2021 Maruti Swift facelift vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

    We find out if Maruti Suzuki’s Swift, which is now priced at Rs 5.73-8.41 lakh and gets more equipment, makes for a better proposition compared to the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Ford Figo.

    Published On Mar 08, 2021 09:50:00 AM

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    2021 Maruti Swift facelift vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

    The third-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift has just got its first major update – the much-anticipated 90hp DualJet engine has been introduced and there are more features on offer. With Swift prices now ranging between Rs 5.73-8.41 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the asking price for each variant has increased by a Rs 15,000-24,000 margin. There are two other hatchbacks that contend with the Swift at a similar price point – the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and the Ford Figo. We find out how the three hatchbacks stack up.

    2021 Maruti Swift vs rivals: Size and capacities

    2021 Swift vs Nios vs Figo: Dimensions
    SwiftGrand i10 NiosFigo
    Length (mm)384538053941
    Width (mm)173516801704
    Height (mm)153015201525
    Wheelbase (mm)245024502490
    Wheel size15-inch15-inch15-inch
    Boot space268 litres260 litres257 litres
    Tank capacity37 litres37 litres42 litres

    The design update for the Swift has seen its length increase by 5mm compared to the pre-facelift model. Measuring in at 3,845mm in length, 1,735mm in width, 1,530mm in height, the Swift is the widest and tallest hatch here, though the Figo is nearly 100mm longer overall (at 3,941mm) and has a 40mm longer wheelbase (2,490mm); the Ford also has the largest fuel tank at 42 litres. The Grand i10 Nios may be the smallest of the lot, but the Hyundai does have a larger 260-litre boot compared to the Figo’s 257-litre one. All three get 15-inch alloy wheels in top-spec form.

    2021 Maruti Swift vs rivals: Engines and gearboxes

    2021 Swift vs Nios vs Figo: Petrol Powertrains
    SwiftGrand i10 NiosGrand i10 Nios TurboFigo
    Figo Engine4 cyl, naturally aspirated4 cyl, naturally aspirated3 cyl, turbocharged3 cyl, naturally aspirated
    Displacement1197cc1197cc998cc1194cc
    Power90hp83hp100hp96hp
    Torque113Nm114Nm172Nm120Nm
    Manual gearbox5-speed5-speed5-speed5-speed
    Automatic gearbox5-speed AMT5-speed--
    ARAI (MT/AT)23.2kpl/23.76kpl20.7kpl/20.5kpl20.3kpl18.5kpl
    Auto start-stopYesNoNoNo
    0-100kph (as tested)11.67s/-13.28s/-9.82s13.8s*

    *BS4 model

    With the new DualJet engine the Swift gets a 7hp increase in power, a healthier torque curve (though no increase) and improved fuel economy. The Swift was already the most frugal car in its class and that figure has improved by about 2kpl to 23.2kpl when equipped with the manual gearbox, and about 2.6kpl to 23.76kpl with the AMT. This can be partially attributed to the idle start/stop system available with the Maruti hatchback. The Figo’s 18.5kpl figure is the lowest here while all three petrol engine and gearbox options available with the Grand i10 Nios are rated just above 20kpl.

    While the new 90hp engine makes the Swift more powerful than the 1.2-litre Grand i10 Nios, the Figo with its 96hp 1.2-litre engine and the Grand i10 Nios in turbo-petrol form are more powerful. However, in the case of the Ford, the higher output figure doesn’t translate to on-road performance as – in BS4 form – it took a relatively leisurely 13.8 seconds to sprint from 0-100kph.

    Our 2021 Swift review confirmed it is quicker to 100kph from a standstill than its predecessor with a 11.67 second time. And while based on our previous tests, the updated Swift is quite a bit quicker than its naturally aspirated rivals too, the Nios Turbo is quicker still – in fact the turbocharged Hyundai hatch is the quickest sub-Rs 10 lakh car in India to the ton mark.

    Unlike the Swift and the Grand i10 Nios, the Figo does not get an automatic option with the petrol engine, though it does get an excellent diesel engine option. Hyundai offers a greater number of powertrain options with the Nios – there are a total of five to choose from including the diesel-manual, diesel-AMT and the aforementioned petrol ones.

    2021 Maruti Swift vs rivals: Features and safety kit

    2021 Swift vs Nios vs Figo: Safety kit
    SwiftGrand i10 NiosFigo
    Airbags226
    ABS with EBDYesYesYes
    Brake AssistYesNoNo
    Isofix anchorsYesNoNo
    Rear cameraYesYesYes
    Automatic headlightsYesNoYes
    Automatic wipersNoNoYes
    Rear defogger and wiperYesYesYes
    Day/night inside rear-view mirrorManualManualAutomatic

    In terms of safety kit, the top-spec Ford Figo is the best equipped – six airbags, auto headlights and wipers and an auto dimming rear-view mirror are on offer. However, the Swift is the only model here to get ISOFIX child seat mounts and brake assist. The Grand i10 Nios gets safety essentials but comes across as lacking in comparison.

    It should be noted that both, the pre-facelift Swift and the Grand i10 Nios have received a 2-star safety rating from Global NCAP. While the current Figo has yet to be tested by the safety watchdog, its sedan counterpart, the Ford Aspire, was given a 3-star rating back in 2017. 

    2021 Swift vs Nios vs Figo: Features
    SwiftGrand i10 NiosFigo
    HeadlightsLEDHalogenHalogen
    DRLsLEDLED-
    Dual-tone colours333
    Leather-wrapped steeringYesYesYes
    Powered ORVMsYesYesYes
    Keyless entry and goYesYesYes
    Cruise controlYesNoNo
    Auto climate controlYesYesYes
    Rear AC ventsYesNo
    Infotainment7.0-inch touchscreen8.0-inch touchscreen7.0-inch touchscreen
    Android Auto/Apple CarPlayYes/YesYes/YesNo/No
    NavigationOnboardSmartphone-basedOnboard
    Voice commandsYesYesNo
    Connected car techNoNoYes
    Wireless chargerNoYesNo
    Driver’s seat height adjustManualManualManual
    Adjustable front seat head restsYesNoYes
    Split/folding rear seatsYes/YesNo/YesNo/Yes

    With the latest update, the relatively well-kitted top-spec Swift now comes with a segment-first cruise control, along with power folding mirrors and dual-tone colour options. It is still the only model here to get 60:40 split/folding rear seats and LED headlights. The Grand i10 Nios may miss out on the adjustable rear head rests available on its rivals but has a segment-first wireless smartphone charger and an AC vent for the rear passengers. Although the Figo seems to be down on its rivals on tech – the infotainment system is not Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatible and doesn’t respond to voice commands – it’s the only hatch in its segment that gets the FordPass in-car connectivity suite.

    2021 Maruti Swift vs rivals: Price

    2021 Swift vs Nios vs Figo: Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)
    SwiftGrand i10 NiosFigo
    Entry-level Petrol-MTRs 5.73 lakhRs 5.19 lakhRs 5.64 lakh
    Mid-spec Petrol-MTRs 6.36-6.99 lakhRs 5.99-7.87 lakh*Rs 6.64 lakh
    Top-spec Petrol-MTRs 7.77-7.91 lakhRs 7.33 lakhRs 7.09 lakh
    Mid-spec Petrol-AMTRs 6.86-7.49 lakhRs 6.57-7.18 lakh-
    Top-spec Petrol-AMTRs 8.27-8.41 lakhRs 7.81 lakh-

    *Nios Turbo only available in Sportz variant

    At this new price point, the 2021 Swift is on the higher side of this segment – its starting prices are Rs 9,000 higher than the Figo and Rs 54,000 higher than the Nios. While the mid-spec Swift VXI and ZXI variants are priced closer to the mid-spec Figo Titanium, the top-spec ZXI+ trims are priced at quite a premium over the competition, especially with the dual-tone colour options. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios’ price comes across as quite competitive, if not aggressive.

    On paper, the 2021 Swift seems like a slightly pricey but practical, well-kitted and frugal car, with a fun-to-drive aspect. A road test and a comparison will reveal more. Stay tuned.

    Also see:

    2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift facelift review, test drive

    2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift facelift price, variants explained

    Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza sales cross 6 lakh units

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