Used Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20 — Which Should You Buy?

Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right used car

Used Maruti Suzuki Swift
Maruti Suzuki
Swift
₹3.2-8.0L
Hatchback 2018-2024 ★★★★★
VS
Used Hyundai i20
Hyundai
i20
₹4.0-12.0L
Hatchback 2015-2024 ★★★☆

Our Verdict

Our Pick Maruti Suzuki Swift
The Maruti Swift wins overall for most used car buyers in India. Its unbeatable combination of low running costs, best-in-class resale value, and Maruti's massive service network makes it the safer financial decision. However, if your budget allows and you prioritize features, comfort, and a premium cabin, the i20 offers significantly more car for the money — just be prepared for higher ownership costs and a bigger depreciation hit when you sell.
Buy the Swift if...
You want the lowest total cost of ownership, plan to resell within 3-5 years, or need a reliable daily driver in a city where Maruti service centers are more accessible than Hyundai.
Buy the i20 if...
You value features and premium cabin feel over running costs, want a turbo or DCT automatic option, or plan to keep the car long-term (5+ years) where the resale gap matters less.
3
Swift Wins
1
Ties
3
i20 Wins

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category-by-category breakdown to help you decide.

Swift
The Swift is consistently ₹1-2 lakh cheaper than the i20 across comparable years and variants. A 2021 ZXi costs ₹5.2-5.6 lakh vs ₹7.8-8.5 lakh for an i20 Asta — that's a significant gap for a hatchback buyer.
Price & Value
Swift
i20
The i20 costs more upfront, but you get substantially more features for the premium. A used Asta gives you sunroof, Bose audio, ventilated seats, and wireless charging — features typically found in ₹15+ lakh cars.
Swift wins on pure price-to-value ratio — it costs 25-35% less than a comparable i20, making it the smarter buy for budget-conscious buyers.
Swift
The top-spec ZXi+ gets LED headlamps, auto climate control, 7-inch touchscreen, and cruise control — adequate but not segment-leading. Interior plastics feel functional rather than premium. No sunroof, no ventilated seats at any price.
Features & Comfort
i20
i20
The i20 Asta(O) is loaded: 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio, electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, connected car tech (BlueLink), and rear AC vents. The interior quality is noticeably a class above the Swift.
i20 wins decisively on features — the Asta variant offers premium car features that the Swift simply cannot match at any variant level.
Swift
The Swift's 1.2L Dualjet petrol (90hp) is peppy and rev-happy. Lighter kerb weight (860 kg) gives it a nimble, go-kart-like feel in city traffic. The AMT is jerky but functional. Fun to drive but lacks outright power for highway overtakes.
Performance & Driving
Tie
i20
The i20's 1.2L Kappa (88hp) is adequate but less lively than the Swift due to higher kerb weight (1,060 kg). However, the 1.0 Turbo GDi (120hp) option transforms it into a genuinely quick hatchback. DCT is smoother than AMT, and iMT is unique.
Tie — the Swift is more fun with the base petrol due to lighter weight, but the i20's turbo option gives it a performance edge that the Swift cannot match.
Swift
The Swift is a compact hatchback — 268-litre boot is adequate for weekend groceries but tight for family trips. Rear legroom is acceptable for short journeys but two adults in the back on a 3-hour drive will feel cramped. Seats 4 comfortably, 5 is a squeeze.
Space & Practicality
i20
i20
The i20 is notably more spacious — 311-litre boot, wider rear seat, and better rear legroom. The cabin feels more airy thanks to a wider body. Rear AC vents (from Sportz up) make a real difference for rear passengers in Indian summers. Comfortably seats 5 adults.
i20 wins on space — the larger boot, better rear legroom, and wider cabin make it the more practical family hatchback.
Swift
The Swift is the cheapest hatchback to own long-term. Annual servicing costs ₹5,000-7,000, Maruti has 4,000+ service centers across India (including Tier-3 towns), and spare parts are the most affordable in the segment. Total annual running cost: ₹70,500-78,500.
Maintenance & Running Costs
Swift
i20
The i20 costs 15-20% more to maintain annually. Servicing runs ₹8,000-12,000/year, spare parts are pricier (especially for turbo and DCT variants), and Hyundai has ~1,500 service centers — extensive but less than Maruti. Total annual running cost: ₹79,000-91,000.
Swift wins clearly — annual running costs are ₹10,000-15,000 lower than the i20, and Maruti's unmatched service network means you'll find a workshop in virtually any Indian town.
Swift
The Swift retains up to 73% of its original value after 5 years — the best resale retention among all hatchbacks in India. Demand in the used market is consistently high across all cities and variants. You can sell a Swift in days, not weeks.
Resale Value
Swift
i20
The i20 retains ~60-65% of its value after 5 years — decent but noticeably below Maruti. The 3rd gen (2020+) is improving this gap, but it still takes longer to find a buyer and you lose more money on resale compared to the Swift.
Swift wins by a significant margin — you'll lose ₹50,000-1,00,000 less over 5 years on a Swift compared to an i20, and it sells faster in the used market.
Swift
The Swift offers 2 airbags (standard), ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX. The 4th gen (2024+) added 6 airbags and ESP. Older models (2018-2023) have a basic safety package by today's standards. No Global NCAP rating for the latest gen.
Safety
i20
i20
The 3rd gen i20 offers up to 6 airbags, ESC, hill-start assist, TPMS, and rear parking camera as standard from Sportz up. The 2023 facelift adds Level 1 ADAS (lane-keep assist, forward collision warning) in the top variant — a segment-first for hatchbacks.
i20 wins on safety — more airbags across the range, ESC as standard, and ADAS availability in the facelift make it the safer choice.

Price Comparison by Year

Used market price ranges for comparable variants and condition.

Year Maruti Suzuki Swift Hyundai i20
2024 ₹5.6-8.0L ₹7.5-12.0L
2023 ₹4.8-6.8L ₹6.8-11.0L
2022 ₹4.4-6.2L ₹6.0-9.5L
2021 ₹4.0-5.6L ₹5.5-8.5L
2020 ₹3.6-5.2L ₹4.8-8.0L
2019 ₹3.2-4.8L ₹4.2-6.8L
2018 ₹2.8-4.5L ₹3.8-6.2L
Swift Buying Guide
Full price table, variants & inspection checklist →
i20 Buying Guide
Full price table, variants & inspection checklist →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better to buy used — Maruti Swift or Hyundai i20?
It depends on your priorities. The Swift is the better financial decision — it costs ₹1-2 lakh less to buy, ₹10,000-15,000 less per year to run, and retains 8-10% more value at resale. The i20 is the better car in terms of features, space, and premium feel. If you're budget-conscious or plan to resell within 3-5 years, buy the Swift. If features and comfort matter more than cost savings, the i20 offers significantly more car.
How much cheaper is a used Swift compared to a used i20?
For the same year and comparable variants, a used Swift typically costs ₹1.5-3.0 lakh less than a used i20. For example, a 2021 Swift ZXi sells for ₹5.2-5.6 lakh while a 2021 i20 Asta costs ₹7.8-8.5 lakh. The gap widens for top variants since the i20 Asta(O) with turbo or DCT commands a significant premium.
Is the i20 worth the extra money over the Swift?
If you value features, yes. The i20 Asta gives you a sunroof, Bose audio, ventilated seats, wireless charging, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen — features the Swift doesn't offer at any price. However, you'll pay 15-20% more in annual running costs and lose more at resale. The i20 makes most sense if you plan to keep it 5+ years, where the per-year cost of the extra features is minimal.
Which has lower maintenance costs — Swift or i20?
The Swift is cheaper to maintain by ₹10,000-15,000 per year. Annual servicing costs ₹5,000-7,000 for the Swift vs ₹8,000-12,000 for the i20. Maruti spare parts are also 10-20% cheaper. Additionally, Maruti has 4,000+ service centers compared to Hyundai's ~1,500, so finding affordable service is easier — especially in smaller towns.
Should I buy a used i20 turbo or a used Swift?
These are very different cars. The i20 Turbo (120hp) is significantly faster and more engaging to drive, but costs ₹8.5-11.0 lakh used — nearly double a comparable Swift. Turbo maintenance is also 20-30% higher, and pre-2022 DCT variants have reliability concerns. Buy the i20 Turbo if driving fun is a priority and budget isn't a constraint. The Swift is the rational choice for most buyers.