Hyundai i20 vs Maruti Swift vs Ford Figo vs Toyota Etios Liva vs Volkswagen Cross Polo
In the sulking car market of India, only few have the courage to withstand these downfalls. Kudos for the premium hatchback segment that has displayed quite an impressive run in this race! While Maruti Swift ruled this arena, Hyundai i20 cleverly followed the suite amid stiff competition from other hatchbacks like Ford Figo, Toyota Etios Liva, and Volkswagen Polo Cross.
Last year witnessed the ascent of India’s very own car maker Maruti which captured 41% share of this category with its oh-so successful Swift. Hyundai i20 is quite a popular name in this genre while the ever sporty Liva is also there to compete with these racers.
Volkswagen with Polo Cross has infused new energy in its own might and managed to make an impressive entry as such. With Ford Figo, this American automobile giant too made an impact by offering smart design and premium features.
To choose the best premium hatchback in India, we have five contenders in line, Hyundai i20 vs Maruti Swift vs Ford Figo vs Toyota Etios Liva vs Volkswagen Polo (cross).
Pricing:
All these car makers understand the price preferences of Indian buyers and thus have taken an aggressive route for pricing of their premium hatchbacks. While the Petrol version of Maruti Swift is in the price range of 4.48-5.72 lakhs, its diesel version comes in the range of 5.58-6.83 lakhs.
Hyundai i20 variants in petrol section are in price bracket of 4.76-7.79 lakhs and its diesel variants are available in the bracket of 6.02-7.57 lakhs.
In Ford Figo, its petrol variants are priced between 3.85 and 5.02 lakhs while diesel variants are between 4.82 and 6 lakhs.
Toyota Etios Liva is also aggressively priced in the range of 4.45 lakhs to 6.21 lakhs for petrol version. In case of Liva diesel, the prices are in range of 5.86-6.39 lakhs. Volkswagen Polo Cross has a single variant priced at 7.58 lakhs.
The competition is somewhat neck to neck here. Good for the consumers though!
Brand value:
Howsoever desperately every brand try, Maruti always has an edge over any other brand in terms of acceptability in Indian market. It is the most trusted of them all but is exposed to stupendous fame that Hyundai has garnered over the past few years with many successful launches in succession. Here, we cannot overlook the special slot crafted by big international brands like Volkswagen, Ford, and Toyota. They are comparatively lesser known biggies who are slowly but steadily making their presence felt.
Engine:
All the brands under assessment here, know how to give strength to their cars to make them sturdy and efficient. Here, Maruti has a reputation to reckon with. Its petrol variant is powered with 1.2 Litres K-series engine that emits 87 PS @6000 rpm with max torque of 114 Nm @4000 rpm and mileage, 18.6 kmpl. The diesel Swift is fitted with 1.3 Litre DDiS engine with max power of 75PS @ 4000rpm and torque of 190Nm @ 2000rpm giving mileage at 22.9 kmpl.
Hyundai is also known for its power packed engines that are refined with great power hauling. Its i20 petrol variant is outfitted with 1.2 Ltr Kappa and 1.4 Ltr Gamma engines emitting power of 84PS @ 6000rpm and 100Ps @ 5500rpm respectively while peak torque ranging to 113.7 Nm@ 4000rpm and 136.22Nm @4200rpm in these cars. Talking of its diesel variant, it has 1.4 Ltr CRDi engine producing peak power at 90Ps @ 4000rpm and torque of 220 Nm at 1500-2750rpm. While petrol i20 has an average of 18.5 kmpl, diesel version offers 21.9 kmpl.
Ford also offers choice of engine depending upon the variant in its Figo. In petrol variant, it has fitted 1.2 Ltr Duratec engine giving 71.35PS @ 6250rpm with high torque of 102Nm @ 4000rpm while the diesel 1.4 Ltr Durotorq engine produces 69PS @ 4000rpm with max torque of 160Nm @ 2000rpm. It has the fuel efficiency at 14.3 kmpl.
Toyota Etios Liva is decked with power injected 1.2 ltr engine in its Petrol variant to execute max 80PS @ 5600rpm with maximum torque of 104 Nm @ 3100rpm. The Diesel version comes with same 1.2 Ltr engine. However, it emits the power of 68PS @ 3800rpm and torque of 170Nm at 1800-2400rpm. With 5 speed manual transmission, its fuel economy stands at 17.7 kmpl in petrol and 23.6 kmpl in diesel.
Well, Volkswagen Polo Cross is a strong contender in this category with 1.2-litre TDI engine producing 75 PS @ 4200 rpm along with high torque of 180 Nm @ 2000 rpm and fuel economy is quite amazing at 22.07 kmpl.
Space:
Being B segment hatchbacks they all have a seating capacity of 5 persons as required to stay in this segment. However, the dimensions differ in each of them as:
- Maruti Swift measures at 3850x1695x1530 mm with ample boot space as well.
- Hyundai i20 has an overall dimension of 3995x1710x1505 mm with sufficient boot space inside.
- Ford Figo is sized at 3795x 1680x 1427mm with 284 litres of boot space.
- Toyota Etios Liva too is a well sized four wheeler with dimensions of 3775x 1695x 1510mm and a boot space of 251 litres.
- Volkswagen Polo Cross also stands tall with dimension of 3987* 1698* 1488 mm.
Here too, the competition among these cars is quite stiff as none of them bows in size.
Interiors:
In terms of interiors, these are the perfect show stoppers with elegance and class in their looks and high end features to surmise. Maruti Swift depicts the intricacies and class imbibed by company’s design section into it. With dark interiors and brand new console in centre, it will surely mesmerize you. It has electrical power windows, central locking with remote controlled access, power steering, stereo with USB and steering wheel mounted controls.
Hyundai displays a lot of creativity in the styling of its cars and in i20 also that detailing is reflected in control cluster having dual color lighting, 2 DIN audio system with USB, AUX-in, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment with mounted audio controls, electric sunroof, glove box cleaning, Smart paddle, auto headlamp control, and adjustable driving seat.
Ford Figo is added with great appeal by its exquisite interiors in coral Titanium finish with good wheel position, sudden deceleration warning, remote central locking, and decent instrument panel with ample rear space for comfort.
Spacious and simple are the interiors in Toyota Etios Liva. There is nothing so tempting about its styling which has rather few high points as compared to other cars. With tilt steering, nice headrest, digital trip meter, 2 DIN audio, and dark grey interiors, it leaves you craving for some more style.
Volkswagen Polo Cross has resurfaced from the dull style of Polo with swanky Titanium black upholstery made of Livon fabric which is delightful with chrome interior trim, sufficient storage space, Multifunction display, tilt with leather wrapped steering, 2-DIN music system with Bluetooth, SD card, 4 speakers and USB.
Exteriors:
When it comes to exteriors, we all eye for the pair of wheels that are handsome, lissome, and whiny at the same time. On these fronts as well, Swift emerges out invincible and unsurpassed with good quality components and styling. Its body colored bumpers and door handles; front and rear fog lamps, green tilted glass, and tubeless tyres are quite classy.
Hyundai i20 too is a leader in this category with sleek black grill, day time running fog lamps, chrome finish door handles, rear wiper, spoiler, keyless ignition, electric ORVMs, and 8 spoke alloy wheels.
Ford Figo also has superb exteriors enriched with lively design, flexible and body colored front and back bumpers, great aerodynamics, well placed head lamps and tail lights.
Toyota Etios Liva has inherent sharp looks with innovative design having white fog lamps, rain wipers, body colored bumpers and door handles, chrome finished upper grille and body colored ORVM.
Volkswagen Polo Cross is a new avatar of Polo with muscular looks, chrome touched front grille, 5-spoke alloy wheels, all black cladding, roof railings, black finish halogen lamps, wheel arches with molded covers, and anti whiplash.
Road Handling:
Efficient road handling is obviously expected in such premium and hot hatches. And they all deliver the same. Maruti Swift has a superb ground clearance of 170mm, ventilated disc brakes, MacPherson Strut, and Torsion beam suspension.
Hyundai comes with a wheel base of 2525mm; MacPherson Strut along with Torsion beam suspension, disc front brakes and drum rear brakes as well as ABS with EBD.
Ford Figo offers ground clearance of 168mm with ventilated and disc brakes; independent MacPherson Strut and semi independent Twist beam suspension.
In terms of road handling, Toyota Etios Liva shares many similarities with Swift like same ground clearance of 170mm, same suspension, and brakes with ABS and EBD.
Volkswagen Polo Cross has ground clearance of 168mm with front disc brakes, MacPherson Strut, and semi independent trailing arm suspension.
Verdict:
After so much of mind boggling research and analysis of all these premium hatchbacks, the final verdict shall go in favor of the car that has an upper hand on all parameters along with excellent after sales. Here, Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 seems to be the only final contenders with the best after sales offered by Maruti and equipment loaded sedan i20 presented by Hyundai.
However, as always, you have the final say while picking up your favorite hatch.
