
The main reason the Jimny is adept at handling the slope up is its rear-wheel-drive layout. Unlike the rest of Maruti’s model range, the Jimny (like the Gypsy before it) uses a ladder-frame chassis and a longitudinally mounted engine that sends power to the rear wheels. This is in accordance with its AllGrip Pro 4×4 system, which can then engage the front axle on command. However, a rear-wheel-drive layout is inherently better at tackling steep slopes as the weight of the car falls onto the rear wheels when the nose is pointed upwards, and power at the rear ‘pushes’ the car up the hill.
In a front-wheel drive car like the Swift, the car is trying to ‘pull’ its way up the hill using wheels that don’t have enough traction, hence momentum is required to get it going. While an AWD car like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris will help to an extent, what you want is a RWD car. Our recommendation at your budget is the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which is available at your budget in a decent mid-spec variant. Its combination of rear-wheel drive and strong petrol and diesel engines should make light work of that slope, with enough control to tackle the sharp turn at the end safely.

