What a Budget-conscious buyer looks for in a car
Budget-conscious buyers prioritize affordability, low maintenance costs, and fuel efficiency in a car. They look for vehicles that offer basic yet essential features, including safety and convenience. The cost of ownership, including insurance and maintenance, along with a car’s resale value, play crucial roles in their decision-making process. Given these factors, the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Tiago emerge as some of the best budget cars in India.
Why Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Tiago are popular among Budget-conscious buyers
Maruti Suzuki Swift is sought after by budget-conscious buyers for its high fuel efficiency, low maintenance cost, and Maruti’s extensive service network. Its value-for-money pricing, combined with a reliable petrol engine and basic convenience features, makes it an appealing option. If you’re a first-time car buyer, you can check out our guide to the best Maruti Swift variants for you.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
Tata Tiago, on the other hand, is recognized for its sturdy build quality, reasonable pricing, and decent fuel efficiency. Its entry-level variant offers necessary safety and convenience features, which makes it a compelling choice for budget-oriented buyers. The improved after-sales service network of Tata adds to its attractiveness. We also have our guide to the most suitable Tata Tiago variants for first-time car buyers.

For this comparison, we are taking a look at the base variants of the Maruti Swift and Tata Tiago as affordable car options in the hatchback segment in India.
Base variants of Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Tiago
The variants under consideration are:
Product | Variant | Price |
Maruti Suzuki Swift | LXI | ₹5,99,450 |
Tata Tiago | XE | ₹5,53,900 |
Maruti Suzuki Swift LXI, with an attractive price and high fuel efficiency (22.38 kmpl), makes a good choice for budget-conscious buyers. It offers necessary safety features like ABS and airbags, and basic convenience features like power steering and manual windows.
The Tata Tiago XE, although slightly less fuel-efficient (19.01 kmpl), is cheaper than the Swift LXI. It provides basic safety and convenience features, comparable to the Swift LXI. Its price point and the brand’s reputation for robust build quality make it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Best variant among Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Tiago for Budget-conscious buyers
The Tata Tiago XE stands out as the best option for a budget-conscious buyer that fits the wallet. While both variants have similar safety and convenience features, the Tiago XE’s lower price point gives it an edge. Moreover, Tata’s improved service network and the Tiago’s reputation for solid build quality further enhance its value proposition. You can also read our comparison of the Tata Tiago with Hyundai Grand i10 NiOS for budget-conscious buyers.

Base variants comparison
Since we only have two variants, here’s a comparison of their P0 attributes:
Attribute | Maruti Suzuki Swift LXI | Tata Tiago XE |
ABS | Yes | Yes |
Airbags (number) | 2 | 2 |
City Mileage (kmpl) | 20 | 19.01 |
Engine – Fuel type | Petrol | Petrol |
Power Steering | Yes | Yes |
Engine – Transmission | Manual | Manual |
The Maruti Suzuki Swift LXI and Tata Tiago XE, with their compelling pricing, fuel efficiency, and essential safety features, make excellent choices for budget-conscious buyers. While the Swift LXI has higher fuel efficiency, the Tata Tiago XE’s lower price makes it an equally attractive option. Therefore, these variants make up the top two choices for budget-conscious buyers, providing a balance of affordability and practicality.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered