Name: Suzuki Swace (2020 to 2025) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Suzuki Swace
Rating: 67.0

Summary

Not heard of the Suzuki Swace? Well you probably have – sort of – as this family estate was basically a Toyota Corolla estate with Suzuki badges. It was sold in the UK from 2020 to 2025.

The Swace was part of a collaboration between the two Japanese brands – using Toyota’s established hybrid technology was an economical way for Suzuki to meet increasingly stringent European emissions regulations, and the Suzuki Across was a similar project (being a rebadged Toyota RAV4).

What you got was a practical, spacious hatchback with a 120hp petrol-electric drivetrain, which meant official CO2 emissions of 103g/km and 60+ mpg fuel economy – good news for tax-challenged company car drivers.

However, reviewers noted that the car returned its best figures on urban routes with lots of speed changes – at motorway speeds, the engine struggled and economy suffered. Also, those choosing Suzuki over Toyota didn’t get the 180hp hybrid option that Corolla buyers did.

Paradoxically, motorway driving was best for comfort – the Swace offered refined progress with excellent ride quality. More challenging roads, on the other hand, exposed the insipid steering and the strangled performance of the engine.

Reviewers also highlighted the decent specification of the Suzuki. There were only two trim levels to choose from, but even the base model included an eight-inch touchscreen, rear parking camera, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

As of March, the Suzuki Swace holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 67%. Surprisingly, that score is a huge nine points behind the Corolla on which the Swace is based.

More Suzuki ratings, reviews, news and features

Swace highlights

Good fuel economy and low CO₂ figures
Extensive equipment as standard
Plenty of space
Comfortable and refined, especially in electric mode
Proven Toyota reliability

Swace lowlights

Insipid petrol engine performance
Poor motorway economy
Lacklustre steering
Transmission whines under hard acceleration
Toyota’s own version offers much more choice

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized estate
Powertrain: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £24,499 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: N/A
Update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“In a competitive estate market, the Suzuki Swace struggles to stand out – especially against the Toyota Corolla it was cloned from – but it’s still a well-equipped pick.”

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid Ultra

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

“The Suzuki Swace has genuine family car credentials, but it struggles to stand out among its talented rivals.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Shane Wilkinson

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Corolla-based Suzuki Swace still isn’t brimming with character, but these mid-life updates are a welcome improvement. For a small price increase over the old model, there’s more performance and technology, making it a competitive entrant to the estate car sector.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is a practical, comfortable and competitively priced hybrid estate car perfect for families who don’t want a crossover or SUV.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace comes with a less impressive infotainment set-up than the Corolla Touring Sports, but there’s little to separate them otherwise, and given the financial saving on offer we expect a decent number of drivers will consider that a sacrifice worth making.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is a practical and affordable family estate but it’s hard to see why you would buy one over the Corolla on which it’s based.” (Tom Jervis)
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Carwow

Model reviewed:
“The Suzuki Swace is efficient and just about spacious enough.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid SZ5
“The most fleet-friendly Suzuki ever, with emissions of just over 100g/km, plus good practicality and kit.”
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Eurekar

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid SZ5
“The Suzuki Swace is a great addition to the popular car maker’s line-up. And when you factor in the low CO2 figure with its great tax breaks to the fleet driver, along with excellent fuel economy, the Swace has plenty of all-round appeal for business and private owners alike.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Suzuki Swace is the second vehicle to be supplied (following the Across) by Toyota under a collaborative business agreement between the two companies. Highlights include a 596-litre luggage compartment and a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Suzuki’s Swace looks good for company car drivers.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed:
“The Suzuki Swace is a smart and functional hybrid estate.”
Read review

Top Gear

Score: 7 / 10
“The Suzuki Swace is sensible and affordable.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

In theory, the Suzuki Swace should carry a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP as it’s simply a rebadged Toyota Corolla, which scored a five-star rating back in 2019. However, Euro NCAP’s rating does not currently apply to the Swace.

This may be an administrative delay, or it may be that Suzuki has not provided evidence to Euro NCAP to show that the changes made from the original Corolla design would make no difference to its rating. If Euro NCAP issues a safety rating for the Swace, we will publish the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Suzuki Swace was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life, and the equivalent Toyota Corolla model has not been tested, either.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Suzuki Swace to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Swace, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Hybrid models	63 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	102 g/km	A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	18	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£174	B
Year 2	£489	B
Year 3	£812	B
Year 4	£977	B
Year 5	£1,296	B
Overall	£3,748	B

The Suzuki Swace is a rather mixed bag when it comes to running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The car is quite efficient, and with a average of 64 mpg it is likely to save you a few pounds at the pumps. The car’s predicted servicing and maintenance costs are pretty manageable too, but its insurance premiums are surprisingly high.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Swace has received

2021

Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Hybrid

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Suzuki Swace, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The Swace faces many big-name rivals, not least its inspiration, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. The Ford Focus Estate is perhaps the top choice, but Kia’s Ceed Sportswagon and the Hyundai i30 Tourer score highly, as does the larger Skoda Octavia Estate.