Used Maruti Suzuki Swift 2013-2017 - Benefits

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been quite a success story in India and abroad. The hatchback is sporty enough for the enthusiast, while being practical enough for the family. The Swift, first launched here in 2005, is still on sale, in its fourth generation avatar.

Buying a used Maruti Swift still makes a lot of sense, be it as a project car or a highly practical family hatchback. While there are multiple generations of the Swift to choose from in the used car market, the second generation models are some of the most popular. Before we tell you why, let's delve into the 2013-2019 Maruti Swift.

Maruti Suzuki Swift 2013-2017: Generation Overview

While the Maruti Suzuki Swift has evolved over four generations in India, the second gen was introduced in 2011. The 2013-2017 Maruti Swift was part of the second generation of the compact hatchback.

The second-gen Swift featured comprehensive revisions to the bodywork and cabin. It offered a more spacious interior than its predecessor and felt more premium as well. Offered in both petrol and diesel engine options, the Swift dropped its dated 1.3-litre petrol powertrain for a more modern 1.2-litre engine. 

Exterior and Interior:

The second-generation Swift from 2013 toned down on sportiness, focusing instead on premiumness. The familiar Swift front end now featured larger and sleeker headlamps, the treatment extending to the tail lamps as well. Premiumness came in the form of sporty alloy wheels and turn indicators integrated into the body-coloured ORVMs. 

The Swift built between 2013-2017 had grown as well, the hatchback was larger, wider and slightly taller than its predecessor. Cabin space, especially rear seat space had improved as well, mostly thanks to a 40mm longer wheelbase. It did lose a bit of boot space (26 litres less) but that said, the 204-litre boot space is enough for a weekend trip for four.

The cabin featured an all-black theme with a new dashboard featuring Piano Black and silver accents. Besides feeling spacious, the cabin felt premium thanks to the use of better plastics.

Key Features:

The 2013-2017 Maruti Swift (especially the higher ZXi and ZDi variants) was feature-packed for its time and has features which are relevant even today. Here are some of the notable ones.

• A premium double-DIN music system consisting of four speakers and two tweeters along with USB/Aux input.
• Pop-out cup holders on the dashboard.
• Electronic power steering with manual tilt adjustment.
• Front and rear power windows.
• Keyless entry and central locking.
• Rear window defogger and wiper/washer.
• Auto Climate control.
• Steering mounted audio controls.
• Digital inset on the instrument cluster shows instant and average fuel efficiency and Distance-To-Empty info.

Safety and Reliability:

The higher ZXi and ZDi variants of the 2013 Swift came with basic safety features such as brake assist, ABS, EBD, two airbags and 3-point seat belts for the rear seat as well. While ABS was earlier offered in the VXi and VDi variants, it was later offered in only the ZXi and ZDi variants.

Maruti Suzuki cars have been synonymous with Japanese reliability and the Swift does not disappoint either with multiple early examples having crossed over 1.5 lakh fuss-free kilometres.

Engine and Transmission:

Today, the 2013 Maruti Suzuki Swift is available in used petrol and diesel engine options. With the introduction of the second-gen, the old 1.3-liter petrol was discontinued, and replaced with the new 1.2-litre four-cylinder K-Series engine. The new 1.2-litre offered 83 bhp and 115 Nm, which was an improvement in performance over the older engine, while also being more refined and efficient.

Used diesel Swifts from 2013-2017 continued to use the Fiat-sourced turbocharged 1.3-litre engine. It delivered 74 bhp and 190 Nm which impresses with its fuel efficiency of 25.2 kmpl. Both petrol and diesel Swifts came with a 5-speed manual, however, very few petrol Swifts were sold with a CVT gearbox.

Suspension and brakes:

For the 2013 Swift, Maruti Suzuki tuned the suspension with a renewed focus on comfort. The result is a suspension setup that offers a fantastic balance between ride and handling. While the suspension components last over a lakh kilometres, do look out for unusual sounds from the suspension. A whirring noise from the rear at higher speeds could indicate worn wheel bearings.

Used Maruti Suzuki Swift 2013 - 2017: Technical Specifications

The Swift offered sporty yet frugal petrol and diesel engines. Here’s a look at their specifications. 

Why Buy a Used 2013-2017 Maruti Swift:

If you have your sights set on buying a used Maruti Swift, the second-generation model from 2013-2017 offers the best value-for-money. Here are some notable reasons:

Sportiness:

Despite being set up for comfort, the 2013 Swift still excels as a sporty hatchback. It impresses with its handling, steering feedback and composure and overall is quite fun to drive. The associated practicality and comfort are an added bonus.

Reliability:

The Swift is a highly reliable hatchback with sorted mechanicals. Simpler electronics means there is very little that can go wrong and if it does, they are quite affordable to fix compared to new-gen cars.

Efficient powertrains:

Both the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines are refined, reliable and efficient powertrains. The petrol engine has an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 20.4 kmpl while the diesel engine offers 25.2 kmpl.

All-rounder:

The Swift is one of those rare all-rounder hatchbacks that offer punchy performance and dynamic road manners while being spacious, comfortable and efficient making it an attractive prospect to both the enthusiast and family man.

Maruti Suzuki Swift : Maintenance Costs and Reliability

Like all Maruti Suzuki vehicles, the Swift offers low maintenance costs with regular service spaced between 10,000 km/one year. The paid service costs for the petrol Swift range from Rs 1,100 and Rs 2,900 while service costs for the diesel Swifts range from Rs 1,700 to Rs 4,800. The below table explains the maintenance schedule. The table however does not account for costs associated with other part replacement, labour or taxes.

Good Resale Value:

Generally, Maruti Suzuki cars offer fantastic resale value and the second-generation Swift has depreciated to the point that it is quite affordable and any further depreciation will be minimal, making it quite a sensible buy. 

The second generation Swift retails for anywhere between  ₹ 3.00 lakh to ₹ 6.00 lakh. The diesel variant is more expensive given its initial high asking price compared to the petrol version and the high demand for diesel hatchbacks as well.

Common Problems with Maruti Swift 2013-2017

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has an extremely reliable reputation, but there are some issues reported by owners. When buying a used Maruti Swift from 2013-2017, here are some common problems to look out for. 

High Engine Oil Consumption: The early models of the Swift diesel with the 1.3 DDiS are prone to high engine oil consumption and you may require to top up the oil. While the diesel engine is refined, any misfiring or inconsistent idling could point towards faulty injectors. Typically fuel injectors last up to 1,50,000 kilometres. 

Erratic Cold Start Idling: During a cold start, the Swift petrol model can idle rough, but becomes smooth as the engine warms up.

Clutch Slippage: Some owners have reported issues with clutch slippage, which should be something to pay special attention to, when buying a used Swift.

Conclusion

When it comes to used cars, the 2013-2017 Maruti Swift is a sensible buy. The second-generation Swift has been in the market long enough, making it quite affordable. The compact hatchback neatly packages affordability, reliability, comfort, and practicality with fun-to-drive characteristics.

As a result, a used Swift from 2013-2017 is a well suited option for a family, or even young drivers looking for an enthusiastic driving experience. Due to its popularity and being the best selling used car in 2024, the Swift also holds its resale value very well