Refreshed 2020 Suzuki Swift revealed

• 2020 Swift for Japan features cosmetic changes to its exterior and interior

• It gets some more equipment as well

• The updated Swift for Japan is unlike the upcoming India-spec Maruti Swift facelift which will also get mechanical changes

The updated 2020 Swift has officially gone on sale in Japan, sporting minor design changes to its exterior, tweaks to the interior, and a bit more in terms of equipment. As we had reported earlier, when the first images of the updated Suzuki Swift had surfaced online, most of the design tweaks are to the front of the car. There’s a slightly different grille with a honeycomb-mesh pattern and chrome trim, mildly reshaped headlight units, and a more aggressive-looking front bumper. New alloy wheels and a few new colour options (including new dual-tone exterior finishes) round off the changes to the 2020 Swift's exterior.

Compared to the outgoing Japan-spec Swift, the interiors of the newer model aren’t all that different to look at. However, look close and there are minor differences in the dashboard design and trim, and Suzuki offers new seat fabrics, upholstery and headliners too. There’s a bit more equipment on offer as well, at least on the higher-spec automatic versions, which now get paddleshifters as standard.

As before, the Suzuki Swift is available in the same variants and engine options. The lower-spec Swift XG is available with a 91hp, 1.2-litre petrol unit that comes in manual, CVT and AWD form, while the higher-spec version is called Swift RS (with the same 91hp petrol unit and manual, CVT and AWD options). Coming to the mild-hybrids, there’s the lower-spec Hybrid MG (the same 91hp petrol unit is aided by a 3.1hp electric motor that can send power to the front wheels or all four wheels via a CVT auto gearbox), and the Hybrid RS (the mild-hybrid in a higher-spec form). The Swift Hybrid SZ is the full hybrid model - it comes with a petrol-electric powertrain (91hp, 1.2-litre engine and 13.6hp motor) that sends power to the front wheels via a 5-speed AMT.

While the changes to the Japan-spec Swift are fairly minor, the Swift facelift that’s coming to India is expected to get more updates. Along with design changes that’ll echo the recently launched Dzire facelift, the 2020 Maruti Swift will also get the new K12C petrol unit that features dual-injectors, giving it the Dual-Jet moniker. Compared to the current Swift, power is expected to increase by 7hp to 90hp, and efficiency is also expected to be enhanced. Although the Maruti Dzire is currently the most fuel-efficient petrol car in India, its hatchback sibling may take over that title when it arrives around the festive season.

Also see:

Maruti Suzuki Dzire facelift gets benefits of up to Rs 48,000

Maruti Suzuki to begin supply of Vitara Brezza to Toyota

Maruti Suzuki reports 25 percent decline in FY2020 profits