Maruti Swift

Not much has changed with the introduction of the facelift. Park the updated model with the pre-facelift and one would surely miss the changes until he makes a careful observation. The front-end does get a new grille with a honeycomb pattern, and there’s even a thick chrome strip flanking the registration plate housing, but the nature of this update is such that it doesn’t make the new model different from the one it has replaced.

Another update comes in the form of a revised colour palette that now comprises dual-tone options for the top-spec ZXI+ trim. These include Red and Black, White, and Black and Blue and White combos that make the Swift look a bit sportier with the black paint spread on the roof as well as the ORVMs. Other than the above, things remain completely unchanged, which is not really a bad thing if you notice that the Swift has to be the best-looking B1-hatchback of the lot.

The evolutionary design of the latest Maruti Suzuki Swift makes it look better than ever, especially with the increased width giving it a sportier stance. Moreover, bits like the stretched back headlamps, a giant grille and pillar-mounted rear door handles add a lot of modern touches. Overall, the design of the new Swift is quite good. 

Akin to the exterior, not much has changed with the interior - The all-black cabin has been carried over from the pre-facelift version with minimal updates. While the aesthetics have been left untouched, there’s now more kit on offer. The steering wheel, for instance, has gained the button to activate/deactivate the cruise control – a feature that’s not available in any other car in this class.

Also, new to the dashboard is the latest iteration of the SmartPlay Studio infotainment unit, while the instrument cluster has gained a 4.2-inch multi-information colored TFT display from the Ciaz and the S-Cross. Other than this, the third-gen Swift continues to offer a fairly spacious cabin that scores well on the practicality front. The front seats are well-bolstered and the driver’s seat even gets height adjustment in the high-end trims.

Even the rear bench seat is very spacious and its occupants not only benefit from good support but even enjoy a good amount of knee room. While three adults at the rear would make things a bit cramped for everyone, it’s still not as bad as it’s on the Ford Figo and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. A surprising omission here is the lack of rear aircon vents but then, the AC unit on this car is pretty powerful and doesn’t take much time to cool the entire cabin efficiently.

There are enough storage spaces strewn across the cabin and the 268-litre boot space is adequate for car from this segment. Plus, the rear backrest has 60:40 split function to maximize the luggage carrying capacity of the vehicle. Overall, the all-black interior of the Swift gives it a sporty approach. 

The new Dualjet motor is a version of the earlier K-series engine that comes with two injectors per cylinder. Simply speaking, this improves combustion and as a result, power has increased to 90 PS from 83 PS earlier. Even the torque spread has improved and so has the fuel efficiency. Improvements don’t end here as the engine is also smoother than before and hence, there’s an improvement in the NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels of the vehicle.

On the go, the new motor has made the car feel more energetic and there’s even a surge of power once you cross the 1,200 RPM mark. Also, the motor has a meaty-sounding engine note that should please the driving enthusiasts. While there’s not a massive difference from before, the performance has improved a bit in almost all aspects. In fact, even in the slow-moving traffic, there seems to be more grunt lower down the revs, which means you can comfortably cruise in the second gear from as low as 15 kmph. Sure, the car is not as quick as the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo but it’s definitely more engaging than ever. Maruti has also introduced a CNG version of the Swift and that is available in two variants - VXI and ZXI.

The refreshed Maruti Suzuki Swift comes with minor styling updates and a new engine, but its suspension has been left completely untouched. This isn’t actually a bad thing if you consider the great balance between ride comfort and handling capabilities this car has offered. For your daily use in the urban environment, the Swift will keep you and other passengers comfortable over most road surfaces with jerks transmitting into the cabin only when the car passes through a sharp undulation at a low speed. At higher speeds, the car offers a more pliant ride and the driving enthusiasts will appreciate the stability it offers.

The only let-down here is the steering, which is a tad too light and even feels disconnected from the wheels towards its dead center. While the latest Swift lacks the steering precision of the first-gen model, it’s enough fun in a set of twisties. The slightly stiff suspension and minimal body roll play a huge role in making this car a confident corner-carving tool and the driving enthusiasts on a budget would appreciate the good ride-handling setup that this car offers. They have now also introduced a CNG version of the Swift and it offers a more stiffer ride, thanks to the added weight of the cylinder. 

Unfortunately, safety has not been a forte of most Maruti Suzuki cars. While the Vitara Brezza has managed a respectable 4-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test, most of its siblings have not fared as well. Case in point here is the rather depressing 2-star rating for the India-spec Swift.

Fortunately, though, the facelift has brought in a set of bigger brakes along with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist for the AMT-equipped versions. Other than this, the small car offers the standard safety suite consisting of dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, and rear parking sensors. The top-spec variant even benefits from a rear parking camera and fog lamps but there’s little else on offer. A bigger worry here is that the structure of this car has been rated ‘unstable’ by Global NCAP.