Maruti Suzuki Swift – First impressions

Maruti has recently launched Suzuki Swift in India, I have seen the car, haven’t had a chance to test drive it yet but here are my first impressions of the Car.

After a long time Maruti has had a Model which has a good response. Most of the other models that they launched hasn’t done so well. Versa, Baleno and Grand Vitara hasn’t created any significant dent in the market and didn’t do so well as the Swift. In fact Maruti has already increased the price of the Swift to take advance of the high demand.

Pros:
Looks good: This is of course a personal choice, some people like the new design while others find it odd.
Latest Model: Maruti has launched a latest model in India. The latest models are seldom launched in India by Automobile companies .
The car is selling well and likely to be successful.
The car has a good pickup.
It uses the esteem engine. Even though this an old engine, it is a well tested engine and is revamped.
Service network of Maruti is well established.

Cons:
Boot space is very limited and the inside space isn’t too great either.
Interiors look very simple.
There is long waiting period to get delivery which could take 5-6 months.
Still a new car, may slow down later or face competition. GM, Honda and Toyota have plans to launch cars in the same segment.

Some more inputs:

I was reading a UK based car magazine – Test Drive. They reviewed 12 cars one of which was Swift. The Swift was rated 3rd. 1st was Honda Jass and 2nd was Mitsubushi Colt.

Both Honda & Mitsubushi had a better mileage as per the review. Mitsubushi still isn’t an established player in India, so may not be a strong competition if the Colt was launched in India. But if Honda launches the Jazz then Swift could have some good competition.

Until then you could settle for Swift, provided you are willing to wait for 6 months for the delivery!

Related articles:

Hyundai i10

Tata Nano: 1 Lakh Rupees ($2500) Car

Hyundai Verna – First Look

Maruti Suzuki Swift Vs. Hyundai Getz

Honda Jazz coming to India

Hyundai Santro Vs. Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R

11 Responses to “ Maruti Suzuki Swift – First impressions ”

Comments:

padrevaters says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:36 pm

Somehow I find that your opinions are more biased inspite of what the car salesmen have to state. The best judges for a new car are the salesmen, becuase they often have to harp about it’s selling points and features over other cars. Speak to a few salesmen both Maruthi and other dealers salesmen. You would immediately recognize that the Swift has some outstanding features not available even in a 10 lakh + car in the market. That’s Maruthi (Indianness with global perfection) Did you even bother to check the features offered in the Swift?

kanishka says:
April 25th, 2006 at 1:53 am

can u help me regarding zen versus santro. which i s better in what manner?

basil basheer ahamed says:
July 30th, 2006 at 5:54 am

the most boring about swift in my opinion is its wheel cup.you should change the wheel cup.at first look itself it feels bad.

anpilamma says:
August 17th, 2006 at 10:55 am

hI,
please tell me which is better. swift or getz or a civic. I think the Swift ZXi is the best in that catagory. Because the civic is just horrible after my test drive, Getz is even more horrible because it only touched 49kph when the swift 200kph in the 4th gear.

anpilamma says:
August 17th, 2006 at 10:59 am

Comparisons (as to me)
Swift#########################################
Getz#######################
Civic#############################
ZEN####
City###############

Danie T John says:
September 5th, 2006 at 9:08 am

I am planning to Purchase a Wagon R Duo.. I want to know the in and out of the vehicle… The major thing I am looking for is the mileage and security features…

Santhosh says:
October 7th, 2006 at 12:53 am

If you want to really look out for fuel economy, then go for DUO. Buit remember DUO has only 2 seating capacity in the rear(2+2). This tall suits for TALL guys( above 5.8> 6 ft)….

Mihir says:
November 5th, 2006 at 2:35 pm

Guys, I have just bought a SWIFT Zxi, what a superb car, if you really care about performace! Otherwise you will have 2-3 points to argue on… first is interear second is boot space and third is back seat has no adjustment almost. But to me go for Zxi and you will get your world rocking!!!! AC is at the best to keep you on the constant tempreture through out your trip. With AC I had 10 kmpl on highway and with AC I had 9 kmpl in city limits. Gear ratios are much better to drive on both highways and city areas. I would say in 5-6 lacs this is a best car to buy. I did lots of research (since 2 years) and I have one Corolla in US. I have happy driving this too!

I have …. SWIFT Zxi … feels great to say!

Manish Hemdev says:
July 26th, 2007 at 7:14 am

Wanna know which is a better car – Hyundai Santro or Swift. I drive about 150 to 200 kms per week in tough road conditions of Hyderabad. Already own a Santro base model; planning to convert it to better version. Very happy with car. For Swift, I have been getting extreme reports; either too good or too bad.
Roads per se are good here but traffic conditions play spoilsport and sometimes its exhaustive to drive around cause of sheer volume of it in this city. Comfort wise and road handling, which is the better one?
And any idea when Jazz would be launched in India and what price bracket would it be in?

Deeksha Sharma says:
March 24th, 2008 at 3:15 am

Saw picture of accident of Suzuki Swift & Three Wheeler autorickshaw on the HOLI in Delhi. But for the green colour, one couldnt have distinguished between the car & TSR. Such an unsafe car. Smashes to pulp in every accident. Joke doing the rounds is that had it crashed into a bicycle, everyone would have survived, including the cyclist. Reason ? The bicycle would have split the car into two halves at the centre. Think before u buy. Rgds Deeksha

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