You can drive up to 446km in a Suzuki Swift this July when filling it up with R500 of petrol.
With the current sky-high fuel rates of R22.86 per litre for 93 unleaded petrol (ULP) and R23.26 per litre for 95 ULP, South Africans’ wallets have been squeezed to the brink with many forced to downsize to smaller and more efficient wheels.
A benefactor of this trend has been the Suzuki Swift.
Over the past few years, the hatchback has climbed the ranks to sit among the most popular of its kind in the country. It also boasts an average fuel consumption of as low as 4.9l/100km, simultaneously rendering it one of the most frugal on the market.
Buyers of the Swift are no doubt looking to extract every last bit of value out of their limited rands, so they’ll be happy to know that a budget of R500 will allow them to travel far and wide across the nation without having to stop for fuel.
From Joburg to… you choose
The Swift is available in South Africa with two petrol engines, depending on the selected model.
The standard Swift GA, GL, and GLX get a 1.2-litre, naturally-aspirated block generating 61kW and 113Nm, paired with either a five-speed manual or automatic cog swapper, both of which return a claimed average fuel usage of 4.9l/100km.
Meanwhile, the top-spec Swift Sport is treated to a turbocharged 1.4-litre drive unit churning out a more considerable 103kW and 230Nm. It, too, can be optioned in manual or automatic with both transmissions featuring six cogs instead of the standard Swift’s five.
Regardless of the chosen option, the Swift Sport sips petrol at an average of 6.1l/100km – still economical by most standards.
At inland fuel rates, you’ll then be able to purchase roughly 21.9 litres of ULP 93 and 21.5 litres of ULP 95 for the sum of R500.
The table below details how far one can drive in these Suzuki hatchbacks with this fuel spend:
| Model | Power | Fuel consumption | Range with R500 of petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swift 1.2 | 61kW/113Nm | 4.9l/100km | 446km (ULP 93) / 439km (ULP 95) |
| Swift Sport 1.4T | 103kW/230Nm | 6.1l/100km | 359km (ULP 93) / 352km (ULP 95) |
With these distances, you’ll be able to complete several journeys in South Africa using no more than R500 to get from point A to point B.
For example, you can finish the trek from Joburg to Bloemfontein (approx. 395km) and still have over 40km of range to spare in the Swift.
The popular route from Joburg to the Kruger National Park, stretching over 412km, is another achievable trip without needing to stop for a top-up.
The 322km jaunt from Joburg to Polokwane can also be dispensed with either the standard model or its sporty sibling for less than R500.
Loading ...
