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in the area of finish, though the materials used in the cabin feel as tough as nails.
There is nothing wrong with the Rio’ s cabin, its driver centric design looks good, while its fitand-finish may not feel as topdrawer as the Swift’ s, but its level of fit-and-finish is commendable. The only criticism we can level against its interior that the plastic bits and switches feel insubstantial.
Performance
and handling
If you ever need a refresher course on the charms of driving a hatchback, you only need to drive the Suzuki Swift for a few hundred meters, and if you aren’ t
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charmed by its enthusiastic engine and absorbing chassis you may need to check your pulse as you might already be dead inside.
Among the three the Swift’ s 1.4-litre engine stands out with a brimful of character, like it is impatient to get to the 4,000rpm mark where it can open its valves and kick you onward.
It may be the least powerful of the lot here, but you wouldn’ t care when the engine gets into its stride with its sharp responses and accompanying growling sound track.
Pitch the Swift into the corner, keep the throttle open, and the front wheels hang on like a puppy to its master, clinging on
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gamely to the road.
If we are honest, the Swift is a junior league Renault Clio RS, that same level of enthusiasm by how the engine carries itself and how the front end just bites into the road, and also the sheer amount of fun it delivers.
The Fiesta is equally compelling in this area as well, and if anything its chassis setup is a more superior technical achievement than its Japanese peer.
Bumps, ruts, and lumps that would otherwise upset and interrupt the Swift’ s composure and pace are smoothened by the Fiesta’ s well-tuned absorbers.
Furthermore its suspension tuning cleverly avoids turning
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the Fiesta’ s ride into a tossing jaunt worthy of the high seas, as it doesn’ t lean excessively in the bends and maintains a level ride on poorly surfaced roads.
Not only does the Fiesta’ s suspension setup keep your head level over any road conditions you care to point it at, but it also manages to keep all four wheels tied to the road like its riding on an imaginary rail drawn by the course of your steering inputs.
Yes, it is the only model here without a self-shifting transmission, limiting it to an enthusiast-only choice, but the gear changes are smooth, easy, and slick making it a breeze to operate through traffic.
However
if we are honest the Fiesta’ s technical superiority does rob a certain element of roughand-tumble excitement that the Suzuki serves up so ably.
It isn’ t helped by its engine, which needs to be worked to and it doesn’ t sparkle with the same bright-eyed enthusiasm of the Swift.
So too does the Rio’ s
SpECifiCaTiOnS Ford Fiesta 1.4LX
Engine 1,388cc 4-cylinder
Max power 95hp( 71kw) @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 128nm @ 4,050rpm
Transmission 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Safety features seven airbags, aBs with eBd and brake assist, isoFiX child seat mounting points
Price rm69,999 otr with insurance
engine fail to garner any praise, though it is the most powerful unit between the trio, it doesn’ t rev with much enthusiasm or character.
Neither did any driver warm up to the Rio’ s driving dynamics, whilst the Rio rolls with plenty of lean in the bends, its shock absorbers have an annoying habit of picking up any little nubs and pockmarks on the road and spoil an otherwise smooth ride.
Where the Fiesta would glide and the Swift would swoop on by without a batter of the driver’ s eyelid, the Rio seems to be transmitting all the wrong sensations a driver would ask for. Furthermore the Rio doesn’ t
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