No longer a great choice

I've driven this car on and off for past three years. It was the most practical choice when it was launched and is still a sensible car to own and run if you have one.

Swift looked great when it was new but with cars with Eurpean styling (read: copy from bmw philosophy) on road, like the i20, it looks too dated.

On the performance side, the Fiat diesel engine churns tremendous power once you cross 1500 RPM - not that the car does not deliver before that - even at very low rpms, it can push itself really well from zero. However the problem is what happens to the car 'all of a sudden' at 1500ish - the transition is so unrefined that the new driver for a moment feels the car has a life of its own. The car, unfortunately, often gives a sense of lack of control. Even while stopping, the braking distance is not as predictable as it should be because the engine keeps delivering power (so it appears) even when your foot is off the accelerator.

It's a great highway machine and you can cruise at 150 kmph in it with respectable stability and good fuel economy. Also, such high speeds are quickly attainable with the powerful engine.  

From a driver's perspective, I don't like the visibility swifts offer when you are inside, you feel too enclosed and on turns there are blind corners near the beam. Not good..

The swift has crisp gears, light steering, small turn radius and great fuel economy but it's bulky, dated looking, and unrefinedly-powered. This is not the car to be purchased in 2009.