We put the newest 7-seater against the one of the most popular hatchbacks – Renault Triber vs Maruti Suzuki Swift – in comparison to see which one fares better on paper.
After a slew of SUV launches in India, we finally saw some new hatchbacks being launched in our country. Renault has launched the Triber this week and it is very unique for being the only 7-seater car under 4 meters and as such, does not have a direct competitor. However, in terms of pricing, Renault has priced the Triber right in the mid-size hatchback segment which includes the likes of the Grand i10 Nios and the Swift. Here we take a closer look on how the Renault Triber vs Maruti Suzuki Swift fares on paper.
Renault Triber vs Maruti Suzuki Swift – Dimensions
| Dimensions | Renault Triber | Maruti Suzuki Swift |
| Length | 3,990 mm | 3,840 mm |
| Width | 1,739 mm | 1,680 mm |
| Height | 1,643 mm | 1,520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,450 mm |
| Boot Capacity | 84-625 litres | 268 Litres |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 37 Litres |
| Ground Clearance | 182 mm | 180 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 947 kg | 9,85 kg |
Well, in terms of dimensions, the Renault Triber edges ahead of the Maruti Suzuki Swift in almost every aspect. It is longer, wider, taller and also has the greater wheelbase of the two. It seems Renault has really stretched the car in all direction to fit in that third row of seats, still keeping all proportions very neat and tidy. That said, the Maruti Suzuki Swift never has been the largest of hatchbacks and it is actually quite compact as compared to the Triber.
As for the boot space, the Triber clearly beats the Swift in that regard owing to its modular seating arrangement. The Triber also has a larger fuel tank but by only a small margin. The Triber also sits considerably higher up than a regular hatchback and its 182 mm of ground clearance should really help it in tricky situations.
Renault Triber vs Maruti Suzuki Swift – Engine Specification
| Model | Renault Triber | Maruti Suzuki Swift |
| Engine | 1.0L, 3-cylinder engine | 1.2L, 4-cylinder Petrol engine 1.3L, 4-cylinder Diesel engine |
| Power | 72 bhp | 83 bhp/75 bhp |
| Torque | 96 Nm | 138 Nm/225 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-speed manual/4-speed Torque Converter |
| Fuel Efficiency | 20 kpl | 21.2 kpl/28.2 kpl |
| Emission Standard | BS4 | BS6/BS4 |
Well, looking at the spec sheet on paper, the Renault Triber gets only one engine option which is a 1.0L, three cylinder petrol engine and the power and torque figures are a little lower than the ones on the Maruti Suzuki Swift from the larger 1.2L, four cylinder petrol engine. Moreover, the Triber does not get any diesel engine option while the Swift gets a 1.3L, diesel engine. The Triber is also heavier than the Swift owing to its larger dimensions. That means the Triber with lower power and torque figures will have more weight to move which will further compromise on the performance.
As for transmission options, the sole petrol engine in the Triber only gets a 5-speed manual gearbox as of now. The Maruti Suzuki Swift on the other hand gets both a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT gearbox on both its petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine in the Swift is already BS6 compliant but the Triber still gets a BS4 petrol engine.
Exterior Design
The two cars look quite the part. The Triber is shaped like an MPV, has elements of an SUV in the form of body cladding all around but has the size of a hatchback under 4 meters. Somehow, all of it comes together to make for a rather proportionate and good looking car. The face is also quite attractive with a large Renault logo in the three-slat grille and funky looking headlamps. With the right set of accessories, the Triber could very easily grab some good attention for itself.
As for the Maruti Suzuki Swift, that too is a good looking car. The Swift is one of the smartest looking hatchbacks around. The gentle curves and the wide muscular shoulders makes for quite a handsome looking car. The new headlamps and LED tail lamps are particularly very attractive and the alloys have been well designed too. The new swift gets a C-pillar mounted door handle for the rear doors and the blacked out portion in the C-Pillar gives the roof a floating effect.
Also Read : Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Rivals – Engine Specifications against Swift and Figo!
Interiors and Features
As for the interiors of the Renault Triber, the dashboard layout is quite simple and neat. There’s nothing quite fancy about it but it works well. The Triber also gets a touchscreen infotainment system, dual-tone color options and nice silver accents on the dashboard and steering wheel. However, the standout feature about the Renault’s interiors have to be its three rows of seating and the huge practicality it offers. The third row is decently spacious.
As for the interiors of the Swift, there’s nothing that really stands out here. The all-black theme makes the interiors appear quite dull and the dashboard design has aged very early considering this car came out just last year. The AC controls are quite cool as the displays are integrated within the dial themselves but other than that, it does not feel all that special. Yes, it gets all the necessary features but nothing more.
Also Read : Renault Triber vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – Specification Comparison
Pricing
| Model | Renault Triber | Maruti Suzuki Swift |
| Price | Rs 4.95-6.49 lakh | Rs 5.17-7.97 lakh |
As for the pricing of the two cars, they both start off at almost a similar mark but the Swift with its wider range of engine and gearbox options goes a little higher than Triber. The two are very different cars. The Swift remains one of the most fun to drive cars under Rs. 10 lakhs but the practicality and versatility that the Triber is offering at this price is second to none. Well, the Triber might not be quite as spirited but its a great car for what it is. And if you don’t need those seven seats, the Swift should be your pick.
