Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios — New vs Old(ish)?

Maruti Suzuki launched the fourth generation of the Swift earlier this year, and this one’s proven to be as sought after as the previous generations. This is despite the fact that it’s missing a cylinder and is slightly down on power, at least on paper. The i10 doesn’t seem to be talked about much now, and despite a facelift last year, it seems to be…old? But that does not stop Hyundai from selling around 5,000 units of the same every month. So, how does it go against the new Maruti Swift? Here is a 2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios comparison.

Powertrains 

Let’s start with the Swift first; it always seems to have its bonnet unlatched owing to that oddly wide panel gap. The new Swift gets a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z-series petrol engine that comes paired to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT. There’s the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit as well, which the Hyundai also gets, that too with a bit of added practicality.

The Grand i10 Nios is powered by a four-cylinder Kappa petrol unit that is also available with a 5-speed MT and a 5-speed AMT. Just like modern Tata CNG cars in India, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios gets twin-cylinder technology for the CNG variants, ensuring a usable boot space. The power and torque outputs of both these engines are listed in the table below.

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Dimensions and styling

There’s no denying that the new Swift is a looker, and it looks playful, owing to its legacy as a sporty hatchback. The fourth generation gets a strong shoulder line that runs throughout the side of the car and meets the wide panel gap that we were speaking of earlier. The adequately-sized grille at the front, smoked rear lamps, and dual-tone alloy wheels only help in making its case stronger as an enthu-cutlet. 

The Grand i10 Nios carries over the tallboy design that it clubs together with swervy elements. It might not catch as many eyeballs as the Swift would do, but the ones that it is able to are set to be pleased. Personally, the bar connecting the rear lights looks out of place. Leaving that aside, the i10 Nios follows a balanced and sophisticated approach.

Interior and features

The interior of the Swift does its job well in giving a modern and driver-centric vibe. The overall dashboard layout complements the language followed on the outside. In terms of features, it gets cruise control, Arkamys-tuned sound system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, (clean) analogue dials with a digital MID in the middle, and more. The dark theme on the inside makes the cabin feel a bit small as compared to the i10 Nios, which has a lighter theme that gives it a sense of enhanced space.

Moving to the Grand i10, the age is clearly reflected inside the cabin. The old infotainment system and the layout do ask for an update. One aspect that the i10 Nios does better is exhibiting a sense of quality and premiumness that Hyundai cars are known for. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, wireless smartphone charger, cooled glovebox, leather-wrapped steering wheel, footwell lighting, and more. Both the cars come with a bunch of standard safety features.

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Swift vs Grand i10 Nios price in India

Both the cars in question here are available in five trims and nine exterior colour options. The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift price starts at Rs 6.49 lakh and goes up till Rs 9.59 lakh. The 2024 Grand i10 Nios price starts at Rs 5.92 lakh and goes up till Rs 8.56 lakh. Prices for the CNG variants start at Rs 8.19 lakh for the Maruti Suzuki, and Rs 7.68 lakh for the Hyundai. All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.

Verdict

The Grand i10 Nios, despite its age, remains as a nice car to drive in the city. It retains the premiumness factor that comes attached with Hyundai cars in India. It’s about Rs 50-60k cheaper than the Swift too! If you’re looking for an affordable family car without losing on practicality, the Grand i10 Nios CNG might appeal to you. However, it does fall back in certain parameters when put shoulder-to-shoulder with the new Swift. The Swift does lose some power and a cylinder, but in real life, the driving pleasure has not been compromised. It remains as the go-to choice for a budget sporty hatchback. Being a Maruti, the fuel efficiency also proves to be better, though the other hatch’ isn’t too far away. Amit says that the Maruti Suzuki Swift is the best AMT hatchback that you can buy in the Indian market. And we’ll take his word for that. 

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