Maruti Suzuki Swift Long Term Review, October 2024 Report

There’s hardly a car as popular on Indian roads as the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In fact, by the time you finish reading this report, Maruti Suzuki would likely have sold several more Swifts across the country. Ever since its launch in 2005, the Swift has consistently topped the sales charts. To put its dominance into perspective, over 30 lakh units have been sold in India alone across its four generations – a feat mirrored globally, where 65 lakh units have found homes.

Some may argue that hatchbacks are no longer as popular in India, with the SUV segment now drawing most of the attention. While that’s partially true, the numbers paint a different picture. In May 2024, the Swift was the best-selling car in the country, with over 19,000 units dispatched – a figure that surpassed the monthly sales of several automotive brands combined!

But why am I talking about sales and popularity in this report? The answer is simple. Like many of you reading this, I have my own personal connection to the Maruti Suzuki Swift. It’s a car that’s woven into my daily life. In fact, my family once owned the first-generation Swift, which we bought for about Rs 5 lakh at the time. It was a fantastic car – 14-inch wheels (which were a big deal back then!) and ABS to boot! Then came the second-generation Swift, which I drove a lot as a close friend owned it. The third-generation model was also one I spent significant time behind the wheel of, even though I didn’t own it. It was a diesel version, and it showed me why the Swift was adored across the country.

So, naturally, when the fourth-generation Swift arrived at autoX as part of our long-term test fleet, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to grab its keys. And that brings us to this latest model. Our test unit sports the stunning Luster Blue shade with a Midnight Black roof. It is powered by Maruti Suzuki’s new Z12E engine – a 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit producing 80bhp and 112Nm of torque and paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Yes, this Swift has a three-cylinder engine, unlike its predecessors, and I’ll delve into what it’s like to live with in my next report. What excites me most is the car’s compact size and the fact that it’s a manual gearbox. You see, most of the test cars we receive these days are SUVs, and they’re usually automatics.
So, for me, the Swift not only offers me an opportunity to get back to driving a manual car but also the promise of a fun, engaging experience, thanks to its compact size. With all that said, it’s finally time to give this fourth-generation Swift the attention it truly deserves. I must admit, the urge to rack up some serious miles on it is very real. So, I should get started right away!

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