The premium hatchback segment is about to see a lot of action in the coming weeks. The VW Polo facelift is here, and the Fiat Punto Evo facelift and the next gen Hyundai i20 are also around the corner.
Here is a tech spec comparo of the VW Polo, Maruti Swift and the Hyundai i20, the three highest selling premium hatchbacks in the country. The Punto Evo would be added once it is launched next month.
VW Polo Facelift Diesel vs Maruti Swift Diesel vs Hyundai i20 Diesel
The VW Polo facelift gets a new 1.5-litre diesel engine which puts it right on top of the power chart along with the i20 (1.4-litre), at 90 PS (88.7 bhp). The Swift is powered by a 75 PS (73.9 bhp) 1.3-litre engine. The refreshed Polo delivers the highest torque in its class at 230 Nm while the Swift generates the least at 190 Nm. The i20 offers a twist force of 220 Nm.
The Polo and the Swift employ a 5-speed manual transmission while the i20 boasts of a 6-speed manual unit. In terms of efficiency (ARAI figures), the Swift tops the list at 22.9 km/l, the i20 follows at 21.9 km/l and the Polo facelift finishes last at 20.14 km/l.
The Polo facelift with a starting price of INR 6.27 lakhs is the most expensive premium hatchback while the Swift which starts at INR 5.45 is the most affordable car. The i20, is middling again, starting at INR 5.94 lakhs (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi).
VW Polo Facelift Petrol vs Maruti Swift Petrol vs Hyundai i20 Petrol
The Polo facelift retains the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and the 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI. The Swift and the i20 are powered by 1.2-litre four-cylinder units. Among the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre models, the Swift is the most powerful with an output of 87 PS (85.7 bhp) while the Polo finishes at the bottom with 75 PS (73.9 bhp) on tap. The i20 1.2-litre generates 84 PS (82.8 bhp).
In addition to the sub-4 metre-compliant motor, the i20 also comes with a bigger 100 PS (98.5 bhp) 1.4-litre petrol engine. The Polo GT TSI develops a class-leading 105 PS (103.5 bhp). The i20 1.4-litre comes mated only to a 4-speed AT and the Polo GT TSI comes mated only to a 7-speed DSG while the rest of the cars in the comparo are equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions.
The Polo GT TSI generates highest torque of 175 Nm, the i20 1.4-litre puts out 136 Nm while the i20 1.2-litre and the Swift deliver an identical 114 Nm. The normal Polo 1.2 offers the least torque at 110 Nm.
The Swift returns the highest ARAI certified fuel economy of 18.6 km/l, closely followed by the i20 1.2-litre at 18.5 km/l. The Polo and the i20 1.4-litre deliver 16.47 km/l and 15 km/l respectively.
Just like the diesel variants, the Polo has the highest starting price of INR 4.99 lakh while the Swift emerges as the least expensive car at INR 4.42 lakhs. The Hyundai i20 1.4-litre AT which is not eligible for the excise duty concession retails at INR 7.76 lakhs. The VW Polo GT TSI which is priced at INR 7.99 will be available only from September (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi).
