Spent 45 min driving the new Swift MT: My thoughts as an ex Punto owner

Handles like a Swift, ie, very well. Driver’s seat can be adjusted down really low.

BHPian Vikram9193 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Sharing my quick thoughts after a forty five minute TD of the new Swift MT in city and twisties, as a former Punto and Corsa driver who is looking for a fun to drive hatchback to add to the garage.

• Nice pothole absorption for a small Japanese car, and not fragile and crashy feeling unlike the earlier Swifts.
• Nicely weighted and quick steering, less slack around the centre position than the new Baleno and Fronx, good returnability, and much nicer overall than the previous Swift.
• Engine makes a memorable and enjoyable racket when pushed - you won’t need to roll the windows down - but lacks top end and hits the limiter a little quickly. More drama and less fizz than the four cylinder. Not quite enough power to fully enjoy enthusiastic uphill driving but very ok for general city use. Tractable and mostly quiet around town, but some gruffness in overtakes. Some fueling jerkiness noticed at low speeds. Minor vibes are noticed at startup and when pulling away, but no big deal. My favourite 1.2 engine remains the Ignis, followed by the old Swift, but this isn’t that bad compared to the too-quiet and slightly boring Baleno.
• Handles like a Swift, ie, very well. Driver’s seat can be adjusted down really low. Although I couldn’t push it to the limit in the corners it definitely felt sharper and tighter than a Baleno or Fronx. Maybe the ride and steering improvements make it feel a little less toylike, a little more grown up, but it’s still a light and darty car with a compact cockpit and low dash line so to me it’s still very much a Swift.
• Interiors are really basic. No shiny or colourful dashboard inserts and accents, or steering leather wrap, or armrest, or 360 camera, or sunroof, or fancy music system. Not even dynamic guidelines on the reversing camera. Second row is a little cramped with an upright backrest and no armrest. The Dzire I sat in in the showroom looked like a higher segment car, and offered a rather decent back seat experience. With even the top model feeling a bit basic, it might make more sense to buy a base or second base car and add alloys, ICE, and maybe folding mirrors and the seat height adjustment mechanism. You’ll still get six airbags, power windows, central remote locking and a nice looking AC console.
• Personally I will try to TD an N Line and think about my options. A Swift turbo with some sporty bits would’ve been really nice!

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