Best Manual Variants of Both Cars Compared, From The Point of View of A New Driver
Buying your first car, 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 Suzuki Swift 2024 and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and find out which of their manual 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 manual 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, reliability, and ease of driving when choosing their first vehicle. They seek a car that offers good fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and essential safety features. A user-friendly manual transmission, comfortable seating, and adequate storage space are also important considerations for first-time buyers.
Why Maruti Swift 2024 and Hyundai 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 manual transmission variants of both cars offer a smooth and engaging driving experience. The Swift’s 5-speed manual transmission and the Grand i10 Nios’ 5-speed manual gearbox provide precise and easy gear shifts, making them ideal for first-time buyers who want to learn and master the art of manual driving.
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 manual 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 Era to the feature-rich Swift ZXi, there’s a variant for every first-time buyer.
Maruti Suzuki Swift 2024 and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Manual Variants Shortlist
For Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, we have:
| Variant | Price as on 13 May 2024 |
| Era | ₹5,92,300 |
| Magna | ₹6,78,200 |
| Corporate | ₹6,93,200 |
| Sportz Executive | ₹7,27,950 |
For Maruti Suzuki Swift 2024, we have:
| Variant | Price as on 13 May 2024 |
| LXi | ₹6,49,000 |
| VXi | ₹7,29,500 |
| VXi Opt AMT | ₹8,06,500 |
| ZXi | ₹8,29,500 |
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Era
The base variant offers essential features like a 5-speed manual transmission, electric power steering, and a fuel-efficient petrol engine at an attractive price point, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious first-time buyers.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Magna
This variant adds a tilt steering column, rear parking sensors, and a 4-speaker audio system, enhancing comfort and convenience for first-time buyers.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Corporate
Building upon the Magna, this variant includes 15-inch wheels, 3-point seat belts for all seats, and a 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering added safety and entertainment features.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive
The Sportz Executive variant offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, along with a rear-view camera, making it an attractive choice for tech-savvy first-time buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Swift LXi
The base variant of the Swift offers essential features like a 5-speed manual transmission, electric power steering, and a fuel-efficient petrol engine, making it a reliable choice for first-time buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi
This variant adds a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, along with a 4-speaker audio system, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience.
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi Opt AMT
Swift VXi Opt AMT: Although equipped with an automatic transmission, the VXi Opt AMT variant offers additional safety features like emergency alerts and stolen vehicle tracking, making it a compelling choice for safety-conscious first-time buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi
The ZXi variant offers a premium feel with 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear parking camera, and additional safety features, catering to first-time buyers who prioritize style and safety.
Our Pick for First-time Car Buyers
After careful consideration, we recommend the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive as the best variant for first-time buyers. Priced at ₹7,27,950, the Sportz Executive offers the right balance of affordability, essential features, and ease of driving.
The Sportz Executive variant comes equipped with a user-friendly 5-speed manual transmission that is easy to operate, even for new drivers. The light clutch and smooth gear shifts make driving in city traffic a breeze. The electric power steering provides effortless maneuverability, instilling confidence in first-time buyers.
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 prioritizes safety, giving first-time buyers added peace of mind. The 1.2-liter Kappa petrol engine delivers a peppy performance while maintaining an impressive fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl, helping new drivers save on fuel costs.
While the Sportz Executive 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 a manual transmission.
The Top 3 Choices
- Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive
- Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi
- Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Magna
| Attribute | Sportz Executive | Swift VXi | Grand i10 Nios Magna |
| Touchscreen Infotainment | 8 Inch | 7 Inch | No |
| Android Auto & Apple CarPlay | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear-view Camera | With Guidelines | No | No |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive: As mentioned earlier, the Sportz Executive variant offers the best overall package for first-time buyers, with its combination of affordability, essential features, and ease of driving.
- Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi: The Swift VXi is an excellent choice for first-time buyers who prioritize comfort and convenience. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, along with the 4-speaker audio system, enhances the in-car experience.
- Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Magna: For first-time buyers on a tighter budget, the Grand i10 Nios Magna offers a compelling package. The tilt steering column, rear parking sensors, and 4-speaker audio system provide essential comfort and convenience features.
These three variants cater to different priorities and budgets of first-time buyers looking for a manual transmission car. The Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive offers the best overall package, the Swift VXi prioritizes comfort and convenience, and the Grand i10 Nios Magna is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. All three variants provide the ease of driving, fuel efficiency, and 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.
