Maruti Swift vs Nissan 

Micra
By Clint Thomas – July 26th, 2010
Email  Facebook  Twitter  Print

Nissan kinda tested our patience before rolling out the Micra. But
they didn’t disappoint. A competitively priced and versatile Micra
has been rolled out into an overcrowded B-segment. Although
there are more than five hatchbacks that the Micra faces tough
competition from, the most challenging contender is none other
than the emperor in the segment, the Maruti Swift.
Swift has been here for a while, without receiving considerable
facelifts. We all agree Swift is a supercool cart, however, like most
cars in the car world, after a while some of its freshness is lost. At
this juncture, Micra storms in with very retro, bubbly-cute looks,
great quality and fit-finish, very well-appointed interiors and a
handful of unique features such as self-folding mirrors, key-less
entry, push start/stop button on the top-end version and airbags
even on the base variant.
The most alluring feature of the Micra is its incredible interior
space. Micra, which is 20mm longer than Swift, offers better
legroom, shoulder room and boot space. The twin-bubble
dashboard of the Micra benefits from micro grain technology,
which reduces the plasticky feeling. However, the Swift’s
dashboard is commendable and better than Micra, although it is
just a hue of black on the inside.

Under the bonnet, The Micra is powered by an 1198cc three-

cylinder motor that develops a maximum power of 75bhp at a
whooping 6,000 rpm. Three-cylinder engines are infamous for idle
vibration but Nissan has come up with a unique technology (oval
rotation of the crank pulley) which has considerably cut down
idling vibration. Moreover, the Indian version has been tweaked
for optimum fuel efficiency and lesser emissions. The Swift on the
other hand has a four-cylinder 1.2-litre K Series unit that is
refined, torquier and more powerful than the Micra. Micra
accelerates from standstill to 100kph in just under 15 seconds
and onto a top speed of 160 kph. Meanwhile, the Swift’s
acceleration is more swift and 0-100 is just 13.5 seconds. Top
speed is better too, at 165 kph.

When it comes to ride and handling, Micra outshines the Swift,

thanks to its 60 mm longer wheelbase, wheel-at-each-corner
chuckability and good aerodynamics realised by the uniquely
shaped cabin with a slightly raised roof end. The compact
suspension built for the V-platform absorbs plenty of punishment
handed out by our roads although there is some amount of body
roll. Yet, when compared to Micra, Swift has more engine
refinement and it’s more happy to cruise at top speeds in
highways with minimum NVH levels. Again, Micra emerges as a
champion in the city as third gear offers a wide enough power
band. However, Micra’s gear shifting is slightly rough when it’s
much slicker on Swift. Braking on both cars is good, but it’s the
Swift that tends to brake with more confidence.

In short, the Swift has better dynamics, a better engine and is

more refined. Moreover, for dependability and after-sales support,
no one can touch any car from Maruti stable. But it’s the Micra
that appears to find the sweet-spot with its brilliant ride quality,
unique features and interior space. Micra is more efficient too,
14.05 kpl as against 13.05 kpl for the Swift, overall.