Top 5 rivals of Maruti Swift

To add to this a host of new features have been added like keyless entry, push-start button, rear parking sensors and an advanced music system. 

However, the hatchback market has evolved now a lot since the first Maruti Swift was launched in 2005. With plethora of options available, consumers have many options to choose from. Lets look at the top 5 rivals of Maruti Swift.

Though priced above swift, but Hyundai elite i20 is clearly giving a tough competition to the king in the hatchback market. With looks to kill for both outside and inside and host of other features, it definitely is making Maruti sit up and take notice. The boot space in i20 is bigger, it has better leg space for the passengers in the back and the AC vents in the back make it the preferred choice. Also squeezing 3 passengers in the swift might be a little more difficult as compared to i20 because of the transmission tunnel which is absent in i20. 

However, as you get on the road, Swift scores back a lot of points. The ride quality of swift is tad better than the i20. You feel safer in swift especially when you push around the corners. Engine responsiveness of swift is good too. And yes, the fuel efficiency of swift is better than i20. Thus, while i20 has a host of features to lure the Indian consumers, swift is more of a driver’s car.

Honda couldn’t create much dent in the Indian market with its expensive Jazz back when it was launched in 2009, especially because of the absence of a diesel engine. However, come 2015 and a new Jazz by Honda will surely jazz up the hatchback market, as Honda is ready with its new diesel engine. 

The new Jazz would come with a 1.5 liter i-DTEC diesel engine which is expected to give a mileage of 25 kmpl. The tried and tested 1.2Litre i-VTEC petrol engine of Honda will give a power of 88PS and 109NM of torque. 

The size of the new Honda Jazz might be 40mm shorter than the older one, but its wheelbase is longer by 30.48mm, bigger boot space with 138.7 litres and improved legroom with 121.98mm. This model also weighs less heavy by 26 kg and more rigid along with improved rear dampers and modified suspension geometry. Customers are claiming that it has better ride comfort and NVH which is a blessing. 

It is expected that Honda will launch the new Jazz in April or May and with the diesel engine it is surely going to give a tough competition to Maruti Swift.

2015 is going to be the year of hatchbacks. Another company that is coming up with a newer version of their hatchback is Ford. Though outgoing Ford Figo was doing good in the Indian market but the newer version is set to have what the older version missed- Looks. 

While the exteriors have been made more sporty, the interiors will be inspired from Ford Fiesta making it look more premium. However, while the diesel engine should remain unchanged, the petrol engine might now be 1.0 litre as against the outgoing 1.2L engine to offer better fuel efficiency. The petrol version of the old figo was criticized because of its poor fuel efficiency.

The VW Polo Facelift was introduced globally in 2014 in the Geneva Motor Show and was launched in India after a short while in the same year. There are some differences in the Indian and European versions though; the model of Polo in India does not have the LED lights for the cost factor, but it does have headlamps. The Polo Facelift has an improved bumper at the front which is instilled with chrome portion connecting the fog lamps diagonally the air dam. 

The twin slat variant of chrome grill is plunged for a sole plank arrangement. Also, the number plate at the rear of Polo Facelift is wider and the bumper is implanted with additional reflector strips around the edges. It comes with 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engine variants; the diesel engine is a mill of four cylinders which helps in cut down the crude NVH and improves the efficiency of fuel.

The Tata Bolt that was launched just a few days ago is priced between INR 4.20 lacs to 6.60 lacs. It is said that the design of the model is inspired from the refurbished Vista and has been developed by the experts in the India, Italy and UK working in the Tata’s design departments. The lookout factor is an electronic power steering bolt which is speed sensitive and a modified double path suspension which is joined with the zero spin sub framework to give the rider the most comfortable ride.

Another key feature is that Bolt is the first car in the Indian market with 3 driving options namely; Sport for more power burst, Eco for better fuel efficiency and City Drive option for a balanced ride. 

Tata Bolt has a new dashboard with wing contoured graphics in the interior of the car which are made of the high quality plastic. It is also infused with a latest infotainment technology which could be controlled by the inbuilt touch screen of 5 inches. The petrol engine of the Bolt is a 1.2 litre turbocharged of the Revotron family which gives an 85PS at 5000rpm and further gives a 140NM at 1750rpm to 3000rpm. On the other hand, the diesel engine is 1.3 litre which will give 90PS at 4000rpm and 200NM which gives 1750rpm to 3000rpm.