Did you know that Maruti Swift was the best selling car for the Indian carmaker in 2020? To continue this trend, Maruti has now upgraded the Swift with new updates and we will be doing a first look review of this 2021 avatar. We cover everything from what's changed, how it drives and is it worth your money?
Exteriors
Well, at the first glance, nothing is changed if you are checking it from the side and the rear profile. However, things start to be noticeable at the front as it now gets a new honeycomb-style grille pattern. Another highlight is the thick chrome strip which runs from one corner to another.
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Maruti has now always played with the colours as it gets the dual-tone option for the top-spec ZXI+ variants. The black coloured contrast runs over the roof as well as the ORVMs. You also get three dual-tone colour options now - Red and Black, White and Black and Blue and White.
Interiors and Features
Step inside and there are only a few updates like the exteriors. The all-black cabin continues with the same but what's changed is the addition of features. The steering wheel now comprises the cruise control which no other car in the segment gets.
To further improve the fuel economy, the updated Swift now gets the idle start/stop. Maruti has also provided the Smartplay Infotainment 2.0. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity features. The coloured MID on the instrument cluster is similar to that of S-Cross and XL6.
Mechanical Upgrade
Forget the changes on the outside and inside, it is under the hood where things really start to get exciting. The 2021 Swift gets the updated 1.2L DualJet petrol engine which gets 2 injectors instead of one. This unit produces 90 PS of power with a peak torque of 113 Nm.
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The power has gone up by 7 PS while the torque figures remain the same. Similarly, the mileage in the new Swift has improved and the manual delivers 23.20 kmpl while the AMT delivers 23.76 kmpl. In our city economy run, Swift returned 25 kmpl with AC ON.
How Does It Drive?
You might ask that what does the additional 7 PS power do? Is Swift now more powerful? Well, there is no such outright performance felt all of a sudden but yes what's new is that the torque delivery has become consistent. Just pedal your way to the throttle and it picks up smoothly without downshifting at all.
The drive in the bumper to bumper city traffic feels good as you do not have to shift between the gears and what's impressive is the real-time mileage. Drive with a light right foot and you are good to go. On the open roads, the steering gives you the confidence you need, however, the Swift is not dynamically sorted now. At the corners, it just rolls. The steering response has downgraded from the previous generations but it is still better than the Grand i10 Nios. The suspension feels okayish for a car of this size.
Worth the price tag?
Well, for a car costing Rs 10 lakh OTR in some cities, it surely doesn't feel as premium because it lacks loads of features. The lack of wireless charging, shark fin antenna, front seat armrest, rear AC vents and more of such features. The Swift rivals Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo TSI. The price of the new Swift starts from Rs 5.73 lakh and the top model goes to Rs 8.42 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.
So how did you like the first look review of the 2021 Maruti Swift? Do tell us in the comment section below. Also, make sure you are a member of our exclusive 91Wheels Telegram group where we bring you all the latest updates related to the Indian Automotive Industry.
