Fuel-efficiency gains
Suzuki says it’s setting benchmarks in value with the release of the Swift Hybrid GLS CVT automatic, making it the country’s most affordable hybrid.
The variant joins the current range with a special introductory price of $24,990 plus on-road costs. The manual version shares the same special pricing for the rest of 2026 allowing buyers to select the transmission that best meets their requirements.
“At a time of unprecedented fuel-price fluctuations and high living costs, the introduction of this high-value model opens up greater access for customers to make meaningful running cost savings,” says Aaron Wales, Suzuki NZ’s automobile sales manager.
The mild hybrid range provides significant fuel-efficiency gains over the previous generation by achieving 4.3l/100km on the 3P-WLTP combined cycle for the automatic and 4l/100km with the manual. This equates to a range of 925km for the manual GLS Swift and 860km for the GLS auto with the standard 37l fuel tank.
A long-time top seller in New Zealand, the Swift has continued its number-one position in 2026. Year-to-date sales show it remains top of the light segment with 25.7 per cent. Its nearest competitor, the Toyota Yaris, has a 15.1 per cent share of the category. The Swift has been the best-selling car in its segment in all but one of the 20 years since 2005.
Its 1.2-litre, 12-valve and three-cylinder engine delivers 61kW of power and 112Nm of torque. The 12-volt SVHS hybrid system combines idle stop-start with an integrated starter generator, using energy recovered during braking and stored in a lithium-ion battery to assist the petrol engine when accelerating and improve efficiency.
Despite its competitive pricing, the GLS auto is “comprehensively equipped as standard”. There are LED headlamps with automatic light sensing and high-beam assist functionality, LED daytime running lamps, a rear fog lamp and heated side mirrors.
The car features keyless entry, push-button start, and a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel for enhanced comfort. The nine-inch infotainment screen offers seamless connectivity with Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and integrated satellite navigation.
Safety equipment includes Dual Sensor Brake Support II, lane-keep assistance, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, weaving alert, reverse camera, rear-parking proximity sensors, hill-hold control, six SRS airbags, and child seat tether and Isofix anchorages.
Tipping the scales at 925kg, the Swift GLS Hybrid auto is available in white, silver and black. It comes with Suzuki’s eight-year, 160,000km warranty package and five years’ roadside assistance.
