Ugly New Suzuki Swift Sedan

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

In India, Suzuki has over 50 percent of the market share. You might have heard this factoid on Wednesday's podcast, you might have read it during our coverage of the NYC auto show. I've said it for a third time because it really is quite amazing. Part of their sales success is down to Suzuki's extremely well developed small car lineup, anchored by the Swift, which is not on sale in America because Suzuki hates freedom. And import costs, currency fluctuations and low profit margins. (We do have a Swift-related car however, the fun-to-drive SX4 crossover). Back to India, where Maruti Suzuki is taking names and kicking behinds. They've just unveiled a sedan version of the normally attractive Swift hatchback, and it might just be the most awkward car of the year. There are other uglies out there like the Mercedes ML and the MINI Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works. But this might just take the cake for bizarre mass market car [outside of China]. Oh, and as if it wasn't weird enough, they're calling it the " Dzire" and marketing it as "The Heart Car." In sum, ew.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • Menno Menno on Mar 27, 2008

    You beat me to it, Paul. The SX4 is a shared platform with Fiat (done when GM owned more of Suzuki than the pittance 3% and when GM had promised to buy Fiat - then backed out). You're right. The Canadian Swift + is NOT a real Suzuki. It's a rebadged GMDaewoo, as is the Aveo.

  • Aakash Aakash on Mar 27, 2008

    Slapping a boot to a perfectly good looking hatchback does not a sedan make! Mini + boot anyone? No wonder this is one hell of an ugly car.

  • David C. Holzman David C. Holzman on Mar 27, 2008

    I took another look at the picture up top. It's no classic American car, and I take it back--it's not superior to most volvos or most German cars, but it's not offending me.

  • Steven Lang Steven Lang on Mar 27, 2008

    Nah, I don't see this as particularly bad. Ford Focus, Subaru Tribeca, a late 90's Taurus or Suzuki Aerio and the new Scion Xb are are truly horrid designs. This is really just a different shade of bland with a pretty nice design for the dashboard and steering wheel.

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