2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift review, road test

Replacing a bestseller is always a tough balancing act for a carmaker. Radical changes don’t always sit well with a loyal fan following, but, at the same time, sticking closely to a formula, generation after generation, can take the sheen away from an established nameplate. On the face of things, Maruti Suzuki seems to have got it just right with the third-generation Swift. The car is new, yet undoubtedly Swift in its look, and – as your friendly Maruti Arena sales rep will tell you – also more efficient, more spacious, more practical and better equipped than the model it replaces. There’s more. Maruti has also finally addressed the long-standing demand for an automatic Swift, with options on both petrol and diesel versions. All engines, gearboxes, and trim levels accounted for, there are a total of 12 versions of the Swift on sale, with prices ranging from Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base petrol-manual to Rs 8.29 lakh for the fully loaded diesel-manual car.

We’ve brought together all four engine-gearbox options and put them through our rigorous road test regimen to determine if the new Swift is all that it’s made out to be.