Maruti Suzuki Baleno & Hyundai i20 Facelift

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 go head to head in a fascinating encounter. Which one comes up trumps?

The Baleno is the undisputed leader of the premium hatchback category and it is closely followed by the Hyundai i20. Which one is actually better?

Design

The Baleno and i20 are sized almost similarly and both look pretty attractive with the i20 sporting sharper angles and the Baleno flaunting a curvier look. The i20 looks hip, smart and modern while the Baleno is more dynamic with a lot more flair as well. The LED lighting patterns are both equally attractive for the Baleno and i20 while both cars get similar elements including 16-inch16 inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, projector headlights and a lot more.

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Interiors

The facelifted Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno are radically different, but with some common aspects as well. Top-end models get keyless entry along with start/stop buttons, automatic climate control, touch screen infotainment units and Android Auto along with Apple CarPlay, integrated navigation and Bluetooth connectivity as well. There are reverse parking sensors along with a reverse parking camera. There are 12-volt12 volt chargers along with USB ports too. The Baleno has a plusher cabin with the gloss black surrounds and silver accents for the console while the i20 gets a beige and dark grey combination. The i20 is slightly longer than the Baleno although both cars offer amp[le space inside. Both cars have similar boot space as well. If you talk of interior quality, the Hyundai i20 edges slightly ahead.

Engine & Transmission

The facelifted Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno both get diesel engine choices. Maruti also has its RS version with a turbo petrol mill. Both Hyundai and Maruti have naturally aspirated 1.2-litre1.2 litre petrol engines which are almost similar in terms of power figures (82 BHP and 83 BHP respectively). Torque figures stand at 115 Nm for each model at 4000 RPM. The Baleno has a punchier engine while the Hyundai engine is more refined and elegant. Drivability is high for both cars while mileage is slightly more for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno as well. The i20 is easier to drive overall. The Baleno has a lighter clutch and gear shifting to flaunt. It is more fun to drive although everyday traffic conditions may make the i20 more practical as an option and more comfortable albeit slightly.

Safety, ride and handling

The Baleno handles better with its steering feedback, lightweight and better balance of the chassis. The i20 is more practical and convenient with slightly enhanced comfort levels. Safety features are mostly evenly matched with ABS as standard and 6 airbags for the i20 on the top-end model and two airbags for all variants in the Baleno though. Both have ISOFIX at the rear as well.

Verdict

With both cars going head to head and ticking almost all boxes in this segment, it will indeed be a difficult choice. However, considering the fact that the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is slightly cheaper than the Hyundai i20, it could make more sense for several Indian buyers. However, the i20 continues to be the benchmark model in the premium hatchback segment and this is something that will keep its sales volumes chugging neatly for some time to come.

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Source – Carandbike