Maruti Suzuki Swift: It’s a Maruti ++

The Suzuki Swift (Diesel)

CARMA. overall rating: 8.6

Advice: Definitely worth it. Above all, it’s a Maruti! Enjoy being an Indian.

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Detailed geometry

The Swift is definitely the most favourite for the student fraternity just for the sole reason that it is fun to drive around in one. Spend a few minutes behind the wheel and it becomes a part of you. It is well responsive, adaptive, cooperative and what not. What we drove was a diesel variant and the fun just got multiplied. A glimpse and you’d know that this is not a vehicle which you can redraw with a pair of engineering drafters. It gets rounded towards the rear, but that styling element doesn’t make you go “Wow. What an ass!” But there are buyers who like the ass whatsoever. Alright, ass-jokes apart, it definitely is a very young spirited vehicle, filled with energy. Had the front grille been bigger, it could have revealed more character by speaking through the visuals. If you ask us, it is the most after-sales modified vehicle on Indian roads. If Maruti can capitalize on that and start giving their own mod-kit, profits are certain to go up 30%. The ground clearance, which is quite a concerning parameter with respect to car purchasing, is quite good. Speed bumps? No problem. You can save your worries for the fuel price hike. The mild tall boy stance helps in giving the driver a good driving position as well.

The headlamps of the Swift appear as eyes with raised eye brows. That sort of a design shows a sign of over confidence and dominance, which is a completely justified possession. The tail lamp styling is quite different as well. Similar to the SX4, the lamps extend to the rear end body.

The Swift comes only with the front wipers and with respect to ones we tested, they work perfectly. The washer is in a good condition too.

How does it feel?

Focussing on the dash board, it is nothing great. It is not too bad to make your buy look cheap and at the same time, it doesn’t give you an up-market feel as well. It hangs out somewhere in the middle. Strips of chrome stuck here and there give an impression that is more a “try” rather than a style appeal. You have dummy buttons as well killing your mood at times. The instrument cluster is the same conventional one you see in its brothers.

In its days, the Swift could make the other hatches look up to it thanks to one particular feature. Yes, we are talking about ABS. Internationally speaking; ABS is in the list of basic safety features that a car should be equipped with.

The swift is equipped with fairly comfortable seats. Our butts settled in well. Expecting more comfort from a Maruti stable hatch is not possible. The air-con is good as well. The cooling is quick and effective.

The ride quality is commendable. Inside the cabin, you can hardly hear any external noise or even the engine. Appreciation for the filtering is much needed. The Electric Power Steering assist supplements the light steering wheel well. Manoeuvring is almost effortless. The compact frame adds to this advantage. On the other hand, the suspensions and shocks are not that satisfactory. A taste of Kotturpuram in Chennai and you’d have a butt ache.

The rear leg space is just enough for an average build adult. The boot space is good. No complaints on thid front.

Going techy.

• Engine and battery

FWD with 4 cylinder in-line direct injection diesel.

• Transmission

5 speed manual gear box. The shifting is easy.

• Tyres

Evenly worn 165/180 R14 — non alloys.

• Performance

Acceleration from 0–60 without air-con — 6.3 seconds

Acceleration from 0–60 with air-con — 7 seconds.

Good

• looks
• in-cabin noise filtering
• EPS and manoeuvring
• ABS

Bad

• Dash Quality
• Dummy buttons
• Suspensions not satisfactory