New 2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift Road Test Review – King of the Segment ?
Maruti Suzuki has been known for many of its car models and many of them have gone to become iconic in true sense, the Swift is one of the most reputed of them that kind of has been the face of the car brand for many since its first generation way back in 2005. Now in 2024 Maruti Suzuki has got the latest Fourth Generation Swift into India which promises to take ahead the legacy of the iconic model, we head to Bengaluru to check it out and to find out everything on the car model.
Food for Thought
2004 saw the first generation of the Swift at the Paris Motor Show. The car went into production in 2005 across Suzuki factories around the world including Manesar in India. The Swift internal code was RS. Also seen as in a 3-door version the Swift was designed by Japanese car designers Yasukazu Yuki and Hirohito Matsumot. The Swift launched in India on the 25th of May 2005 where it shared its 1.3L SOHC 16-valve engine (G13BB)Â with another best seller the Esteem sedan. The 1.3L DDiS Fiat sourced diesel engine was introduced on the Swift in 2007 which again was a super hit. The 2nd Generation Swift arrived in 2010 code named the AZG and was in production till 2017 followed by the 3rd Generation in 2017 code named as the A2L which first used the HEARTECT B platform which it shares with other models like the Dzire, Baleno, Ignis, Xbee and the Solio. The latest generation Swift that debuted in December 2023 in Japan and in May 2024 in India is code named AOL and still is based on the HEARTECT platform.
Exteriors
There has always been a strong resemblance between the Mini Cooper and the Swift right since its 1st generation but now in this the latest 4th generation brings that looking alike very close. The New Swift looks extremely trendy, catchy and youthful especially in the striking red shade that we drove. The rounded proportions that the Swift has always been known for still continues but that’s gotten more trendier. Upfront you get a wide grille that makes up for the face that finished in glossy black large mesh design, the all new bumper extends itself up where it mates with the clamshell design bonnet lip.
The bumper gets a neat looking Suzuki ‘S’ logo in shining chrome finish. Headlamps are all new and come with a boomerang design LED DRL’s in them along with projector type white LED headlamp glow. The bumper also gets a wide air-dam along with a integrated skid-plate finished in black. The bumpers also house round LED white glow fog lamps with black surrounds. The bonnet gets a soft character line that compliments the overall design of the front profile.
The side profile design gets its key styling element with a sharp character line that runs across the waistline starting from the clamshell bonnet line and ending on the tail lamp. The rear door handles come back to the regular position as opposed to the pillar positioning on the outgoing Swift. The Swift drives on R15 sized wheels mounted on new design multi-spoke alloy wheels.
The rear profile gets a complete makeover with the large bulbous tail lamps with clear finish and LED strip glow stop lamp in them being the key highlight. Rear glass gets a integrated spoiler with stop lamp. The new design rear bumper houses strip type stop reflectors while the boot lid sports the Swift badge with the Suzuki logo and the rear camera.
Interiors
Step inside and you are welcomed by an all new dark shade cabin area. An all new layered dashboard with textured inlays on crash pad area and new design AC vents look neat. The key highlight is the 9 inch touch-screen AVN unit that comes with thick glossy black bezel. This unit is compatible with all connectivity options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio etc. You get reverse camera display on here but without active guidelines. The instrument cluster is a ana-digi unit with a neat color display screen between the Speedo & RPM dials.
The steering is from the Baleno which is a flat bottom unit with leather wrapping and height adjust. MFD buttons are placed here for audio and telephony along with cruise control. The single zone climate control unit is again the same one seen on the Baleno/Fronx and so are the power window buttons along with the switchgear.
You get USB ports and power outlet for mobile charging along with wireless mobile charging dock. The door panels can hold a single bottle while the glove box has good amount of storage. You get the Arkyms sourced sound system which feels pretty neat in here.
Seats get fabric upholstery with textured inlays, driver’s seat gets height adjust while the front seats offer excellent comfort and are sized well. We would have liked the inclusion of an arm rest in the front but overall the visibility from the driver’s seat is good. The rear seats get two adjustable head rests and come in 40:60 split configuration.  Seats offer good comfort, knee room; headroom and two passengers can sit more than comfortably.
The third occupant can also sneak in but ideally rear seating is best for two. Rear passengers get an AC vent – a first on the Swift along with two USB charge ports adding to the comfort and convenience. Boot space stands at 265liters which is the same as the outgoing Swift but now the loading lip is higher as a result you can stack up your luggage in a better way.
Engine – Transmission – Suspension
Powering the New Swift is an all new Z-Series engine. This is a 1.2L 3-cylinder naturally aspirated Petrol engine that makes 82PS of power and 112Nm of torque. You have a 5-speed or a 5-speed AMT automatic transmission to choose. In terms of power rating the New Z Series engine makes has less power but promises a class leading fuel economy of close to 25kmpl.
We drove both the manual and the AMT automatic versions of the Swift. The engine feels highly refined even though it’s a 3-cylinder engine. Power delivery is excellent on the manual version and on the AMT you do feel the trademark lag which they are known for. We loved the feel and drive of the Swift. The suspension feels extremely well tuned while the steering has a lively feedback to it. The ride quality is good and the cabin feels well insulated too. You have the typical go-cart like drive feel that the Swift has always been known for all these generations. The car feels agile, fast and very nimble and has all the power you need.
The AMT transmission is here basically as it is lower in cost but we would have loved a regular automatic on the Swift which would have been must more engaging; nevertheless the Manual version is super fun to drive which brings back the original Swift memories without much difficulty.
Safety
The New Swift comes with 6- airbags, ABS and EBD as standard across all trims which is a sign that Maruti Suzuki going ahead will surely take the safety aspect majorly.
Competition Check
In terms of competition the Maruti Suzuki Swift goes up against the likes of the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Tata Tiago, Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS, Hyundai Exter & Citroen C3.
Verdict
The Swift has been considered a multi imaged car, as a family car, as a enthusiast car, as a car to be kitted, perfect 1st car for that budget. Now with this update the Swift not only gets trendier and super chic looking but also gets a new highly fuel efficient heart that will save money but at the same time the car is surely fun to drive so the smile on your face will also be very much visible at the same time. Yes the Swift brings back the Joys of Driving.
Words – Ritesh Madhok
Photography & Video – Tarun Madhok
Location – Bangalore
