Subaru Impreza vs Suzuki Swift
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Subaru Impreza
From $36,490
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol I4 Boxer
115kW
7.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
291L
Suzuki Swift
From $23,990
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
59.6kW
4 L/100km
3★ ANCAP
267L
Track the Subaru Impreza & Suzuki Swift
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Subaru Impreza starts from $36,490 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Swift opens at $23,990. That makes the Suzuki Swift the more affordable entry point by $12,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $40,139 and $26,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Swift by roughly $4,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Subaru Impreza holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 3 stars for the Suzuki Swift. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Impreza and 67% for the Suzuki Swift.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 4 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Suzuki Swift, against 1 on the Subaru Impreza.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Impreza and 6 in the Suzuki Swift.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Impreza features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Suzuki Swift gets a 9-inch display.
The Suzuki Swift counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Impreza uses a Petrol I4 Boxer producing 115kW and 196Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Suzuki Swift responds with a Petrol making 59.6kW and 109Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.4 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 59.6kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Impreza measures 4,490mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 630mm longer than the Suzuki Swift at 3,860mm (2,450mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Impreza generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 291L in the Subaru Impreza and 267L in the Suzuki Swift, giving the Subaru Impreza a 24L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.8m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza and $1,140/year for the Suzuki Swift. That is a $998 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Swift.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Swift). The Subaru Impreza has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Swift if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru Impreza takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Suzuki Swift will save you roughly $998 a year in fuel. The Subaru Impreza adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Impreza and Suzuki Swift?
The Suzuki Swift is the cheapest at $23,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Impreza by $12,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki Swift uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Subaru Impreza has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Impreza has the largest boot at 291L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Subaru Impreza has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Impreza makes the most power at 115kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
