Spec comparison: Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Vs Maruti Suzuki Swift

The B-segment of the Indian car market is getting a new player once again and this time around it’s the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. It’s the bigger part of the South Korean automaker’s two pronged approach to go head-to-head against the Maruti Suzuki Swift and here is how the car stacks up against the hatchback from the Japanese automaker. 

Exterior
The Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is an evolution of the current car and with new design cues it certainly looks like the car has entered a new generation. In the silhouette, you can see the familiar Grand i10 shape but with a new face, alloy wheels, tail lamps and badging, the Nios looks like a major step up. The car has also grown in length and now is at par with the Swift in terms of both length and wheelbase.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift, in its third avatar for India, is an evolution of the design from the previous two generations. The silhouette is the same, but you get a completely new face and tail lamps. Also the shoulder line in this third generation car has been adjusted giving the car a sportier stance as compared to its predecessor.

Interior
When the Hyundai Grandi10 was launched at the end of 2013, it raised the standard for what we could expect from the crop of B-segment hatchbacks. It introduced new features like a reverse camera and rear AC vents. This new car gets a dual-tone grey theme, automatic climate control, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, rear AC vents with power outlet, 5.3-inch MID with digital speedometer and a rear-view camera. On the safety front all versions get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, high-speed alert system, rear parking sensors and front seat belt reminder alert.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been fitted with an all-black interior with grey plastic inserts on the steering, dashboard and even the doors pockets. When it was launched last year, this combination really raised the game in terms of what can be offered in the segment.
In terms of features it also gets a touchscreen infotainment system and climate control for the top spec Z variants. The change in safety standards means all variants have 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 Hyundai Grand i10 is offered with a 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engine. The former produces 83bhp/113Nm while the latter is good for 74bhp/190Nm. Its obvious that Hyundai is looking to match the Swift move for move. The Grand i10 Nios gets an AMT with both the petrol and diesel engine.
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.

Conclusion
The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios will sit above the Grand i10 and this is a two pronged approach to take on all the cars in the segment like the Ford, Figo, Tata Tigor and of course, the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The Grand i10 Nios will be launched in India tomorrow and is expected to be priced in the range of 6 lakhs to Rs 8 lakhs.