New Hyundai i20 vs Maruti Baleno vs Tata Altroz vs Others - Comparison

The competition among the premium hatchbacks in India will become stiffer than ever, courtesy of the imminent launch of the third-gen Hyundai i20. While the launch of the new Hyundai i20 2020 is just around the corner, we wonder how efficient is the new Hyundai i20 compared with its rivals like Maruti Baleno (Glanza), Tata Altroz, Volkswagen Polo and Honda Jazz. Luckily, details of the engines and transmissions of the 2020 Hyundai i20 have been revealed ahead of its launch so no more wait, let’s jump into the new Hyundai i20 vs Rivals mileage comparison now.

First thing first, let’s start with what's offered under the bonnet of the new-gen Hyundai i20, which has been the talk of the town these days. The all-new Hyundai i20 will offer multiple powertrains including two petrol and one diesel engine options in its heart. Specifically, the new i20 is coming with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that comes mated to a 5-speed MT/ CVT, a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT along with a 1.5-litre diesel motor that can be had with a 6-speed MT unit. Here’s how efficient are the new i20’s engines when compared to its rivals.

Petrol Engines

When it comes to the 1.2-litre petrol engine, the 2020 Hyundai i20 doesn’t get the most powerful petrol engine option of the lot. However, the least performance will come alongside the high fuel efficiency and the same just go for the new i20. It’s 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired with a manual gearbox is claimed to return up to 21 kmpl, which is close to that of the Maruti Baleno (Glanza) 1.2-litre MT model.

This 1.2-litre petrol-manual configuration, however, is the most efficient in the new Hyundai i20’s model range though, it is still the third most fuel-efficient choice in the competition. No wonder, Maruti Baleno is the most frugal premium hatchback of the class. The Baleno’s new 1.2-litre DualJet Smart Hybrid with a 5-speed MT can deliver a claimed mileage figure of 23.87 kmpl that completely towers over the Hyundai i20 and other competitors in the segment.

When we only take the automatic petrol models into account, it’s the clutchless alternatives of the 2020 Hyundai i20 that wins hands down. It is more efficient than the Baleno/ Glanza petrol-AT and all other cars regardless of the transmissions. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine of the 2020 Hyundai i20 is also a big talking point here as it is the most powerful engine option as far as all petrol engines are concerned. Also, it is the only one to get a 7-speed DCT unit and gets quite a good fuel economy rating of 20.28 kmpl.

The least fuel-efficient model here is the VW Polo’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol AT. This model gets an ARAI-rated fuel mileage figure of 16.47 kmpl only.

Diesel Engines

As far as the diesel-powered models are concerned, it now becomes the game between Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz only. Hyundai and Tata are the only companies to stick with a diesel-sipping premium hatchback car in India. Both models come with a 1.5-litre diesel burner coupled with a manual transmission merely. While the new Hyundai i20 diesel is the more powerful of the two and manages to churn out 10 PS more power and 40 Nm more torque, it is less frugal among the two. In contrast, the Tata Altroz gets less performance than the i20 model, but it acquires a higher claimed fuel mileage of 25.11 kmpl.

Overall, there’s no denying the fact that the 2020 Hyundai i20 creates a buzz of excitement with multiple powertrain options and exciting performance, it is not the most efficient in both petrol and diesel avatars. However, if you are looking for an automatic option, the i20 comes with the most frugal and most powerful one. The third-gen Hyundai i20 is set to be launched on November 5 and is likely to sit in the price range of around Rs 6 lakh – 10 lakh (estimated).