Suzuki Swift Wins the NGMW Car of the Year 2024
Suzuki has been awarded the Northern Group of Motoring Writers Car of the Year 2024, with the Swift hatchback taking the title for the second time in a decade.
The original Suzuki Swift Sport won the NGMW’s annual award back in 2014, and in scooping the 2024 prize the Swift has become the first model line to take two victories.
As usual, any vehicle launched into the UK market across the 12-month eligibility period could be selected for the award, with the entire group selecting their favorite vehicles driven in that time frame. The voting determined the ultimate winners.
Starting at £18,699, all models of the Swift sports a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid system, and it’s available in either entry level “Motion” or higher-specification “Ultra” trim — both in manual and CVT versions. In standard specification the Swift features LED headlights, heated front seats, a nine-inch infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, navigation and a rear-view camera.
The Swift topped the member voting ahead of the BYD Seal and KIA EV9, with members particularly taken by the car’s excellent fuel economy, high level of standard equipment, and keen pricing.
Group vice-chair Annabelle Quirk commented:
It’s great to see the return of the Swift, and that Suzuki recognises a need for a car of this size. A fantastic Supermini: economical, dynamic, a real joy to drive, especially on a B-road, but equally at home on the motorway, and it won’t break the bank. It’s packed full of safety and tech, especially for the price.
The Group’s newest and youngest member George Loveridge praised the car’s fuel economy and added:
A zippy and engaging machine that benefits from class-leading connectivity and blistering economy with a wonderful three-cylinder soundtrack!
Chair Andrew Evans presented the “Arthur” trophy — an engraved, antique brass miner’s lamp named after one-time miner’s leader Arthur Scargill — to Suzuki’s head of press & PR in the traditional lunch-time ceremont at the SMMT Test Day North, this year held at Wetherby Racecourse.
