2006 Suzuki Swift DDiS review from UK and Ireland

Various annoying trim rattles; by clock, both rear door panels, glove-box lid.

I chose this car after shortlisting down to cars around £9000 with good economy and local dealers.

I looked at diesels: Citroen C3, Skoda Fabia, Kia Rio, Toytoa Aygo (petrol and diesel), new Corsa, new 207, Peugeot 1007 etc.

I narrowed it down to the Aygo 1.0 Black which was the most enjoyable for the price, and the Swift.

The Swift won as I got a good deal from a dealer with superb service, and I felt the Aygo lacked what was needed as the main car for all roads and all seasons- though fun, the tiny tires on our hideous rural roads would be a liability, and the lack of a drivers switch for the nearside electric window was unforgivable.

If I lived in town, I would have bought the Aygo as it was a delight to use.

All others were turned down due to not being able to get the engine, colour or specification I wanted within my budget. The Swift had the diesel engine, style, equipment and niceties such as alloys and heated mirrors, plus five doors and metallic paint.

The "money no object" choice would have been the diesel 207 which was just exceptional to drive with the best steering feel and handling by a mile.

I have now covered 1200 miles and my view on the car is favourable overall, and I hope that the rattles can be fixed on my next dealer visit, as they are irritating.

The car is much admired by all in its Graphite grey metallic, with subtle smoked silver stripes over the bonnet and above the sills (like a GT40). The colours and stripes work very well together and exude an understated quality, which I could not have imagined. I hate stripes, but this combination was on display in the showroom and just works, somehow!

I am getting an average of 55mpg, and remain impressed by the car's handling and traction.

The big tyres help with this.

The car is practical, but does have flaws; the parcel shelf does not rise with the boot, the alarm for the key in the ignition with the door open is infuriating, (you can't sit with door open and radio on for example), the seatbelt alarm is annoying when manouevering and so on.

The speedo is rather optimistic compared to the sat-nav (tomtom 910) and the mpg display is stupid- Ford's overall average system is far better than a constantly changing instantaneous display fitted here.

For: dealers excellent, style, admiration, five doors, cost, handling, equipment, economy, fingetip stereo controls.

Against: lots of rattles, cheap seat edge fabric, key alarm, seatbelt alarm, odd driving position, not as good to drive as more expensive competition, eg 207, grating disc brakes, two pushes on remote key to unlock or deadlock-daft! interior fan not very powerful but noisy, no leather steering wheel.

I have only covered 1200 miles, so will update this, or do another report after more miles, and once the rattles have been looked at by the dealers.

Geoff.