Toyota Yaris vs Suzuki Swift Comparison

In the small hatchback car category, the Toyota Yaris/Vitz and Suzuki Swift are two notable entrants due to their practicality, efficiency, and affordability. Both models have carved a niche in the subcompact car market, offering unique strengths that appeal to many drivers. Whether you prioritize reliability, fuel economy, or on-road dynamics, these two hatchbacks bring something different to the competition.

The Toyota Yaris boasts Toyota’s hallmark durability and a well-rounded design, while the Suzuki Swift impresses with its nimble handling and cost-effectiveness. This comparison dives into key aspects of these two cars, including performance, features, interior space, and pricing, to help you decide which suits you best. Let’s explore how the Yaris and Swift stack up in the battle for compact car supremacy.

Best Suited for

The Toyota Yaris is an ideal urban cruiser valued for its reliability, efficiency, and advanced safety features. In contrast, the Suzuki Swift is adored for its spirited driving experience, affordability, and versatility. Both are good as entry-level for first-time car buyers, good daily drivers for regular city commuters, and a family car for small families needing a practical and economical vehicle with modest modern amenities.

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is a car built for urban commuters who need a compact and fuel-efficient car, frugal buyers who look to save as much as possible, and first-time car owners demanding reliable safety and ease of handling. It also appeals to small families or couples desiring a practical daily driver.

• Urban Commuters: Ideal as a daily driver for those navigating busy, sometimes narrow city streets, thanks to its compact size and excellent fuel efficiency.
• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Perfect for frugal people looking for a reliable yet affordable vehicle with low running costs.
• First-Time Car Owners: Great for new drivers due to its manageable size, ease of handling, and strong safety features.
• Environmentally Conscious Drivers: With hybrid options now available, it’s a smart choice for those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Small Families or Couples: A perfect companion for daily errands and weekend getaways, offering sufficient space for two to four occupants.
• Tech-Savvy Consumers: Newer models feature modern infotainment systems with better connectivity options, appealing to those who value convenience.

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is ideal for first-time car owners, daily city commuters, and thrifty drivers due to its compact size, excellent fuel economy, and affordable pricing. Young professionals and small families also benefit from its stylish design, fun driving dynamics, and reliable performance.

• First-time car buyers: The Suzuki Swift is affordable, easy to handle, and practical, making it a great choice for new drivers.
• City commuters: Compact dimensions, excellent fuel efficiency (up to 64.2 mpg), and responsive steering make it perfect for navigating challenging urban environments.
• Budget-conscious drivers: Its low running costs, competitive pricing, and super-efficient hybrid options suit those looking for economic value without trading off features.
• Young professionals and students: The stylish design and fun driving dynamics appeal to younger audiences seeking a balance of functionality and flair.
• Small families: Adequate cabin space, advanced safety features, and a reliable build provide confidence for short trips and running daily errands.

Yaris Vs Swift Side-by-Side Comparison

	Toyota Yaris	Suzuki Swift
Engine	1.5L engines: 106 hp gas, 99 hp hybrid performance.	1.2L mild-hybrid petrol 83hp, 1.4L turbocharged petrol 129hp.
Key Features	Excellent fuel efficiency, agile handling, and a stylish design.	Sporty design, excellent handling, fuel-efficient hybrid technology, reduced emissions.
Capacity	5 seats	5 seats
Size	L – W – H (mm) 3945 x 1695 x 1500	L – W – H (mm) 3840 x 1735 x 1495
Safety features	Stability control, airbags, and standard safety tech, but no advanced assistance.	Airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and variant-specific safety aids.
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive (FWD) and All-Wheel drive (AWD)	Front-wheel drive (FWD) and All-Wheel drive (AWD)
Fuel Consumption	14–34 km/L, based on engine variant and driving conditions.	21–23 km/L, based on engine variant and conditions.

Toyota Yaris Price

Toyota Yaris 2024	USD 10,320 ～ USD 69,730
Toyota Yaris 2023	USD 8,710 ～ USD 99,260
Toyota Yaris 2022	USD 8,470 – USD 69,730

Suzuki Swift Price

Suzuki Swift 2024	USD 10,300 ～ USD 29,320
Suzuki Swift 2023	USD 9,380 – USD 26,400
Suzuki Swift 2022	USD 6,380 ～ USD 16,880

Exterior Comparison

The latest Toyota Yaris’s exterior styling features a sleek, modern design with sharp headlights, a wide grille, and compact proportions, offering a sporty yet practical look. In contrast, the Suzuki Swift has a bold front grille, fluid lines, and a sporty stance. While both cars sport dynamic profiles, the Yaris leans towards a more minimalistic design, while the Swift incorporates more expressive elements.

Toyota Yaris

The 2024 Toyota Yaris boasts a sleek and modern exterior design, elevating its presence in the subcompact car segment. The car features new styling with its front fascia now featuring a larger grille and sharper LED headlights, giving it a more aggressive and contemporary look. The taillights have been redesigned for a streamlined appearance, complemented by the availability of alloy wheels that add a sporty flair. The Yaris’s aerodynamic profile, paired with smooth body lines, enhances both aesthetics and efficiency. The introduction of new color options further increases its appeal for younger, style-conscious buyers.

Special Features of the Exterior:

• Redesigned larger grille for a bold appearance.
• Sharper LED headlights with a modern aesthetic.
• Sleek, reshaped taillights for a cohesive rear look.
• Sporty alloy wheel designs (not standard).
• Aerodynamic body with smooth lines for improved efficiency.

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift’s exterior is stylish and compact, featuring dynamic lines and a sporty profile that boosts its looks. The front facia features a bold grille design, complemented by sharp headlights and a lower, aggressive bumper that adds modernity. In addition, the smooth, flowing lines improve aerodynamics, while the rear end boasts distinctive taillights and a streamlined hatchback design. The Swift’s compact dimensions and wide stance ensure a stable, sporty look while maintaining practicality.

Special Features of the Exterior:

• Bold front grille with a dynamic design.
• Sharp, modern headlights for a sleek appearance.
• Aerodynamic body lines for improved efficiency.
• Streamlined rear with unique taillights.
• Sporty hatchback design with a compact stance.

Interior Comparison

The Toyota Yaris features a modern, minimalist interior with quality materials and an advanced user-friendly infotainment system. It emphasizes comfort and functionality with ample cabin space. On the other hand, the Suzuki Swift’s interior is compact, stylish, and practical. Its basic dashboard design and slightly more rugged aesthetic appeal, provide a fun driving experience.

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris’s cabin is compact and functional with a straightforward design. It primarily focuses on providing comfort for all occupants, though rear-seat space can feel tight for taller individuals. The cabin features durable materials with a clean, modern layout. The Yaris features a user-friendly infotainment system, but some models may lack advanced comfort features like a tilt telescopic steering wheel.

Key Interior Features:

• 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
• Standard cloth upholstery and manual seat adjustments.
• 60/40 split folding rear seats when extra cargo space is needed.
• Pre-collision braking and lane departure warning systems are available.
• A rearview camera and cruise control system are available in higher trims.

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift’s interior is designed to offer a spacious and comfortable experience for a subcompact car. The cabin features a modern layout with user-friendly controls within the driver’s reach.
Despite being a compact car, it feels roomy, offering good space for both front and rear passengers. The 2024 model has a modern infotainment system with improved connectivity, a larger display, and updated design elements.

Key Interior Features:

• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless).
• Spacious cabin with easy ingress/egress.
• Upgraded materials for a more refined look and feel.
• Comfortable seating with ample legroom for passengers.
• Cargo capacity is 265 liters with rear seats in place and 579 liters with seats folded.

Fuel Consumption & Engine

The Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift are compact fuel-efficient cars. The Yaris typically offers a fuel economy of about 30 km/L (3.3L/100 km) for the hybrid model, while the Swift’s 1.2L mild-hybrid engine provides 30 km/L (3.3L/100 km).
In terms of engine performance, the Yaris has a 1.5L hybrid and non-hybrid, while the Swift offers a choice of 1.2L and 1.4L engines with sporty variants available for both.

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris offers excellent fuel efficiency across various models. The 2020 Yaris, for example, delivers 13.6 km/L city and 17 km/L highway for the manual transmission version, offering a balanced combined fuel economy of about 15 km/L. For hybrid versions, fuel consumption is even lower, with figures as impressive as 30 km/L.

Engine

The Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, providing a reliable balance of power and efficiency. Depending on the variant, it can deliver outputs around 106 horsepower. For an eco-friendlier approach, the Yaris Hybrid pairs the 1.5-liter engine with an electric motor, offering even greater fuel savings.
This combination of efficient engine design and fuel-saving technologies makes the Toyota Yaris a popular choice for those looking to minimize fuel costs while maintaining driving performance.

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift offers excellent fuel efficiency across its various models. The 2023 Suzuki Swift with the 1.2-liter mild hybrid with a manual transmission has an average fuel consumption of 30 km/L, when paired with a CVT transmission its average fuel consumption is 23 km/L. The turbocharged 1.4-liter Boosterjet has an average fuel consumption of 17 km/L. These ratings, make the Swift one of the most fuel-efficient cars

Engine

The Suzuki Swift has two engine options. The most common is the 1.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produces around 82 horsepower in the mild-hybrid version. For more power and a sportier feel, the 1.4-liter Boosterjet engine offers increased performance, reaching 138 horsepower.
This combination of efficient and powerful engines guarantees strong performance and impressive fuel economy revered by the Suzuki hatchbacks loyalists.

Is the Toyota Yaris a good car?

Yes, the Toyota Yaris is a good car. It is highly regarded due to its practicality, versatility, reliability, and efficiency. It offers great fuel economy and a comfortable ride for a car of its size. However, its limited performance and the discontinuation of some models in markets like the U.S. is a drawback.
Overall, it’s ideal for city driving and those prioritizing affordability and reliability over speed or performance.

• Positives: Excellent fuel economy, Reliable and low-maintenance, Compact and easy to maneuver in urban settings, and Affordable pricing and low running costs.
• Drawbacks: Limited engine performance, Discontinued in some markets (U.S. and Canada). Limited interior space for taller passengers.
• Ideal Buyer: Urban commuters, First-time car buyers. Those seeking an affordable and reliable daily driver.

Is the Suzuki Swift a good car?

Yes, the Suzuki Swift is a good car. It’s a popular hatchback that balances practicality, affordability, and fun driving dynamics. It offers great fuel efficiency and ease of maneuverability, making it an excellent choice for urban driving. While it provides decent features for its price, its engine performance and cabin space might not be suitable for those looking for more power or room. The Swift is generally well-regarded for its reliability and low running costs.

• Positives: Fuel efficient, Compact and easy to park, Affordable and low-maintenance, Fun to drive with responsive handling, and it has Decent safety features.
• Drawbacks: Limited engine performance, Cramped rear seating for taller passengers, Basic interior, and not ideal for long trips due to engine power.
• Ideal Buyer: Urban commuters, First-time car buyers, and Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable compact car.

Writer’s Perspective

Toyota and Suzuki are Japanese automotive giants with a reputation for building cars that are disruptive to the auto industry, and the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift are two of them.

The Yaris just marked its 25th anniversary by reaching a landmark 10 million global sales! Not an easy feat to accomplish, this is a significant statement of the car’s reputation. The Yaris has pioneered several concepts and technologies in the compact car category in 25 years. The first-generation model was the first Toyota model to become the European car of the year, a feat it repeated in 2021.

The Suzuki Swift has not been as successful as the Vitz in global sales, but it’s a serious contender with global sales exceeding 6 million units. This is also not an easy feat, it signifies that the Swift is a force to reckon with in the subcompact hatchback category. One market in which the Swift has performed better is in Australia due to its sporty design, distinctive, excellent handling, and superb driving dynamics.

Final Verdict

The Toyota Yaris and the Suzuki Swift are significant entrants in the subcompact car segment, providing reputable reliability and efficiency. The Yaris is more refined and offers a smoother, more comfortable ride, with a reputation for durability and a superior safety package. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking comfort and tranquility.

On the other hand, the Suzuki Swift offers a more engaging and spirited driving experience, thanks to its lightweight and agile handling. It offers significant fuel efficiency. However, its cabin feels basic and cheap compared to the Yaris. We conclude that if you’re looking for a more exciting drive and agility, the Swift stands out, while the Yaris excels in comfort, safety, and brand reliability.