In Kenya, smaller and compact cars such as the Suzuki Swift, Nissan Note and Honda fit are a favorite of digital taxi drivers.
Therefore, cab operators are more likely to purchase these cars due to their price of purchase, fuel consumption and maintenance needs.
Notably, a full-size car is more expensive, devalues more quickly per each mile driven and needs more maintenance, and fuel hence, making them unappealing to most taxi drivers.
The Suzuki Swift is arguably one of the most common models among taxi operators.
It is a popular subcompact car that has gained recognition for its price compact size, fuel efficiency, and agile performance.
Further, Suzuki Swift was first launched in 2004. At the time, it was designed in particular for the European market, before its distribution to the rest of the world.
An attractive feature of Suzuki Swift is that the current price for the car in Kenya is quite at reach for most car buyers.
For instance, a spot check by The Kenya Times revealed that the prices of locally used Suzuki Swift in Kenya will range from as low as Ksh 700,000 to around Ksh 2,000,000 for new models.
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Physical Appearance of the Suzuki Swift
From its appearance, the Suzuki swift looks sporty, giving it a unique look.
The car’s design is streamlined, with aerodynamic features that allow it to maneuver easily in the busy urban environment.
Its compact nature is also beneficial as it allows the car to survive and thrive on busy roads where bigger, chunkier cars would be highly disadvantaged.
Therefore, a Suzuki swift driver can park in tight spaces, which are a staple of the city life.
However, despite its compact size, the Swift has a well-designed interior with comfortable seating for passengers. Another interesting detail of the car is that one can flip the seats at will, to create more space for luggage in the car boot.
The boot of the car can fit 265 and 579 litres depending on whether you’ve flipped the seats or not.
Some models of the sub compact car may include modern features such as touchscreen infotainment systems, and air conditioning.
Most of these features are slightly tilted towards the driver giving the driver maximum control of the car.
The Car’s Fuel Efficiency
Further, the Suzuki Swift is equipped with a range of efficient and small-displacement engines.
These engines offer a balance between fuel economy and performance, a balance that is perfect for city driving.
Additionally, the feature allows the car to handle highways comfortably.
The common model of the Suzuki Swift is fitted with a 1.2-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid petrol engine.
According to Suzuki manufacturers, the top speed of the car is around 170 km/h. However, this depends on the level of maintenance, road conditions, load of the vehicle and driving style.
Nonetheless, its engine is not powerful enough and therefore, in hilly areas and challenging roads, the car is bound to struggle.
In such a case, the car is bound to reduce on fuel economy, making it a bad option for off road drivers.
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Safety Features of the Compact Car
City drives are prone to many minor and sometimes major accidents. Therefore, Suzuki Swift manufacturers prioritized on the safety features of the car.
These qualities are dependent on the model and trim level.
Similarly, every Suzuki Swift is equipped with important safety features, such as airbags, child locks, and safety belt warnings.
The car comes with a pre-installed anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) which enhances the car’s stability during sudden braking.
Other models have special features including a speed sensor, and anti-theft engine mobilizer.
The practical ability of the vehicle explains why it is a favorite of taxi drivers.
