- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He
Suzuki Swace. Corolla’s reproduction technique
As a rule, automakers compete with each other for profits. But sometimes they unite and show the world a ‘new’ old model. This is exactly what Suzuki and Toyota did. They have built the Suzuki Swace, whose entire appearance shows the Corolla’s reproduction technique… The new model is actually a slightly modified Toyota Corolla estate. The Swace is distinguished from the original by a new front bumper, as well as Suzuki emblems on the body and steering wheel. The “novelty” was dubbed an artificial name and given the Toyota hybrid system. Such an estate has been sold exclusively in Europe since 2020. In February 2023, it was restyled.
The Suzuki Swace is the second model taken by Suzuki from Toyota. The first was the Toyota RAV4, transformed into the Suzuki Across. The Japanese companies entered into an agreement in 2019 and even acquired each other’s shares. The benefit is mutual: Toyota was able to start selling copies of several Suzuki models in the Indian and African markets, and Suzuki got the hybrid RAV4 and Corolla Touring.
First generation
The Suzuki Swace is slightly different in size than the Toyota Corolla: it is 5 mm longer (4,655 mm), 25 mm higher (up to 1,460 mm) and 1,790 mm wide. The wheelbase is 2,700 mm, like the original model. We can say that the image of the car has not fundamentally changed: it is still the same reliable estate. The interior has not changed, and the trunk volume reaches 596 liters. The Swace comes with LED headlights, an 8-inch media system, adaptive cruise control and a full range of electronic assistants.
The Suzuki Swace is equipped with a 1.8-liter gasoline naturally aspirated engine with 98 hp and 142, paired with an electric motor producing 72 hp and 163 Nm. The motors are completed by a battery with a capacity of 3.6 kWh, a CVT and front-wheel drive. Have you recognized this powertrain? This is THS (Toyota Hybrid System) with a total output of 122 hp. Its use improves the environmental friendliness of the Suzuki model range for Europe. This estate can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds, while the maximum speed is 180 km/h.
2023 restyling
The Toyota Corolla has been recently restyled, and now the turn has come to improve the performance of the ‘twin’ from Suzuki. Externally, the restyled 2023 Suzuki Swace can be distinguished from the old version thanks to the new lighting equipment and chrome decorations on the body. The upgraded electric motor has increased the overall output from 122 to 140 hp, ensuring an improvement in dynamics: the acceleration time to 100 km/h was reduced by 1.7 seconds (9.2 seconds versus the previous almost 11 seconds).
The entry-level estate has become better equipped, acquiring the heated seats and a steering wheel, a rear-view camera, climate control, adaptive cruise control and an updated set of electronic assistants. The advanced versions come with blind spot monitoring systems, wireless charging for gadgets, as well as vehicle approach notification systems.
The Toyota Corolla is the permanent leader of almost all, not only Israeli, but also world rankings, the real best-seller. In Israel, the model is presented as a hybrid hatchback with a 1.8-liter engine, a hybrid estate and sedan in hybrid and gasoline versions. In 2023, Toyota Israel will launch a restyled Corolla for sale at a price of 153,990 shekels.
