Maruti Suzuki Swift in the era of SUVs: Can the updated hatchback make a mark?
By Sumaiya | Published | No Comments
- Maruti Suzuki Swift is one of the best selling car models in India but the SUV has taken a toll on its popularity.
Maruti Suzuki Swift has been on Indian roads for 19 years. Over 25 lakh units of the model have been sold to Indian customers in these nearly two decades. A familiar sight in both urban, semi-urban as well as rural areas of the country, the Swift is acclaimed for its sporty looks and sportier drive capabilities. But as the updated Maruti Suzuki Swift gets ready for its May 9 launch, it faces what could be its biggest challenge yet.
Gone are the days when the biggest competition for the Maruti Suzuki Swift came from its direct rivals. The likes of Volkswagen Polo and Ford Figo are off the shelves while the rest – Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS and Tata Altroz, to name a few – aren’t exactly volume drivers. No, the biggest competition the 2024 Maruti Swift is likely to face is not its direct rivals but smaller SUVs that are around the same price range.
The upcoming Maruti Suzuki Swift will compete against very popular entry-level SUVs like the Nissan Magnite, Hyundai Exeter and Maruti’s own Fronx. Even the base variants of models like Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue can pose a challenge.
Also Read: 2024 Swift Engine, Mileage and Features Leaked Ahead of Launch
Maruti Suzuki Swift: Hot Hatch vs Strong SUV
The over-arching preference for the SUV body type is well established and much debated. Consider or condemn sub-compact SUVs as true SUVs, but what cannot be denied is that these models have taken their share of hatchbacks. Maruti Suzuki is also focusing on the SUV body type to ride the wave and admits that the compact and hatchback segments will take time to recover.
Maruti Suzuki Swift: Price Wars
The current generation of Maruti Swift is priced in between ₹6.25 lakhs and ₹9.25 lakh (ex-showroom). Let’s look at some of the new sub-compact SUVs from a price perspective.
At the entry level in the segment, the price is between the likes of Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger ₹6 lakhs and ₹11 lakh (approx., ex-showroom). Launched in July 2023, Hyundai Exter is priced between ₹6.15 lakhs and ₹10.30 lakh (ex-showroom). Then there is Maruti’s own Bronx which is priced in between ₹7.50 lakhs and ₹13 lakh (ex-showroom).
Even if the comparison between the top variants is unfair, given the huge price difference, it is still clear that the base and mid variants of the Swift can be overpowered especially by the base and mid variants of models like Exter and Franks.
Maruti Suzuki Swift: Fame by name?
What is likely to work in Swift’s favor in a market full of rivals is its brand value. The ‘Swift’ has managed to position itself in a position where it can score more freely than many other models – past or present.
Maruti has also updated its exterior styling and cabin layout and feature list to help it make a solid case for itself again. There is also a new 1.2-litre petrol motor that can be expected. While the exact nature of this will only be revealed at launch, it is highly likely that the Swift manages to increase its strike rate. But will he be able to touch the heights of the past years?
Date of first publication: 06 May 2024, 09:25 AM IST
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