2024 Tata Altroz vs Maruti Swift Vs Maruti Baleno: Which is the best buy?

Maruti recently launched the new fourth-gen Swift in India and in its latest avatar, it is very close priced to the likes of Maruti Baleno and Tata Altroz which fall at a segment above. Even Altroz got a mild update along with the new Altroz Racer edition. 

In this article, we’ll compare the updated Altroz with the new Swift and Baleno and find out which is the best option to consider buying at least on paper. We have kept the Altroz Racer out of this comparison and only considered the standard Altroz variants.

2024 Altroz vs Swift Vs Baleno: Dimensions

Tata Altroz and Maruti Baleno are easily longer than Maruti Swift, since they are a segment above. As a result, they offer a better wheelbase and more interior space for the rear-seat passengers. Altroz offers the best boot space among the three at 345 litres and Swift offers the least at 265 litres.

2024 Altroz vs Swift Vs Baleno: Features

The Swift has received a significant overhaul in terms of features. In fact, almost the entire equipment offered in the new-gen Swift and Baleno are common. This includes features like leather wrapped steering wheel, auto climate control, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic headlights with follow me home function, electrically adjustable and auto-folding ORVMs, etc.

The difference is that the Swift gets a wireless charging pad which the Baleno misses out on and the Baleno gets a Head-up display which Swift misses out on. The only other difference is that top-spec Baleno rolls on 16-inch alloys whereas the top-spec Swift makes do with 15-inch units.

Moving on to the Tata Altroz, the hatchback gets projector headlamps, LED DRLs, and 16-inch alloy wheels. After the latest update, Altroz gets a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, iRA connected car tech, a 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a first-in-segment front ventilated seats, and air purifier. 

Other novelties on offer include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, and electric sunroof with voice activation. Safety-wise, the Altroz is rated five stars by GNCAP, making it the safest hatchback in India right now.

2024 Altroz vs Swift Vs Baleno: Powertrain specs

Maruti Swift gets a brand new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z-series petrol engine whereas the Baleno gets a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder K12 petrol mill. The latter offers better power and torque outputs but the new Z-series motor offers better fuel efficiency, at least on paper. 

Altroz aces this department, since there are three engine options— two petrol and one diesel.  Petrol options include a 1.2-litre engine naturally aspirated unit and a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit. Gearbox choices include a manual or a dual-clutch automatic. While Altroz and Swift offer CNG options, the new-gen Swift is yet to come with CNG.

2024 Altroz vs Swift Vs Baleno: Price

The new-gen Maruti Swift is more affordable than the Maruti Baleno in both entry-level and top-spec variants, but the price gap between the two hatchbacks is smaller than before. The base-spec Baleno is Rs 17,000 more expensive than the corresponding new-gen Swift whereas the premium hatch is Rs 39,000 dearer than the top-spec Swift.

On the other hand, the Altroz’s starting price is neck and neck with Baleno but goes up to Rs 10.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-end turbo petrol trim. Therefore, the price gap between the three hatchbacks, especially when you only consider the petrol versions, is negligible.