Used Maruti Suzuki Swift: AMT Variants Fail to Make A Dent

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is arguably one of India’s biggest success stories. It not only remains a leader in the new car segment, but also in the used vehicle space. Last year, the Swift was the best selling used car in India (across segments), accounting for 6% of all used vehicles sold in 2024.

When it comes to used automatic sales, the Swift was only the seventh best selling used automatic hatchback, with only 5% of the market share. Our used car sales report reveals that manual gearbox-equipped Swifts continue to dominate the used market with only 3.8% of all used Swifts sold last year being automatics (well under the national average of 14.66%). In this article, we will analyse why used manual Swifts are so popular and take a closer look at the evolution of the Swift’s transmission preferences.

Used Maruti Suzuki Swift Transmission: Manuals Clearly Lead the Way

The used Maruti Suzuki Swift continues to be a manual-dominated car, with transmission preferences leaning heavily toward affordability and efficiency. Here’s how the numbers break down:

• Petrol/manual variants accounted for 59.93% of all used Swift sales in 2024.
• Petrol/automatic variants made up only 3.11% of total used Swift sales.
• Diesel/manual variants had a significant presence, contributing 36.20% to the Swift’s used car market share.
• Diesel/automatic variants were nearly non-existent, holding just 0.66% of the market.

Despite petrol automatics offering convenience, buyers still strongly prefer second hand manual cars due to lower costs and higher fuel efficiency. Diesel/manual variants also retained a solid share, appealing to long-distance drivers who prioritise mileage and torque

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The Shift in Transmission Preferences from 2021 to 2024

Analysing the Swift’s transmission trends over the past four years gives a clear picture of how preferences have evolved.

While manual transmission still dominates, pre owned automatic cars have gradually gained traction over the years. From just 1.56% in 2021, automatic Swifts climbed to 3.80% in 2024. This growth indicates that urban buyers are slowly warming up to automatics, although the overall preference remains overwhelmingly in favour of manuals.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Engine and Transmission options

Maruti Suzuki has offered the Swift with multiple engine and transmission combinations over the years. Let’s break them down.

Petrol Engine Variants

• 1.3-litre 4-Cylinder petrol engine (First Generation)
  • Power: 86 bhp
  • Torque: 113 Nm

  • Transmission: 5-speed manual

     

• 1.2-litre 4-Cylinder petrol engine
  • Power: 83 bhp
  • Torque: 113 Nm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
     
• 1.2-litre 4-Cylinder petrol engine (Third Generation)
  • Power: 89 bhp
  • Torque: 113 Nm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT
     
• 1.2-litre 4-Cylinder petrol+CNG (Third Generation)
  • Power: 77 bhp
  • Torque: 98 Nm
  • Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT
     
• 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol (Fourth Generation)
  • Power: 81 bhp
  • Torque: 112 Nm
  • Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT
     
• 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol+CNG (Fourth Generation)
  • Power: 69 bhp
  • Torque: 102 Nm

  • Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT

     

Diesel Engine Variants (Discontinued in 2020)

• 1.3-litre 4-Cylinder turbocharged diesel engine (First Generation facelift)
  • Power: 74 bhp
  • Torque: 190 Nm

  • Transmission: 5-speed manual

     

While the petrol-AMT combination remains available in newer models, most used Swifts are equipped with manual transmissions. The 1.3-litre DDiS diesel manual continues to be in demand due to its efficiency and highway-friendly nature.

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Resale value of the Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Swift has maintained strong resale value, thanks to Maruti’s brand reputation, widespread service network, and low maintenance costs. Here’s a breakdown of how different variants fare in the used market.

Key Takeaways on Resale Value

• Average Used Price: The Swift’s average used price in 2024 stood at ₹5.47 lakh, showcasing strong demand across all variants.
• Petrol/manual variants were the most affordable, ranging from ₹1.10 lakh to ₹7.68 lakh. These remain the top choice for budget-conscious buyers.
• Petrol/automatic variants commanded a premium, with an average price of ₹7.12 lakh and a range of ₹4.39 lakh to ₹9.85 lakh. Their higher price reflects growing demand for convenience among city users.
• Diesel/manual variants remained popular for their efficiency, priced between ₹1.10 lakh and ₹6.50 lakh, with an average resale price of ₹3.80 lakh.
• Diesel/automatic variants, being rare, fetched an average of ₹7.25 lakh, with prices spanning ₹7.01 lakh to ₹7.50 lakh. Their low availability keeps them in high demand among select buyers.
• Older Swifts (first-gen models) continue to be some of the most affordable used cars, often priced under ₹2 lakh, making them a great entry-level option for buyers on a tight budget.
• Higher-trim automatic Swifts tend to hold value better, particularly the newer models with AMT gearboxes, as demand for automatics gradually rises in urban markets.

• Well-maintained manual Swifts under five years old hold resale values above ₹6 lakh, proving that buyers still see value in purchasing pre owned Swift manuals over costlier automatic alternatives.

   

Compared to the new Swift’s ex-showroom price (₹6.49 lakh to ₹9.64 lakh), these resale figures indicate that the Swift retains significant value in the pre owned market.
 

Conclusion

The Maruti Suzuki Swift’s dominance in the used car market remains unmatched. With 96.2% of used Swift sales in 2024 being manuals, it’s evident that most buyers still prefer the control, efficiency, and affordability of a manual transmission. While automatic variants have grown from 1.56% in 2021 to 3.80% in 2024, they still lag due to higher costs and lower availability.

For those looking for a budget-friendly, reliable, and fuel-efficient hatchback, a manual Swift remains the go-to choice. However, with urban markets showing increased interest in automatics, AMT-equipped Swifts might see steady but slow growth in the coming years.