The Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios are two of the most sensible used hatchbacks you can buy in Delhi NCR: compact, easy to park and widely serviced. The short answer: pick a used Swift if fuel economy matters most, especially a 2024-onward model with six airbags. Pick a used Grand i10 Nios if you want six airbags as standard on a slightly older car (from October 2023), or the punchy turbo-petrol sold from 2020 to 2022.
The year you buy matters more than the badge, because both cars changed a lot on safety. Here's how to choose.
Used Swift vs Grand i10 Nios: the quick verdict
- Best for fuel economy: Swift, especially the 2024-onward model and the factory CNG versions.
- Best for safety kit on older cars: Grand i10 Nios from 2023, with four airbags standard from January 2023 and six from October 2023.
- Best for safety kit overall: 2024-onward Swift or late-2023-onward Nios, both with six airbags as standard.
- Best diesel option: a 2018–2020 Swift or 2019–2022 Nios diesel, but only if Delhi's 10-year rule suits you.
- Best for performance: the 2020–2022 Nios 1.0 turbo-petrol, if you can find one.
- Watch out for: the low crash-test ratings of older versions, and AMT clutch wear on both.
Model years at a glance
Maruti Suzuki Swift
- February 2018 (third generation): a 1.2 petrol (61 kW) and a 1.3 diesel (55.2 kW), both with manual or AGS (AMT) automatic, and dual airbags, ABS and ISOFIX as standard. Maruti claimed 22.0 km/l for the petrol and 28.4 km/l for the diesel (Maruti Suzuki).
- April 2020: the diesel was discontinued with the move to BS6.
- February 2021 facelift: a more powerful DualJet petrol (66 kW) with claimed figures of 23.20 km/l (manual) and 23.76 km/l (AGS). ESP with hill hold came on AGS versions (Maruti Suzuki).
- August 2022: factory-fitted S-CNG was added, with a claimed 30.90 km/kg (Maruti Suzuki).
- May 2024 (fourth generation): a new 1.2-litre Z-series petrol (60 kW, 111.7 Nm) with manual or AGS, claimed at 24.80 km/l and 25.75 km/l, with six airbags and ESP as standard (Maruti Suzuki).
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
- August 2019 (launch): a 1.2 petrol (83 hp) and a 1.2 diesel (75 hp), both with manual or AMT, and dual airbags standard, Autocar India reported. Claimed figures were 20.7 km/l (petrol manual) and 26.2 km/l (diesel).
- February 2020: a 1.0 turbo-petrol with 100 hp, manual only, joined the range, per Autocar India. Factory CNG followed in April 2020.
- May 2022: the diesel was discontinued, CarDekho reported.
- January 2023 facelift: the turbo was dropped, and four airbags became standard, with six on the top Asta trim, per Autocar India.
- October 2023: six airbags became standard across the range, CarWale reported.
Engines, gearboxes and fuel economy
Both cars use a 1.2-litre petrol with a 5-speed manual or an AMT, so the driving experience is similar in city traffic. On paper the Swift is the more frugal car: its claimed figures rose from 22 km/l in 2018 to nearly 26 km/l for the 2024 AGS, while the Nios launched at 20.7 km/l. Real-world mileage in Delhi traffic will be lower for both.
Both offer factory CNG, which is the cheapest way to run either car if you drive a lot. Our used CNG car checks explain what to look at before buying one.
If you want an automatic, both use an AMT rather than a CVT or torque converter. Read our guide to AMT vs CVT vs DCT used automatics for what to expect and how to test one.
Diesel buyers, take note: diesel cars older than 10 years can't be driven in Delhi, so a 2018 Swift diesel or a 2019 Nios diesel has a limited life left in the city. See Delhi's age rules for used cars.
Space and practicality
The two are close in size. Maruti lists the 2024 Swift at 3,860 mm long with a 2,450 mm wheelbase, and quoted a 268-litre boot for the 2018 model. The Nios is a little shorter at about 3.8 metres and has the same 2,450 mm wheelbase. Sit in the back seat of each and check the boot with your usual luggage before deciding.
Safety: check the year carefully
Neither car's older versions did well in crash tests:
- Swift: Global NCAP gave the 2018 India-spec Swift two stars for adults and children with two airbags. Under its tougher protocol in December 2022, it rated the Swift one star for adults and children, with no ESC and an unstable structure.
- Grand i10 Nios: Global NCAP rated it two stars for adults and children in November 2020, with two front airbags and an unstable structure.
- Newer cars: we found no Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP rating for the India-spec 2024 Swift or the six-airbag Nios. Both, however, now have six airbags as standard, which the tested versions did not.
If safety is your priority, aim for a 2024-onward Swift or an October 2023-onward Nios. Our guide on how to check a used car's airbags explains the checks to make before you buy.
Recalls to check
- Swift and Baleno (May 2018): Maruti recalled 52,686 cars built between 1 December 2017 and 16 March 2018 to replace a possibly faulty brake vacuum hose, Autocar India reported.
- Swift (2018): 566 Swifts built between 7 May and 5 July 2018 were recalled for a possible airbag controller fault, according to Autocar India's used-buying guide.
You can check a Maruti by VIN on its recall page. For any car, ask an authorised dealer to confirm open recalls against the VIN.
Common issues reported on used cars
- 2018–2021 Swift: Autocar India notes touchscreens that freeze or crash, interior rattles as the car ages, and early clutch wear on AMTs.
- Grand i10 Nios: Autocar India mentions AMT clutch wear, early suspension wear reported by some owners and, less commonly, weak AC cooling.
On the test drive, check that the AMT moves off smoothly, listen for suspension knocks over a bad road and run the AC on full. Our used car inspection checklist covers the rest.
Warranty
Maruti's standard warranty is 3 years or 1,00,000 km for cars retailed from 9 July 2024, and 2 years or 40,000 km for earlier cars. Hyundai lists 3 years or 1,00,000 km for the Nios on its warranty page. A 2024-onward Swift or a recent Nios may still have cover left; see our guide to used car warranty transfer to check.
Which one should you buy?
- Lowest running costs: a Swift CNG or a 2024-onward Swift.
- Most safety kit on a budget: a late-2023-onward Nios with six airbags.
- Easy city automatic: either car's AMT, after a careful test drive.
- Most power: a 2020–2022 Nios 1.0 turbo-petrol, with 100 hp.
- Lowest price: a 2018–2020 Swift or 2019–2022 Nios petrol, after a thorough inspection.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every Nios or Swift has six airbags; check the year and variant.
- Buying an old diesel for Delhi without counting the years left.
- Skipping the AMT test in slow traffic.
- Ignoring recall status on early-2018 Swifts.
- Overlooking suspension noises on a Nios that has done mostly rough roads.
FAQs
Which is better second-hand, the Swift or the Grand i10 Nios?
The Swift has better claimed fuel economy; the Nios gained six standard airbags earlier, in October 2023, and offered a turbo-petrol from 2020 to 2022. Choose based on the year and features of the specific car.
Which has better mileage, the Swift or Nios?
The Swift, on official claimed figures, especially the 2024-onward model.
Is the Swift safe?
Older Swifts scored poorly in Global NCAP tests. The 2024-onward Swift has six airbags and ESP as standard, but we found no India-spec crash-test rating for it.
Does the Grand i10 Nios have six airbags?
Yes, as standard from October 2023. Earlier cars had two (2019–2022) or four (from January 2023).
Should I buy a used diesel Swift or Nios?
Only if the remaining years under Delhi's 10-year diesel rule suit your plans.
The bottom line
Choose the Swift for fuel economy, and the Nios for its earlier six-airbag update or the turbo-petrol, then pick the newest year your budget allows. Check airbags, recalls, the AMT and the service history on whichever car you shortlist. You can browse used Maruti Swift cars, used Hyundai Grand i10 Nios cars and other used hatchbacks under ₹5 lakh on Hooter.