I have already given complete review of Indica Vista quadrajet. I have driven the car for more than 6000km. I would like to compare swift with vista so that one can identify the +ve and -ve of both the cars. I assure an unbiased review.
Build Quality:
Here this is a mere personal liking. Swift is better for people who complain for quality. The door handles and panels, plastics used are said to be inferior in vista but I don’t feel so. Although panel gaps are more in vista but I don’t find any problem out of it. So here it’s your personal liking. would rate equally to both the cars here.
Inside the Cabin:
Here one can find vista more appealing than swift. Vista has two tone coloring whereas swift is all dark. The vista is roomier too both in front and back and really feels like a big car on inside. But here one can find gaps and ill fitting plastics in vista which would come loose if not handled properly (on the doors)! But it is not a problem if used properly or not trying hard on it.
Silence and smoothness:
This is really a good attribute for both cars. I found swift is more silent than vista on outside although both have same engine. But in cabin both are super silent. Silent even at 100kmph. Silent than many cars like Lancer, WagonR and Ford ikon (fiesta engine). Whenever I travel in other cars I start to love vista more because not many cars are as silent as this one. Many times I get doubt whether is this really a diesel engine as I have been used to Ambassador and Indigo. Clearly miles ahead.
Regarding smoothness I would say this engine is butter smooth on both but I would vote for swift here because of good gearbox it has. But in Vista it is not bad altogether but it needs practice. Initially feels difficult but after some 4 days feels almost perfect and reassuring.
So, overall I would vote both equal points.
Performance:
This is where the real difference starts although both have same engine. The Swift is lighter at 1075 kg and vista is 1260kg. A weight difference of 185kg surely has to make difference and hence swift is the winner here and also in mileage too.
But take a look at the gearing ratios of both the cars:
Swift Vista
1st 3.545 3.909
2nd 1.904 2.238
3rd 1.280 1.444
4th 0.966 1.029
5th 0.757 0.767
rev 3.272 3.909
So one might have heard that vista has shorter gearing and hence feels stressed on highways in reviews but it is actually not so. Although vista has shorter gearing from 1-4 it is almost same for both in 5th gear. This is proved by the same top speed for both the cars (~160kmph). So on highways both the cars has to be the same in 5th gear. Where there is difference is in pickup and drivability. Diesel engines can’t be revved hard so cars which use their torque fully can attain this. So Swift with apt gearing ratio can outbeat vista with weight difference on its side. But vista with shorter gearing feels like a car with linear characteristics. The initial shorter gearing does its magic in town. In hilly terrain where one can maintain 3rd and 4th gear easily. Means Vista is better in City and ghats.
So here again there is a tug of war to select the best. Swift feels sporty, fun and economical whereas vista is easily drivable and logically well balanced (with respect to gearing). So it is upto whom the best car can be of the two. I have vista and feel I have made the right choice for my driving. What is your’s?
Service:
This is where there can be a real difference between the two. Maruti has good reputation in this and it lives upto it. Except few service centers most of Tata’s service centers are not upto the mark. But a good mechanic near you can offset this disadvantage. Here Swift is clearly better of the two overall. If you have good Tata service nearby then vista may also be considered.
Verdict:
Both the cars are equally very good. Each is better in its own way. Tata’s generally have problem but it would generally be minor issues (like EGR valve) which can easily be solved by mechanic with good knowledge. So swift is for people who don’t know the functioning of car (So for most people) and vista for those who have good knowledge in cars or living near good service centers.