Suzuki Swift Sport hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

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Suzuki had a remarkably successful year in the UK last year, despite the challenging market conditions. The company sold 27,928 units, which is a 57% increase compared to 2022 and the highest annual volume since 2019. Although Suzuki may not be as prominent as other brands, their vehicles’ quality, reliability, and pricing have created a loyal customer base.

The success of Suzuki’s compact Swift is a testament to its quality, pricing, reliability and customer loyalty. The model has been around since 2004 and has sold over nine million units and the new model, to be released in the spring, will be powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, which provides increased fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

This Swift Sport hybrid model is equally impressive, with feisty performance and great driver engagement.

It features a low centre of gravity, blacked-out pillars, roof spoiler, smart front grille and bumper, front fog lamps, LED running lights, and 17-inch polished alloy wheels.

The interior is designed to reflect the car’s sporty aesthetic, with red accent panels throughout the cockpit and a rev counter with a red dial face. The LCD display shows information about the car’s performance, including turbo boost, engine oil temperature, engine output and torque data, fuel consumption, average speed, acceleration and brake operation, and driving G-force tracking. The sports seats are supportive and comfortable, and the alloy pedals and steering wheel with a dimpled leather design and red stitching complete the look.

The seven-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment, sat nav, and smartphone connectivity with MirrorLink, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It also includes the rearview camera for reversing.

The 1.4 Boosterjet with 48V Hybrid Powertrain for Swift Sport helps to reduce fuel costs and lower CO2 emissions. The hybrid system’s main components weigh just 15kg, including a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage.

The ISG acts as a generator and starter motor, is belt-driven, and provides a boost to the petrol engine. The turbocharged unit is gutsy and mated to a six-speed manual box, propelling the car to 60mph in just over eight seconds, delivered with a throaty rasp from the tuned exhaust system. It is also economical, with a claimed 50.4 mpg.

The Swift Sport’s sport suspension keeps the car feeling agile with optimized roll rigidity and improved dynamic response. Safety features include six airbags as standard, stability program, advanced forward detection system, Lane Departure Correction adaptive cruise control, and assisted braking. The front ventilated brake discs offer greater stopping power.

Buyers also benefit from the Service Activated Warranty, which is offered free of charge once the car reaches the end of its manufacturer warranty period and is booked in for its next scheduled service within the Suzuki Dealer network. This warranty stays in place until the next qualifying service and is then renewed again up to a maximum vehicle age of 7 years/100,000 miles – whichever comes first.

In conclusion, the Swift Sport is a compact and sporty five-door hatch flyer that provides excellent value for money and is incredibly fun to drive.

Suzuki Swift Sport Boosterjet Hybrid

• Price: £24,270
• Mechanical: 129bhp, 1342cc, four cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed  gearbox
• Max speed: 130mph
• 0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
• Combined mpg: 50.4
• Insurance group: 28D
• CO2 emissions: 125g/km
• BiK rating: 30%
• Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

MG HS Plug-in Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

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It may surprise many that MG is one of the fastest, if not the fastest growing brands in the UK. This after an uncertain start after being purchased by Chinese giant SAIC  and lauding some not-so-memorable vehicles. They were cheap yes, but not necessarily cheerful

They say that you get what you pay for and MG took that on board and now offers a compelling range of good quality cars, that are still cheap, but a lot more cheerful.

And in the case of the classy HS flagship, is there a better value SUV in pure cost terms. At under £34k for a plug in is a bit of a steal. Oh, let’s not forget the seven-year, 100k warranty.

Revamped this year, there have been tweaks to the back and front for a more muscular and aggressive profile including new bi-function LED headlights, new grille and front bumper design and very smart diamond cut alloys, plus electric folding and heated door mirrors.

At the rear, a new bumper design, revised dual exhaust outlets and LED taillights complete the update,

Two specifications include  SE or Trophy, both are well equipped and feature a single 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine with 16.6kWh battery pack and a 90kW electric motor to deliver 257hp. It is mated with a dual-clutch DCT 10 speed auto gearbox, which is not my favourite type of transmission.

It has a claimed electric-only range of 32 miles and like all plug-ins it has a ridiculous range claim of 155.8mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, assuming you are almost permanently driving on electric power. My admittedly high-speed motorway drive delivered under 40mpg. It seemed distinctly thirsty.

However, there is plenty of pace, it hits 60mpg in just about seven seconds and emissions of 43g/km make it cheap to tax and put it in a low category for benefit-in-kind taxation.

The large interior has good head and legroom all round and this model has comfortable electrically operated sports-style leather style seats giving the driver a commanding view of the road.

It features an array of soft-touch finish to dash and sports seats, with fewer of the harsher solid plastics. It has a push button start, a 10.1 inch colour touchscreen featuring the latest software and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The goodies get better as you move up the range and this range-topper adds front and rear LED sequential indicators, dual-zone climate control, rear privacy glass, metal sports pedals and the standard 360 degree camera is brilliant for manoeuvring.

On the road don’t expect sports car style sharpness to steering and handling, both are adequate for a family motor and the ride is comfortable enough.

The size of the car does not necessarily match the boot space with a modest 448 litres, but folding the rear seats flat extends the total capacity to 1,375 litres. There’s also a dual height boot floor.

Safety kit is comprehensive with the MG Pilot set up offering safety aids, including Active Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning System and Rear Cross Traffic alert.

The HS gets better and better and if it wasn’t so thirsty, my four star rating would be a five.

Factfile

MG HS Trophy PHEV

Price: £33.595

Mechanical: Combined 258PS 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via 10-speed auto gearbox

Max speed: 118mph

0-62mph: 6.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 155.8

CO2 emissions: 43g/km

BiK rating: 12%

Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles

Rating: Four stars