About Maruti Swift VXi AMT: Your Perfect City Companion

Hey car buyers, welcome back to the blog! Choosing a new car in India is always a big decision, isn't it? You have so much to think about: your budget, how safe the car is, monthly maintenance costs, the latest features you want, and of course, how good the company's service network is. Finding that perfect balance can be tricky. But what if we told you there is a car that ticks most of these boxes, especially if you are looking for an automatic, budget friendly, and feature loaded hatchback? Today, we are diving deep into the new Maruti Swift VXi AMT, a car that is quickly becoming a favourite for Indian families and urban commuters. Let us see if this popular automatic hatchback lives up to the hype and if it is the right fit for your garage.

Main Highlights of the Maruti Swift VXi AMT

Engine Specifications

The 2024 Maruti Swift VXi AMT comes with an all new Z Series 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine. This engine is designed for both peppy city performance and impressive fuel efficiency, a signature of Maruti Suzuki cars. Here are the key numbers:

• Engine Type: Z Series 1.2L 3 cylinder Petrol
• Maximum Power: 82 PS (around 80.4 hp) at 5700 rpm
• Peak Torque: 111.7 Nm at 4300 rpm
• Transmission: 5 speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
• Fuel Efficiency: One of the best in its class, helping you save on running costs. Expect figures upwards of 25 kmpl.

Design Overview

The new Swift has received a fresh new look, making it more appealing and modern. It balances its signature sporty stance with sophisticated updates.

• Exterior: The new Maruti Swift VXi AMT features a refreshed front grille, new headlights, and a slightly revamped bumper design that gives it a more aggressive yet elegant look. The body lines are sharper, enhancing its sporty appeal. LED tail lamps add a premium touch at the rear. It retains its compact footprint, making it perfect for navigating busy Indian city roads and tight parking spots.

• Interior: Step inside the new Swift VXi AMT and you will find a cabin that feels more premium than before. It sports a dual tone theme with a well laid out dashboard. The seats are comfortable, offering good support for city commutes and short highway trips. The instrument cluster is clear and easy to read, and the overall fit and finish have seen noticeable improvements, making it feel like a more upmarket offering.

Key Features in Swift VXi AMT

Maruti Suzuki has packed the VXi AMT variant with a good list of features for its price point:

• Infotainment System: A crisp 7 inch SmartPlay Pro touchscreen infotainment system.
• Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
• Climate Control: Automatic climate control to keep the cabin comfortable.
• Steering Mounted Controls: For audio and call management, enhancing convenience.
• Power Windows: For all four doors.
• Keyless Entry: Adding to your convenience.
• Electrically Adjustable ORVMs: For easy mirror adjustments.
• Safety Features: (More on this below, but worth noting the standard 6 airbags).
• No Sunroof or 360 Degree Camera: These features are typically not available in the Swift range, even in top variants, keeping it a practical and value focused hatchback. No wireless charging either in this variant.

Ground Clearance of Maruti Swift VXi AMT

The Maruti Swift VXi AMT offers a ground clearance of 163 mm. This is adequate for most Indian roads, allowing you to tackle small potholes and speed breakers with confidence without scraping the underbody.

Boot Space of Maruti Swift VXi AMT

The new Swift VXi AMT provides a boot space of 265 litres. This is practical enough for your daily shopping, a couple of suitcases for a weekend getaway, or school bags, making it a versatile compact hatchback.

Dimensions of Maruti Swift VXi AMT

The compact dimensions of the Swift make it a breeze to drive and park in urban environments. Here are the measurements:

• Length: 3860 mm
• Width: 1735 mm
• Height: 1520 mm

Powertrain Options

The new Maruti Swift is offered with a single powertrain: the Z Series 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine. You get to choose between two transmission options:

• 5 speed Manual Transmission (MT)
• 5 speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which is what we are focusing on for the VXi AMT variant. The AMT offers the convenience of an automatic without the higher cost of a conventional automatic gearbox.

Safety Features

Safety has been a big focus for the new Swift. Maruti Suzuki has significantly upped its game, and this is great news for car buyers.

• 6 Airbags: Crucially, the new Swift, including the VXi AMT variant, now comes with 6 airbags as standard across all variants. This is a massive improvement and offers enhanced protection for all occupants.
• ABS with EBD: Anti lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution for better control during emergency braking.
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP): Helps maintain vehicle stability in tricky driving conditions.
• Hill Hold Assist: A very useful feature for the AMT variant, preventing the car from rolling back on inclines.
• Rear Parking Sensors: To assist with parking.
• Seatbelt Reminder: For all seats.

NCAP Rating Table

Many prospective buyers are keenly interested in crash safety ratings. Here is the current scenario for the new Maruti Swift:

Note: The 2024 Maruti Swift comes with 6 airbags as standard, which should significantly improve its safety performance compared to the previous generation when crash tested. We are eagerly awaiting the official ratings.

Rivals of Maruti Swift VXi AMT

The Maruti Swift VXi AMT faces competition from several popular hatchbacks in the Indian market. Its key rivals include:

• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios AMT
• Tata Tiago AMT
• Citroen C3 AMT
• Even other Maruti Suzuki cars like the WagonR AMT and Ignis AMT can be considered alternatives depending on specific needs.

How is the Car? Pros & Cons

Let us look at a balanced view of what the Maruti Swift VXi AMT offers:

Advantages (Pros):

• Exceptional Fuel Efficiency: The new Z Series engine paired with AMT delivers segment leading mileage, a huge plus for Indian buyers.
• Smooth City Driving: The AMT makes city commutes incredibly easy and stress free, especially in stop and go traffic.
• Updated Design: The new looks are fresh, modern, and appealing.
• Enhanced Safety: Standard 6 airbags across all variants is a game changer for the Swift.
• Feature Rich VXi: The VXi AMT now comes with a 7 inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and automatic climate control, offering great value.
• Maruti Suzuki Reliability & Service: Unmatched service network and low maintenance costs are a big draw.
• Compact & Agile: Easy to manoeuvre and park in urban spaces.

Disadvantages (Cons):

• AMT Jerkiness: While improved, AMTs can still exhibit some head nod during gear shifts, especially noticeable at lower speeds.
• Highway Performance: The 3 cylinder engine, though efficient, might feel a bit strained during aggressive high speed overtakes on highways.
• Rear Passenger Space: While adequate, it is still a compact hatchback, so rear legroom might be a bit tight for taller adults on long journeys.
• Boot Space: 265 litres is decent, but some rivals offer slightly more.
• No Sunroof/360 Camera: If you are looking for these premium features, the Swift does not offer them.

Conclusion

The new Maruti Swift VXi AMT makes a very compelling case for itself in the highly competitive Indian hatchback segment. It takes everything people loved about the Swift its compact size, peppy nature, and incredible fuel efficiency and adds a significant layer of modern features and, most importantly, enhanced safety with standard 6 airbags. For anyone looking for a reliable, fuel efficient, and comfortable automatic car for daily city use, with the added peace of mind of Maruti Suzuki's vast service network and improved safety, the Swift VXi AMT is an excellent choice. While it has a few minor drawbacks, its strengths far outweigh them, making it a smart and trustworthy purchase. Go ahead, take a test drive, and experience the new Swift for yourself. It might just be the perfect partner for your everyday drives!