Tough Australian-designed version of luxurious Nissan Patrol cousin revealed
Look closely at the two detail images here and you'll spot Premcar decals on the QX80 Terrain Spec show car, which was revealed in California on Friday at The Quail motorsport exhibition during Monterey Car Week.
Infiniti didn't mention the Melbourne-based engineering firm in its press release, but confirmed Premcar's involvement in the project via email.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"Infiniti worked with Premcar to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept, which features an elevated ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, fender flares and a side-exit exhaust," said an Infiniti USA spokesperson.
"It's also equipped with a rooftop tent, limb risers, a rooftop-mounted lightbar and durable protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias."
And when contacted by CarExpert, Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn said: "The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept."
Officially, both the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts are designed to "explore the wide-ranging capabilities" of the third-generation (Z63-series) QX80, which won't be sold in Australia following the axing of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand locally in 2020.
However, the latest Z63 QX80 is closely related to the new Y63 Patrol that will be released Down Under in 2027, and will form the basis of another Premcar-developed Warrior off-road flagship, which should offer much of the capability previewed by the QX Terrain Spec concept also engineered by Premcar.
"I think that vehicle is ideally suited to the Warrior treatment and I can't wait to get my hands on one," said Mr Quinn in a recent interview with CarExpert.
In the same interview, Mr Quinn highlighted international expansion as a key area of growth for Premcar, which is now producing Patrol Warrior vehicles in and for the South African market, and the development of the Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec is the latest example of this.
"I think the biggest opportunity that has taken my time of late is the expansion of the Warrior brand and the expansion of Premcar into other markets outside Australia," he said.
"I'm expecting big growth in the Australian part of our business, but also the same growth, if not bigger, on some international projects.
"It's a thrill to take our Aussie-owned and Aussie-based company out into the wide world. This is where my job gets really exciting."
The QX80 is currently available in five grades in North America – Pure, Luxe, Sensory, Autograph and Sport – but the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts could preview future variants that bring enhanced off-road and on-road performance respectively.
Finished in a satin dark basalt vinyl wrap, the QX80 Terrain Spec features raised suspension, all-terrain wheels and tyres and a side-exit exhaust as per the Patrol Warrior, plus a pop-up rooftop tent and lightbar, protective body cladding including beefier fender flares, and more protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias.
These additions are said to better compliment new off-road technologies fitted to the latest QX80 including Invisible Hood View, which uses advanced image processing to project an image of what's directly underneath the vehicle onto the in-car displays, and 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, which presents a third-person, rotating view of QX80's surroundings.
Meantime, the QX80 Track Spec is finished in a matte metallic black-blue vinyl wrap and packs a reworked twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 that produces 50 per cent more power and torque – now over 485kW and 1015Nm respectively. Infiniti says the former figure is the highest horsepower output in the brand's history.
The upgrades come courtesy of new turbocharger and exhaust systems including upgraded compressors, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel-injectors, ram-air intake and a less restrictive quad-outlet exhaust, but no internal engine modifications.
Above and below: Infiniti QX80 Track Spec concept
The Track Spec's more powerful V6 is joined by larger Brembo brakes, larger 24-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork including a unique front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker panels, fender vents, front air intakes and the grille from the new QX80 Sport variant.
"High performance and off-road capability are emotional entry points into how today's drivers experience luxury," said Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro.
"QX80 Track Spec and Terrain Spec reflect two distinct client mindsets – those who crave thrilling on-road performance and those who seek confident capability far beyond the pavement.
"These concepts embody Infiniti's new, fast-to-market mindset – one that allows us to explore what resonates most with clients while accelerating our push into the premium SUV space."
The pair of QX80 concepts were revealed in Monterey alongside the introduction of the Infiniti QX65 Monograph concept, which the Japanese premium brand said "provides a tantalizing preview of the next new vehicle in Infiniti's product renaissance".
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
One of two Infiniti QX80 concept vehicles revealed in the US over the weekend was designed and engineered by the Australian automotive engineering company that also helped create the hardcore Warrior versions of the Nissan Navara ute and Patrol large SUV.
Look closely at the two detail images here and you'll spot Premcar decals on the QX80 Terrain Spec show car, which was revealed in California on Friday at The Quail motorsport exhibition during Monterey Car Week.
Infiniti didn't mention the Melbourne-based engineering firm in its press release, but confirmed Premcar's involvement in the project via email.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"Infiniti worked with Premcar to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept, which features an elevated ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, fender flares and a side-exit exhaust," said an Infiniti USA spokesperson.
"It's also equipped with a rooftop tent, limb risers, a rooftop-mounted lightbar and durable protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias."
And when contacted by CarExpert, Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn said: "The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept."
Officially, both the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts are designed to "explore the wide-ranging capabilities" of the third-generation (Z63-series) QX80, which won't be sold in Australia following the axing of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand locally in 2020.
However, the latest Z63 QX80 is closely related to the new Y63 Patrol that will be released Down Under in 2027, and will form the basis of another Premcar-developed Warrior off-road flagship, which should offer much of the capability previewed by the QX Terrain Spec concept also engineered by Premcar.
"I think that vehicle is ideally suited to the Warrior treatment and I can't wait to get my hands on one," said Mr Quinn in a recent interview with CarExpert.
In the same interview, Mr Quinn highlighted international expansion as a key area of growth for Premcar, which is now producing Patrol Warrior vehicles in and for the South African market, and the development of the Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec is the latest example of this.
"I think the biggest opportunity that has taken my time of late is the expansion of the Warrior brand and the expansion of Premcar into other markets outside Australia," he said.
"I'm expecting big growth in the Australian part of our business, but also the same growth, if not bigger, on some international projects.
"It's a thrill to take our Aussie-owned and Aussie-based company out into the wide world. This is where my job gets really exciting."
The QX80 is currently available in five grades in North America – Pure, Luxe, Sensory, Autograph and Sport – but the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts could preview future variants that bring enhanced off-road and on-road performance respectively.
Finished in a satin dark basalt vinyl wrap, the QX80 Terrain Spec features raised suspension, all-terrain wheels and tyres and a side-exit exhaust as per the Patrol Warrior, plus a pop-up rooftop tent and lightbar, protective body cladding including beefier fender flares, and more protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias.
These additions are said to better compliment new off-road technologies fitted to the latest QX80 including Invisible Hood View, which uses advanced image processing to project an image of what's directly underneath the vehicle onto the in-car displays, and 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, which presents a third-person, rotating view of QX80's surroundings.
Meantime, the QX80 Track Spec is finished in a matte metallic black-blue vinyl wrap and packs a reworked twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 that produces 50 per cent more power and torque – now over 485kW and 1015Nm respectively. Infiniti says the former figure is the highest horsepower output in the brand's history.
The upgrades come courtesy of new turbocharger and exhaust systems including upgraded compressors, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel-injectors, ram-air intake and a less restrictive quad-outlet exhaust, but no internal engine modifications.
Above and below: Infiniti QX80 Track Spec concept
The Track Spec's more powerful V6 is joined by larger Brembo brakes, larger 24-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork including a unique front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker panels, fender vents, front air intakes and the grille from the new QX80 Sport variant.
"High performance and off-road capability are emotional entry points into how today's drivers experience luxury," said Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro.
"QX80 Track Spec and Terrain Spec reflect two distinct client mindsets – those who crave thrilling on-road performance and those who seek confident capability far beyond the pavement.
"These concepts embody Infiniti's new, fast-to-market mindset – one that allows us to explore what resonates most with clients while accelerating our push into the premium SUV space."
The pair of QX80 concepts were revealed in Monterey alongside the introduction of the Infiniti QX65 Monograph concept, which the Japanese premium brand said "provides a tantalizing preview of the next new vehicle in Infiniti's product renaissance".
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
One of two Infiniti QX80 concept vehicles revealed in the US over the weekend was designed and engineered by the Australian automotive engineering company that also helped create the hardcore Warrior versions of the Nissan Navara ute and Patrol large SUV.
Look closely at the two detail images here and you'll spot Premcar decals on the QX80 Terrain Spec show car, which was revealed in California on Friday at The Quail motorsport exhibition during Monterey Car Week.
Infiniti didn't mention the Melbourne-based engineering firm in its press release, but confirmed Premcar's involvement in the project via email.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"Infiniti worked with Premcar to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept, which features an elevated ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, fender flares and a side-exit exhaust," said an Infiniti USA spokesperson.
"It's also equipped with a rooftop tent, limb risers, a rooftop-mounted lightbar and durable protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias."
And when contacted by CarExpert, Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn said: "The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept."
Officially, both the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts are designed to "explore the wide-ranging capabilities" of the third-generation (Z63-series) QX80, which won't be sold in Australia following the axing of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand locally in 2020.
However, the latest Z63 QX80 is closely related to the new Y63 Patrol that will be released Down Under in 2027, and will form the basis of another Premcar-developed Warrior off-road flagship, which should offer much of the capability previewed by the QX Terrain Spec concept also engineered by Premcar.
"I think that vehicle is ideally suited to the Warrior treatment and I can't wait to get my hands on one," said Mr Quinn in a recent interview with CarExpert.
In the same interview, Mr Quinn highlighted international expansion as a key area of growth for Premcar, which is now producing Patrol Warrior vehicles in and for the South African market, and the development of the Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec is the latest example of this.
"I think the biggest opportunity that has taken my time of late is the expansion of the Warrior brand and the expansion of Premcar into other markets outside Australia," he said.
"I'm expecting big growth in the Australian part of our business, but also the same growth, if not bigger, on some international projects.
"It's a thrill to take our Aussie-owned and Aussie-based company out into the wide world. This is where my job gets really exciting."
The QX80 is currently available in five grades in North America – Pure, Luxe, Sensory, Autograph and Sport – but the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts could preview future variants that bring enhanced off-road and on-road performance respectively.
Finished in a satin dark basalt vinyl wrap, the QX80 Terrain Spec features raised suspension, all-terrain wheels and tyres and a side-exit exhaust as per the Patrol Warrior, plus a pop-up rooftop tent and lightbar, protective body cladding including beefier fender flares, and more protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias.
These additions are said to better compliment new off-road technologies fitted to the latest QX80 including Invisible Hood View, which uses advanced image processing to project an image of what's directly underneath the vehicle onto the in-car displays, and 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, which presents a third-person, rotating view of QX80's surroundings.
Meantime, the QX80 Track Spec is finished in a matte metallic black-blue vinyl wrap and packs a reworked twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 that produces 50 per cent more power and torque – now over 485kW and 1015Nm respectively. Infiniti says the former figure is the highest horsepower output in the brand's history.
The upgrades come courtesy of new turbocharger and exhaust systems including upgraded compressors, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel-injectors, ram-air intake and a less restrictive quad-outlet exhaust, but no internal engine modifications.
Above and below: Infiniti QX80 Track Spec concept
The Track Spec's more powerful V6 is joined by larger Brembo brakes, larger 24-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork including a unique front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker panels, fender vents, front air intakes and the grille from the new QX80 Sport variant.
"High performance and off-road capability are emotional entry points into how today's drivers experience luxury," said Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro.
"QX80 Track Spec and Terrain Spec reflect two distinct client mindsets – those who crave thrilling on-road performance and those who seek confident capability far beyond the pavement.
"These concepts embody Infiniti's new, fast-to-market mindset – one that allows us to explore what resonates most with clients while accelerating our push into the premium SUV space."
The pair of QX80 concepts were revealed in Monterey alongside the introduction of the Infiniti QX65 Monograph concept, which the Japanese premium brand said "provides a tantalizing preview of the next new vehicle in Infiniti's product renaissance".
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
One of two Infiniti QX80 concept vehicles revealed in the US over the weekend was designed and engineered by the Australian automotive engineering company that also helped create the hardcore Warrior versions of the Nissan Navara ute and Patrol large SUV.
Look closely at the two detail images here and you'll spot Premcar decals on the QX80 Terrain Spec show car, which was revealed in California on Friday at The Quail motorsport exhibition during Monterey Car Week.
Infiniti didn't mention the Melbourne-based engineering firm in its press release, but confirmed Premcar's involvement in the project via email.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"Infiniti worked with Premcar to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept, which features an elevated ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, fender flares and a side-exit exhaust," said an Infiniti USA spokesperson.
"It's also equipped with a rooftop tent, limb risers, a rooftop-mounted lightbar and durable protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias."
And when contacted by CarExpert, Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn said: "The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept."
Officially, both the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts are designed to "explore the wide-ranging capabilities" of the third-generation (Z63-series) QX80, which won't be sold in Australia following the axing of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand locally in 2020.
However, the latest Z63 QX80 is closely related to the new Y63 Patrol that will be released Down Under in 2027, and will form the basis of another Premcar-developed Warrior off-road flagship, which should offer much of the capability previewed by the QX Terrain Spec concept also engineered by Premcar.
"I think that vehicle is ideally suited to the Warrior treatment and I can't wait to get my hands on one," said Mr Quinn in a recent interview with CarExpert.
In the same interview, Mr Quinn highlighted international expansion as a key area of growth for Premcar, which is now producing Patrol Warrior vehicles in and for the South African market, and the development of the Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec is the latest example of this.
"I think the biggest opportunity that has taken my time of late is the expansion of the Warrior brand and the expansion of Premcar into other markets outside Australia," he said.
"I'm expecting big growth in the Australian part of our business, but also the same growth, if not bigger, on some international projects.
"It's a thrill to take our Aussie-owned and Aussie-based company out into the wide world. This is where my job gets really exciting."
The QX80 is currently available in five grades in North America – Pure, Luxe, Sensory, Autograph and Sport – but the Terrain Spec and Track Spec concepts could preview future variants that bring enhanced off-road and on-road performance respectively.
Finished in a satin dark basalt vinyl wrap, the QX80 Terrain Spec features raised suspension, all-terrain wheels and tyres and a side-exit exhaust as per the Patrol Warrior, plus a pop-up rooftop tent and lightbar, protective body cladding including beefier fender flares, and more protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias.
These additions are said to better compliment new off-road technologies fitted to the latest QX80 including Invisible Hood View, which uses advanced image processing to project an image of what's directly underneath the vehicle onto the in-car displays, and 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, which presents a third-person, rotating view of QX80's surroundings.
Meantime, the QX80 Track Spec is finished in a matte metallic black-blue vinyl wrap and packs a reworked twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 that produces 50 per cent more power and torque – now over 485kW and 1015Nm respectively. Infiniti says the former figure is the highest horsepower output in the brand's history.
The upgrades come courtesy of new turbocharger and exhaust systems including upgraded compressors, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel-injectors, ram-air intake and a less restrictive quad-outlet exhaust, but no internal engine modifications.
Above and below: Infiniti QX80 Track Spec concept
The Track Spec's more powerful V6 is joined by larger Brembo brakes, larger 24-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork including a unique front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker panels, fender vents, front air intakes and the grille from the new QX80 Sport variant.
"High performance and off-road capability are emotional entry points into how today's drivers experience luxury," said Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro.
"QX80 Track Spec and Terrain Spec reflect two distinct client mindsets – those who crave thrilling on-road performance and those who seek confident capability far beyond the pavement.
"These concepts embody Infiniti's new, fast-to-market mindset – one that allows us to explore what resonates most with clients while accelerating our push into the premium SUV space."
The pair of QX80 concepts were revealed in Monterey alongside the introduction of the Infiniti QX65 Monograph concept, which the Japanese premium brand said "provides a tantalizing preview of the next new vehicle in Infiniti's product renaissance".
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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It's "crunch time" for the Australian economy. Young Australians face the prospect of being the first generation to be worse off than their parents and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable is crucial to ensuring that doesn't happen. The generational bargain is in peril and policymakers need to act, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says. Now in their 30s, millennials are struggling to enter the property market, "as policy choices have contributed to house prices growing much faster than incomes for the best part of three decades", Ms Wood told the National Press Club on Monday. That's largely because successive governments have failed to adopt a "growth mindset" and encourage productivity - reaping more from the effort put into work - she said. "Productivity growth is the only way to sustainably lift wages and opportunities over time." The commission has spelled out a long list of recommendations to kickstart anaemic productivity growth in five separate reports released before the roundtable, which begins in Canberra on Tuesday. Suggestions include reforming the corporate tax system and financial incentives for workplace training. If the roundtable fails to revive productivity growth, Australia's GDP could be six per cent lower than it might otherwise be, a loss of about $6000 per person, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said. "The stakes are high. It's crunch time." Mr Bloxham identified tax reform, competition and regulation as the three key areas the roundtable ought to address. Growth in the regulatory burden was symptomatic of a policy culture failing to prioritise growth, Ms Wood said. Governments have felt a need to "do something" every time an issue emerged, ending up in a system that dampened growth. An example was the Victorian government's plan to legislate at least two days a week of work from home. Ms Wood said the market had naturally found a "sweet spot", as businesses that offer more flexibility find it easier to attract and retain workers, and businesses that want stricter rules around office attendance tend to have to pay a premium. "So I guess if I was to apply a growth mindset to this, I would think what's the problem that we're trying to solve here? It's not clear to me that there needs to be a role for government in that," she said. "Regulatory hairballs" are everywhere, she argued, from 31-step approvals and licensing surveys for would-be Queensland cafe owners to "evermore stringent requirements for energy efficiency in the construction code". The Albanese government has lobbed its fair share of hairballs down Australia's regulatory gullet, contends opposition productivity spokesman Andrew Bragg. In its first term, Labor introduced 5034 new regulations and 400 fresh laws, raising the cost of compliance by $4.8 billion, according to Office of Impact Analysis figures cited by Senator Bragg. "Australia is now one of the most heavily regulated countries in the world," he said. The treasurer rubbished the claims, arguing the coalition introduced more regulations in its last term before its 2022 election loss. "If the coalition had answers on productivity, they wouldn't have presided over the worst decade for productivity growth in the last 60 years," he said. Dr Chalmers acknowledged the government had been getting in its own way with regulation that was slowing down new housing or energy projects. Some regulation, such as tying government procurement to gender equality aims, was serving a useful purpose, he said. "Where regulation is unnecessary, where it's duplicated, where it's not serving a useful purpose, we should seek to wind it back, and that's what we intend to do."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
2025 Suzuki Swift Plus review
The Suzuki Swift is a stalwart in Australia's light car segment. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert It seems like everyone has had one in their family, or at least had a friend or colleague that's owned one. Suzuki has also grown its share of the light car segment over the years, but that's largely because the segment itself has been shrinking. Rewind to the first half of 2015, and Suzuki sold 6032 Swifts, giving it a 10.9 per cent share of a segment that had close to 20 offerings. In the first half of 2025, it had a 17.4 per cent share but just 1953 sales. Sales of light cars are around a fifth of what they were 10 years ago, and there are now just four vehicles in the Swift's segment including the Suzuki itself. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert So what's happened in the past 10 years? Increasingly smaller and more affordable SUVs have arrived, including the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and more recently Suzuki's own Fronx, while the MG 3 came in and shook the light hatch segment up with its bargain basement pricing. There's a new MG 3 now that isn't selling quite as well, but it's still the segment victor by far, with the Swift, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris all fighting for second-place. One thing that hasn't changed all that much in the past 10 years is the Swift's styling. Oh, sure, we're up to the fourth generation of the modern Swift now, but Suzuki's designers continue to work on variations of a theme. I'd argue it's both derivative of the previous three generations and yet not as attractive as them with its heavy side creasing and tacked-on reversing camera. Suzuki designers, feel free to shake things up next time around – we know you're capable of some fresh and funky designs like the Jimny and Ignis. The mid-range Swift Plus is currently priced at $26,990 before on-road costs, and is currently being offered for $28,990 drive-away nationwide. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Even the most affordable Toyota Yaris – which features a proper hybrid powertrain, not the mild-hybrid setup of the Suzuki – is more expensive at $28,990 before on-roads, as is the Mazda 2 at $27,585 plus on-roads after Mazda culled its most affordable variants. However, the MG 3 – even in its new, more expensive generation – continues to undercut the Swift. The MG 3 Hybrid+ is priced from $28,990 drive-away, while petrol-powered variants can be had for even less. To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Suzuki has gotten the fundamentals right in the Swift's interior, and given it some funky touches that stop it from feeling too dour. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert There's white contrasting plastic trim across the dash and doors, some of it featuring an unusual pattern on it. We're concerned how this trim will wear, but at least in a brand-new Swift it helps break up the sea of black plastic that's typical in a car at this price point. The comfortable seats have attractive patterned cloth upholstery. They also feature heating, but there's only one stage so unless you're driving in Antarctica, you'll probably turn them on, quickly heat up your posterior, and then turn them off. You won't find any soft trim in the cabin, except for the armrests and of course the seats themselves. This isn't unusual for this segment, and everything does feel solidly put together, even if the rather wide panel gaps of the exterior appear to tease a subpar interior. Sadly, there's no centre console bin, so there's no place to rest your arm or conceal valuables. You do get an open storage compartment, a pair of cupholders, and a small shelf on the centre console however. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Perched atop the dashboard is a responsive 9.0-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, and it has a straightforward interface including shortcuts at the bottom of the screen, plus touch-capacitive switches underneath it. It has a rather thick bezel, but it's a large screen for the segment. We're glad to see physical climate controls, but they're a little odd. It's essentially the same climate control array as the Fronx, with rocker switches for fan speed and temperature adjustment. But this isn't automatic climate control, so you instead flick the temperature toggle up or down to choose between 10 different 'cold' temperatures and 10 different 'warm' ones – a traditional knob would be preferable. The instrument cluster features attractive and legible analogue dials, flanking a small screen. This displays various pieces of information, and will even display your turn-by-turn navigation instructions when you're using Google Maps via smartphone mirroring. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Suzuki has largely kept up with the times – there's even a digital speed readout on the instrument cluster screen! – but there's one odd, retrograde touch. While you can use the Info button on the steering wheel to toggle between different displays on the instrument cluster screen, to do things like reset the average fuel consumption you have to use this weird black twisty knob poking out of the cluster. It's annoying to use. Some aspects of the interior we do like, however, are the large, clearly labelled buttons on the right-hand side of the steering wheel including the boot release, and the bottle holders in the front doors that will fit larger bottles. One advantage of Suzuki sticking with the same basic silhouette for two decades is it affords the Swift excellent rear headroom. At 180cm tall, my head doesn't brush the ceiling, and legroom is quite good too – I can sit behind my own seating position with no problem. There are no amenities of note here, apart from bottle holders in the doors suitable only for small bottles. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Open the hatch and you'll find quite a deep storage space. There's 265 litres of space, which compares favourably with the MG 3 (293L), Mazda 2 (250L) and Toyota Yaris (270L). Under the boot floor, however, there's no spare – just a tyre repair kit. To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool All versions of the Swift Hybrid in Australia get a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 12V mild-hybrid system. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we recorded fuel consumption of 4.7L/100km. This increased to 5.7L/100km over the course of a week, albeit with a heavy urban skew. For context, across an identical loop we recorded 4.9L/100km with a base manual Swift, and 5.1L/100km over the course of a week. To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool As an urban runabout, the Suzuki Swift works well. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert The CVT keeps the little three-pot in its optimal rev range, and you can dart in and out of traffic with ease. The thrummy note of the three-cylinder engine under the bonnet is also delightful, though it makes a racket – and betrays its modest outputs – when you floor it on a highway on-ramp, with a great deal of droning from the CVT. The steering should satisfy most buyers. It's light without feeling completely vacant, and the Swift is easily twirled around parking lots. Ride quality meets the standards of the segment, and the Swift is generally comfortable. Multiple successive bumps will upset its composure somewhat, but generally impacts are absorbed quite well. It's not a Cadillac, but it's comfortable. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert Visibility is also hard to fault, with nice, large windows all around the vehicle. Despite this, blind-spot monitoring is still standard, and it's great to see this genuinely useful safety technology in an affordable light car. The only thing that may perturb commuters is the idle stop/start system. In stop and start traffic the engine is very keen to cut out, and the system is quite smooth so you may be surprised to find all of a sudden the steering wheel essentially won't move while you're waiting at traffic lights. Cruising along the highway, there's a little wind rustle around the mirrors and a little bit of tyre noise, but it's fine by the standards of the segment – you can still easily carry a conversation with someone in the back seat, not that that they're that far away from you! The sound system also features speed-dependent volume control. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert In other driving scenarios, the Swift is a little less desirable. It's just not as entertaining as a Mazda 2 to drive when you want to take it somewhere more challenging than the commute to work. There's more body roll in corners, a bit more understeer, and a bit less steering feel. Even an MG 3 Hybrid I recently drove was more enjoyable on a spirited mountain drive. Are most Swift buyers after a corner-carver? Probably not. If you do crave that engagement but insist on a Swift, you can either wait for a new-generation Sport – if one ever comes – or drop down to the base model and get a manual. The three-pedal option makes this little hatch somewhat more enjoyable. Shift action is good and throws aren't too long, nor does it feel too rubbery or notchy; the clutch pedal is well-weighted, too. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert It's still not my favourite manual but it's the only one left in this segment in Australia, unless you step up to a Hyundai i20 N. Also, surprisingly, the manual also comes with adaptive cruise control. To get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in a Swift, however, you have to step up to our auto-only Plus tester, and they join a suite of active safety and driver assist technology that's generally well-calibrated. The lane-keep assist gives you a gentle nudge if you start to stray out of your lane, while there's also a lane centring function that works with the adaptive cruise control. It's not the sharpest lane-centring system we've tested – it makes the steering feel quite inconsistent – but it's great to see such a feature in a humble Swift. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert The adaptive cruise control lacks stop and go functionality but, again, it's a Swift with adaptive cruise – even Suzuki has kept up with the march of progress. Handily, it works with the speed sign recognition, which means you need press only one toggle on the steering wheel to change the set speed. As required by law, there's autonomous emergency braking, and while it didn't engage on us the forward collision warning did activate a few times showing it's rather more eager than in other cars. You can turn it off easily, however, via a button to the right-hand side of the steering wheel next to the lane-keep assist button. The standard LED headlights feature automatic high-beam, which works well. There's a reversing camera, as expected, and its resolution is average. To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Swift is available in three trim levels: base, the featured Plus, and the top-spec GLX. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Swift equipment highlights: 15-inch steel wheels with covers Tyre repair kit LED headlights Heated power mirrors Keyless entry and start 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wireless Apple CarPlay Wired Android Auto Satellite navigation DAB digital radio 2-speaker sound system Air-conditioning Cloth upholstery The Plus adds: 16-inch alloy wheels Heated front seats Leather-wrapped steering wheel Driver's seat height adjustment 6-speaker sound system The GLX adds: Wireless phone charger Climate control air-conditioning Power-folding exterior mirrors To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Suzuki Swift received a one-star rating from safety authority ANCAP in 2024, a disappointing showing given its predecessor had received five stars under admittedly older, less stringent protocols. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert The current model received a three-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP, but different specification locally – including the absence of absorption bars around the radiator and on either side of the wheel arch – doomed it to just one star in ANCAP testing. Given ANCAP standards change over time, the Swift can't be directly compared with anything in its segment besides the MG 3. The Chinese hatch received three stars in ANCAP testing under the same protocols. The Yaris received five stars in 2020, but against older test protocols, while the Mazda 2 received five stars but its rating expired in 2022 because testing was conducted all the way back in 2014. Other similarly priced vehicles like the Kia Picanto and Stonic are also unrated. What does all this mean? Well, we'd argue Suzuki is giving Australian buyers the short end of the stick by not offering a version of the Swift demonstrated to be safer. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert We're not talking about driver assist features here, which we know many vehicle owners turn off. The Australian-market Swift received 47 per cent for adult occupant protection and 59 per cent for child occupant protection, against 72 per cent and 74 per cent respectively for the MG 3, and 67 per cent and 65 per cent in Euro NCAP testing of the European-market Swift. Could a new Swift be safer than what you're trading in for it? Quite possibly, particularly if you're coming out of an older vehicle. But a one-star rating is disappointing in a market where five stars has become the norm. On a brighter note, the Swift comes standard with plenty of safety features, particularly in the mid-spec Plus and top-spec GLX. Standard safety equipment across the Swift range includes: Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Lane-keep assist Traffic sign recognition Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Front, front-side and curtain airbags The Plus adds: Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic alert That's plenty of safety kit, but rivals have kept up – every Mazda 2 has all of the above features, for example. The MG 3, too, has an extensive list of standard active safety and driver assist tech. To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Suzuki covers its range in Australia with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert To see how the Suzuki Swift lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool. There's a lot to like about the Suzuki Swift, from its thrifty, thrummy three-cylinder engine to its comfortable cabin and its user-friendly controls and infotainment system. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert It also undercuts the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris, if not the MG 3, and proves a very easy car to live with. But its disappointing safety result is a tough pill to swallow, and it isn't as enjoyable to drive as its rivals. It also requires more expensive fuel than a Mazda 2 or Toyota Yaris, and there's no spare wheel like you'll find in the Yaris or a petrol MG 3. We hope Suzuki can bring the Australian-market Swift into line with its European-market counterpart. In the meantime, it's still worth a look but we'd also suggest you check out the MG 3. 2025 Suzuki Swift Plus Credit: CarExpert CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Suzuki Swift. Click here to get a great deal. MORE: Explore the Suzuki Swift showroom Mightn't be a full hybrid, but it's still very economical Zippy powertrain Well-packaged, neatly styled interior Disappointing safety rating No spare wheel Requires premium fuel Power: 61kW Fuel Type: Unleaded Petrol/Electric Economy: 4.0L/100km CO2 Emissions: 90g/km ANCAP Safety Rating: 1
