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Suzuki Swift (Standard / Normal Trims)
Ultra-efficient sub-1,500 cc daily city hatchback delivering up to 25.0 km/L fuel economy with SHVS hybrid option and low maintenance.
Highest ratedBest value
Suzuki Swift (Standard / Normal Trims)Toyota VitzNissan Note
Mandai score
8/10
7/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manual, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Swift 1.2 XL / Hybrid MG / Hybrid SG
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
23.0 km/L4.3 L/100km combined · about 851 km a tank
20.8 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 874 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 987 / 100 kmKSh 10 a km · KSh 9,868 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,091 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,912 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
3,840 mm
3,945 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,450 mm
2,510 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
265 L (579 L folded)
286 L (750 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
870 kg – 930 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,220 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L K12C Dualjet / K12D Mild Hybrid Inline-4
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
Power
91 hp @ 6,000 rpm
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
118 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
11.0 sec
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
7.9 sec
Top speed
175 km/h
170 km/h
150 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
23.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 25.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
City
19.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Highway
26.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 28.5 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
37 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
41 L
CO₂ emissions
98 g/km
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
82 g/km
At a glance
Model
Suzuki Swift Normal Trims (ZC83S / ZD83S Series)
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Dualjet), Mild Hybrid (SHVS)
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,197 cc (1.2L K12C / K12D) / 996 cc (1.0L K10C Turbo)
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
CVT Automatic / 5-Speed Manual
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
FWD or 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
120 mm – 145 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM Spec)
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Exceptional fuel economy: Delivers 23.0 – 25.0 km/L combined, drastically reducing monthly commuting costs in Nairobi.
- Sub-1,500 cc KRA duty savings: 1,197 cc displacement triggers minimal customs import taxes and standard 25% excise rate.
- Featherweight 870 kg chassis: Light kerb weight creates nimble handling and effortless parking in tight city bays.
- Affordable upkeep: Proven non-turbo mechanicals with readily available Japanese service parts.
- Gold standard city fuel saver: 20.0+ km/L on petrol models and up to 30.0+ km/L on 1.5L Hybrid variants.
- Lowest KRA import duty bracket: 1.0L and 1.3L engines sit in the lowest customs tax valuation category.
- Top-tier resale value retention: Exceptional liquidity and universal spare parts availability across Kenya.
- Nimble 4.5-meter turning radius: Effortlessly parks and navigates tight Nairobi urban traffic.
- Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
- Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
- Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
What’s not so good
- Compact 265 L boot space: Modest luggage space compared to larger hatchbacks like the Honda Fit or Mazda Demio.
- Modest 140 mm ground clearance: Requires care when traversing tall speed bumps and unpaved estate roads.
- 1.0L engine can feel sluggish on steep highway climbs: 69 hp 1KR-FE labors when fully loaded ascending Limuru hills.
- Low 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall speed bumps.
- 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.