Cheapest new car to own
The Suzuki Swift Hybrid has been named the cheapest new car to own and operate in 2024.
The five-door hatchback was the overall winner of a survey in Australia after the running costs of 87 cars across 12 categories were evaluated.
According to the independent Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, the equivalent of the AA in New Zealand, the analysis could help save motorists thousands of dollars in ongoing running costs.
The club says the Swift Hybrid’s running costs were calculated by factoring in fuel, servicing, tyres, registration and insurance based on 15,000km a year for five years.
In New Zealand, the Swift continues to be the most popular car in the light segment. Year-to-date registrations reveal sales of new Swifts achieved 44 per cent of its class and are more than twice that of the second best-selling model.
The Northern Group of Motoring Writers in Britain has named the Swift its car of the year for 2024. It emerged the clear overall winner with the journalists saying it’s “a fantastic supermini that’s economical and dynamic and wouldn’t break the bank”.
The latest fourth generation and self-charging GLS Smart Hybrid 12V ISG manual is priced at $25,990 plus on-road costs.
The same model with automatic continuously variable transmission retails at $27,990 plus on-road costs. Topping the range is the RSC l priced from $29,990
Standard equipment for the latest Swift GLS Hybrid includes rear-parking sensors, reverse camera, dual-sensor brake support, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, factory immobiliser with alarm, Android Auto and wireless Apply Car Play.
Its hybrid system combines an efficient 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with a self-charging electric motor and 12-volt lithium-ion battery, so there’s no need for plugging in to charge and no additional electric road-user charges.
The Swift has been New Zealand’s favourite compact for several years and is also a best seller in 169 countries, reaffirming its position as the marque’s top-selling vehicle for the past decade.
It played a significant role in Suzuki posting record sales in South Africa for October, while Maruti Suzuki in India sold 206,434 vehicles last month, its best October result, with the Swift being its top-selling new car.
