Hyundai i20 vs Maruthi Suzuki Swift, can challenger threaten the King

There is always tough competition on the premium hatchback segment in India.Swift is the king of this segment for almost 7 years now.No other car was able to win the hearts of Indians like the swift.The swift as a certain DNA in it which drives everyone crazy.Hyundai i20 is the number two in the segment.Both of the cars have been recently upgraded to keep up with modernity.The i20 is Hyundai's best selling car in Europe and it is a serious treat for Suzuki Swift.

Exterior and Styling

The new swift came with some upgrades overall.The over size of the car has increased after the face lift.The length has increased by 40cm the width by 5cm and the wheelbase by 20cm which helped in carving out more room on the rear.On the new swift there is nothing new on the exterior.The new grill and headlamps have an U shaped theme which makes swift more modern.The lens type round fog lamps adds a bit of wildness to swift.On the sides you get new pinwheel shaped alloys and turning signals are integrated to the rear view mirrors as on other cars and nothing more than that.On the rear swift gets a new U shaped tail lamps and a new U shaped Bumper.The tailgate is placed a bit high so you have to lift your luggage to the boot.Overall Suzuki Engineers have not altered the swift DNA too much which still looks fresh.

The i20 gets a fluidic treatment which is Hyundai's latest design language.The eagle headlamps and triangular fog lamps looks nice but the other details don't blend too well with the design and i20 is a sort of a mix bag.on the sides you can see the sharp character lines,integrated turning signals an a new set of alloy wheels which is a clever touch.On the rear i20 gets a new spoilers and tail lamps.The i20 is fluidic design is impressive but not complete.There are some bland bits here and there.But when you look at it as a whole it is sporty to look at and more modern than the swift.

 

Interiors and Features

The interiors of the swift has a major upgrade.The dashboard and central console is also U shaped as the exterior.The plastic used is of high quality and feels nice to touch.he buttons are placed for easy access and are premium indeed.On the top of central console you get a display which acts as CD player and reversing camera.Now you get automatic climate control on the swift so you just need to give the suitable temperature and the car will do the rest.The are some handy storage areas near the gearbox and on the doors.The audio controls and blue tooth call switches are now integrated to the steering which so taking calls while driving is easier than ever.

The swift also comes with some good features as well.You get automatic climate control,steering mounted controls, blue tooth, CD player with USB connectivity, reversing camera, power windows,powered adjustable and folding rear view mirrors  powered door locks and new sporty alloy wheels on the ZXI/ZDi variant.It also comes with safety features like ABS ,EBD, dual airbags, seatbelt petitioner and impact beams which provides good safety for a premium hatch.The middle end VXI/VDi variant come with only manual AC,power windows and an ordinary CD player.The ABS is optional.You can also have an automatic transmission on the VXI variant.The base model has no special features.

But still one problem remains the rear space which is still tight.If a six footer is driving you get a squeezed and cooped up feeling at the rear the legroom and under thigh support is not sufficient.

The i20 has a much more futuristic interiors a spacious cabin and a long list of equipments.Everything on the dash looks generations above other cars.The dash design is just fantastic.

The long list of equipments includes automatic climate control,auto wipers,auto headlamps,blue tooth,CD player with USB,steering mounted controls,auto heated and powered rear view mirrors,power windows,power door locks,tilt/telescopic steering,6 way adjustable driver seat, digital display and many more.There are many variants to choose from a wide range of pricing.

The i20 offers more space than an entry level sedan.The front seats are  wide and comfy.The rear is too spacious with good under thigh support legroom and headroom.You fell like you are in an executive saloon.

The safety is 10/10 with six airbags including side and curtain,ABS ,EBD, BA, seatbelt petitioner and more.So i20 is clearly the winner in in interiors and features dept.The i20 surely justifies its sedan rivaling prices with its interiors luxurious cabin and features.

 

Performance

The swift has a new 1.2l K series petrol engine and the tweaked 1.3l multi-jet diesel engine.The petrol is the more sprity to drive which produces maximum power of 86 HP and torque of 112LB.It reaches 100km in just 14s.Only Honda brio is more faster than the swift.The new swift has sheded 10 kg on the petrol and 30 kg on the diesel which aids the performance.The petrol is agile to drive it delivers enough power to drive you crazy at any rpm at an gear.Step on the gas and the swift blasts through the road like a sports car and puts plenty of adrenaline.The engine is just so enthusiastic and responsive, it is an incredible experience at the 6000rpm.

The diesel has a little slower motor as it ticks 100km in 14.5s and you have to swift gears down at uphill and corners.There is a tremendous lag bellow 2000rpm which can be disrupting in the city.But as the turbo clicks in you are back on the racetrack.

The i20 has a luxury oriented power train.The petrol motor is underpowered you wont feel the power on paper.The petrol motor is peppy in the city but feels out of breath at the highway.There is no sudden acceleration and it only picks up speed gradually.So it is not a the best motor.

The diesel produces 90 hp is quick and responsive.It performs well on both city and highways.There is not much lag as on the swift.it is easy to maneuver on the city and a good choice for lazy drivers.In highways to the diesel i20 is fast but you don't get that punch which is in the swift.

 

Ride and Handling

The swift has a well sorted suspension.The ride quality is good.It absorbs all the bumps and potholes at any speed but ride comfort increase further in higher speeds.

The feedback you get while cornering on the swift is speechless .It is truly a divine experience.The car has some sort of poisoned balance which tempts you to go even faster at the corners.The steering is precise and well weighted.In cornering he swift is absolutely perfect.

The i20 has a soft suspension which offers a decent ride at the city and low speed highway runs.But at higher speeds the suspension fails to do the job as you feel the road very much.

The handling is not impressive either.You can corner hard in i20 but it is not as agile as the swift.The soft sprung i20 bobs around at the corners.The EPS steering lacks feel and is too light at corners.

The i20 offers fuel economy of 18.2km/l on the petrol and 21.1km/l on the diesel which is decent.But the swift runs 18.6km with 1l of petrol and 22.4km with 1l of diesel.So swift is more efficient than the i20.

The swift petrol is priced between 4.5 and 6 lakhs and the diesel between 5.5 and 7 lakhs.

 source of image: ToughGuy

The i20 petrol range starts from 5.5 to 7 lakhs while the diesel range starts from 6.5 to 8 lakhs.

 

Verdict

But overall for regular person i20 is a better option.It is spacious for a family and a long list of features.i20 offers great value for every penny you pay.The exterior and interior design is generations above the new swift.The i20 is the more practical of the lot.

You will never get the adrenaline you get on the swift on anywhere else.If you want to drive hard then choose swift.