Suzuki’s multi-award-winning Swift has reached an extraordinary milestone of 10 million units sold worldwide, cementing its place as one of the most iconic and enduring small cars in automotive history.

From love at first sight to a lifelong companion, the Swift is the hatchback with a nameplate that everyone has a story about. The Swift nameplate first appeared in 1983, with the original Cultus in Japan, evolving into the sporty Swift GTi by 1989 that cemented its lightweight, race-inspired DNA.

The modern Swift we know today debuted in 2005, redefining the small-car segment with a bold new body style, versatile drivetrains, and fun at its core. Sold in more than 170 countries and embraced by over 150,000 Australians since 2005, its success is a true testament to dynamic design, benchmark technology, and evolving safety.

With each generation, the Swift has redefined expectations. The fifth generation, launched in July 2024 as Suzuki’s first hybrid in Australia, arrived with a bold makeover inside, outside and under the hood, while staying true to its DNA: nimble, fun, and iconic.

Michael Pachota, General Manager – Automobiles said, “Reaching 10 million sales worldwide is not just a milestone, it’s a testament to the Swift’s place in automotive history as one of the most successful and enduring small cars ever built. In Australia alone, more than 150,000 drivers have made the Swift part of their lives. From first keys to family memories, from trusted daily drives to the joy of rediscovering what makes driving fun, the Swift is more than a car. It’s a companion woven into people’s lives, and that’s what makes this achievement truly extraordinary.”

The Swift has been continuously celebrated over the decades, earning recognition through independent accolades, including numerous global and local awards to date, marking its enduring appeal.

In its debut year in Australia, the Swift was crowned CarsGuide Car of the Year, while also securing the prestigious RJC Car of the Year title and Japan’s coveted Most Fun to Drive award. The second-generation Swift, unveiled globally in 2010 and introduced to Australia in 2011, built on this momentum, accelerating demand worldwide and once again earning the RJC Car of the Year honour.

By 2014, global sales had already exceeded four million units, supported by accolades such as the Wheels Australia Goldstar Award, BBC Top Gear India Small Car of the Year, and AMI Insurance Autocar New Zealand Small Car of the Year. In 2020, Canstar Blue named the Swift both Most Satisfied Customer – Small Cars and Best Value New Car.

Most recently, the sixth-generation Swift Hybrid has continued its winning streak, taking out Money Magazine’s Best Value Small Car in Australia, the 2025 UK Car of the Year (Small Car category), and another RJC Car of the Year title in Japan.

Swift’s enduring popularity highlights its exceptional value in the Australian market, recognised as the country’s best-value hybrid. Its story is constantly evolving with global market needs to deliver on performance, style, comfort and safety. This reaffirms its reputation as a reliable and trusted choice for Australian motorists, ensuring the model remains at the forefront of the light-car segment.