Used car buying guide: Maruti Suzuki Swift (2018-2021)

GOOD FOR: Fuel economy, Spacious cabin

LOOK OUT FOR: Glitchy touchscreen, Interior rattles

The evergreen Maruti Swift has been around for a long time and is somewhat of an icon in the Indian automotive scene. The hatchback is sporty to look at, decently equipped, frugal and easy-to-drive, all of which make it worth considering in the used car market. However, there are some things you should know before you buy one.

Maruti Suzuki introduced the third-gen Swift in India in 2018, making it more efficient, more spacious, more practical and even better equipped than the model it replaced.

The third-gen Swift, at launch, was available with petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol was a 1.2-litre unit that produced 83hp and 113Nm of torque, while the diesel was a 1.3-litre unit that pushed out 75hp and 190Nm of torque. Both engines were offered with 5-speed manual and AMT auto gearbox options to choose from. It’s worth noting that the diesel Swift was discontinued in April 2020, following Maruti’s decision to axe all diesels from its line-up for the BS6 emission norms. Furthermore, with the facelift in 2021, the third-gen Swift gained a new 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine with a start/ stop function.

Tipping the scales at 880-985kg, the third-gen Swift is a lightweight model, which helps with fuel efficiency. On our test, the petrol-manual Swift delivered 12.6kpl in town and a superb 19.3kpl on the highway. Impressively, the petrol-auto delivered figures of 11.4kpl and 18.5kpl in the city and highway, respectively. The diesels though, are really frugal. The manual registered an efficiency of 16.5kpl in town and 22kpl on the highway, while the automatic did 16.2km in the city and 21.8km on the highway.

The Swift was launched in four trim levels – L, V, Z and Z+. In terms of features, the top-spec Z+ trims come equipped with auto LED headlights, diamond-cut alloy wheels, the 7.0-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, a reverse camera, auto climate control, push-button start, keyless entry, electrically adjustable and foldable outside mirrors, rear defogger and washer/wiper. Safety features include anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

All engines, gearboxes, and trim levels accounted for, there were a total of 14 versions of the third-gen Swift on sale, so choosing the right one for you can be confusing. In terms of variants, it’s best to go for the Z+ trims as they get all the best goodies, including the superb LED headlights. However, if budget is an issue, the Z or even the V trims are decently equipped for most buyers.

As for the engine-gearbox, that will depend upon your usage. If you are a keen driver, the peppy petrol engine with the manual gearbox is the one for you while the petrol-auto makes for a great city runabout. The diesels, meanwhile, are very frugal and punchy too but, they are quite unrefined. However, they are great for regular highway runs and considering that you can’t buy a Swift diesel anymore makes them that much more tempting.

As a Maruti Suzuki product, the Swift is affordable to maintain and mechanically reliable as well. What should also offer potential buyers the peace of mind is Maruti Suzuki’s widespread aftersales network in the country.

Buyer, beware…

Touchscreen

On the top variants, ensure that the touchscreen infotainment system is working seamlessly. Few owners have faced issues where the touchscreen freezes and even crashes sometimes.

Rattles

While on a test drive, listen for any rattling or vibrations inside the cabin. Some owners have complained about interior panels and buttons becoming loose as the car gets older.

AMT gearbox

In the AMT equipped models, check if the car rolls off the line and shifts gears smoothly. It’s best to check this out as AMTs are susceptible to early clutch wear.

Also worth knowing

Maruti Suzuki issued a recall for 566 Swift models that were manufactured between May 7 to July 5, 2018, for a possible fault in the airbag controller unit. If the model you’re looking at has been produced in this period, it’s best to confirm that this problem has been rectified. If not done, take it to an authorised Maruti dealership who will replace the part free of cost.          

How much to spend

Rs 5.5-7.5 lakh

The strong demand for the third-gen model, combined with the low depreciation of Maruti cars, means that resale values of Swifts are quite high. Look to spend anywhere between Rs 5.5-7.5 lakh in the used car market, depending upon the variant, engine-gearbox combination and mileage.