‘Even if the Swift had no engine, people would buy it — and that’s because of its outrageous concept-car looks.’

‘The Getz scores highly on practicality: it is spacious, comfortable, has a good boot and many user-friendly touches.’

MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT
List price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 4.04-5.07 lakh
Top speed 174kph
0-60kph 5.22sec
0-100kph 12.29sec
Kpl 13.85 (overall)
For Styling, value for money
Against Small boot and rear seat

HYUNDAI GETZ
List price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 4.74-5.36 lakh
Top speed 144kph
0-60kph 5.61sec
0-100kph 14.47sec
Kpl 12.45(overall)
For Space and practicality
Against Interior quality

Pioneers always have it tough: people called Columbus mad, called Darwin a heretic, called Hyundai forgetful for leaving out the boot on the Getz. Hyundai has been pulling its hair out trying to get people to notice a car good enough to be our Car of the Year 2005 — and hasn't had that much success, primarily because it was the first of a kind, the Rs 5.0 lakh car without a boot.
Hyundai’s tried extolling the car's virtues: its neither-too-big-nor-too-small size, its space and practicality, its refinement and sophistication, but sales remained lukewarm. Then, along came Maruti with the jazzy little Swift, and got 21,000 bookings within a week. And then it hiked the price.
We've been impressed by the Swift as well, but is it worth 18,000 first-month bookings more than Hyundai's pride and joy? We find out.