Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 are both 5-seater compact hatchbacks. Both belong to the B-segment. The Swift is a supermini hatchback made on the HEARTECT platform, and the i20 is more of a premium hatchback. The Maruti Swift was launched in 2005 and is currently in its fourth generation. The Hyundai i20 was launched in India in 2009 and has reached its third generation. Both these hatchbacks are available in petrol engines, and the Swift has an additional CNG option. The best mileage among these hatchbacks is 18-22 Km/l by the Swift petrol variant. The best the i20 can give is 16.5-18 km/lwithy its manual variant. However, the Swift CNG returns a much higher 26-35 Km/Kg on highways.
The Maruti Swift uses the 1.2L Z-series engine for its petrol and CNG variants. The 5-speed manual is common for these fuel options; the AMT is only paired with the petrol engine. The Hyundai i20 comes with a 1.2L Kappa petrol engine paired with either a 5-speed manual or an iVT, or Intelligent Variable Transmission. Each of these powertrains has a different mileage range. In this blog, we will compare the
Maruti Swift real-world mileage with the Hyundai i20 real-world mileage and see which powertrain will give the best fuel economy.
Table of Contents
Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20 Specs
Before we compare the hatchback fuel efficiency, we will first take a look at the engine specifications and other details about the Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20.
| Specification | Maruti Swift | Hyundai i20 |
| Engine | 1.2L Z-Series Petrol1.2L Z-Series Petrol+CNG | 1.2L Kappa Petrol |
| Displacement | 1197 cc | 1197 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 81.58PSCNG: 69.75PS | Manual: 83 PSiVT: 88 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 111.7 NmCNG: 101.8 Nm | 114.7 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual5-Speed AMT | 5-Speed manualIntelligent variable transmission (iVT) |
| Drive layout | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 920-925 KgCNG: 990 Kg | 987-1210 Kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 37 litresCNG: 55 litres | 37 litres |
The Swift and i20 both have the same engine capacity but have different configurations. The i20 is a petrol-only model, while the Swift has petrol and CNG options. The 1.2L Z-Series of the Swift is a 3-cylinder engine, while the 1.2L Kappa petrol of i20 is a more refined 4-cylinder engine. The i20 engine is more powerful, and the torque is slightly higher than the Swift. Both the hatchbacks have a 5-speed manual, but their automatic gearboxes are different. The Swift comes with an AGS gearbox while the i20 has an iVT.
Their petrol fuel tanks have the same capacity. Swift and i20 enjoy a front-wheel drive layout. The only significant difference between these cars is that the Hyundai i20 is heavier than the Swift, heavier even than its CNG variant.
Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20: ARAI Mileage Figures
The ARAI mileage is the figure you get under standardised lab conditions. This is the official mileage of all vehicles in India, issued by the Automotive Research Association of India. The vehicles will do a test run for a stipulated time and without real-world variables. It will give you a rough idea about the possible mileage for each car. The ARAI mileage of Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 is given in the table below.
| Engine and Transmission | Fuel Type | Maruti Swift – ARAI Mileage | Hyundai i20 – ARAI Mileage |
| 1.2L Z-Series manual | Petrol | 24.80 Km/l | — |
| 1.2L Z-Series AMT | Petrol | 25.75 Km/l | — |
| 1.2L Z-Series | Petrol+CNG | 32.85 Km/Kg | — |
| 1.2L Kappa manual | Petrol | — | 20.35 km/l |
| 1.2L Kappa iVT | Petrol | — | 19.65-20 km/l |
As you can see, the Swift CNG mileage is the highest at 32.85 km/kg, followed by the Swift petrol AMT mileage at 25.75 km/l. The Hyundai i20 delivers a maximum of 20.35 km/l with its manual variant. As mentioned, these are just figures that you can compare the real-world mileage with. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions, driving habits and the condition of the vehicle.
Also Read: Maruti Swift Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs CNG
Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20: Real-World Fuel Efficiency
Now, we will see the Maruti Swift real-world mileage and Hyundai i20 real-world mileage, as per the table here. Let’s check if they can match their ARAI claims.
| Maruti Swift (Petrol) | Hyundai i20 (Petrol) | Maruti Swift (CNG) | |
| City | MT: 12-19 Km/lAT: 16-18 km/l | MT: 10-13 km/lAT: 11-12.5 km/l | 21-24 Km/Kg |
| Highway | MT: 21-24 km/lAT: 16-22 Km/l | MT: 16.5-18 km/lAT: 16-17.5 km/l | 26-35 Km/Kg |
| Average | MT: 16.25 km/lAT: 18.5 Km/l | MT: 14.5 km/lAT: 14.25 km/l | 24 Km/Kg |
| Tank range | 600 -700 Km | 550-700 Km | 850 – 900 Km |
Just like the ARAI claims, in the real world too, the Swift CNG mileage is the highest amongst all variants of the Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20. The Swift CNG returns a mileage of 26-35 km/kg on highways, which is close to the ARAI figures. The Swift petrol mileage averages between 16-18.5 km/l. The city mileage of Swift ranges from 12-19 kmpl depending upon the variant and fuel type. But this mileage is nowhere near its ARAI mileage.
At the same time, the i20 petrol mileage is significantly lower than the ARAI figures. Its best mileage in the city is 10-13 km/l for the manual variants. But the i20 highway mileage has a maximum of 17.5-18 km/l, which is lower than the ARAI claims.
Their hatchback fuel efficiency comparison reveals that the Maruti Swift has a better real-world fuel efficiency than the Hyundai i20. The Swift CNG is precisely what has the best fuel economy among these two.
Also Read: Hyundai i20 Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Turbo Petrol
Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20: Fuel Cost Comparison
Now that we know that the Maruti Swift has the best fuel efficiency, we must understand the expected fuel expenses to have a general idea about the running cost. Here we will compare the monthly, yearly and 5-year fuel cost for Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20. If they travel a distance of 1500 km per month, and the petrol price is Rs. 110 and the cost of CNG is Rs. 90, let’s calculate the expected fuel expenses.
| Swift Petrol | i20 Petrol | Swift CNG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 85L | 105L | 64 Kg |
| Avg. Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 9350 | ₹ 11,550 | ₹ 5440 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.12 lakhs | ₹ 1.38 lakhs | ₹ 65,280 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹5.61 lakhs | ₹ 6.93 lakhs | ₹3.26 lakhs |
Even for the fuel expenses, the Maruti Swift is better than the Hyundai i20. The Swift CNG will cost you less than 5.5k per month, so the yearly expenses will be just under 66k. The Swift petrol variants will have monthly fuel expenses of under 10k, and on a yearly basis, you will have to pay around Rs. 1.12 lakh. The i20 petrol is the most expensive in terms of fuel cost. It will cost around 11.5k per month, so over a period of 5 years, you need close to 7 lakhs in fuel expenses. The Swift CNG is the most economical, and the Swift petrol variants are the best for other fuel types.
Also Read: How to Increase Maruti Suzuki Swift Mileage
Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20 Price
If you are wondering how much the initial cost for the Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 is, here is their ex-showroom price range.
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Maruti Swift | LXi to ZXi | ₹ 5.79 lakhs to ₹ 8.84 lakhs |
| Hyundai i20 | Era, Magna, Sportz, Sportz (O), Asta, Asta (O) | ₹ 5.99 lakhs to ₹ 11.21 lakhs |
The Maruti Swift needs less initial amount than the Hyundai i20. It will also cost you less on fuel expenses, so it can be the best option if you are on a budget.
Summary
Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 are both popular hatchbacks known for their peppy engine and higher mileage. As per the ARAI claims, the Swift has a better mileage than the i20. Their real-world mileage proves this theory. However, only the Swift CNG mileage matches its ARAI claims, while the Swift petrol and i20 petrol variants have a lower real-world mileage than the ARAI claims. The best they can deliver are 24 km/kg for the Swift CNG, 18.5 km/l for the Swift petrol, and 18 km/l for the i20 petrol variants. Their manual transmissions perform better than their automatic versions.
The fuel expenses for the Swift CNG are the lowest, followed by the Swift petrol variants. The Hyundai i20 petrol variants have the highest fuel expenses. If you are more concerned about using less fuel and want to save more on fuel expenses, the Swift CNG is the best option. The Swift petrol is the cheaper of the petrol variants and you can save around 20k annually with the Swift petrol against the i20 petrol. If you want a more premium hatchback with a comfortable cabin, then the Hyundai i20 is the best.
Related Reads:
Maruti Swift vs Maruti Baleno Real World Mileage Comparison
Maruti Baleno vs Hyundai i20 Real World Mileage Comparison
FAQs About Maruti Swift vs Hyundai i20 Mileage
Q. Which gives better real-world mileage in city traffic, the Swift or i20?
The Maruti Swift is more fuel-efficient than the Hyundai i20 in real-world driving. It can increase your city and highway mileage.
Q. Does the i20 deliver good mileage on highway journeys?
Yes, the Hyundai i20 can give consistent mileage in the range of 16-18 km/l on highways. But its efficiency depends on steady speed and the powertrain. The manual variants deliver better mileage than the iVT transmission for the i20.
Q. How does the Swift AMT compare with the i20 automatic in fuel economy?
If you compare the Swift AMT with the i20 iVT transmission, the Swift wins with a city mileage of 16-18 km/l for its AMT. The i20 iVT delivers only 11-12.5 km/l in the city. On highways, the Swift returns a competent 16-22 km/l; the i20 iVT delivers only around 16-17.5 km/l.
Q. Which one is more economical for a daily office commute, Swift or i20?
For daily office commutes, the Maruti Swift is the better choice. They are less expensive in the beginning and more fuel-efficient. This means that you do not need to pay a hefty amount for fuel. If you mostly drive in the city, the Swift CNG will be the best option for you. It has much lower fuel expenses when compared to the petrol variant and the i20.
Q. Is the 20 i or Swift better for high fuel efficiency on long highway trips?
If you are worried about fuel efficiency, then Maruti Swift is the best car for long highway rides. The Z-series 1.2L engine is tuned for better fuel economy and less highway drag. It’s lighter than the i20 and that helps the fuel economy. If you want a more stable car with premium features, then go for the i20.
