Ford EcoSport vs Suzuki Swift Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Ford EcoSport

1.0 EcoBoost Titanium Automatic Petrol Automatic

ZAR 395,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 92 kW 🔧 170 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l

Suzuki Swift Sport

1.4 Turbo AT Petrol Automatic

ZAR 493,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 103 kW 🔧 230 Nm ⛽ 15.6 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Swift Sport

⛽ Fuel Economy EcoSport

🛡 Safety Tie

📦 Practicality EcoSport

🔑 Ownership Swift Sport

EcoSport starts ZAR 469900 cheaper EcoSport from ZAR 310,000 · Swift Sport from ZAR 469,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Engine Power	92	103
Torque	170	230
Engine Size	998	1373
Claimed Mileage	17.2	15.6
Ground Clearance	200	130
Boot Space	352	265
Airbags	6	6
Kerb Weight	1290	990
Seating Capacity	Available	Available
Warranty	4	5

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

EcoSport

/ 100

pts

Swift Sport

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

EcoSport has a slight advantage, but Swift Sport remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Swift Sport +1 pts

Efficiency EcoSport +9 pts

Safety Equal

Practicality EcoSport +4 pts

Ownership Swift Sport +4 pts

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

EcoSport

Performance 8/20

Efficiency 9/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 12/20

Ownership 16/20

Swift Sport

Performance 9/20

Efficiency 0/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 8/20

Ownership 20/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

EcoSport

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Shorter warranty coverage

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Swift Sport

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Better long-term ownership value

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Which One's Right for You?

EcoSport

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Swift Sport

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Ground Clearance	200	130
Wheelbase	2519	2450
Length	4325	3890
Width	1765	1735
Height	1653	1480
Kerb Weight	1290	990
Gross Vehicle Weight	1740	1390
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	352	265
Towing Capacity	950	0
Number of Doors	5	5
Boot Space Seats Folded	1500	579
Front Track Width	1550	1510
Rear Track Width	1540	1510
Turning Radius	Available	4.8
Load Bed Length	Available	0
Load Bed Width	Available	0
Front Legroom	Available	1032
Rear Legroom	Available	890
Front Headroom	Available	965
Rear Headroom	Available	962
Front Shoulder Room	Available	1370
Rear Shoulder Room	Available	1345
Max Payload	Available	420
Boot Volume	Available	Available
Doors	Available	Available
Seats	Available	Available
Front Overhang	Available	Available
Fuel Tank Capacity	Available	Available
Rear Overhang	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Engine	1.0L EcoBoost Turbo Petrol	1.4L K14D BoosterJet Turbo 4-Cylinder Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 3 Turbocharged	Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged Direct Injection
Displacement	998	1373
Cylinders	3	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	92	103
Torque	170	230
Fuel System	Direct Injection	Direct Injection (DI) — BoosterJet
Top Speed	185	210
0-100 km/h	10.5	8.5
Cylinder Layout	Inline 4 (I4)	Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration	Turbocharged	Turbocharged
Engine Code	Standard	K14D
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.0:1
Cylinder Bore	82.0	74.0
Piston Stroke	92.0	79.4
Fuel Grade Required	Petrol	95 RON Unleaded Petrol
Power @ RPM	150	5,500 rpm
Torque @ RPM	400	2,000–3,500 rpm
Turbocharger	Available	Mitsubishi Turbocharged Intercooled
Engine Position	Available	Transverse Front-Mounted
Engine Oil Capacity	Available	3.7
Power	150	138
Variable Valve Timing	Available	Dual VVT on Intake and Exhaust
Maximum Engine RPM	Available	6500
Engine Type Config	Available	Available
0–100 km/h	Available	Available
Battery Capacity	Available	Available
Charging Port	Available	Available
AC Charging Time	Available	Available
Engine Displacement	Available	Available
EV Range	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic Torque Converter
Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive	FWD
Drivetrain Layout	FWD	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	None	Not Available
Transfer Case	None	Not Applicable
Number of Gears	6	6
Transmission	Automatic CVT	Available
Differential Lock	Electronic Lock	Not Available
Transmission Type	Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Paddle Shifters	Available	Sport Paddle Shifters on Steering Column
Final Drive Ratio	Available	4.062:1
Steering Turns Lock to Lock	Available	2.5
Clutch Type	Available	Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
Drivetrain	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Claimed Mileage	17.2	15.6
City Mileage	12	12.2
Highway Mileage	17	18.2
Fuel Tank Capacity	52	37
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Available	0
Auto Start Stop	Available	Not Available
Average Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Claimed Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Distance To Empty	Available	Available
Low Fuel Warning	Available	Available
Fuel Efficiency	Available	Available
Real-world Mileage	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	None	Not Available
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Power with Remote	Remote Central Locking with Smart Key
Hill Start Assist	Yes	Standard
Front Parking Sensors	Yes	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Yes	Available
Alarm System	Available	Standard
Side Impact Beams	Available	Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	Available	All Seats
Speed Alert System	Available	Standard
Pedestrian Detection AEB	Available	Not Available
Safety Rating	Available	Not Independently Rated
Whiplash Protection	Available	Active Head Restraints
Lane Change Warning	Available	Not Available
AEB	Available	Available
BA	Available	Available
Brake Override System	Available	Available
Curtain Airbags	Available	Available
Driver Airbag	Available	Available
EBD	Available	Available
Engine Immobiliser	Available	Available
Fatigue Detection	Available	Available
Hill Hold	Available	Available
Passenger Airbag	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Available	Available
Side Airbags	Available	Available
TCS	Available	Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Available	Available
Knee Airbag	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	None	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	None	Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	None	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	None	Not Available
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	None	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	None	Not Available
Lane Departure Warning	Yes	Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Available
Traffic Sign Recognition	Yes	Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert	Yes	Not Available
Auto Highbeam	Available	Available
Auto Lights	Available	Available
Auto Wipers	Available	Available
Drive Modes	Available	Available
Eco Mode	Available	Available
EV Mode	Available	Available
Reverse Camera	Available	Available
Sport Mode	Available	Available
Adaptive Cruise Control	Available	Available
Park Assist	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Seat Material	Premium Leatherette	Alcantara Sport Seats with Bolstering
Seat Adjustment	Manual Height Adjustable Driver Seat	Manual 4-Way with Sport Bucket Profile
Heated Seats	None	Not Available
Ventilated Seats	None	Not Available
Steering Type	Electric Power Steering	Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Ambient Footwell Lighting	Not Available
Front Armrest	Yes	Standard Sport Armrest
Cup Holders	4	4
Folding Rear Seats	Yes, 60:40 Split	60:40 Split Fold
Interior Colour Options	Black	1
Leather Seats	Available	Available
Rear Armrest	Available	Integrated in Seat Back
Rear AC Vents	Available	Not Available
Rear USB Ports	Available	0
Steering Wheel Material	Available	Leather-Wrapped Sport Steering Wheel
Instrument Cluster Type	Available	4.2-inch Colour LCD Info Display
Driver Lumbar Support	Available	Not Available
Door Map Pockets	Available	All Four Door Pockets
60 40 Split Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Driver Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Front Seat	Available	Available
Cooled Seats	Available	Available
Driver Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Fabric Seats	Available	Available
Front Headrest	Available	Available
Memory Seats	Available	Available
Passenger Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Rear Headrest	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Climate Control	Automatic Climate Control	Manual Air Conditioning
Power Windows	Front and Rear	All Four Windows
Keyless Entry	Smart Key	Smart Key System
Push Button Start	Standard	Push Button Start
Wireless Charging	None	Not Available
Sunroof	None	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	None	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	Yes	Standard
Follow Me Home Headlamps	Yes	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	Yes	Not Available
Power Mirrors	Power Adjustment	150
Payload Capacity	500	Available
Rain Sensing Wipers	Available	Standard
Rear Window Defroster	Available	Standard
Electric Mirror Folding	Available	Electrically Adjustable Auto-Fold Mirrors
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	Available	Standard — Driver Height Adjustable
12V Accessory Socket	Available	1 x 12V Socket
Speed Limiter	Available	Standard
AC Type	Available	Available
Adaptive Dampers	Available	Available
Aero Kit	Available	Available
Auto Dimming Irvm	Available	Available
Boot Opener	Available	Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights	Available	Available
Chrome Grille	Available	Available
Climate Zones	Available	Available
Door Ajar Warning	Available	Available
Drag Coefficient	Available	Available
Driver Display	Available	Available
Electric Folding Mirrors	Available	Available
Engine Check Warning	Available	Available
Engine Start Button Illumination	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop Button	Available	Available
Engine Warranty	Available	Available
Exhaust Finish	Available	Available
Exhaust Type	Available	Available
Front Armrest	Available	Available
Front Power Outlet	150	150
Fuel Consumption Combined	Available	Available
Fuel Lid Opener	Available	Available
Gear Shift Type	Available	Available
Glovebox Cooling	Available	Available
Ground Clearance Unladen	Available	Available
Headlamp Height Adjust	Available	Available
Headlamp Washer	Available	Available
Headrest Adjustable	Available	Available
Heads Up Display	Available	Available
Hill Start Assist	Available	Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock	Available	Available
Intercooler	Available	Available
Launch Control	Available	Available
Multi Function Steering	Available	Available
Panoramic Roof	Available	Available
Performance Data Logger	Available	Available
Push Button Start	Available	Available
Rear Defogger	Available	Available
Rear Reading Lamps	Available	Available
Rear Seat Split	Available	Available
Rear Wing	Available	Available
Remote Engine Start	Available	Available
Rev Matching	Available	Available
Ride Mode Selection	Available	Available
Roof Antenna	Available	Available
Seat Type	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner	Available	Available
Seatbelt Reminder	Available	Available
Service Plan	Available	Available
Service Reminder	Available	Available
Side Steps	Available	Available
Skid Plates	Available	Available
Spare Wheel	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Stability Control	Available	Available
Stabilizer Bar	Available	Available
Steering Mounted Controls	Available	Available
Steering Response	Available	Available
Tachometer	Available	Available
Tail Lamps	Available	Available
Telescopic Steering	Available	Available
Tilt Steering	Available	Available
Trip Computer	Available	Available
Tyre Repair Kit	Available	Available
Valves Per Cylinder	Available	Available
Vanity Mirror	Available	Available
Voice Command	Available	Available
Voice Command Support	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Infotainment Screen	8-inch SYNC Touchscreen	7-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Wired	Wired Apple CarPlay
Android Auto	Wired	Wired Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	4
Navigation System	Integrated	Via Smartphone Mirroring
FM Radio	Yes	Standard
AUX Input	Yes	Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster	Yes	4.2-inch Colour LCD
USB Ports	Available	2
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Available	Not Available
Steering Wheel Audio Controls	Available	Standard
Voice Recognition	Available	Via Smartphone
Infotainment Screen Size	Available	7
Wi-Fi Hotspot	Available	Not Available
Audio Controls On Steering	Available	Available
Infotainment Display	Available	Available
Rear Usb	Available	Available
Premium Audio	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
LED Headlamps	Projector Halogen	LED Projector Headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED DRLs
Fog Lamps	Front	Front Fog Lamps
Roof Rails	Silver	Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design	17-inch Alloy	17-inch BBS Sport Alloy Wheels (Exclusive Design)
Body Cladding	Plastic Cladding	Not Available
Chrome Exterior Finish	Yes	Not Available
Door Handle Finish	Chrome Finish	Body-Coloured Door Handles
Exterior Colour Options	Pearl White	4
Rear Spoiler	Available	Rear Roof Spoiler — Sport Design
Roof Type	Available	Standard Fixed Roof
Wing Mirror Type	Available	Electrically Adjustable Body-Coloured Auto-Fold Mirrors
Rear Wiper	Available	Standard
Body Type	Available	Available
DRL	Available	Available
Fog Lights	Available	Available
Front Fog Lights	Available	Available
Led Headlights	Available	Available
Led Taillights	Available	Available
Rear Fog Lights	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Approach Angle	23	17
Departure Angle	32	22
Wading Depth	550	0
Terrain Modes	None	Not Applicable
Locking Differential	None	Not Available
4WD System Type	Part-time 4WD	Not Applicable — FWD
Underbody Protection	Available	Not Available
Ramp Breakover Angle	Available	0
Recovery Hooks	Available	1 Rear Tow Hook
Hill Descent Control	Available	Available
Ramp-over Angle	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Tyre Size	205/50 R17	195/45 R17
Wheel Type	Alloy	17-inch BBS Sport Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Solid Disc
Front Brake Disc Diameter	300	300
Spare Wheel Type	Available	Space Saver Spare
Rear Brake Drum Diameter	Available	259
Parking Brake Type	Available	Conventional Handbrake
Tyre Load Index	Available	81
Tyre Speed Rating	Available	Y
Wheel Rim Size	Available	17 Inches
Brake Type Front	Available	Available
Brake Type Rear	Available	Available
Spare Tyre	Available	Available
Tyre Type	Available	Available
Front Tyre Width	Available	Available
Rear Tyre Width	Available	Available
Wheel Diameter	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut — Sport Tuned
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam	Torsion Beam — Sport Tuned Dampers
Chassis Type	Monocoque	HEARTECT Sport Monocoque
Front Spring Type	Coil Spring	Coil Spring — Sport Rate
Front Anti-Roll Bar	Yes	Uprated 20mm Sport Anti-Roll Bar
Power Steering	Electric	Electric Power Assisted Sport Tuned (EPAS)
Steering Column	Available	Tilt and Telescopic Adjustable
Rear Spring Type	Available	Coil Spring — Sport Rate
Rear Anti-Roll Bar	Available	Uprated 16mm Sport Anti-Roll Bar
Shock Absorber Type	Available	Bilstein Sport Telescopic Gas Dampers

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15,000 km or 12 Months
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Approx R2,500–R3,500 per Service
Battery Warranty	24 Months	12 Months
First Service At	5000	1,000 km Inspection
Maintenance Plan	Available	Not Included
Engine Oil Change Interval	Available	10,000 km or 6 Months
Service Plan Duration	Available	4 Years
Service Plan Distance	Available	60000
Anti-Rust Treatment	Available	Underbody Rust Protection
Alternator	Available	Available
Battery Type	Available	Available
Gear Shift Indicator	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Warranty Years	4	5
Warranty Kilometers	120000	200000
Roadside Assistance	4 Years	5 Years Roadside Assistance
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	5 Years / Unlimited km	3 Years Anti-Corrosion
Basic Warranty	Available	Available

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
CO2 Emissions	150	147
Start Stop System	Standard	Not Available
Hybrid System Type	None	Not Applicable
Idle CO2 Output	2.0	Within Euro 5 Limits
Fuel Octane Requirement	Unleaded 95 RON	95 RON Unleaded
Noise Level	Available	70
Particulate Filter	Available	Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF)
Euro Emission Standard	Available	Euro 5
Green NCAP Rating	Available	Not Independently Rated
Fuel Evaporation Control	Available	Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP)

Spec	EcoSport	Swift Sport
Real-world City Mileage Min	10	7.0
Real-world City Mileage Max	12	9.5
Real-world Highway Mileage Min	13	5.0
Real-world Highway Mileage Max	15	7.0
Owner Review Count	27	0

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Ford EcoSport wins with 63 pts vs 55 pts for Swift Sport

In structured scoring, EcoSport emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Swift Sport may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the EcoSport edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: EcoSport 9 vs Swift Sport 0. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: EcoSport 18, Swift Sport 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: EcoSport 16, Swift Sport 20. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: EcoSport 12, Swift Sport 8. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: EcoSport 8, Swift Sport 9. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The EcoSport edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The EcoSport scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between EcoSport and Swift Sport in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: EcoSport scores 8 vs 9.

Efficiency: EcoSport scores 9 vs 0.

Safety: EcoSport scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: EcoSport scores 12 vs 8.

Ownership: EcoSport scores 16 vs 20.

Final structured scoring gives EcoSport the advantage in this comparison.

Ford EcoSport vs Suzuki Swift Sport

Ford EcoSport

Suzuki Swift Sport

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Key Specs Side by Side

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

EcoSport

Swift Sport

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

EcoSport

Swift Sport

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

EcoSport

Swift Sport

Which One's Right for You?

EcoSport

Swift Sport

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down