The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been amongst us since 2005. By 2010, it had crossed 500,000-lifetime sales. The figure doubled in the next three years and tripled by the end of 2016. Till date, it has found over 2.3 million takers across the country. Simple math reveals that on an average Maruti Suzuki sold more than 153,333 units of the Swift per annum for the past 15 years. That is an astonishing figure by any means. Look at it this way – the Swift, all on its own, sells more than the total annual sales of almost all carmakers in India.

Last year was troubled one for the Indian automobile industry. Despite that, Swift managed to clock an annual sales figure of 160,700. Divide that by 366 (2020 was a leap year), and you get 439. That’s how many Swifts Maruti Suzuki sold every single day. As a result, Swift became the bestselling car in India last year. The company claims that over 53 per cent of Swift buyers were under the age of 35.

Unlike its direct competitors, the Swift is available only with a petrol engine. It is a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated unit that puts out a handy 82bhp/113Nm. As standard, it comes coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Those who want a two-pedal setup can opt for the 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). In India, the Maruti Suzuki Swift rivals the Ford Figo and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, both of which are also available with diesel-fed powerplants.

Later this year, expect Maruti Suzuki to introduce the mid-life update of the Swift. Besides flaunting refreshed styling outside, the super-successful hatchback will also get an enhanced list of creature comforts. Will it pack an updated infotainment system, and will it come with connected-car tech? Perhaps. Will it benefit from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system? Only time will tell. Which feature would you want to see in the Swift facelift?