Spec Comparison: 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift Vs Hyundai Grand i10

The highest selling car in the B-segment is undergoing a generational change and will be unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo.  Yes, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has been around for 13 years now and in that time, it has redefined what one should expect from the B-segment.

We have already driven the diesel and petrol India-spec cars and you can read about it here or watch our view video review at the bottom of this story. Having covered these angles, here is our take on how the Swift stands up to the Grand i10 in terms of specifications.

Exterior
The key to the way both these cars exist is evolution. In both cases, the respective manufacturers have chosen to update the design rather than change it completely and this is evident in both cars. The Grand i10 underwent a facelift last year and in this mid-life update, it got a new face, bumpers and design for the alloy wheels.
The Swift in this new third generation is evolution of the design from the previous two cars. The silhouette is the same, but you get a new face and tail lamps. Also the shoulder line has been strengthened giving the car a tougher and sportier stance as compared to its predecessor. Somehow with the new design, the Swift appears to be a much bigger car as compared to the Grand i10 and this is despite the fact that they have very similar dimensions. 

Interior
There was a time when the Grand i10 was considered the main standard for interiors in this part of the market. However, with the introduction of the new Swift, Maruti Suzuki appears to have raised the game once again.
The Swift gets an all-black interior with grey plastic inserts on the steering, dashboard and even the doors pockets. This combination has really raised the game in terms of what can be offered in the segment. The Grand i10’s beige and black combination suddenly looks a bit dated due to the non -glossy nature of the plastics.
In terms of features, both cars appear to be evenly matched in terms of touchscreen infotainment system and climate control for the top spec Z variants. However, look closer and you will see that the Swift now has dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, seatbelt pre-tensioners, pedestrian protection compliance and ISOFIX child seat mounting points as standard across all variants.

Engine and gearbox
The Swift gets the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol motor producing 81bhp/113Nm as well as the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel motor producing 75bhp/190Nm. Both these engines can be had with a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT.
The Grand i10 is offered with a 1.2-litre petrol or diesel engine. The former produces 83bhp/113Nm while the latter is good for 74bhp/190Nm. However, while both can be had with a five-speed manual only the petrol gets a four-speed AT. Hyundai is believed to be working on an AMT setup for India and is likely to showcase it with the new A-segment hatchback at the Auto Expo.

Conclusion
While the Grand i10 did have the upper hand due to the age of the outgoing Swift, it could not make a real impact on the car’s numbers and till its production stopped, the Swift was doing over 10,000 units a month. With this new generation, the new car will pick up where the old one left off and may even rise higher in terms of volumes. 

Hyundai Grand i10 First Drive Review