Today, we take a look at the popular hatchbacks Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and figure out what performance enthusiasts find attractive in these two car models.
In this guide, we will share
- What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
- Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios – A comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance, style & features
- How to pick the right car for you
With their recent facelifts, the Swift and the Grand i10 Nios now have better performance characteristics. The Swift remains agile, and is easy to drive at low speeds. The i10 Nios now only gets a 1.2 liter, 4 cylinder engine, but has a light steering and is easy to manoeuver.
What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:
- Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
- Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
- Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
- Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance
For performance enthusiasts, a car is more than just a medium of transport; it’s an extension of their personality.
When looking for the best performance cars, they prioritize a car’s performance attributes like the power of the engine (BHP), torque (Nm), and acceleration (0-60 km/h).
They pay close attention to the car’s handling abilities, its agility, high-speed stability, and body roll in high-performance car models. Features such as the number of cylinders, engine displacement, and the transmission type also hold significance.
Though performance is key, these enthusiasts also appreciate advanced features and gadgets in fast cars that enhance their driving experience.
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
Why Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 are Popular
Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 have long been popular choices among performance enthusiasts due to their powerful engines, excellent handling, and sporty design.
Swift, with its agile handling and powerful engine, delivers a fun-to-drive experience. Its light clutch and stable high-speed stability make it a joy on highways.
Hyundai Grand i10, on the other hand, offers a balanced blend of performance and comfort. Its moderate agility, coupled with a stable ride, makes it suitable for both city commutes and long drives.
Both cars offer an array of features and gadgets that enrich the overall driving experience, which appeals to tech-savvy performance enthusiasts.
Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Variants Shortlist in Rs 6-8 Lakh Range
For Maruti Suzuki Swift, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 31 July 2023 |
| VXI | ₹ 690,000 |
| VXI AGS | ₹ 745,000 |
| ZXI | ₹ 758,000 |
For Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 31 July 2023 |
| Sportz Executive AMT | ₹ 775,000 |
| Sportz AMT | ₹ 779,000 |
| Asta | ₹ 795,000 |
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI
This variant offers agile handling, quick engine responsiveness, and good stability at high speeds. The lightweight clutch and front-wheel drive (FWD) enhance driving pleasure, making it a good choice for performance enthusiasts. You can also read our comparison of the Maruti Swift with Maruti Baleno for performance enthusiasts.
Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI AGS
It shares many performance characteristics with VXI but comes with an Auto Gear Shift (AGS) that offers smooth gear transitions, an attribute performance enthusiasts would appreciate.
Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI
This variant offers similar performance attributes as VXI but comes with LCD touchscreen and alloy wheels. These additions provide a richer driving experience. We also have our comparison of the Swift with the Grand i10 Nios for style-conscious buyers.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive AMT
This variant offers moderate agility and stability. It also comes with an AMT, offering convenience without compromising on performance.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz AMT
Similar to the Executive AMT, this variant also offers moderate agility and stability with AMT convenience. It has body-colored bumpers and door handles, enhancing its sporty appeal. If you’re a senior citizen car buyer, you can read which variants of Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios are suitable for you.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta
Along with moderate agility and stability, this variant stands out with the inclusion of wireless charging, enhancing convenience and catering to tech-savvy performance enthusiasts.
Our Pick for the Best Variant among Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 for Performance Enthusiasts
The Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI stands out as the best variant for a performance enthusiast. Its agile handling, quick engine responsiveness, and high-speed stability make it a performance-oriented choice.
The addition of an LCD touchscreen and alloy wheels not only enhances the sporty appeal but also provides a richer driving experience.
The Top 3 Choices
The top three choices for a performance enthusiast are Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI, Swift VXI, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta.
| Variant | # of cylinders | Acceleration (0-60 km/h) | Agility | Body Roll | Clutch [Manual] | Engine – displacement (cc) | Engine – power (BHP) | Engine – Torque (Nm) | High-Speed Stability | Transmission – # of gears |
| Swift ZXI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swift VXI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grand i10 Nios Asta | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car For You?
- Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI offers the best of performance and features. Its agile handling, high-speed stability, and quick engine responsiveness cater perfectly to a performance enthusiast’s requirements. The inclusion of an LCD touchscreen and alloy wheels adds a touch of modernity and sportiness.
- Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI offers similar performance characteristics as the ZXI. Its agile handling and quick engine responsiveness provide an exhilarating driving experience.
- While not as agile as the Swift variants, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta offers moderate agility and stable high-speed handling. The added feature of wireless charging is a bonus for tech-savvy performance enthusiasts.
These three variants cater to performance enthusiasts by offering a balance of power, agility, and stability. Their unique features enhance the overall driving experience, making them the top picks for any performance enthusiast.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered
