What are you looking for in a utility vehicle? A small car that moves well around the city and does not create too many problems for you when parking? Anything else? Well, if it is something else, I present to you these two models: they are small, yes, but also powerful and agile, very agile. Driving fun guaranteed! This is the case of the Suzuki Swift Sport and the Ford Fiesta ST. We are going to face them technically face to face and choose just one, although we already told you that it will not be easy.
Before going any further, a preliminary consideration: as usual in these cases, we remind you that this is one of our technical comparisons and not an in-depth test. So here we will not take into account driving sensations, but only official data related to measurements, prices, mechanical range …
Ford Fiesta ST
Available in both three- and five-door bodies, the Ford Fiesta ST measures 4,068mm in length, 1,735mm in width, and 1,469mm in height, all on a platform with a 2,493mm wheelbase. The boot, meanwhile, has a capacity of 311 liters, expandable to 1,093 liters by folding down the second row of seats.
In the mechanical section, the engine of this Ford is known as a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder block of 200 hp, with a total torque of 290 Nm. It is exclusively associated with a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the front end, as is usual in this segment. With it, it manages to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.5 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 230 km / h. Not bad, right?
Among its standard equipment, we find 18-inch alloy wheels, electric folding mirrors with opening lights, automatic lights, tinted windows, ST suspension, red brake calipers, sports seats, leather steering wheel with red stitching and heated, traffic sign recognition, driver alert, 4.2-inch color screen in the instrument panel, multimedia system with 8-inch touch screen, navigator, LED lights and visibility package, among others. Prices start at 29,261 euros.
Suzuki swift sport
For its part, the Suzuki model is something different. It’s amazing how much a 0.38 kWh battery can do in a car. Sure enough, the 2020 Suzuki Swift Sport is now Mild Hybrid. But it has lost power and lightness. Because now, the 1.4 turbos four-cylinder engine offers 129 hp and not 140 as before, in addition to that the weight has been increased by 45 kilos, thus overcoming the psychological barrier that it did not reach before: one ton.
In exchange for lower performance, it offers the inherent advantages of wearing the DGT ECO sticker on the windshield and, of course, lower fuel consumption. But first, it must be said that the new electrified Swift Sport does not change at all on the outside, except the Hybrid logo that appears on the rear, in addition to the already mentioned sticker on the front glass. It still exhibits a hexagonal grille with a 3D effect, side skirts in a carbon fiber finish, a rear spoiler, and a real dual exhaust outlet integrated into the diffuser.
Inside, there are no big changes either. The feel is identical to that of the other Suzuki Swift: it is wide, with the windshield and roof far away to give a greater feeling of spaciousness. It continues with some spectacular, ergonomic, and sporty front seats that in addition to supporting the body very well, allow you to do kilometers of secondary without missing a lumbar adjustment.
Regarding the infotainment, it has the same seven-inch touch screen, with a 3D browser and Bluetooth connectivity, with the integration of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. It lacks nothing and is standard, but its touch function fails from time to time and the phone connection is not as good as it should be. The same happens with some plastics and with the union between them. Not worrisome, but since extra effort has been put into the engine, this also requires some modernization to keep up with its competitors.
Conclusion
The price is undoubtedly the one that will decide this face to face, since Suzuki Swift Sport costs 22,820 euros, an important difference if we stick to what Ford asks for its Fiesta ST. The Japanese have indeed lost a bit of that spice from the previous engine, that the gearbox is not what it used to be and that the weight has made its behavior not so brilliant, being fast and agile like few others.
