Maruti Swift 2024 vs Grand i10 Nios: Best AT for First-time Buyers

Buying your first car as a new driver, but confused about which are the best, or top cars for first-time buyers in India? Let us help you decide which option to choose. We look at the recently launched Maruti Swift 2024 and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and find out which of their automatic variants will be the best for you.

In this first-time car buyers’ guide, we will share

• What a first-time buyer should look for in a car
• Maruti Suzuki Swift 2024 vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios – an in-depth guide to their automatic variants, features, cost, and driveability
• How to pick the right car for you

What a First-time Car Buyer Looks for in a Car

This is what a first-time buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Affordability – The car should be well within budget and affordable.
• Fuel efficiency – The car should have good fuel efficiency, thereby reducing its running cost.
• Ease of driving – The car should be easy to drive, with features that help in driving and offer convenience for new drivers

First-time car buyers often prioritize affordability, ease of driving, and safety when choosing their first vehicle. They seek a car that offers good fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and essential features. An automatic transmission is preferred by many first-time buyers as it eliminates the need for manual gear shifting, making driving more convenient and less stressful.

Why 2024 Swift and Grand i10 Nios are Popular

The Maruti Suzuki Swift 2024 and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios are popular choices among first-time car buyers due to their combination of affordability, reliability, and driving convenience. Both hatchbacks offer a compact size and light steering, making them easy to maneuver in city traffic and tight parking spaces, instilling confidence in new drivers.

The automatic transmission variants of both cars offer a smooth and effortless driving experience. The Swift’s Auto Gear Shift (AGS) technology and the Grand i10 Nios’ AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) system automatically shift gears based on driving conditions, reducing the stress of manual gear changes and making them ideal for first-time buyers.

Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai’s extensive service networks and reputation for low maintenance costs further add to the appeal of these cars. Both the Swift and Grand i10 Nios have strong resale values, ensuring a good return on investment when it’s time to upgrade.

Moreover, both cars offer a range of automatic transmission variants at different price points, allowing first-time buyers to choose the one that best fits their budget and requirements. From the affordable Grand i10 Nios Magna AMT to the feature-rich Swift ZXi, there’s a variant for every first-time buyer.

Swift 2024 and Grand i10 Nios AT Variants Shortlist 

For Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, we have:

Variant	Price as on 13 May 2024
Magna AMT	₹7,42,900
Corporate AMT	₹7,57,900
Sportz Executive AMT	₹7,84,750
Asta AMT	₹8,56,300

For Maruti Suzuki Swift 2024, we have:

Variant	Price as on 13 May 2024
VXi Opt AMT	₹8,06,500
ZXi	₹8,29,500

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Magna AMT

This variant offers the convenience of an AMT transmission along with essential features like rear parking sensors and a 4-speaker audio system, making it an attractive entry-level option for first-time buyers.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Corporate AMT

Building upon the Magna AMT, this variant adds a 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment system and additional safety features like 3-point seat belts for all seats, providing added value for first-time buyers.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT

The Sportz Executive AMT variant offers a premium feel with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a rear-view camera, making it a compelling choice for tech-savvy first-time buyers.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta AMT

As the top-spec AMT variant, the Asta AMT comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, additional safety features, and a rear parcel tray, offering a feature-rich experience for first-time buyers willing to stretch their budget.

Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi Opt AMT

This variant offers the convenience of an AGS transmission along with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and additional safety features like emergency alerts and stolen vehicle tracking, making it an attractive option for safety-conscious first-time buyers.

Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi

Although equipped with a manual transmission, the Swift ZXi variant offers a premium feel with 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear parking camera, and additional safety features, making it a compelling choice for first-time buyers who prioritize style and safety.

Our Pick for Best Automatic Variant for First-time Buyers

After careful consideration, we recommend the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT as the best variant for first-time buyers. Priced at ₹7,84,750, the Sportz Executive AMT offers the right balance of affordability, convenience, and essential features.

The Sportz Executive AMT variant comes equipped with the user-friendly AMT transmission, which automatically shifts gears based on driving conditions. This eliminates the need for manual gear changes, making driving more convenient and less stressful for first-time buyers. The AMT system also helps in achieving optimal fuel efficiency of 16 kmpl, reducing running costs.

The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity keeps first-time buyers entertained and connected on the go. The rear-view camera with guidelines makes parking and reversing easier for new drivers.

With six airbags and rear parking sensors, the Sportz Executive AMT prioritizes safety, giving first-time buyers added peace of mind. The 1.2-liter Kappa petrol engine delivers a peppy performance while maintaining impressive fuel efficiency, helping new drivers save on fuel costs.

While the Sportz Executive AMT may not have all the bells and whistles of the higher-end variants, it offers the essential features that first-time buyers need, making it an ideal choice for those starting their car ownership journey with an automatic transmission.

The Top 3 Choices

1. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT
2. Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi Opt AMT
3. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta AMT

Attribute	Sportz Executive AMT	VXi Opt AMT	Asta AMT
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen Infotainment	8 Inch	7 Inch	8 Inch
Emergency Alerts	No	Yes	No
Stolen Vehicle Notification & Tracking	No	Yes	No
Alloy Wheels	No	No	15 Inch
Rear-view Camera	With Guidelines	No	With Guidelines

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT: As mentioned earlier, the Sportz Executive AMT variant strikes the perfect balance between affordability and essential features, making it our top pick for first-time buyers looking for an automatic transmission.
• Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi Opt AMT: First-time buyers who prioritize safety will find the VXi Opt AMT variant appealing. It offers the convenience of an AGS transmission along with advanced safety features like emergency alerts and stolen vehicle tracking, providing an extra layer of security.
• Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta AMT: The Asta AMT variant is ideal for first-time buyers who want a touch of style and convenience. The 15-inch alloy wheels, additional safety features, and rear parcel tray justify the slight price premium over the Sportz Executive AMT.

These three variants cater to different priorities of first-time buyers looking for an automatic transmission. The Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT offers the best overall package, the Swift VXi Opt AMT prioritizes safety, and the Grand i10 Nios Asta AMT adds a touch of style. All three variants provide the convenience of an automatic transmission, fuel efficiency, and the reliability that first-time buyers seek in their first car. 

If you’re interested in reading more such comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.