Maruti Swift Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs CNG

The Maruti Swift is one of India’s best-selling hatchbacks. It is renowned for its attractive design, enjoyable driving experience, and fuel efficiency. Now powered by Suzuki’s new 1.2-litre Z-series petrol engine, the Swift is available with both manual and AMT and a factory-fitted CNG option.

The Swift is an excellent choice for individuals or small families seeking a stylish, reliable, and fuel-efficient hatchback. Its compact size makes it easy to drive and park in city conditions, and the CNG option is cost-effective for budget-conscious buyers. 

If rear seat comfort and five-person space are a priority, you may find the cabin a tight fit compared to larger Maruti offerings. Over the years, the Swift has evolved from a sporty hatchback to a practical family car, featuring modern amenities, a premium-looking cabin, and a smooth drive for daily use. 

However, while it excels as a compact family car, cabin quality and rear seat space are areas for improvement. In this article, we’ll look into Maruti Swift’s mileage and practicality to help you decide if it fits your needs.

Maruti Swift ARAI Mileage Figures

Official ARAI-certified mileage for Maruti Swift across all engine and transmission options is:

Engine & Transmission	ARAI Mileage (kmpl)
Petrol – Manual	24.8 kmpl
Petrol – Automatic	25.75 kmpl
CNG – Manual	32.85 km/kg

These figures highlight that the Swift offers excellent fuel efficiency across all variants, with the CNG option standing out as the most economical choice for daily running.

Maruti Swift Real-World Mileage vs ARAI Mileage

The fuel efficiency numbers are often displayed as ARAI-certified figures, which are tested under controlled laboratory conditions using a dynamometer. These tests follow a fixed driving cycle at moderate speeds, without real-world factors such as traffic, road inclines, idling at signals, or the use of air conditioning.

In day-to-day driving, fuel economy is usually lower than the ARAI claim. Real-world mileage depends on driving style, traffic, road conditions, load, and maintenance. That’s why buyers should view ARAI figures as a benchmark for comparison between cars, rather than an exact representation of what they’ll achieve on the road.

In real-world conditions, the Swift AMT delivered around 15 kmpl in the city and approximately 22 kmpl on the highway. A few aspects that affect the variance between ARAI and real mileage are:

• Driving Style: Real mileage depends heavily on driving style, gear shifts, braking habits, and speed.
• Short Test Cycle: Unlike real-world driving, the ARAI test lasts only about 10 km at moderate speeds.
• Traffic Flow: Urban stop-and-go traffic reduces mileage in comparison to wide-open highways.
• Load & Air-Conditioner Usage: Transporting additional passengers or using the AC at full capacity increases fuel usage.
• Road & Terrain: Elevation changes, poor roads, and varying conditions between highways and cities impact fuel consumption.
• Maintenance: As the car ages, its mileage decreases. Regular engine maintenance, a healthy air filter, and correct tire pressure all help maintain peak mileage.

While ARAI figures are a valuable benchmark for most customers, real-world mileage provides a more practical picture of what owners can expect from the Swift daily.

Maruti Swift Fuel Efficiency Comparison: Petrol vs CNG

Regarding fuel efficiency, the Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol and CNG variants cater to different customer segments. The petrol model strikes a balance between power and efficiency, benefiting customers who prioritise convenience and infrequent long drives. 

The CNG variant is designed for utmost cost savings with considerably lower running expenses for customers who travel higher daily distances. In practical application, the difference is more apparent in urban environments, where constant braking and idling can increase fuel use for the petrol variant. At the same time, the CNG still offers superior overall cost effectiveness.

Maruti Swift City Fuel Efficiency Comparison

Under city driving conditions, the Maruti Swift exhibits a notable discrepancy between the ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency and actual performance. Frequent braking, stop-and-go traffic, and prolonged idling at lights take their toll on efficiency. 

Air conditioning in thickly populated city environments and luggage-carrying further affect city mileage, particularly in the AMT model, where efficiency is greater than in a mission.

The main factors for the disparity are:

• Stop-and-Go Traffic and Idling at Signals: Constant halts in traffic and waiting at red lights consume fuel without covering distance, reducing overall efficiency.
• Frequent Acceleration and Braking: Quick throttle inputs and repeated braking waste more fuel than smooth, consistent driving.
• Heavy Use of Air-Conditioning: Running the AC at full capacity puts extra load on the engine, increasing fuel consumption in city conditions.
• Passenger and Luggage Load: Carrying more weight requires more power from the engine, which in turn reduces fuel economy.
• Short-Distance Commutes: The engine doesn’t get enough time to reach its optimal operating temperature for short trips, resulting in higher fuel usage.
• Fuel Characteristics: Petrol engines generally deliver smoother performance and better pickup, but their mileage is more sensitive to traffic conditions, frequent braking, and aggressive driving. 

In the city, petrol variants can lose efficiency quickly because they burn fuel even while idling. CNG burns cleaner and more economically but provides slightly lower power output than petrol. CNG variants typically exhibit better cost efficiency in urban conditions, even in stop-and-go traffic.

Maruti Swift Highway Fuel Efficiency Comparison

Swift performs closer to its ARAI-certified figures on highways but still falls short due to real-world conditions. Varying speeds, sudden overtakes, road inclines and crosswinds affect fuel efficiency. 

Maintaining steady speeds, lighter loads, and smoother driving can help you achieve figures closer to the claimed mileage. The factors for the difference in highway mileage are:

• Sudden Acceleration for Overtakes: Quick bursts of throttle to overtake vehicles consume more fuel than steady driving. Frequent overtaking can lower overall mileage.
• Road Elevation Changes and Gradients: Uphill stretches require more power, resulting in higher fuel consumption, while downhill stretches may not fully compensate for the extra fuel expended during climbing.
• Crosswinds or Varying Terrain: Strong winds or uneven road surfaces create additional resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and reducing efficiency.
• Vehicle Load and Tyre Pressure: Carrying more passengers or luggage increases vehicle weight. Similarly, under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, negatively affecting fuel economy.
• Use of Air-Conditioning on Long Drives: On highways, many drivers keep the AC running continuously, which adds load to the engine and slightly reduces mileage.
• Driving Style and Cruise Control Usage: Maintaining a steady speed with cruise control generally improves mileage, while frequent speed fluctuations caused by aggressive driving can reduce it.

Maruti Swift Fuel Cost Comparison: Petrol vs CNG

Understanding fuel costs is essential when deciding between the petrol and CNG variants of the Maruti Swift. 

The table below compares the fuel expenses of a petrol car versus a CNG car based on a monthly running distance of 1,500 km. It highlights the differences in fuel usage, both monthly and yearly, as well as long-term 5-year costs.

Aspects	Petrol	CNG
Monthly Running Distance	1500 km	1500 km
Monthly Fuel Use	Approx. 62.5 liters	Approx. 47 kg
Average Monthly Fuel Cost	₹6,250*	₹3281.25*
Average Yearly Fuel Cost	₹75,000*	₹39,375*
5-Year Fuel Cost	₹3,75,000*	₹1,96,875*

Note: An average petrol price of ₹100 per litre and a CNG price of ₹70 per kg is considered for fuel cost calculation. The CNG variant offers significantly lower running costs, although actual costs may vary depending on the region and fluctuations in fuel prices. 

This makes it exceptionally cost-effective for high-mileage users, resulting in significant long-term savings.

Maruti Swift Mileage vs Competitors

Comparing the Maruti Swift’s mileage with that of its closest competitors highlights its performance in terms of fuel efficiency. The table below lists the official petrol and CNG mileage figures (wherever applicable) across popular hatchbacks and compact cars.:

Model	Petrol Mileage (kmpl)	CNG Mileage (km/kg)
Maruti Swift	24.8 – 25.75 kmpl	32.85 km/kg
Maruti Wagnor R	24.35 – 25.19 kmpl	34.05 km/kg
Tata Punch	18.8 – 20.09 kmpl	26.99 km/kg
Hyundai i20	16 – 20 kmpl	N/A

Among the Maruti Swift and its competitors, CNG variants generally give better mileage and lower running costs than petrol variants. The Maruti Swift stands out by offering good petrol mileage and a competitive CNG option, allowing buyers to choose based on their usage. However, not all rivals, such as the Hyundai i20, offer a CNG variant. 

Summary

In short, the Maruti Swift is one of its segment’s most fuel-efficient hatchbacks, offering both petrol and CNG variants. With ARAI-certified mileage of up to 25.75 kmpl for petrol and 32.85 km/kg for CNG, it looks impressive on paper and delivers in real-world city and highway conditions. 

The CNG variant is the most cost-effective, with monthly, yearly, and five-year running costs significantly lower than those of the petrol variant. The CNG Swift means significant fuel savings over time for high-mileage users or daily commuters who travel long distances.

On the other hand, the petrol Swift is a good option for those who want smooth performance, better pickup, and the convenience of quick refuelling, especially in areas with limited CNG infrastructure. It also boasts decent mileage compared to its rivals, striking a balance between efficiency and drivability.

The choice between petrol and CNG ultimately comes down to your driving habits, fuel availability in the city and whether you want to minimise long-term costs or enjoy better performance. The Maruti Swift remains a stylish, practical, reliable hatchback for Indian families.

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