SUZUKI Swift 3 Doors 1996-2003 Photos, engines & full specs

Suzuki tried its best to create an affordable yet well-equipped vehicle for the European market and improved its small-segment car, the Swift.

In its three-door version, the Swift was not a pocket hot-hatch. It was more of a cheaper way to offer motorized mobility to its customers. It was also an excellent vehicle for small delivery companies, especially since it was one of the least expensive cars on the European market worth buying it.

The base trim levels still kept the black, unpainted, plastic bumpers, and the Japanese carmaker improved them for the upper versions. They sported a new grille at the bottom, which looked like an air-intake for a sports car, for the full-options version. Its rear pop-out rear windows allowed more air in the cabin, which was a good idea for the versions without air-conditioning.

Inside, Suzuki carried over most of the Swift's parts from the 1991 model year. Since it started to use more European suppliers, the materials fulfilled their new customers' tastes. The dashboard was slightly upgraded and included new materials. To provide better comfort, Suzuki offered air-conditioning on the options list plus front power windows.

Under the hood, Suzuki kept the same engines as before but upgraded to Euro 2 emission standards, which were mandatory starting with January 1997. Also, the 1996 Swift received an option for ABS and even an automatic transmission.