Maruti Suzuki Swift: new vs old

New Swift's design is only evolutionary over its predecessor, but there are major updates under the skin.

Published On May 09, 2024 06:44:00 PM

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The Swift has always been a hot seller in India, favoured by enthusiasts and regular car buyers alike as it’s been an affordable, fun-to-drive hatchback that’s also frugal and easy to live with. Maruti Suzuki has just launched the new fourth-generation Swift in India, but it is essentially a heavily updated version of the third-gen platform packing in an all-new engine, evolutionary styling and an interior borrowed from existing Maruti models. Here, we are taking a close look at how the new Swift has evolved over its predecessor in terms of styling, features, powertrain options and price.

Maruti Suzuki Swift design: new vs old

First up, is the shape that makes the new hatchback immediately recognisable as the Swift. Yes, it has retained its bulbous nose with a narrow top and a widened bottom stance, but an eye-catching new detail is a sharp shoulder line that runs from the bonnet all the way to the rear fender. The headlamps and grille are shaped similarly to the outgoing model, but the L-shaped LED daytime running lamps are sharper and the grille has new gloss black surrounds.

Maruti Suzuki Swift front: new vs old

What’s noticeably new is that the clamshell bonnet is a lot shallower and the front bumper is a lot cleaner and smoother with black contrasting trims. Over to the sides, the rear door handles are back to their conventional location, instead of on the C-pillar. The glasshouse now also gets a wraparound effect, thanks to a blacked-out C-pillar. At the rear, the tail gate continues to dip in between the tail-lamps, which are now squarish in shape and get C-shaped LED elements. The rear bumper, save for the newly positioned reflectors, hasn't changed much from before.

As for dimensions, the new Swift measures 3,860mm in length, 1,735mm in width, 1,520mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,450mm – that’s 15mm longer and 10mm shorter although the wheelbase has remained unchanged.

Maruti Suzuki Swift interior: new vs old

While the exterior design is only an evolution, the interior of the Swift is all-new, and yet familiar as it shares parts with the models such as the Baleno and Fronx. Some of the dashboard panels and the housing for the 9.0-inch touchscreen are slightly different, but the infotainment unit, the HVAC controls with toggle switches, the steering wheel and the switchgear on the doors are all too familiar.

Maruti Suzuki Swift interior: new vs old

While some trims and features from more premium models have trickled down to the Swift, a little more differentiation perhaps would have been nicer. In the older Swift, the hooded binnacles for the instrument cluster and rotary knobs with built-in displays for the climate controls gave the interior an unique look. However, the silver and gloss black accents on the new Swift does make the cabin a little livelier.

Given that the new Swift hasn’t grown too much in size, interior space has remained largely the same. Sitting three abreast at the rear will still be a squeeze, but legroom and headroom are decent. The front seats are still the place to be in the new Swift. Some of the new features include a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six airbags and ESC are now standard.

Maruti Suzuki Swift engine: new vs old

The biggest update on the new Swift is on the powertrain front. Maruti Suzuki has debuted an all-new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that replaces the K12 four-cylinder unit. The 5-speed manual and AMT gearboxes have been carried forward as is.

Maruti Suzuki rear: new vs old

This engine produces 82hp and 112Nm of torque which is 8hp and 1Nm lesser than before, but the focus has been on greater efficiency. The new Swift has a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.80kpl with the manual gearbox and 25.75kpl with the AMT – that's 2.42kpl and 3.19kpl more than before. Maruti Suzuki's has acheived this high fuel efficiency target with each cylinder now measuring 400cc in capacity which is considered to be the sweet spot for a cylinder's volumetric efficiency.

Maruti Suzuki Swift price: new vs old

Prices for the new Swift range between Rs 6.49 lakh – Rs 9.50 lakh (ex-showroom), and it also gets a new mid-spec VXi (O) trim. The base price has gone up by Rs 25,000, while at the top-end, its dearer by Rs 36,000.

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