Compared: Hyundai i20 vs Tata Altroz vs Maruti Baleno – Clash of the Premiums

The premium hatchback segment gets a refresh with the addition of the all-new Hyundai i20. See how it fares in the spec-comparison with Tata Altroz and Maruti Baleno.

The awaited Hyundai i20 is here. Launched at the starting price of Rs 6.79 lakh, the 3rd generation Hyundai hatch commands bold looks and offers variety in engine choices. On the other hand, the Maruti Baleno has been churning new sales records and maintains the best-seller tag in the premium hatchback segment. However, is irked by the Tata Altroz, which has established some awe-inspiring benchmarks in terms of looks, equipment and safety.

So the question is can the all-new Hyundai i20 topple the two, in their respective fortes. Let’s find out in the Hyundai i20 vs Tata Altroz vs Maruti Baleno comparo, and figure out which one’s best for you.

[widget id=”custom_html-19″]

Price

Out of the three, the Baleno ditches the diesel engine offering. So comparing on the basis of petrol engines, the Altroz opens at Rs 5.44 lakh for the base 1.2 MT XE trim, while the base Baleno Sigma comes at Rs 5.71 lakh. The latest entrant Hyundai i20 with its Magna trim flaunts Rs 6.79 lakh. This is nearly Rs 1.4 lakh more when compared to the price of Altroz and nearly Rs 1.1 lakh above the price of Baleno’s opening trim.

The cheapest automatics in i20 and Baleno cost Rs 8.6 lakh (Sportz) and Rs 7.83 lakh (Delta) respectively. Among the trio, Hyundai i20 is the only car that offers iMT gearbox (Sportz Rs 8.8 lakh) and turbocharged petrol (Asta Rs 9.9 lakh). The expensive most trim in the lot is Asta (O) with DCT gearbox priced at 11.18 lakh, while the top-end Altroz (XZ) and Baleno (Alpha) that miss on DCT cost Rs 7.59 lakh and Rs 9.03 lakh correspondingly.

Moreover, under the diesel price comparison, Altroz starts with XE tagged at Rs 6.99 lakh and stretches up to Rs 8.79 lakh for XZ. Likewise, the i20 diesel Magna comes at Rs 8.2 lakh, Sportz cost Rs 9 lakh and Asta (O) is priced at Rs 10.6 lakh.

Keeping in mind the fact that the prices for Hyundai hatch are introductory, compared to the two i20 seems a costly affair.

(All prices are of ex-showroom, New Delhi)

RELATED: Comparison Maruti Baleno VS Maruti Swift 2018 VS Honda Jazz

Engine & Performance

If you choose to go with petrol driven variants for the Hyundai i20 the options are many. You get usual petrol as well as a powerful turbocharged engine borrowed from the Hyundai Venue SUV. Even the petrol-only Baleno line-up lets you pick among the two petrol engine choices. Both the hatchbacks also offer variety in terms of transmission pick. However, Altroz comes with a single petrol engine alternative coupled with manual gearbox and offers no automatic transmission selection (automatic to be added soon).

With Baleno out from the diesel powertrain list and more focus on the petrol-driven engine, the i20 and the Altroz too offer single diesel choice. Wherein, Tata hatch gets you 90PS with its 1.5L engine and 5-speed gearbox, while with the similar displacement engine the i20 reads better performance and better mileage, also gets 6-speed MT.

Exterior & Dimension

A hint of newness can be noted in the premium segment with the sporty and refined character of the 2020 Hyundai i20 against the Altroz and Baleno. The key differentiator comes as the latest design ideology of the Korean carmaker. The i20 gets new front grille adorned by the attractive LEDs. Moreover, the fluidic lines flowing across the bonnet and 16-inch diamond-cut alloys provide it a strong character, while the Z-shaped sharp tail lamps complete the sporty emergence.

Further, it’s not the Baleno that provides tough contest to the i20 rather it’s the Altroz. The fascinatingly designed Tata masterpiece gets astutely engineered frontage which comprises of grille that extends till the headlamps bestowing it a solid muscular appearance. More beefy stance is provided with the integration of projector headlamps that hold DRLs running below them, while the rear door handle positioned on the quarter panel makes rear door look clean as well as sporty.

Lastly, the Maruti Baleno lacks on sporty element but its simplistic design appeals to the large number of audience in the country making it the #1 hatch in its segment.

Interiors & Features

Space has been the USP in this segment and all three cars offer optimal room for all occupants. The latest 2020 Hyundai i20 gets updated dash with suave horizontal lines flowing seamlessly towards the air vents. The fabric material on the seats, plastic used on dashboard and instrument cluster looks plush and neatly done. The driver-side equipment list sees improvement and is clutter-free, while seats offer genuine comfort. Some of the highlighting elements comprise of Bose audio system, first-in-segment 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, electric sunroof, wireless charging, digital instrument cluster, air purifier and others.

Further, just like the outside, the Maruti Baleno continues its sober character inside too. The dash has a clean layout with all-black finish accentuated with silver highlights. The overall cabin misses on the upmarket feel but bestows ample room for all with premium comfort. The features that score high include tilt/telescopic steering, Smartplay studio touchscreen infotainment, 60:40 split rear seats, front centre armrest with storage, power windows, etc.

The Altroz is different compared to Baleno it gets genuine equipment and dons sporty styling inside its capacious cabin, thanks to its wide stance. The front and rear doors open wide at full 90 degrees for hassle-free entrance and egress (Alpha ARC platform). The dashboard is designed futuristically and offers newness in every bit right from the elegant leather-wrapped steering to placement of the centre console switches and AC vents. Extensive list of elements consist of 7-inch infotainment, 15-litre cooled glove box, rear AC vents, rain-sensing wipers, rear wiper and washer, height-adjustable driver seat and many more.

RECOMMENDED: Nissan Magnite vs Kia Sonet

Safety

The Altroz has a clear lead over the two with its 5-star safety rating from the Global NCAP. While ABS+EBD remain common in all three, the difference comes with airbags offering. Altroz and Baleno feature 2-2 airbags each, while i20 offers better protection with 6 airbags. Hyundai i20 comes with electronic stability control (ESC) with vehicle stability management (VSM), emergency stop signal (ESS), hill-assist control, tyre pressure monitoring, power door lock, and others.

Which one to pick?

The three are best looking and practical hatchbacks in and around the Rs 10 lakh segment. The selection depends more on taste, preference and budget. The all-new Hyundai i20 is bold and stylish of the lot, high on features, offers powertrain variations, which makes it the priciest among the trio. The Altroz has got everything just right in terms of equipment, looks and comfort, it only misses on the transmission choice, which is expected to be added soon. Moreover, Baleno feels a bit outdated (and begs for update) when compared against these upmarket (in every aspect) hatchbacks.

If you want a premium, no-frills hatch go with the masses and pick the Baleno. If your priorities are of a complete package and desire everything good and that too at a value for money price, it’s Altroz. And if sportiness, prominence and heavy equipment range top your list and you want wide choices in engines and transmissions, for which you don’t mind paying the extra buck, go for the all-new Hyundai i20.

ALSO READ: Comparsion – Hyundai Elite i20 Facelift vs Maruti Swift 2018