5-Year Cost of Ownership: Suzuki Swift GLX CVT

After Suzuki Alto, in this analysis, we calculate the total 5-year cost of ownership for a new Suzuki Swift GLX CVT in Pakistan, breaking down all major expenses: the purchase price, fuel, routine maintenance (oil & filter changes, tires), annual insurance, token taxes, and expected repairs. We’ll also factor in the resale value after 5 years to determine the net cost of owning the Swift. We used the top-spec GLX CVT variant because it’s the most seen variant on the road and probably the better value for money variant as well.

The on-road purchase price of the Swift GLX CVT (for tax filers) is about Rs. 4,898,019 – this includes registration, all taxes, as well as first-year token tax. Throughout this analysis, we treat this amount as part of the 5-year expenditure and then subtract the resale value to find the net ownership cost.

Note: Cars in Pakistan always appreciate or depreciate to a minimal extent due to currency devaluation. The Swift was launched in 2022 at an ex-factory price of Rs. 2,899,000 for the GLX CVT, and by 2025 its price climbed to ~Rs. 4.7 million (on-road ~4.9M). This means used cars hold their value exceptionally well – some even depreciate as little as 7-8% over five years in nominal terms. With that context in mind, let’s break down the Swift’s 5-year costs category by category.

Spoiler: The 5 years ownership cost is Rs. 2.92 million, it equates to about Rs. 584k per year on average that you’re “out of pocket” for owning this vehicle.

Fuel Costs Over 5 Years

Fuel is typically one of the most significant running costs. We calculate petrol expenses using the given usage and fuel price assumptions:

• Annual driving distance: 20,000 km per year (a total of 100,000 km in 5 years). 
• Fuel economy (average): ≈14 km per liter of petrol. This figure is on the conservative end of the Swift GLX’s reported 14–17 km/L range, accounting for mixed city/highway driving. 
• Total fuel consumed (5 years): 100,000 km ÷ 14 km/L ≈ 7,143 liters of petrol. 
• Fuel price: Rs. 258.44 per liter (assumed constant over the 5-year period for simplicity, based on the current petrol rate).

Using these figures, we can estimate the total spending on fuel:

• Total fuel cost (5 years) = 7,143 L × Rs. 258.44 ≈ Rs. 1,846,000 (approximately Rs. 1.85 million).

This ~Rs. 1.85 million fuel bill is a major component of the Swift’s running cost. It works out to roughly Rs. 369,000 per year on petrol (about Rs. 30,750 per month). Of course, fuel prices can be volatile – if petrol rates rise further or the car returns lower mileage (e.g. heavy city traffic yielding ~12 km/L), the fuel expenditure could be higher. Conversely, gentle driving or lower fuel prices would reduce this cost. For our analysis, we hold the price and usage constant as per the assumptions.

Routine Maintenance: Oil & Filter Changes

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep the Swift running smoothly. Here we consider periodic oil changes and filter replacements as given:

• Engine Oil Change interval: Every 6,000 km, at a cost of about Rs. 6,500 per service. Over 100,000 km, this translates to roughly 16–17 oil changes in 5 years. We’ll assume 17 oil changes for the calculation. 
• Air Filter Change interval: Every 10,000 km, at a cost of about Rs. 6,000 each time. The genuine air filter for the Swift costs around Rs. 5,850, so Rs. 6,000 is a fair estimate per change. Over 100,000 km, 10 filter changes would be needed.
  

Now, let’s compute the total routine maintenance cost:

• Total oil change cost (5 years) = 17 × Rs. 6,500 = Rs. 110,500. 
• Total filter replacement cost (5 years) = 10 × Rs. 6,000 = Rs. 60,000. 
• Combined routine service cost = Rs. 110,500 + Rs. 60,000 = Rs. 170,500 (around Rs. 170k over 5 years).
  

Spread over five years, that’s about Rs. 34,000 per year spent on basic maintenance like oil and filters. We assume this schedule is followed to ensure the engine’s longevity. These costs are based on authorized service rates and genuine parts; going to an independent workshop or using aftermarket parts could be a bit cheaper, but using quality oil (possibly synthetic) and filters is recommended for a new car. Notably, we haven’t yet included other routine items (like spark plugs or brake fluid) here – those will be covered in Additional Maintenance below.

Tire Replacement Costs

Tyres are another significant wear-and-tear item. The Swift comes with General brand tyres from the factory (a common OEM tire in Pakistan). Tire life and cost assumptions:

• Tire lifespan: ~55,000 km per set of 4 (as given). This means the original set of tires should last roughly until around the 3rd year (somewhere past 50k km) before the tread wears out. 
• Replacement schedule: In 100,000 km, the Swift would need one full tire replacement. After ~55k km, the 4 original tyres are replaced with a new set, which will then cover the remaining ~45k km of the 5-year period. By 100k km, the second set will still have some life left (perhaps ~10k km) since we don’t fully use its 55k km potential within 5 years. For our cost, we count one replacement set in five years. 
• Cost per set of 4 tires: Rs. 50,000 for a set of General tyres (Rs. 12,500 per tire). This is a mid-range local brand cost; premium imported tire brands could cost more (for instance, Bridgestone or Michelin in Swift’s size can be significantly higher). We’ll stick to the Rs. 50k figure as a realistic choice for an average owner.
  

From these assumptions:

• Number of tire sets used in 5 years: 2 sets (one factory-installed, one replacement). Replacements = 1 (since the original set counts as initial). 
• Total tire cost (5 years) = 1 set × Rs. 50,000 = Rs. 50,000.
  

In other words, Rs. 50k will be spent on new tyres during five years of Swift ownership. Good driving habits – maintaining proper tire pressure, regular wheel alignment and tire rotation – can help ensure you reach that ~55k km per set. If the car were kept beyond 100k km, a second new set might eventually be needed around 110k km, but within our 5-year/100,000 km scope, one replacement is sufficient.

Additional Maintenance & Repairs (5 Years)

Beyond regular oil changes and tires, a few other components will likely need attention over a 5-year period. We include realistic estimates for additional maintenance and minor repairs:

• Battery Replacement: Car batteries typically last around 3–4 years. It’s safe to budget for one battery replacement during 5 years. A new battery for a Swift (around 45–50 Ah) costs roughly Rs. 12,000–15,000 depending on brand. We’ll allocate ~Rs. 15,000 for a battery (mid-range brand) in year 3 or 4. (For reference, a 50 Ah local battery is around Rs. 12,900.) 
• Brake Pads: The Swift has disc brakes in front (and drum brakes in the rear). Brake pad wear depends on usage; many owners will need to replace front brake pads at least twice in 100k km (for example, at ~40k and ~80k km). Rear drum brakes/shoes usually last longer, possibly needing change around the 100k km mark at most. The cost varies widely: genuine Suzuki front pads for the new Swift cost around Rs. 24,000 per set, whereas aftermarket or OEM-equivalent pads can cost much less (e.g. Rs. 6k–10k per set). To be moderate, let’s budget Rs. 30,000 for brake pad changes over 5 years. This might cover two front pad sets (using affordable brands) or one set of pricier genuine pads, as well as any rear brake servicing if needed. 
• Transmission & Other Fluids: The GLX has a CVT gearbox. Suzuki recommends changing the CVT fluid at ~60,000 km, which is within our 5-year window. If done at an authorized dealership, this can be costly (~Rs. 38,000) for fluid and labor. However, one could source the CVT fluid cheaper and have it changed at a reputable workshop for perhaps Rs. 20–25k. We will allocate ~Rs. 25,000 for one CVT fluid change around the 50–60k km mark. Other fluid replacements include engine coolant (usually changed around 100k km or 5 years, estimated ~Rs. 5,000) and brake fluid (typically a minor cost, say Rs. 2,000, if changed once in this period). These are relatively small, so we’ll include them in a lump sum for miscellaneous. 
• Miscellaneous Repairs: It’s prudent to set aside some budget for unexpected repairs or maintenance items: for example, suspension bushings or shock absorbers (usually last beyond 100k, but let’s be cautious), wheel alignments, AC servicing, wiper blade replacements, light bulbs, etc. We’ll earmark ~Rs. 10,000 for miscellaneous minor repairs and consumables over 5 years.
  

Adding up these additional costs: Battery (~15k) + Brakes (~30k) + CVT/fluids (~25k) + Misc (~10k) = ~Rs. 80,000 in total. For simplicity, we’ll round and say ≈ Rs. 75,000 is allocated over 5 years for these extra maintenance and repair items.

It’s important to note that the Swift is a new car, so we don’t expect any major mechanical failures in the first five years (especially if properly maintained). The above budget covers wear-and-tear parts and routine part replacements. If the owner is lucky and drives gently, some of these costs (e.g. second brake pad change or battery) might even be deferred slightly beyond 5 years – but it’s wise to budget for them to avoid surprises. Essentially, we’re adding an average of ~Rs. 15k per year in additional maintenance on top of the routine oil changes and tires.

Annual Insurance Costs

For a brand-new car of significant value, comprehensive insurance is usually recommended (and often required if the car is financed). For this blog, we’ll take the average insurance premium of Rs. 68,000. This is about 1.4% of the car’s value per year, which is plausible in the Pakistani market (insurance rates often range ~1.3–1.6% of the vehicle price per year for new cars). We’ll assume the owner keeps the car insured all 5 years:

• Annual insurance premium: Rs. 68,000 (fixed each year, though in practice the premium might decrease or increase slightly if the new car’s price increases in future). 
• Coverage period: 5 years of ownership.
  

Calculating the total:

• Total insurance cost (5 years) = Rs. 68,000 × 5 = Rs. 340,000.
  

So about Rs. 3.4 lakh is spent on insurance over five years. This buys peace of mind against accidents, theft, or other damage. Some owners choose to drop full insurance coverage after a few years to save money (especially if the car’s value drops or if they are confident in their driving and security situation), but for a fair total cost analysis, we’ve assumed continuous full insurance every year.

Annual Token Tax

In Pakistan, vehicles above 1000cc engine capacity are subject to an annual token tax (road tax) paid to the Excise & Taxation department. The Swift, with a 1.2L (1197 cc) engine, falls in this category:

• Token tax rate for Swift: Approximately Rs. 9,438 per year (for a filer). This figure is provided in the scenario; it aligns with the typical tax for 1001–1300cc cars, which includes a base token fee plus income tax for filers. The first year’s token tax was paid at the time of registration (included in the car’s on-road price). 
• Token payments in 5 years: Starting from year 2, the owner must pay this annually. Over years 2–5, that’s 4 payments of Rs. 9,438.
  

Calculating the total:

• Total token tax (5 years) = 4 × Rs. 9,438 = Rs. 37,752.
  

This comes to roughly Rs. 37.8k spent on token tax over five years. It’s a relatively small portion of the overall ownership cost, but it’s a mandatory expense to keep the vehicle legally on the road. (If the owner was a non-filer, these taxes would be higher, but we’re considering a filer scenario as given.)

Resale Value After 5 Years

After five years of use (and 100,000 km on the odometer), we expect the Swift GLX CVT to still command a strong resale price in the market:

• Expected resale value (after 5 years): Rs. 4,500,000 (4.5 million).
  

This means the car would depreciate only about 8% from its initial purchase price (which was ~4.898 million). In other words, the Swift retains roughly 92% of its value over five years – an exceptionally high retention by global standards, but quite plausible in Pakistan’s car market. 

Due to high inflation, supply chain issues, and constant price hikes on new cars, used car prices in Pakistan depreciate much more slowly than in other countries – they may even rise in nominal terms over time.

For context, Pak Suzuki increased Swift’s price multiple times since 2022, so a 5-year-old Swift might sell for near its original price simply because a brand-new one has become more expensive. In some cases, owners have sold 2-3 year old cars at or above their purchase price. Our assumed resale of Rs. 4.5 million is slightly lower than the buying price, reflecting a modest depreciation for wear and tear, but it could vary with market conditions. If the car is kept in excellent condition (and especially if new car prices continue climbing), the resale could even be higher.

Bottom line: the Swift’s depreciation cost in this scenario is only about Rs. 398k over 5 years (4898k – 4500k), which is very low depreciation. This high resale value significantly offsets the total cost of ownership.

Net 5-Year Ownership Cost Calculation

Now, let’s compile all the costs over 5 years and then subtract the resale value to get the net cost of owning and operating the Swift for five years:

• Sum of all expenses (5 years) = Initial purchase price + total fuel + total routine maintenance (oil & filters) + tire replacement + insurance + token tax + additional repairs. 
  • Adding up: Rs. 4,898,019 (purchase) + Rs. 1,846,000 (fuel) + Rs. 170,500 (oil & filters) + Rs. 50,000 (tires) + Rs. 340,000 (insurance) + Rs. 37,752 (token taxes) + Rs. 75,000 (other maintenance) ≈ Rs. 7,417,271 in total expenditures.
    
• Resale value (after 5 years) = Rs. 4,500,000 (cash back to the owner upon selling the car).
  

Now, Net Cost of Ownership = Total Expenses – Resale Value:

• Net 5-year cost = Rs. 7,417,271 – Rs. 4,500,000 = Rs. 2,917,271 (approximately).
  

This net figure (~Rs. 2.92 million) represents the effective money spent to own and drive the Swift for five years, after recovering a large portion of the costs through selling the car. Another way to look at it: Rs. 2.92 million over 5 years equates to about Rs. 584,000 per year on average that you’re “out of pocket” for owning the vehicle.

Where does this money go?

Primarily into running costs. In fact, out of the ~Rs.7.42 million total expenditures, the fuel alone was ~25% and the initial purchase (mostly recovered later) was ~66%. If we exclude the purchase (since it’s recovered in resale), nearly all of the net cost is fuel and maintenance. 

This highlights how important fuel economy and maintenance are in the cost of ownership. In our case, fuel was the single biggest expense (around Rs. 1.85m), followed by insurance (Rs. 340k) and then the sum of maintenance items (oil, tires, repairs, roughly Rs. 290k combined).

Below is a summary table of all the key figures discussed above for easy reference:

Summary: 5-Year Cost Breakdown (Suzuki Swift GLX CVT)

Category	Amount (Rs.) over 5 years
Initial Purchase Price (on-road)	4,898,019
Fuel (100,000 km @ 14 km/L, Rs.258.44/L)	~1,846,000
Oil Changes (17 × Rs. 6,500)	110,500
Air Filter Changes (10 × Rs. 6,000)	60,000
Tires (1 replacement set @ Rs. 50k)	50,000
Insurance (5 × Rs. 68,000)	340,000
Token Tax (annual, 4 × Rs. 9,438)	~37,752
Other Maintenance (brakes, battery, etc.)	~75,000
Total Expenses (5 years)	~7,417,271
Resale Value (after 5 years)	4,500,000
Net Cost of Ownership (5 years)	~2,917,271

Thanks to the Swift’s excellent resale value and moderate fuel efficiency, the overall 5-year ownership cost remains reasonable despite the high initial price. The major expenses to budget for are fuel (~Rs.1.85 million) and the recurring insurance and maintenance. The depreciation hit is minimal in this case, which is a big advantage in the Pakistani market.