Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX Wins Best Budget Car in SA at the 2025 CarsAwards

Karen Scheepers
Apr 19
2 min read

When shopping for an affordable new car, many buyers assume they’ll have to make sacrifices in quality, safety, or technology. However, Suzuki continues to prove that affordability doesn’t mean compromise. The 2025 CarsAwards, sponsored by Absa, once again crowned the Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX as the Best Budget Car in South Africa, marking yet another win for this popular hatchback.

This year, the Swift faced tough competition from two strong rivals in the Budget Car category: the all-new Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive - Final Score: 71.2% and the feature-packed Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2T MX3 - Final Score: 69.2%. These three finalists were chosen based on their affordability, practicality, fuel efficiency, and overall value for money—critical factors for budget-conscious South African buyers.

Despite the impressive credentials of its competitors, the Suzuki Swift outperformed them all, earning a category-winning 73.3% score. But what makes the Swift such a dominant force in this segment?

What Makes a “Best Budget Car”?

The Budget Car category is one of the most competitive in the CarsAwards because it speaks to the heart of the South African market—where value, efficiency, and reliability are key.

To qualify, vehicles had to meet these criteria:

✅ Price under R300 000

✅ ABS, at least two airbags, and a service plan included

✅ Strong fuel efficiency, practicality, and overall brand reputation

With these requirements in mind, the Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Exter, and Mahindra XUV 3XO emerged as the top three contenders, proving they offer some of the best bang-for-buck in the local car market.

Why the Suzuki Swift Stands Out

The Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX claimed the title because of its exceptional blend of affordability, features, and low running costs. It’s fun to drive, incredibly fuel-efficient, and comes with a long warranty and solid after-sales support.

With a 5-year/200 000 km warranty, a low fuel consumption of just 4.4 L/100 km, and a host of modern safety and convenience features, it’s easy to see why the Swift continues to dominate this category—winning six out of the last eight CarsAwards in the Budget Car segment.