The Suzuki Swift does 34.4 mpg combined (31.9 city, 38.4 highway), which works out to about $1,116 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1L 3-cyl Hybrid does 40.5 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 27.8 — a difference of $433 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Suzuki Swift engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L 3-cyl Hybrid | 37.7 / 44.7 | 1989–1995 | $948 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 32.5 / 39 | 1989–2001 | $1,100 | |
| 1L 3-cyl | 31.2 / 35.3 | 1989–1995 | $1,164 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 24.4 / 33 | 2004–2011 | $1,381 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.093 |
| Fuel per year | $1,116 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,580 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$396 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,845 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 31.9 mpg | $1,204 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.4 mpg | $1,000 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.5 mpg (20%) | Typical for its type |
How the Swift changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2010 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2006 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2005 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2004 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2001 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2000 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 1998 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 1997 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 1996 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 1995 | 33.5 / 39.5 | 2 | $1,067 | |
| 1994 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 1993 | 34 / 40 | 3 | $1,058 | |
| 1992 | 34 / 39.3 | 3 | $1,067 | |
| 1991 | 33.7 / 39.7 | 3 | $1,067 | |
| 1990 | 34.3 / 40 | 3 | $1,046 | |
| 1989 | 34.3 / 40.3 | 3 | $1,038 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Suzuki Swift get?
34.4 mpg combined on average — 31.9 in the city and 38.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–2011.
How much does a Suzuki Swift cost in fuel per year?
About $1,116 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,580 over five years, or 0.093 dollars a mile.
Which Swift engine is the most economical?
The 1L 3-cyl Hybrid at 40.5 mpg, against 27.8 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $433 a year.
Is the Swift good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.