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A Price and Feature Comparison of Maruti's Swift Petrol Variants Against Tata's Tiago Electric

By Megha Jain, Content Writer | Thursday, 18 April 2024, 10:50:32 AM IST

With rising fuel prices and environmental concerns, electric vehicles (EVs) are an attractive option for Indian car buyers. Major auto manufacturers have taken note and launched affordable EV models to meet this demand. Tata Motors made headlines when they unveiled the Tiago EV - an electric variant of their popular hatchback priced under Rs 10 lakhs. This has led many to wonder how it compares to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars regarding pricing and features.

One such comparable model is Maruti Suzuki's Swift, a top-selling petrol hatchback in India for years. We analyse the variants, pricing, driving range, charging time, safety features and more to see if the Tiago EV can match or outshine Maruti's Swift petrol when it comes to value for money.

Price

Maruti Swift

The on-road Maruti Swift Price range for petrol variants is as follows:

The base LXi variant of the Swift petrol is priced at 6.42 lakhs, making it the most affordable option in the lineup.
Next is the VXi variant, which has additional features over the LXi and is priced at 7.70 lakhs.
A VXi AMT option with an automated manual transmission is also slightly higher at 8.25 lakhs.
Moving up, the ZXi variant gets more premium features and is priced at 8.45 lakhs for the manual version.
An AMT gearbox can also be opted with the ZXi for 8.99 lakhs.
The fully loaded ZXi Plus version of the Maruti Swift comes with extra features for comfort and safety. This top-end manual transmission variant is priced at 9.22 lakhs.
Lastly, the ZXi Plus with AMT gearbox is the most feature-loaded and expensive Swift petrol variant, costing 9.77 lakhs.

Tata Tiago

The Tiago EV car price (on-road) range is as follows:

The base XE medium variant with a 19.2 kWh battery is priced at Rs 8.55 lakhs, making it an affordable electric option.
The top-end XZ plus Tech LUX long variant with fast charging and connected car technology is the most premium version, priced at Rs 12.65 lakhs.
There are 6 variants available ranging from Rs 8.55 lakhs to Rs 12.65 lakhs, catering to different budgets and feature requirements.
The XT, XZ Plus, and XZ Plus Tech variants offer a higher range with a 24 kWh battery pack priced between Rs 9.57 lakhs to Rs 12.14 lakhs.
Opting for the fast charging variants will cost around Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh more over the standard charging versions.
Long-range variants are priced around Rs 1 lakh above the corresponding medium-range versions of XE, XT and XZ Plus trims.

Maruti Swift Petrol Vs. Tata Tiago Electric

Here is a helpful comparison of the key features and pricing of Maruti Suzuki's popular Swift petrol hatchback variants and Tata's new electric offering, the Tiago EV.

Dimensions and Capacity

The Tiago EV has a shorter wheelbase than the Swift (2,400 mm vs 2,450 mm), but the Swift is slightly longer (3,845 mm vs. 3,765 mm). The Tiago EV's boot space is lower (240 litres vs. 268 litres).

Powertrain and Range

The Tiago EV is an electric car with two battery pack options—19.2 kWh and 24 kWh. It offers a claimed range of 250 km and 315 km, respectively, on a single charge. The Swift has a 1.2L petrol engine making 90PS power and is only available with a manual transmission.

Charging Options

The Tiago EV supports both AC and DC fast charging. A standard charger can charge it from 0 to 100% in 8 hours, while a fast charger can do it in 60 minutes. The Swift runs only on petrol, so it has no charging options and needs frequent visits to fuel stations for refuelling instead.

Features and Safety

The Tiago EV has a touchscreen system, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, push-button start/stop, and cruise control. The safety kit consists of 2 airbags and ABS with EBD as standard. The Swift offers a basic 2-DIN audio system, manually adjustable ORVMs, and safety features limited to dual front airbags and ABS. Lacks cruise control, even on the top variant.

Which is a Better option, the Tiago EV or the Maruti Swift?

Choosing between the Tata Tiago EV and Maruti Swift petrol variants essentially depends on your priorities and needs as a car buyer.

If you drive less than 150km daily, the Tiago EV makes more sense with its lower running costs. Despite higher sticker prices, it costs only about ₹2 per km to run when charged at home, while the petrol Swift costs ₹6-7 per km on fuel alone. The EV also has instant torque for peppy drives and needs less maintenance without an IC engine.

However, the Swift gives you unlimited range and freedom. Just fill up the tank in 5 minutes at any petrol pump and keep going! It's also a familiar package-the Swift has been India's favourite hatchback for over 15 years. Maruti's service network is second to none.

So, the Tiago EV makes sense for shorter, predictable daily drives if you have charging infrastructure. But if you want the assurance of unlimited range with quick refuelling, the trusty Swift still works very well! Choose what better suits your needs.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Tata Tiago Electric and Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol depends on your needs and priorities. For environment-conscious buyers focused on daily urban commuting within a 50 km range, the Tiago EV makes a lot of sense with its lower running costs of around 2/km. However, the Swift remains a solid option for buyers wanting an unrestricted driving range and the excellent brand experience Maruti is known for.

Test drive both models, weigh the pros and cons of your lifestyle and then decide which is a better fit. It's about finding the right balance of features, driving experience and ownership costs to suit your specific needs.

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