2001 Suzuki Swift Suzuki Swift 2001 Suzuki Swift GL Coupe Coupe FWD Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada The 2001 Suzuki Swift remains mechanically unchanged. Suzuki has changed the exterior color options slightly: Bright White and Platinum Silver Metallic replace Polar White and Mercury Silver Metallic. Frugal gas mileage, favorable reliability ratings, low price for base model. Wheezy engine, lack of amenities, ABS unavailable, poor value when stacked against competitors. Last year, we wrote, "This is it. This is the car for those of you who need to buy a new vehicle but don't have much more than the lint in your pockets to spend." But since then, the redesigned Hyundai Accent and the all-new Kia Rio have arrived on the scene, and both offer more powerful engines, more amenities and better dollar value. Even the Daewoo Lanos, the thriftiest product of a troubled manufacturer, has a more appealing package than the Swift. Calling Suzuki's entry-level hatchback "Swift" borders on false advertising. Its tiny 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine generates just 79 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 75 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm. Of course, this engine is used in both Swift models, while the more expensive base Chevrolet Metro (the Swift's twin) makes do with a 55-horsepower, 1.0-liter engine. Meanwhile, the base Hyundai Accent hatchback comes with a 92-horsepower, 1.3-liter engine, and for little more you can have the hardier 105-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine. The Kia Rio sedan, the cheapest car sold in the United States, offers a 1.5-liter that makes 96 horsepower. The Daewoo Lanos models share a 105-horsepower, 1.6-liter. And all of these cars reach their peak horsepower at lower rpm than the Swift, though the little Suzuki sucks out its maximum torque earlier than all of its peers. We've said before that, if nothing else, the Swift draws customers with the promise that you can put one in your driveway for less than $10,000. But the Swift isn't alone anymore. The Kia Rio and the base Accent and Lanos models all sticker under $9,000 and offer standard power steering; Accent and Lanos also come with an AM/FM stereo with cassette. You can add air conditioning and ABS to all three models. A base Swift GA has an MSRP of just over $9,000, but it doesn't come with power steering. The GA hatchback cannot be optioned with a stereo, air conditioning or ABS, either. Move up to the GL trim level and you'll get a stereo with a mere two speakers and air conditioning but still no power steering or ABS - and you're looking at an MSRP of over $10,000. The only factory-installed option for the Swift is a three-speed automatic transmission. You'll also find that Suzuki's peers offer far better warranties. Hyundais and Kias come with a best-in-class five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Daewoos have shorter warranties (three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain), but customers are treated to free scheduled maintenance for the first year of ownership. And Suzuki is the only manufacturer in the group that does not offer roadside assistance. So what's left to make the Swift an appealing economy car? Excellent gas mileage - no other gas-powered car in the segment can match its 36 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Reliability ratings are encouraging, too. And strangely enough, every Swift is equipped with daytime running lights. Your dealer can also install a CD player to make the car more hospitable. We agree that the Swift is inexpensive and reliable, and for those who want fabulous fuel economy, it may be a suitable choice. However, buyers should be cautioned that loaded Hyundais and Kias with attractive warranties can be had for about the same price, as can a used Honda. Daewoo Lanos Hyundai Accent Saturn S-Series Volkswagen Golf 336,000 336,000 Not AvailableNot Available 3Unlimited NA NA NA 4 1.3 liters Inline 79 hp @ 6000 rpm 75 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm 149.4 in. 62.6 in. 54.7 in. 1895 lbs. 93.1 in. 39.1 in. 36 in. 48.9 in. 48.9 in. 47.2 in. 43.9 in. 42.5 in. 32.2 in. 8.4 cu.ft. Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 10.3 gal. 36 mpg / 42 mpg 30 mpg / 34 mpg 371 mi. / 433 mi. 309 mi. / 350 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $9,681 $10,299 7.35% $430 N/A 3% of the Base MSRP GA (5M): 1.3L I4 SOHC MPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; engine oil cooler; front-wheel drive, 3.79 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; manual rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 10.3 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear black bumpers; black bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 13" x 4.5" steel wheels; P155/80SR13 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; manual retractable antenna; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows; variableintermittent front windshield wipers, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 4, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; full folding rear bench seat; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover; black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles. GL (5M) (in addition to or instead of GA (5M) equipment): Air conditioning; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan, cassette player, 2 speakers and manual retractable antenna. -- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic $611 $650