New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Vs New Maruti Swift Diesel– Which Is A Better Diesel Car And Why?

With new Hyundai iGen i20 2012 model launched in India at a starting price of Rs. 4.73 Lakhs for base petrol variant and Rs. 5.96 Lakhs for the entry level diesel variant, the competition for Maruti Swift 2011 has got more intense. The prices of the Hyundai i20 have only gone up slightly by approximately Rs. 15,000 for every model, but the feature list and aesthetics have also improved along with the improvement in fuel efficiency and performance.

We have already compared the New Hyundai iGen i20 Petrol With New Maruti Swift Petrol here and in this article we will compare Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel with New Maruti Swift Diesel. If you want to refer to the comparison of Old Hyundai i20 with Maruti Swift, you can refer to our previous comparison here. In continuation to our car comparison series on Car Blog India, we will do a detailed review of New Hyundai i20 2012 Diesel with New Maruti Swift in terms of Exteriors, Interiors, Engines, handling and performance, price and value for money.

New Hyundai iGen i20 Exteriors Vs New Maruti Swift Exteriors

image – New Hyundai iGen i20 2012 (Left) and New Maruti Swift 2011 (Right)

Maruti Swift 2011 Dimension

Length = 3850 mm
Width = 1695mm
Height = 1510mm
Wheelbase = 2430

New Hyundai iGen i20 Dimensions

Length = 3995mm
Width = 1710mm
Height = 1505mm
Wheelbase = 2525mm

I would say both New Hyundai iGen i20 2012 and New Maruti Swift 2011 have a strong exterior appeal. I would call it a tie. We have already compared the exteriors of these two cars in our Petrol version comparison in detail, please refer here for details.

New Hyundai iGen i20 Interiors Vs New Maruti Swift Interiors

image – Hyundai iGen i20 2012 Interiors

image – Maruti Swift 2011 Interiors

In terms of Interiors, Hyundai i20 feel more spacious, more premium and better equipped, so my vote goes to i20 for Interiors. We have already compared the interiors of these two cars in our Petrol version comparison, please refer here for details.

New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Engine Vs New Maruti Swift Diesel Engine

Maruti Swift Diesel Engine Specifications

DDiS 1.3 Litre Fiat Multijet CRDI Diesel engine
4 Cylinder, Displacement 1248 CC
Max power of 73.5 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Max torque of 190 Nm @ 2000 RPM
5 Speed manual transmission
ARAI Certified mileage of 22.9 KMPL
Kerb weight between 1050 Kg and 1080 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 69 BHP per 1000 Kg

New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Engine Specifications

1.4 Litre U2 CRDI Diesel Engine
4 Cylinder, Displacement 1396 CC
Max power of 88.8 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Max torque of 220 Nm @ 1500 to 2750 RPM
6 Speed manual transmission
ARAI Certified mileage of 21.9 KMPL
Kerb weight of about 1100 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 80.7 BHP per 1000 Kg

Looking at the engine specifications, the Hyundai iGen i20 engine delivers more power and more torque at lower RPM with almost same fuel efficiency with a 6 speed manual transmission system. So in terms of engine, I would say i20 has an edge over Maruti.

New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Handling and Performance Vs New Maruti Swift Diesel Handling and Performance

In terms of handling and ride comfort, New Hyundai iGen i20 2012 and New Maruti Swift 2012 are tuned quite differently. While the Hyundai i20 is slightly on the softer side of suspension for more comfort in the cabin, the Swift is on the harder side of suspension with comparatively lesser comfort on bad roads but it does handle very well on high speeds and cornering with lesser body roll. With a more punchy engine, Hyundai i20 Diesel performs well and deliver more power in a straight line but on cornering, the driver confidence is not too high because of softer suspension, otherwise it a pretty comfortable proposition. I would say if you are looking for a sporty car, Swift is a safer bet, for a more comfortable car, its Hyundai iGen i20.

New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Price Vs New Maruti Swift Diesel Price

Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Diesel Price In India

The Ex-showroom Delhi prices of Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 are as follows:

Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Era Diesel is priced at Rs. 5.96 Lakhs
Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Magna Diesel is priced at Rs. 6.20 Lakhs
Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Magna (O) Diesel is priced at Rs. 6.50 Lakhs
Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Sportz Diesel is priced at Rs. 6.98 Lakhs
Hyundai i20 iGen 2012 Asta Diesel is priced at Rs. 7.44 Lakhs

Maruti Swift 2011 Diesel Price In India

The Ex-showroom Delhi prices of Maruti Swift 2011 Diesel (Metallic colour) are as follows:

Maruti Swift LDi Diesel is priced at Rs. 5.54 Lakhs
Maruti Swift VDi Diesel is priced at Rs. 5.98 Lakhs
Maruti Swift ZDi Diesel is priced at Rs. 6.77 Lakhs

Hyundai iGen i20 Era Diesel Vs Maruti Swift LDi

The price difference between the Hyundai iGen i20 Era Diesel entry level variant and Maruti Swift LDi entry level variant is about Rs. 42,000 which is quite considerable for a car under Rs. 6 Lakhs. Both the entry level variants feature an electrical power steering, air conditioning and body coloured bumpers. Hyundai i20 offers some additional features like Tachometer, Front power windows with timelag function, impact sensing automatic door unlock feature, day and night inside rear view mirror, chrome finish in inside door handles, gear shift indicator, rear fog lamps, central locking, clutch footrest or dead-pedal etc. over the Maruti Swift LDi. On the other hand, Maruti Swift LDi offers rear parcel tray, multi-information display with fuel consumption information, tilt steering etc. as some of the extra features over i20 Era Diesel. Overall, at a price difference of Rs. 42,000 the extra features of Hyundai i20 do seem pricey but there is a difference in the comfort and engine performance level of Hyundai i20 which makes it a more appealing option. I would say for entry level, both cars are good value for money, however, if you prefer a premium looking and more comfortable car, iGen i20 is a better option but costs more, otherwise Maruti Swift is also a well justified value for money proposition.

Hyundai iGen i20 Era Diesel Vs Maruti Swift VDi

Interestingly enough, the Hyundai iGen i20 Era Diesel entry level variant and New Swift VDi mid variant are priced at almost the same price with Swift VDi costing just Rs. 2000 more. At these price points, Swift VDi offers body coloured door handles, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, outside rear view mirrors with turn indicators, front and rear fog lamps, multi-information display, all four doors power windows, Keyless entry, security alarm system etc. additional to the Era for almost the same price. Comparing these two variants, Swift seems a much better value for money compared to i20 along with its sporty handling character.

Hyundai iGen i20 Magna and Magna (O) Diesel Vs Maruti Swift VDi

New Hyundai iGen i20 Magna and Magna (O) are priced at Rs. 6.20 Lakhs and Rs. 6.50 Lakhs which is about Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 52,000 compared to mid variant of Swift Diesel VDi. In addition to entry level Era model, the Magna and Magna (O) offers features like keyless entry with alarm and a foldable key, rear parking assist sensors, body coloured outside door handles and outside rear view mirrors, turn indicators on outside rear view mirrors (Optional), optional full functional Multi-information display, optional 2-DIN integrated audio system with 4 speakers, 2 tweeters, USB and Aux-input, optional automatic climate control, cooled glove box, all door power windows, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors with optional heating and auto-folding function etc. All these optional features are available on Magna (O) while other features are available on both Magna and Magna (O).

At this price difference, I would say the features of i20 along with a better performing engine and premium interiors make it a value for money proposition. However the Swift VDi is also quite a good value for money. If you car considering these variant, I would say you take a good test drive (some test drive tips here) before you make up your mind.

Hyundai iGen i20 Sportz Diesel Vs Maruti Swift ZDi

New Hyundai iGen i20 Sportz Diesel is priced at Rs. 6.98 Lakhs which is Rs. 21,000 higher compared to top end Maruti Swift Diesel ZDi. In addition to Magna, the Hyundai iGen i20 Sportz diesel offers eletcrochromic (auto darkening) inside rear view mirror, rear parking assist camera with display on inside rear view mirror, driver side airbag, ABS and EBD for safety, rain sensing wipers, front and rear fog lamps, turn indicators in outside rear view mirrors, alloy wheels, chrome finish gear knobs and metallic inserts in steering wheel, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, front map lamp, full function multi-information display, 2-Din integrated audio system with 4 speakers, 2 tweeters, USB and Aux-input. Bluetooth for phone pairing and steering mounted Audio and phone controls, automatic climate control, clean air ionizer for fresh air circulation, electrically adjustable, heated and power folding outside rear view mirrors, tilt and telescopic adjustment in steering wheel, 60:40 rear split seats, adjustable headrest at rear etc.

Whereas over Maruti Swift VDi, the Swift ZDi offers following additional features like – alloy wheels, electrical boot release, rear defogger, washer and wiper, driver seat height adjust and front seatbelt shoulder height adjust, automatic climate control, integrated audio system with 4 speakers, USB and Aux-input, steering mounted audio control but no Bluetooth. On safety it adds dual airbags, ABS and EBD with brake assist etc.

Apart from dual airbags compared to single air-bag in iGen i20, Maruti Swift does not offers any significant important features. But in itself, Swift is a good package. However considering the features you get with an iGen i20 Sportz diesel, the Swift looks much less loaded, but also costs about Rs. 21,000 less. However the features on Hyundai i20 Sportz and engine performance make Hyundai iGen i20 Sportz diesel an equally good value for money besides being slightly higher priced.

Hyundai iGen i20 Asta Diesel Vs Maruti Swift ZDi

Hyundai iGen i20 Asta Diesel offers some very unique safety and convenience features which are very rare in this segment like 6 airbags for safety, speed sensing auto door locks, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, chrome outside door handles, rear spoiler with integrated stop lamps, push button engine start stop, front arm rest, electric sunroof with tilt function to name a few. Although there is no price comparison of iGen i20 Asta with Swift ZDi because there is a large price difference of about Rs. 67,000. You should get this variant of iGen i20 if you are looking for top end features and budget is not a major selection criterion.

Car Blog India verdict – New Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel Vs New Maruti Swift Diesel

With a better performance engine and almost same ARAI mileage as the Swift, New Hyundai iGen i20 2012 Diesel makes a very good overall package with lots of features, comfort, premium interiors and spacious cabin. However, if sporty driving is high on your list and you can compromise with comfort and features, Swift Diesel is a better car for you, but for most buyers who buy a car for space, comfort and features, Hyundai iGen i20 Diesel is a great value for money diesel car.

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