I have recently moved on from using a Vitz (1000cc, 2007 model : 2010 import) to Swift DLX with navigation (Manual). I have searched this forum quite a few times but was unable to find a thread with a detailed comparison of the two cars... so here is my attempt to highlight the pros and cons of the two cars... i would try to cover each this under different headings... feel free to comment.
1) Shape / Appearance
Its a personal choice. I personally prefer vitz over Swift
2) Engine performance:
Undoubtedly Swift is way better than Vitz. This was the first thing that i noticed when i started driving SWIFT. Its like driving a car on CNG vs driving it on petrol i.e. you can get more or less the same speed but it takes more time to achieve it. The difference is more profound during the summer season when you have the AC turned on. If you travel a lot then you would find that on GT road/ motorway /northern areas you at times need power that is just not there at the time you need it. Within the city and for daily usage the difference is less noticeable to almost negligible.
3) Fuel economy:
I had my vitz with me for 4 years and it never gave me more than 11 Km/Litre within the city. I changed the oil + Oil Filter + air filter after every 2500 to 3000kms and had the plugs changed after every 50,000kms (airfilter was cleaned in between as well) but 11 km/L was the maximum that i got. I visited many showrooms + mechanics but 11 was the max i got.
For swift i am currently getting 11.5 but since its just 3 wks old hence i am sure this will improve after a few thousand kms.
On every Tankfull if you add High Octane then your Vitz can achieve a better mileage... when i included high octane worth 1000Km with every tank full then i was able to get 14 kms/Litre... (Thanks einstein for reminding me of this on post 6)
4) comfort:
a) Seats:
Vitz seats are slightly more wider and more comfortable. Add to the that the option in most of the vitz to increase or decrease the height of the driver seat... i drove vitz continuously for 10 hrs at a few time and never did i felt the discomfort that i did after 2 hrs drive in swift. I have driven an imported swift and its seats are more or less like vitz but pak suzuki ones are not that comfortable. In case you compare Swift drivers seat with City, XLI or cultus then Swift and City are more or less the same. Cultus .. well lets just move on plz
b) Interior quality:
Both are more or less the same but the interior of vitz gave me a more solid / more protected feeling than swift. i just can not pin point an area but when you use the different knobs, handles, dashboard etc you just can not stop urself from recalling your experience with Vitz. Mind you this is the same feeling that i have had with city so it might be an impression that i have developed over time. Having said that Swift interior quality is comparable to city and Xli.... not Civic
c) Storage options (other than boot):
Vitz has better options in the dashboard then swift. there are 2 cup holders on the dashboard (next to the side view mirrors) and every door (yes all 4) has an option to keep a bottle there. Swift has only 2 cup holders / bottle holders placed just in front of the gear which is not that practical to use for a driver.
Vitz has 4+1 storage options (Two on side passenger side: i.e. one main dashboard storage, one above it and two on driver side i.e. on below the controls for the lights or the side view mirror and one behind the steering wheel.... there is a tray/shelf below the steering wheel which can be used for keeping stuff)
d) Rear view mirror:
Though the height of the person plays an important role in using the rear view mirror but for me the mirror on Vitz is better than Swift as i could see more area with it than by the mirror on Swift. Plan to change or have an attachment on the mirror in my Swift
e)Inner lights:
Vitz gives you an option for 4 inner lights (2 for front seats, one in the middle and one in the boot) vs one by swift (one in the middle).
f) Air bags
Local Swift does not come with Airbags. depending on the model/year of manufacture vitz has 2 or more airbags
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5) Road clearance and road bumps:[/U]
More or less the same. Swift is a little elevated from the front so that does help on the speed brakers or the car breakers but this leads to a slight disadvantage for the rear section of the car as well which will hit the speed brakers if you have 2 ore more people seated or have weight in the trunk.
While driving /crossing the big cat eyes that are installed on the roads or crossing the small ditches or holes that are there on the roads vitz always gave me a feeling of sturdiness or you never felt the bump the way you feel it in Swift. Must have to do something with the shocks/suspension/tires/seats and this might improve slightly with time but i don't expect a radical change.
6) Brake:
In my opinion the braking distance depends upon the tires, air pressure and the person applying the brakes. Based upon my experience so far within the city the brake performance is same (unless you drive fast or drive rash) but on a highway vitz does give you a slight better grip.
7) Head lights:
Throw wise same but vitz gives you an option to change the position of the reflectors while you are seated inside the cars...Helps alot on GT road/motor way.
8) Side view mirrors:
Both fulfill the purpose but vitz had the option of foldable side view mirrors. It was a blessing that i never appreciated till recently. The mirrors on both the cars can be adjusted from inside (left/right and top/down) but vitz had buttons for the mirror control where Swift has a knob which i am afraid will come off any day.
9) Boot:
Capacity wise the boot on both the cars are almost the same. Swift but has a few advantage...they have a foldable sheet/cardboard which can be opened to separate the boot into 2 portions. This is very smart and gives me the opportunity to store things under the cardboard and use the space above it on a routine basis. Same way most of the vitz do not come with a rear boot cover (phatta as its called) so you have to buy it separately for vitz. If only swift had given a light in the boot...
Conclusion:
In my honest opinion if i ever have to spend 13.5 lacs ++ again then i would add a few extra bucks and opt for a 1300 cc vitz. There is no second thought between a Swift and 1300 cc vitz.
BUT
If i have an option between 1300 Swift and 1000cc Vitz then i would never opt for vitz. I am not a rash driver nor do i like to indulge in race etc but the very reason i sold my vitz were the slowness in response of the engine and the fuel economy. No matter what people say and no matter what i did i never had a average of over 11 kms/Litre. Driving a 1000 cc vitz really get frustrating at times especially during the summers and on long routes.