Try GOLD - Free

The best car on a budget

Mail & Guardian

|

M&G 25 April 2025

We normally get to pricing at the end of a review but, since we are talking about budget, it is important to explain why the new Suzuki Swift is really the best economy option in South Africa at the moment.

- Eyaaz Matwadia

It comes in five variants: the base 1.2 GL manual, a 1.2 GL+ manual or CVT and a 1.2 GLX manual (the one we tested) or CVT.

The base starts at R219900 and the GL+ and GLX models are priced at R264900 and R284900.

The change in shape of the new model has caused a stir among Swift lovers. It looks more compact, the Suzuki badge has been moved from the grille to the new clamshell bonnet, which sports shut lines. It looks like a bug but feels refreshed.

It is as if Suzuki has given the consumer a brand-new vehicle from the first look, rather than just an update of the previous model.

And that is just the beginning. The interior has also been changed for the better.

MORE STORIES FROM Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

Lessons from M&G cabinet scores

It may be time for a leadership change

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

This year in cinema

Get ready for a year of daring filmmaking, epic adventures and unforgettable performances, from Boots Riley's surreal satire to Nolan and Villeneuve's epic visions

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Malawi's visa reversal could backfire

The cash-strapped country scrapped visa-free travel for 79 countries, including the US and UK, in a bid to shore up forex reserves

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Mantashe: SACP will pay a heavy price at elections

The ANC chairperson also urged the party not to elect a strongman president at its 2027 conference

time to read

6 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

Us today; you tomorrow

WW2 is conventionally dated to September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, but its origins can reasonably be traced back to 1935 when Fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

Ditsobotla's neglected townships

Residents were sceptical that anything would change after ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile's visit to the area this week

time to read

6 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

ANC leaders criss cross North West in anniversary blitz

The ANC, celebrating 114 years in existence this week, deployed its national officials to the North West, a service delivery hotspot, in a charm offensive meant to launch the party's road to the 2026 local government elections.

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Malatji vows to take up arms if need be to remove illegal foreign nationals

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has vowed to physically “clean out” foreign nationals illegally in South Africa, saying this could mean taking up arms to ensure their removal.

time to read

2 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

Mail & Guardian

Golden Acre entering her next era

There is something fitting about the multilevel shopping centre and office block entering another phase of reinvention

time to read

4 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Mail & Guardian

SACP ignores ANC pleas, presses on

The deepening rupture between the two was laid bare at the commemoration of Joe Slovo’s death

time to read

5 mins

M&G 09 January 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size