2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Citroen C3: Hatchback Rivalry
- by Aparajit Shastri
- May 13, 2024Â
- | Â Views: 1140
The Swift might beat it on features and conveniences, but the C3 gets an additional powertrain option
The Indian hatchback market is abuzz with the arrival of the latest Maruti Suzuki Swift, now in its fourth generation avatar. It's set to challenge the Citroen C3, which is a contender to the Swift in India. Before delving into a detailed road-test comparison, let's first examine how these two cars stack up against each other on paper.Â
Dimensions
Model |
2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift |
Citroen C3 |
Length |
3860 mm |
3981 mm |
Width |
1735 mm |
1733 mm |
Height |
1520 mm |
1586 mm* |
Wheelbase |
2450 mm |
2540 mm |
Boot Space |
265 L |
315 L |
Ground Clearance |
163 mm |
180 mm |
*Without roof rails
It is pretty evident from the table above that the new-gen Swift is smaller in overall dimensions when compared to the Citroen C3. The C3 also has a longer wheelbase and a better ground clearance than the Swift.Â
Feature Highlights
Equipment |
2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift |
Citroen C3 |
Infotainment system |
9-inch touchscreen |
10.25-inch touchscreen |
Driver’s display |
Analogue dials with MID |
Digitised driver’s display |
Apple Carplay/Android Auto |
Wireless |
Wireless |
Connected Car Tech |
Yes |
Yes |
Ambient lighting |
Footwell |
No |
Audio system |
6-Speaker |
4 Speaker |
Climate control |
Automatic |
Manual |
Rear AC vents |
Yes |
No |
Headlights |
LED Projector |
Halogen |
Auto headlights |
Yes |
No |
ORVMs |
Automatic and electronically adjustable |
Automatic and electronically adjustable |
Upholstery |
Fabric |
Fabric |
Wheels |
16-inch alloy wheels |
15-inch alloy wheels |
Keyless entry/push button start-stop |
Yes |
No |
Cruise control |
Yes |
No |
Wireless phone charger |
Yes |
No |
Airbags |
6 |
2 (6 to be added soon) |
Rear Parking camera |
Yes |
No |
Parking sensors |
Only Rear |
Only Rear |
ISOFIX mounts |
Yes |
No |
When it comes to comfort and convenience features, the Swift is better stacked than the Citroen C3. It gets niceties such as cruise control, automatic climate control, projector headlamps and 16-inch alloy wheels, which the C3 misses out on. On the contrary, the C3 is a larger vehicle when interior space and dimensions are considered. It also features a larger infotainment screen.Â
Safety features in the Swift encompass six airbags, ESP, Hill-hold assist and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard across the variants. While on the other hand, the Citroen C3 just gets dual front airbags as standard. Moreover, Citroen had recently informed that it will be equipping the C3 with six airbags as standard in the near future.Â
Powertrain
Specifications |
2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift |
Citroen C3 |
Engine |
1.2-litre NA Z12E petrol 3 Cylinder |
1.2-litre NA 3 cylinder /Â 1,2-litre turbo petrol 3 cylinder |
Power |
82 PS |
82 PS / 110 PS |
Torque |
112 Nm |
115 Nm / 190 Nm |
Transmission |
5-speed MT / 5-speed AMT |
5 MT / 6MT |
The new-gen Swift gets a single Z12E series 3 cylinder 1.2-litre NA petrol engine, which can be opted with a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Citroen offers the C3 in two different engine options: a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre unit producing 82 PS identical to the Swift and a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit producing 110 PS. The naturally aspirated engine can be opted with a 5-speed manual and the turbo petrol unit can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission. There are no automatics on offer at present, but Citroen India can introduce them pretty soon.Â
Prices
2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift |
Citroen C3 |
Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.64 lakh (introductory) |
Rs 6.16 lakh to Rs 8.95 lakh |
All prices ex-showroom
Both the cars are moderately priced with the C3 starting at Rs 6.16 lakh (ex-showroom), which is Rs 33,000 less than the entry level LXI variant of the Swift. The top-spec variant of the C3 also undercuts the ZXI+ variant of the Swift by Rs 69,000 and gets a superior powertrain option, but features are a miss.Â
Both these hatchbacks rival the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Tata Tiago, and are also alternatives to micro-SUVs like the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite and Hyundai Exter.