet, here and there, cars preserving the manual option appear for those who choose it (a full list later), and the Suzuki Swift does this even in its current generation. This provides an opportunity to check if, even at the end of 2024, there is still a reason for the manual option to exist.

Design: As you might have guessed, from the outside, you can't tell this is the manual Swift. The external appearance is entirely identical. The days are gone when cars had the "AUTOMATIC" badge proudly displayed, distinguishing their owners from the masses who had to operate their own gearboxes. In itself, the design is quite attractive, largely an evolution of the outgoing generation, with a large grille, a "floating" roof, and nicely sculpted wheel arches. If there is one critique, it is the proportions between the body and the wheels, which seem a bit small.

Interior: Inside, too, there is no difference between the automatic and manual versions, except for the matter of the gear lever and the third pedal. This means you get a driver’s environment with fairly simple materials, mostly hard plastics, with attempts to break up the monotony using different textures, colors, and metallic-looking plastic here and there. The ergonomics are fundamentally good, the driving position is high, and the visibility outwards is also good.

The seats proved to be comfortable even for long distances. The multimedia screen is clear and easy to operate, aligning with market standards instead of the previous locally-installed units in the company’s models. It's a shame there isn't a physical button for volume control, but aside from that, the operation of the climate control and the buttons around the driver is straightforward.

A wheelbase of 245 cm sounds like a recipe for a very cramped rear seat, but in reality, it’s surprising. It starts with a square and convenient door opening and continues with legroom that can satisfy an adult more than satisfactorily.

Trunk: Like the wheelbase and rear seat, the official figure of 265 liters makes you expect just a large cooler, but its square shape allows for reasonably good usability. There’s even a temporary spare tire under the floor. The only downside is the relatively high loading lip and significant depth, which requires lifting cargo in and out.

Equipment: If in the past we were used to manual versions being poorly equipped, that’s not the case here. The Swift is offered in the same GLX trim level for both the automatic and manual versions. It includes a 9-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, electrically folding and heated mirrors, keyless entry and start, climate control, and heated seats. By the way, we can already do away with the "clock" and "outside temperature indicator" in the spec sheet – we're past the stage where this was considered a fancy addition, okay?

The Swift passed the European crash test with only 3 out of 5 stars. Advanced safety systems include automatic braking, including in cross traffic at intersections, adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and a blind-spot warning system.

Performance: Pressing the start button does nothing, and half a second later, I remember I need to press the clutch simultaneously... Then the 3-cylinder engine comes to life with a growl. Since I returned the automatic CVT Swift on the same day as the test drive for the manual Swift, the first thing I noticed was the absence of vibrations transferred through the body of the car. In the manual version, the clutch is pressed, or the gearbox is in neutral when stationary, whereas in the automatic version, the engine remains somewhat connected to the transmission.

The engine is very modest. In today’s world, 82 horsepower and 11 kg/m of torque are not exactly numbers to boast about in catalogs, and indeed, they are not prominently featured. The focus here is on efficiency and fuel consumption, which are highlighted. The performance is not thrilling. The beginning is promising, with a very pleasant and light clutch operation, and the gearbox engages smoothly and precisely, with a very good gear shift movement. But the first time you leave urban traffic and hit the highway, things become quite tame in terms of pace. The same applies to mountainous roads, where the key is to maintain momentum; otherwise, you’ll have to bury your foot deep into the floor and sometimes feel the air conditioner taking a break as every horsepower is called back to work. However, unlike the automatic version with the CVT, you can match engine revs to each gear and avoid the jump to high, ear-piercing RPMs.

Fuel Consumption: In this regard, the manual transmission maintains its reputation for being very fuel-efficient. The car easily recorded 19.1 km per liter, even including dynamic driving during the test, not just regular commuting, where we easily added another kilometer and a half to that figure. In this respect, we are talking about hybrid-level savings. Its mild hybrid system is hardly noticeable during driving.

Comfort and Handling: As a very light car (919 kg), the Swift is somewhat bouncy on small urban bumps, which translate into body vibrations, but it handles larger road imperfections relatively well. At medium speeds, it is balanced, and at higher triple-digit speeds, road noise interferes with its overall comfort. However, the handling remains enjoyable, typical of a light car. The steering is disconnected and too light to provide real feedback, but overall, the grip level is high, and since the engine power is modest to begin with, the chances of finding yourself near the tires’ limits are pretty low. By the way, it has rear drum brakes, but despite concerns, there is no noticeable difference in braking ability.

Bottom Line

New manual cars have become a very rare item on Israeli roads. The Suzuki Swift manual reminds us how unfortunate that is. It’s not without flaws, some of which relate to performance, noise insulation, and, of course, safety. One can understand why manufacturers prioritize investment in other areas, but it’s harder to understand why customers accept this. As auto industry reporters, we can’t ignore this fact. On the plus side, it’s a small car on the outside without real compromises on the inside, with excellent fuel economy, a very pleasant and easy-to-use gearbox, and yes, I deliberately tested it in heavy traffic, and overall, it offers a successful approach to a small supermini car with the spirit of the good old days. In conclusion, the product is truly good.

What overshadows the event is its price. At 114,000 NIS, you could have bought most of the better supermini cars until recently. Today, that’s its price. For those wanting a manual supermini, there isn’t much choice – it’s the only one in its class. But for those not focused on this, it’s hard not to look at a car like the Seat Ibiza, which offers a dual-clutch transmission for 1,000 NIS more, much more power, better dimensions, equally good safety, and a similarly equipped features list, and wonder if that’s not the better buy.

Arm Wrestling - What Manual Cars Can You Buy in the Market?

There’s a long-standing story among Israeli automotive journalists, with vague origins and multiple versions, about a meeting with a senior representative of a major European car manufacturer. During a conversation, the topic turned to the strong preference of local customers for automatic transmissions. "Of course you would," she said, nodding sympathetically, "It’s because of all the disabled people you have from the wars."

While this is no laughing matter, especially not these days, looking at the 2024 Israeli car market, besides the reviewed Swift, there are exactly four mainstream cars sold with manual transmission options. The Hyundai i10, priced at NIS 78,400, is no longer imported due to Erdogan's embargo. At Suzuki, you can purchase a manual Ignis for NIS 105,000, the aforementioned Swift for NIS 114,000, and the Jimny off-roader for NIS 157,000, though its import will soon be halted due to the manufacturer’s decision not to upgrade it to meet new European emissions standards.

At Dacia, only the 7-seat Jogger is currently offered for NIS 120,000, with manual Duster imports expected to resume with the arrival of the new generation in November. Beyond that, it's just sporty cars like the Abarth 500 (NIS 160,000), Subaru BRZ (NIS 230,000), Mazda MX5 (NIS 259,000), Honda Civic Type R (NIS 346,000), Porsche Cayman (NIS 482,000), and its convertible sibling, the Boxster (NIS 545,000).

According to licensing office data, 1,186 manual cars, including commercial vehicles, have been delivered in Israel since the start of the year, making up about half a percent of the Israeli car market in 2024.

And which are the best sellers? The Dacia Duster with 248 units, thanks to its successful 4x4 version, which isn’t available as an automatic, 115 pre-facelift Citroën Berlingo units (before the manual version import was stopped), and 97 Hyundai i10s, proving there’s demand for affordable small manuals—too bad the model’s import was halted.

Other sales include 83 fun Subaru BRZs, 64 sporty Hyundai i20Ns, 54 Isuzu D-Maxes, 40 Suzuki Jimnys with a third pedal, 21 manual Suzuki Swifts, and an identical number of Suzuki Jimnys. The Mazda MX-5 closes the list with 17 units.

Technical Specifications: Suzuki Swift Manual

• Engine, Drive: Petrol, 1,197 cc, front-wheel drive
• Power/Torque (hp/kgm): 11/82
• Transmission: Manual, 5-speed

Dimensions:

• Length (m): 3.86
• Width (m): 1.74
• Height (m): 1.45
• Wheelbase (m): 2.45
• Trunk volume (liters): 265

Performance:

• 0-100 km/h acceleration (seconds): 12.5
• Top speed (km/h): 165
• Fuel consumption (manufacturer): 22.2 km/l
• Fuel consumption (test): 19.1 km/l

Safety:

• European crash test score: 3/5
• Active safety: Lane departure correction, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert

Air pollution:

• 3/15

Warranty:

• 3 years / 100,000 km