The Suzuki Cultus was two different models sold in Japan by Suzuki Motor Corporation. One model, the Cultus proper, was sold in the international market as the Suzuki Swift. Another, larger, was known as Cultus Crescent and sold in export markets as Suzuki Baleno/Esteem. It was the third model launched by Maruti Udyog in India and was sold as Maruti 1000 and was later renamed to Maruti Esteem.

The first Cultus was introduced in 1983. It was available with a hatchback body in 3- and 5-door configurations, and two petrol engines from the G family, a three cylinder powerplant with 993 cc, and a four cylinder version with 1324 cc. Power ranged from 60 PS JIS (44 kW) to 75 PS (55 kW). Manual and automatic transmissions were available. A turbocharged version of the smaller engine was later introduced, with power raised to 80 PS (59 kW), and 165/70 HR12 tyres.

The Cultus was slightly restyled in 1986, adopting a new frontend, with redesigned grille, headlights and bumper. Engine power was slightly detuned on the 1.0 L and 1.3 L model, and the Cultus Turbo was joined by a more powerful sports version, the Cultus GTi. This featured a new Twin Cam 16v variant of the 1.3 L engine, with 1298 cc, thanks to a shorter stroke (75.5 mm, down from the previous 77 mm), fuel injection and 97 PS (71 kW). Production of the Cultus' first generation stopped in 1988. This car was imported by General Motors and sold in the U.S. as the Chevrolet Sprint, and in Canada as the Pontiac Firefly. The Cultus was then sold in North America by Suzuki themselves as the Swift and again by General Motors as the Geo Metro, a replacement for the Chevrolet Sprint. The Pontiac Firefly sold until 2000 in Canadian Pontiac dealers. The Metro was rebadged as a Chevrolet in 1998 and sold until 2000. The Swift sold until 2001 in North America.

The second generation was introduced in 1988. It kept similar dimensions of the previous model, but the redesigned to make better use of the cargo area and cabin space. Like its predecessor, the new Cultus was available as a 3- or 5-door hatchback, and was powered by G-series engines from 1.0 L to 1.3 L. However, this last one had adopted an SOHC 16-valve arrangement, with standard fuel injection. Power was 58 PS (43 kW) and 82 PS (60 kW) arrangement. For the first time, 4WD was optional on the larger engine.

Luxury and sports versions arrived within the year. The Cultus GTi was now much more powerful, reaching 115 PS JIS (85 kW) with updated version of the previous gti motor . This was an impressive number for a B-segment model at the time. Luxury versions were the Cultus Ellesse (which included automatic air conditioning, central locking, power windows and adjustable steering wheel) and the Esteem, a saloon version, sold in export markets as Swift Sedan. The Esteem featured a larger 1.5 L engine, capable of reaching 91 PS (67 kW), and it was available with optional 4WD. The equipament was the same as the Cultus Ellesse.

In 1992, Suzuki introduced a convertible version, but this was based on the hatchback body and has only two seats, so low sales prompted the automaker to drop the ragtop model from the lineup after one year. The Cultus remained for sale in Japan until 1998, when its place in the lineup was effectively taken by the Wagon R Solio (a larger version of the Suzuki Wagon R keicar) until the arrival of the Suzuki Ignis in 2000, which strangely was called Swift in Japan. The car remained available in other markets, and production continued until 2003. Assembly had also been shifted to other locations, such as India (Maruti), Hungary (Magyar Suzuki), Pakistan (Pak Suzuki) and China (Chang'an).