Introduction

What we have here are three diesel-powered, nearly fully loaded, large hatchbacks. Hatchbacks that cost more than their respective compact sedan siblings but are still proving to be popular. Clearly then, if you are looking at a premium hatchback – like the three cars in question here – you are a sensible, discerning and informed buyer. So, let’s get straight to the point.

The Hyundai Elite i20 is the oldest of the lot if we were to go by launch dates. But, the i20 is a benchmark car in many ways; take styling, interior design, quality and especially the extensive list of bells and whistles, and it is no surprise that the Hyundai not only sells well, it tops the critics’ premium hatchback list as well. This one would be a tough one to dethrone for sure.

Then you have the Honda Jazz. The new Jazz isn’t just better priced, better positioned and better specced than the older car, it also has a potent (though noisy) diesel engine now. It comes into this test armed with practicality, efficiency and an easy-to-drive nature, which the competition will find hard to match.

Finally, there’s the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The newest car here, the Baleno not only brings back a famed name, it also manages to tick many of the expectation boxes. It’s a Maruti, so rightfully it’s also light, well priced, and is of good value. Now, only if it is anything like the Swift, it should also be good fun to drive; the pedestrian 75bhp power output notwithstanding. The Baleno also marks a huge step up for Maruti in terms of interior room. This one might have the Jazz running for cover in terms of good space utilisation.

It’s time then to dig deeper…

The feel good factor

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno might be the newest car here and one – like the Elite i20 and the Jazz – that’s been designed with European tastes in mind. But, it still is the most boring looking car in this test. It’s big, no doubt, but otherwise, there are no distinctive design lines, nothing that warrants a second look.

The Honda Jazz, in comparison, looks futuristic. The front, in particular, looks striking and its MPV-like silhouette gives it a unique presence on the road. Wish it didn’t look as dramatically under-tyred as it does. As for the Elite i20, it is now as common as a Big Bazaar at malls. But even so, it still draws glances and looks modern and desirable.

The cabins tell a similar story. The Hyundai is still the boss when it comes to luring in buyers based on the cabin design alone. The look and feel of the plastics, the fit and finish, the highlights, the dual tone theme and even functionality of various switches, buttons, dials, what you have is absolutely top notch for its class. The Hyundai isn’t short on space either. In fact, it offers more head room than the Baleno, and the most amount of shoulder room in this test. Now, we didn’t see that coming but the tape measure rarely lies. To boot, the seats, all around are comfy and supportive; these are best in class if you like.

The Jazz has big, comfy seats as well. Not as good as the i20’s but better than the Baleno’s for sure. The Honda Jazz is also the master of space utilisation. Take headroom, shoulder space or knee room, it might be less in sheer figures but relative to the Jazz’s exterior dimensions, it’s outstanding. It feels the airiest of the lot too. That’s not all; the Honda also has the most occupant-centric cabin with some really smart solutions for storage. And then compared to the Baleno, the Jazz not only scores higher for overall usable space, but it beats the Maruti on fronts like usability, practicality, seating comfort and of course, the look and feel of the interiors.

Not all is lost for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno though. It might not be the most visually pleasing or one with the most upmarket interior or the most comfortable, but it does have the longest features list. And that fits the Indian sentiment perfectly. No wonder the Baleno is selling so well. Yes, we know the Baleno is the only car here in top-end guise (Alpha) while the i20 (Asta) and the Jazz (V) aren’t, but then that’s the equation of price; something Maruti does wonderfully well.

So, the Baleno Alpha gets a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a colour display for gimmickry between its clocks, auto dimming interior mirror, projector head lamps with daytime running lights; all of which are missing on both the Elite i20 and the Jazz. But then the i20 gets auto retractable ORVMs and rear AC vents which are missing on the Jazz and the Baleno. And finally there’s keyless entry and start on the i20 and the Baleno but missing on the Jazz. The Honda then, without doubt, is the worst specced car here.

Torque is the key

The Hyundai looks promising when it comes to drivetrains as well. But, first let’s talk Maruti Baleno. This Nexa-only hatchback brings up the tail. It has the least powerful engine here – a 1248cc, Fiat designed unit that produces 74bhp of max power and 190Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual. This Fiat-designed engine doesn’t score well on refinement, and thanks to the pronounced turbo lag, many might find it a bit cumbersome to drive in the city.

According to the VBOX, the Baleno might only take 12.6 seconds to complete the 0-100kmph run thanks to its lighter weight, but when it comes to the crucial test of driveability – the 40-100kmph roll on in 4th gear – it takes a lazy 15 seconds. The Hyundai Elite i20 takes a near identical 12.7 seconds to hit 100kmph but only 13.7 seconds to complete the same 40-100kmph roll on test; just goes to show the difference in the pulling power of the two cars. The Jazz is the quickest off the line with a 0-100kmph time of just 11.9 seconds. But, when it comes to driveability, it’s slower than the Baleno even. The Honda takes 15.2 seconds to complete the 40-100kmph roll-ons.

In fact, the Honda Jazz’s drivetrain could do with a number of improvements. Displacing 1498cc, it is the biggest engine here. And at 100bhp of max power, the most powerful as well. But this, an all aluminium engine, is noisy and in terms of refinement, it again lags behind the Maruti. As is the case in the Honda City, the Jazz too gets a 6-speed manual for the diesel engine. But, it’s not the best gearbox there is, not even in its own segment. The shifts require effort and are notchy.

The Hyundai, as we mentioned earlier, might be the most promising. And it is. The 1396cc engine isn’t the most powerful but it makes the most amount of torque and from a lower rpm. It is also the smoothest, quietest, and the most tractable engine here. It makes 89bhp of max power and 220Nm of peak torque that comes in at 1500rpm. The i20 has the least amount of turbo lag and the gearshifts for the 6-speed manual the engine is mated to are light and precise (though not sporty exactly). Plus, the clutch is light and progressive, and when needed, the Elite i20 can clock the highest top speed in this bunch as well.

As far as fuel efficiency is concerned the Honda Jazz marginally comes out on top, followed by the Baleno and the i20. As all three of them are efficient and differences are marginal it is not a deal breaker.

Horses for courses

So, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno even with the smallest, least powerful engine isn’t exactly slow; at least not when it comes to flat-out acceleration from a standing start. Surprisingly, it would also be our pick for the most fun to drive car here. Yes, one has to keep it on the boil all the time and with the engine note turning coarse close to 4,000rpm, it’s not exactly scintillating. But, the driving position, the steering feel, and the way its nose responds to direction changes makes the Baleno the most connected car here. It feels the most agile and responsive around a series of bends, and has good braking to complement this dynamism.

If the Baleno is the most connected and driver-focused car here, the Honda Jazz is the easiest to drive. The steering might not be talkative but it is direct and predictable. It is also very light. And along with a light clutch, and easily the best visibility among the three cars here, the Jazz makes for an ideal city car. It handles well too. It’s not as sharp as the Baleno but it’s no sloth either. However, the narrow 175 section tyres let it down. Not just when it comes to corner grip but under braking too. The Jazz, as a result, registers the longest braking distances in this test.

Finally, the Hyundai Elite i20 and it must be said – it has the worst steering here. Dead and vague. It also has the worst brakes here when it comes to feel and progression. But remarkably – maybe thanks to the tyres or the late brake bite –it managed to record the shortest braking distances in our tests! What’s also a little strange is the Elite i20’s handling. Given how Hyundai has messed up the steering on the Elite, and its poor track record with the Verna in terms of handling, it’s amazing that the Koreans got the handling sorted here. The i20 doesn’t have the same exuberance of the Baleno around bends – plus there’s no connect with the steering…or the brakes – but it’s planted, grippy and pleasantly fluid. The i20 might not get you hot under the collar with its dynamic abilities but it won’t warrant a trouser change either.

The Elite i20 also rides well; it’s the best in this bunch, especially at slow speeds. Its ride quality doesn’t have the firmness of the Jazz or the skittishness of the Baleno, making it a comfortable car. But, yes, as you go faster, it does tend to wallow a bit. Between the Jazz and the Baleno meanwhile, we’d pick the latter; it’s just more settled.

Verdict

Honda Jazz

Price – Rs 8.63 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rank – 3rd

Final Score – 383

The Honda Jazz makes for a great city car for those looking at space, practicality and ease of driving. But, as a product, especially in this company and at this price, the Jazz needed to do more. More in terms of refinement, more in terms of features, and more in terms of desirability.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Price – Rs 8.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rank – 2nd

Final Score – 384

The Baleno is a strange amalgamation. It has the lightness, the driving ergonomics and the focus of a good driver’s car, but then it gets a small, anemic, and coarse engine. It has the longest features list here, but the interior design, quality, and finish drop it down a few notches. It is nice for those wanting a Maruti – efficient, affordable and familiar, but not good enough to make people jump ship.

Hyundai Elite i20

Price – Rs 8.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rank - 1st

Final Score – 389

The i20 can make people switch sides, easily. It can do it with its styling, with its interior design, the overall feeling of quality or even in the way the engine performs. Yes, it has an awful steering, and brakes that need an upgrade to make the Elite i20 more enthusiast friendly, but as a car to own, the i20 is right up there. It has the best seats, the best interiors, the best operability, the best NVH, the most tractable engine, and the list goes on. A worthy winner, then? You bet!

Pictures : Kapil Angane

Specification

Test Data

Score sheet

Parameters

Max points

Maruti Baleno DDiS Alpha

Honda Jazz i-Dtec VX

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