Suzuki takes hybrids to a new low (in a good way)

Damien O’Carroll

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  • Suzuki has dropped a new Swift variant into the local market.
  • The Swift GLS CVT is Suzuki's cheapest automatic vehicle, and NZ's cheapest hybrid vehicle.
  • The GLS CVT is priced at $24,990, matching the manual version until the end of the year.

An influx of new models from Chinese manufacturers has reignited competition at the entry level of New Zealand’s new-car market, putting pressure on established brands and driving starting prices below $30,000 across multiple powertrains.

In fact there has never been a wider range of sub-$30k powertrain options, with ICE, hybrid and fully electric options coming thick and fast. And it has to be said that no-one offers more cars in the sub-$30k segment than Suzuki, the brand that currently offers the cheapest brand new car available in New Zealand; the Ignis GLX manual that is currently priced at $21,850.

The GLS auto will be Suzuki's cheapest automatic offering, matching the price of the manual version for the rest of the year.

But manual cars are very much a niche these days, and Suzuki's entry level auto was the GLZ CVT at $28,500, a price where it was getting sorely squeezed by the likes of the Chery’s Tiggo 4 ($24,490), Mitsubishi ASX ($28,990) and the recently announced GAC Emzoom Lite ($27,990), while even fully electric cars like the Dongfeng Box ($29,990) and BYD Atto 1 were getting under the $30k mark (although the Atto 1 recently crept back up over it and currently sits at $30,990).

In response to this shifting market landscape, Suzuki New Zealand has introduced the Swift GLS CVT has at an introductory price of $24,990, matching the price of the manual variant for the remainder of 2026 and making it New Zealand’s lowest-priced hybrid car.

Suzuki says the Swift GLS is New Zealand's cheapest hybrid car, although its small 12-volt system makes it very much one of the mildest of mild hybrids.

Under the bonnet, the Swift GLS Hybrid uses the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 61kW and 112Nm of torque, combined with a 12-volt SHVS mild-hybrid system featuring an Integrated Starter Generator and a lithium-ion battery.

Suzuki says fuel consumption is rated at 4.3L/100km for the automatic and 4.0 L/100km for the manual under the 3P-WLTP combined cycle.

Standard equipment on the GLS grade includes a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with integrated satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with keyless entry, push-button start, a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist, LED daytime running lights, a rear fog lamp, and heated side mirrors.

The GLS also gets Suzuki's full suite of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a weaving alert system, reversing sensors, a rear camera, hill-hold control, six airbags, and ISOFIX child-seat anchorages.

Offered in white, silver, and black, the Swift GLS Hybrid comes backed by Suzuki's eight-year/160,000 km warranty package and five years of roadside assistance.

The launch comes as the Swift maintains its lead in New Zealand's light car segment, recording a 25.7 percent market share year-to-date compared to 15.1 percent for the Toyota Yaris. Segment sales data shows the Swift has held the top sales position in its class for 19 out of the past 20 years.

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