Times have moved on from the humble Maruti 800s or when we used to talk about our cars having 'power steering' and 'AC'. These days it's about technology and the battleground is ranging from compact SUVs to premium hatchbacks. Premium hatchbacks are selling more than cheaper hatchbacks because they have more style, features while appealing to the modern-day buyer who does not mind paying more to get a lot more!
Currently, it's about two new hatchbacks: the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Baleno. Both are the most feature-rich hatchbacks and cost a fair bit of money but also deliver a premium experience. The new Baleno has stormed into the space to challenge the current segment favorite, the i20 from Hyundai. With the current gen model, the i20 has grown and gets premium features, the same can be said with the new Baleno which also comes with some features not seen on cars costing a lot more! Hence, a simple comparison to see which one suits what type of car buyer is something we were interested to see.
Which one looks better?
This is a tough one as both look premium and also both are big in size. The i20 especially is the longest premium hatchback with a length of 3,995 mm while the Baleno comes in at 3,990 mm. The i20 is also slightly wider. Design wise, the i20 has a new premium look with sharply cut lines and it looks nice while the new Baleno also gets a new redesign in terms of its new face with striking new headlights along with even new rear styling. It really depends on what you like here but both get attention and are not subtle.
What about the interiors?
Here the new i20 gets an all-black theme with a new sportier look along with the wide air vent-like design which runs across the entire width of the dashboard. The i20 does feel premium with the Creta-like steering wheel, massive 10.25-inch touchscreen, and some of the controls. Maruti has taken the Baleno interior much higher as well in terms of design and quality. The mixture of the blue/black and silver bits improves the cabin ambiance. It also gets a bigger 9-inch touchscreen with a new infotainment system as well. Space is excellent in both with very good legroom- more so than compact SUVs. Both the i20 and Baleno feel wider and airy at the back. Boot space for both is adequate though.
What about features?
Maruti has caught up and maybe also giving stiff competition now with a massive increase in its features list. The top-end Baleno gets the earlier mentioned touchscreen with a new infotainment system. The icons and multi-tile-based menu system are slick and match the i20 with its bigger 102.5-inch touchscreen, but the i20 has a better touch response. Both get premium features now like cruise control, 6 airbags, auto climate control, and more. There are some differences though. The new Baleno gets a 360-degree camera and a HUD while the i20 gets an air purifier, sunroof, and wireless charging. The 360-degree camera is a neat feature and useful but the resolution could be better, however, the HUD is brilliant and customizable for use. The i20 gets a rearview camera but has a better display along with a better-sounding audio system.
What about driving?
The new Baleno gets a new 1.2l petrol with 90bhp while a 5-speed manual/AMT gearbox is now offered. The new engine is better than the old 1.2 and feels quick/fun and good enough for city/highway use. Surprise is the AMT because it is way better and that's why Maruti chose it for the Baleno. It is not as lazy or as slow as other AMTs and Maruti has really made it smoother. The manual is still the best pick for enthusiasts though. The i20 gives you more options with an 82bhp/88bhp manual/CVT combo while a more powerful 1.0l turbo petrol is also there with 120bhp and 172Nm. The turbo petrol gets an iMT clutchless manual while a DCT dual-clutch auto is also there. There is also a 1.5 diesel!
The 1.2l is decent in performance while the CVT version is highly recommended for being so smooth for daily use. The turbo petrol, of course, offers more performance and enthusiasts can look at that. Of course, Hyundai makes a more fun NLine but at a higher price. The new Baleno gets a new suspension and that's made the handling/ride much better. It feels stable, has better steering, and rides better too. The i20 is sportier though but also comes with an ideal city use/highway use combo of ride/handling. Both cars are easy to drive yet also feel confident at high speeds. The i20 with its DCT with the turbo or CVT with the 1.2l has the slicker gearbox but the AMT of the Baleno is much nicer than what you think. Mileage-wise, the Maruti with the AMT or even the manual gets you more in terms of FE.
Verdict?
While the starting price is similar for both the Baleno and i20, the i20 price has a huge range in terms of a massive variant line-up. The i20 starts from Rs 6.9 lakh and goes till Rs 11.5 lakh. The Baleno starts from Rs 6.3 lakh and goes till Rs 9.4 lakh. These two are amongst the best and most feature-packed cars at this price with more value over a similarly priced subcompact SUV with more space too. However, the Baleno is for those who value fuel efficiency and want an easy-to-drive premium hatchback for daily urban use. It has the features now and the looks which make it a great choice for a premium hatchback focused on ease of use. The i20 fits the bill of a premium hatchback slightly better though, with a larger engine choice and being more fun to drive with the CVT/DCT gearbox plus the option of turbo petrol. It is more expensive, yes, but the i20 fulfills what a premium hatchback should be about.
