Maruti Suzuki recently launched a new-generation of the Swift hatchback. This has made quite a few hatchback buyers confused. Ever since the news about the new 2018 Swift’s launch came in, we have been receiving quite a few questions from Autositers who are confused regarding their next purchase. The biggest question at the moment is – Which car should you buy – the 2018 new Maruti Swift or the Maruti Baleno?
There is no doubt about the fact that the new Swift and Baleno are direct competitors in the price range, despite being products from the same manufacturer. They are based on the same HEARTECT platform, get the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine options, and the feature list too is more or less similar. As a result, customer confusion between the new Maruti Swift and Baleno is obvious.
Well, as always, we have done our research and have come up with a detailed solution, this time in a unique style. We ask you a set of questions and give our recommendations based on your buying preferences. In this way, we will be able to provide you personalised and targetted buying options.
So if you are someone who is in the market to buy a new mid-size hatchback and are confused between the new Maruti Swift or the Maruti Baleno, read on to find which car is best suited for your needs!
Q1. Are you tight on budget?
If yes, the new Maruti Swift 2018 will be the right option for you. The Swift is placed below the Baleno in Maruti’s portfolio. As a result, you can get essentially the same car (identical engines and platform) at a relatively lesser price point. Moreover, the new Swift is more fuel efficient than the Baleno, thanks to better engine tuning and lower weight. It will thus be cheaper to live with.
Q2. Do you want something fresh?
If yes, go for the new Maruti Swift. The Maruti Baleno was launched in 2015 and has thus been on sale for over 2 years. As a result, there are multiple Balenos on the road. On the other hand, the Swift 2018 is a freshly launched product and thus comes with a novelty factor, at least for the next year or two. The new Swift will thus be able to turn more heads in the immediate future.
Q3. Is cabin space high on your priority list?
If yes, the Maruti Baleno would be an ideal fit for your requirements. The new Swift surely scores more points in interior space, in comparison with its predecessor. However, it is still many millimetres shy of what the Maruti Baleno has on offer. The Baleno has better rear seat space, is more ideal for comfortably seating 3 people in the rear, and comes with a bigger boot as well.
Q4. Are you looking for a more value for money product?
If yes, there is no other product in this price range that comes anywhere close to the Maruti Baleno. Even the Delta trim of the Baleno offers all the features that you would require from a hatchback. Since we have already seen the variant-wise feature distribution of the new Swift, it is apparent that the Baleno offers much more features in its variant line-up, as compared to its newer sibling.
Q5. Do you want a diesel automatic?
If this is the case, the only option you have is the new Maruti Swift. The Baleno doesn’t get a diesel automatic powertrain option as the CVT automatic gearbox is only available in the petrol models. As a result, customers looking for a diesel automatic hatchback from these two contenders will just be able to get the Swift.
We hope you have a relatively better understanding of which car you should buy amongst the two highly popular choices – the new Maruti Swift or the Maruti Baleno. We will be comparing the two cars extensively after driving them back to back. Till then, you can punch in any questions regarding these two cars in the comments section below, and we will answer them at the earliest!