2021 Suzuki Swift Sport (ZC33S) in Malaysia – Who is it for exactly?
Shaun · Oct 5, 2021 11:00 AM
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The Suzuki Jimny is apparently all the rage now. Despite the internet complaining about its price, the first two shipments have already been sold out. It’s clear that if you found the right niche, what the internet thinks doesn’t matter at all.
Before the Jimny, it was the Swift Sport (ZC33S) that spearheaded Suzuki’s re-entry to Malaysia and it too had pricing complaints. But we’ve been told that there are far less units sold compared to the Jimny, even if the Swift Sport is cheaper and offers more value on paper.
Why is this the case? Well, this is merely my thoughts on the matter, but I believe the Suzuki Swift Sport has a neither-here-nor-there proposition.
To start with, the Suzuki Swift Sport is offered solely with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which means the hardcore enthusiasts aren’t the target demographics. Perhaps the wider set of buyers then, the general consumers who might be looking for something different.
Alright, so the Suzuki Swift is a B-segment hatchback. Buyers in that segment are looking at prices of around RM 80-90k. However, the regular Swift isn’t available here and the Swift Sport is priced at RM 139,900. Do you see the issue here?
Sure, the Swift Sport does offer more performance but we're not talking about VW Polo GTI/ Renault Clio RS levels of performance here, and for buyers to fork out 50 percent more for it? It's a tough one.
If segmentation doesn’t matter, a Honda Civic or a Proton X70 offers a whole lot more car for the money, not to mention the suite of ADAS too. And if you open up to the used and ‘recond’ market, there’s an ocean of choices.
A Toyobaru 86/BRZ or perhaps an F56 MINI Cooper S can be had for similar money. The former is rear-wheel driven and as much fun as a front-wheel drive car can be, there is no replicating the rear-wheel drive sensation.
This is what RWD is all about.
My colleague, Eric, pointed out that the ZC33S Swift Sport caters to the "casual" enthusiasts. My question is this – how likely will they be tempted by a brand-new Swift Sport when there’s the Toyobaru or MINI? Warranty and peace of mind? But there’s only one Suzuki service centre currently, which is in Petaling Jaya.
And we haven’t even talked about how the automatic ZC33S Swift Sport feels like to drive. Full disclosure, this writer owns the previous generation Swift Sport (ZC32S), which served as a reference point for the ZC33S Swift Sport.
For starters, the ZC33S Swift Sport is considerably quicker than before from its turbocharged engine. It recorded a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.6 seconds, compared to mine at 9.0 seconds flat (tried to shift as quick as I could). It also stops better than before as the brakes bite harder with a firmer, more reassuring feel.
In the bends, the ZC33S Swift Sport feels more anchored down and holds onto its line like it’s on rails. It will, of course, run wide and understeer if there’s too much speed like any other car. Lift off the throttle and it’ll tuck its nose back in.
And that’s where the positives end in the driving department for me. The steering isn’t as direct nor darty as before, with a general numbness to the feel. It’s weightier, but has lost that granular feedback that wobbles the steering wheel about on rough surfaces.
The turbocharged mill is quick but has unavoidably lost the lively character of the old naturally aspirated engine. As it no longer thrives when nearing redline, the mid-range rpm feels like its comfort zone, relying on the swell of torque to catapult itself out of any situation.
Then we have the 6-speed automatic transmission. Shifts are slow, bordering on being jerky at times. It’s just not a crisp shifting transmission that befits a Swift Sport. And while the brakes feel strong, it’s also quite grabby. A light touch can send passengers’ head tilting forwards and a slight release from standstill is enough for the car to lurch ahead.
Even with an automatic transmission, driving the ZC33S Swift Sport smoothly in stop-and-go traffic took a whole lot of finesse and turned it into a chore. As strange as it may sound, I’d rather be finessing with a clutch and throttle pedal in traffic like I’ve always been doing.
I believe a snappy dual-clutch transmission will transform the Swift Sport, or perhaps an automatic transmission as slick as the ones in current BMWs. Or you know, a 6-speed manual transmission.
So my stance on the ZC33S Swift Sport in Malaysia remains as before – it should be offered with a manual transmission. Offering it in a sole automatic option is an attempt to cater to the majority instead of the “enthusiasts” minority, but it might just turn out to please neither.
The quest for automotive knowledge began as soon as the earliest memories. Various sources information, even questionable ones, have been explored including video games, television, magazines, or even internet forums. Still stuck in that rabbit hole.
