I’m writing this in the evening, like I usually tend to do, only this particular evening just happens to be the autumn solstice. From today onward the nights grow longer as the days get shorter, and inevitably colder. We had our first frost this morning out here in The Far Unlit Unknown. And no doubt by the time you get to read any of this the weather will have taken a much larger turn for the worse.
Today is also the day I dropped my aged albeit ever-faithful, Suzuki Jimny off at the local garage ahead of its MOT appointment tomorrow. Despite being in the enviable position of being able to drive a whole host of different vehicles over the course of the year, driving that battered old Jimny always seems to make me smile. Sat here scribbling, I’m hoping that little go-anywhere tin box of mine is going to pass; quite what I’d do without it I’m not so sure.
That said, I might now have an idea or two should I need to find an alternative means of non-bank-breaking all-wheel drive transport.
You see, Suzuki have endowed their latest Swift an extra sense of adventure. By combining their two most prolific talents – small cars and four wheel drive systems – they’ve created the Suzuki Swift Allgrip.
Now I’ll grant you it doesn’t take a genius to realise the Swift Allgrip, is never going to challenge a Jimny when it comes to going off-road, but to be fair to Suzuki they’re not trying to claim such things. Nevertheless, should you be one of those people who has a penchant for living slightly more off the beaten track than most, or like me, you live somewhere where every year the winter regularly brings enough snow to scare a BBC weather presenter senseless, the Swift Allgrip might just be well and truly up your byway.
Designed not for those for whom a 4×4 means frothy coffees, 22inch alloys, and Finsbury Park school-runs, the Swift Allgrip combines all the usual elements associated with a super-mini, i.e. diminutive dimensions, goldfish ball-like visibility, ISOFIX for the kiddies, and frugal running costs, in addition to the extra sure-footedness and reassurance of four-wheel drive.
You also get, key-less entry, Bluetooth, air-conditioning, 7 airbags, automatic headlights, Apple Carplay, sat-nav, cruise control, some very comfy heated seats, a host of ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) that after a bit of a faff you can, thankfully, switch off, and Suzuki’s enviable reputation for reliability coupled with an up to 10 year warranty.
There’s even proper analogue dials on the dashboard – those modern digital things make me feel like I’m in some kind of simulator – plus tactile, chunky switches to control the heater. And best of all…. there’s an old fashioned lever-operated handbrake. Hallelujah!
What you can’t have is an automatic gearbox, the Allgrip is only available in 5-speed manual Ultra spec.
The Swift Allgrip sits 25mm higher than its front wheel drive cousins and weighs in at just over 65kg heavier – that’s about the same as an extra teenage passenger. Despite the slightly loftier stance overall ground clearance remains the same as result of the extra rear diff and drive shafts – they transfer propulsion to the rear wheels via a viscous coupling should, or when, the front wheels begin to loose traction.
Engine-wise things remain the same. Which means there’s thrummy 1.2 litre 3- cylinder mild-hybrid petrol mill under the Swift’s curvaceous bonnet, delivering 82bhp, 83lbft of torque, plus the promise of up to 57.6 mpg. I never saw less than 60, regardless of how enthusiast my driving style.
With peak torque and power not arriving until 4,500 rpm and 5,700 rpm respectively driving the Swift becomes more of lesson in maintaining momentum rather than a series of short-sharp blasts between landmarks. However, the Swift’s excellent handling, and direct, if a tad numb feeling, steering, together with the Allgrip system’s extra grip, does mean you can attack roundabouts with far more… shall we say, “conviction”. You also get the impression that should the weather turn colder, with a set of winter tyres wrapped around its rather attractive 16” alloys the Swift Allgrip would be all-but unstoppable – well at least until the snow or floods got too deep that is!
For the £22,049 Suzuki charge for their go (nearly) everywhere Swift (0% PCP deals are currently available) you could choose from a host of second-hand SUV’s that would probably offer far more rugged off-road potential. But it’s unlikely that any one of them would be so well equipped, so frugal to run, or so easy to live with day-to-day.
Niche it may be, but if you only need a little extra grip every once in a while, and super-minis are altogether more your thing, then, whatever the weather, the Swift Allgrip should be more than capable of putting a smile on your face.
(You won’t have the worry of having to take it for an MOT for the first three years of ownership either!).
Suzuki Swift 1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra Allgrip
Engine: 1,197cc 3-Cyl 12 Valve Petrol
Power: 82 BHP @ 5,700 rpm
Torque: 83 lbft @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 5 speed manual.
Performance: 0-62mph 13.6 sec
Max Speed: 99 mph
MPG: 51.3 Combined.
CO2: 99 g/km (WLTP)
Price: £ 22,049 (as driven) £22,749.
@bird_liam
Many Thanks to everyone at Suzuki’s UK press department for the loan of the Swift
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