New Maruti Swift 2024 Vs Baleno: Wait Or Buy?

The styling of the Swift takes a sportier side with the darker chrome grille with the logo positioned changed along with new headlamps.

The styling of the Swift takes a sportier side with the darker chrome grille with the logo positioned changed along with new headlamps. ( Image Source :Somnath Chatterjee )

The Baleno and Swift are the biggest brands within the Maruti range while being huge sellers for the Arena and the Nexa range. Till now there has been a clear differentiation between the two with the Swift being a more fun, sportier hatchback option while the Baleno being the more premium hatchback with more features. Lines were blurred somewhat with the new Baleno getting an AMT option but the feature list and the space are clear factors. Now with the launch of the new Swift due in a few months time, the question is whether you should look at the Baleno or wait for the Swift. They are not traditional rivals of course but the new Swift has gotten more premium now with a new look along with a new interior.

The styling of the Swift takes a sportier side with the darker chrome grille with the logo positioned changed along with new headlamps. It has a wider look and new wheels too while one big change in terms of practicality is the position of the door handles being changed. The bigger change is the interior design of the new Swift which takes inspiration from the Swift and the Fronx. The steering wheel is similar and the same goes for the touchscreen plus the dials along with the climate control buttons. The layered dashboard has a new look and will be different from the current one.

The new Swift is also expected to marginally improve its boot space and the rear seat space although the Baleno would remain the more practical option. The big change in the new Swift would be the feature list. Expect a 360 degree camera possibly to be offered or even a heads up display could be there while connected car tech plus climate control would be there of course.

Another highlight is the powertrain where the new Swift would debut a new engine which would be even more efficient than the current line-up. The Baleno uses a 1.2 four cylinder unit like some of the other Maruti cars. Hence, the new Swift would be more feature rich, efficient and better looking while some of the current differentiating factors remain between the Baleno and Swift which is space and practicality. So, the Baleno would remain the more spacious car and the premium hatchback while the new Swift takes a more sportier route.