Battle of hatches
Curious to know which hatch to go in for in the diesel segment? We've made things simpler for you by comparing the top two contenders in B+ hatchback segment — Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20. Here's what we feel.
Exteriors
Swift has an aggressive look, thanks to its front fascia features — large headlamps, a prominent front grille and fog lamps. The side profile has body-coloured door handles and flared wheel arches, while the rear, with its short overhang, caters to new tail lamp clusters, a sportier tail gate and a large bumper.
i20, on the other hand, follows Hyundai's Fluidic Design Philosophy, which caters to a classic yet trendy look altogether. It looks elegant with a pointed nose catering to stretched-back headlamps, a plastic front grille and clear fog lamp clusters. Its sides are highlighted by a sharp line rising from the front, going all the way to its rear. The tailgate features stylish tail lamp clusters, and reflectors within the bumper.
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Interiors
Both the cars have swish interiors. While Swift boasts of a chic centre console as its highlight, i20 has a more luxurious look. Also, it comes loaded with features like a start/stop button, panoramic sunroof (optional), and bluetooth connectivity.
Ride and handling
As for the on-road experience, there's not much of a difference in both the hatches — the ride is smooth even on bumpy roads, the gear-shifts are jerk-free, and the handling is strong. Also, the cars are economical when it comes to fuel consumption. However, the engine noise and a bit of vibration are the areas where both machines need some enhancements.
Specifications
Maruti Swift (ZDI)
Engine Displacement (CC)- 1248 CC
No. Of Cylinders- 4
Power- 75 PS
Torque- 190 Nm
Transmission- 5 + Reverse
Price (Ex-showroom delhi)- ₹ 6,87,769
Hyundai i20 (Asta D)
Engine Displacement (CC)- 1396cc
No. Of Cylinders- 4
Power- 90 PS
Torque- 220 Nm
Transmission- 6 + Reverse
Price (Ex-showroom delhi)- ₹ 7,64,049
Verdict
Swift, being a Maruti product, has a brand image like no other, and has better resale value. It also requires low maintenance and gave us a good average of around 20kmpl.
Hyundai i20, on the other hand, may not have as good a resale value, but is equally low-maintenance. We got an average of around 18kmpl from this hatch that's high on comfort and comes with luxurious features, the kind you would otherwise find in high-end cars.
