The Hyundai i20, Maruti Swift and Skoda Fabia engage in a three-way contest for the Hatchback crown – OverDrive (March ’09) presents the ultimate hatchback test….the three above mentioned cars are all prime contenders, being small cars that can ferry in comfort as many passengers as a sedan. The Hyundai i20 is the talk of the town, the Skoda Fabia is Overdrive’s car of the year while the Maruti Swift is the car that raised the hatchback ante in Indian context. It’s time to gauge their individual virtues and may the best hatchback win…
From close quarters, says OverDrive (March ’09), the i20 suffers from design overkill – the Mercedes SLR look-alike contoured bonnet with twin grilles, coupe styled raked windshield and curvy rear end may not appeal to those who prefer subtlety and understated style. With its long bonnet and unconventional ingredients, the i20 is more sports than regular hatch. The Maruti Swift has been around since 2004 but still passes muster on the looks front; its sporty, well-proportioned exterior and roofline are distinctive and the recent addition of stylish LED tail lamps has only upped the Swift appeal. The Skoda Fabia is wholly ogle-worthy. Evenly flowing lines underline the Skoda design philosophy and like the Octavia and Laura; the Fabia exudes elegance from all angles. Its rear meanwhile is clean and fuss free.
In face of the economic downturn, downsizing is the current mantra. But it does not have to mean cutting back on every luxury especially in the small car arena. The cars we have under scrutiny here are small on the outside but each of them scores big on the inside.
The i20 dashboard has curvy lines and its sophisticated centre console emanates an upmarket feel. The star of the i20 undoubtedly is its LCD display called the Electronic Multi-display Meter. It performs a multitude of tasks, including showing current audio track, dual trip meters, driving time and additional driver essential information. The i20’s other first in class features include rear AC cooling, 2 DIN CD + MP3 music system, electrically adjustable ORVM and electrically folding ORVM, USB audio input (along with the aux input) seat belt warning on all five seats, rake and reach adjustable steering, not to forget the refrigerated glove box. The downside in the i20 is unfortunately the colour combinations of the interiors and iffy plastics. Otherwise the fit and finish is good and the well contoured and supportive seats ensure stability and comfort.
The Swift’s age shows in its interiors. Simplicity seems the essence, with the dashboard’s straight lines and passé styling. The plain black upholstery and dash look dull and monotonous and the cheap plastics only add to the gloom. Talking features, the Swift with its automatic climate control, steering mounted audio controls and an integrated stereo in the dash, stakes a strong claim.
The Fabia’s grey and black cabin is clean and attractive with easy to use controls and high quality materials. The steering though not leather wrapped like the i20’s, feel solid and grippy. The seats done up in stylish two-colour scheme are very supportive and perfectly contoured. Also the driver’s seat is height adjustable, as in the i20. So to sum up, if the i20 interiors are attention grabbers, the Fabia’s are all about class and quality.
The Fabia leads the pack in terms of overall space, the i20 running a close second, while the Swift brings up the rear. The Fabia also claims the crown in terms of shoulder room and boot space.
If you have written off the Swift by now, think again. When it comes to handling, the Swift sets the mark. Thanks to its precise and responsive steering, the Swift feels agile and lively both in the city and on the highway. The front suspension, gearbox and engine mounting are attached to a suspension sub frame. This setup provides significantly higher rigidity, which translates to lower road noise, higher grip and stability. With the slightly stiff Macpherson struts and coil spring and the basic torsion beam and coil spring, ride is sacrificed in favour of handling.
The i20 falls short of being exciting or dynamic. The front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension deliver the stiff ride quality preferred by the Europeans. Unfortunately this does not work on Indian roads says Overdrive (March ’09) and the car is quick to lose its grip and composure on rough patches at speed.
The Fabia’s handling is softer than the Swift’s but overall it is composed, balanced and even offers some fun in the right conditions. It is not as sporty as the Swift or easy to maneuver like the i20 but the steering feels precise and responsive. The superbly balanced Macpherson suspension with lower triangular links and torsion stabilizer at the front is mounted on a three-part sub frame which decouples the bodywork from the chassis, reducing vibration and noise significantly. The compound link crank-axle suspension at the rear reduces weight and ensures unrivalled ride in class. The 300-litre boot too is unmatched…
The Swift, besides claiming the best handling crown also proves to be the performer leader here, with its 1.3-litre engine providing oodles of squirt, says OverDrive (March ’09). Dated the G-series engine may be, but it is still the smoothest and best of the lot, producing 88PS of peak power at a slightly high 6000rpm and peak torque of 113Nm at 4500rpm. It also tops the power-to-weight chart and churns out the maximum power of the three. The i20 uses the same four-cylinder Kappa engine of the i10. Producing 80PS of max power at 5200rpm and peak torque of 112Nm at 4000rpm, the Kappa engine however fails to inject the i20 performance with adrenaline inducing zip, the car’s weight being a downside. The Fabia’s four-cylinder engine is lowest on power count, producing a not so stirring 70PS at 5400rpm but its 108Nm churned out at 3000rpm ensures better drivability than its rivals. Although the Fabia power figures are lower, the good bottom end and ideal gearing compensate greatly in day to day use. The Fabia box uses short ratios initially and tall ratios later to ensure good drivability in the city and cruising at high speeds with fewer downshifts.
In straight line speed context, the Swift claims the honours, completing the 0-60kmph dash in 5.29 seconds and hitting the triple digit mark in 12.90 seconds. The i20 comes in a close second, taking 5.42 seconds to reach 60kmph from standstill and reaching 100kmph in 13.39 seconds. The Fabia manages to reach 60kmph in a leisurely 6.9 seconds and takes a long 17.7 seconds t hit the ton mark.
As ABS, driver and passenger airbags, integrated stereo and climate control are standard on three cars, fuel efficiency is a factor that will ultimately depend on individual driving styled and traffic situations, especially since these cars’ efficiency is so close. In the OverDrive test (March ’09), all three were almost neck to neck, the i20 taking the lead by returning an overall fuel efficiency of 14.97kmpl, followed by the Swift which returned 14.30kmpl ad the Fabia rear most, returning 14.17kmpl.
In conclusion, says OverDrive (March ’09) – the Fabia offers the most superior overall package. Its ride is best suited for Indian roads, the interiors exude an expensive feel and it offers great drivability. The Fabia is also the most expensive of the lot, the top of the line Ambiente costing Rs. 5, 99,426 ex-showroom Mumbai. The i20 is an ideal family car, with space, comfort and fancy gadgetry, the i20 Asta bearing a very competitive price tag of Rs. 5, 86,907 ex-showroom, Mumbai. The Swift with its stiff ride, lack of gizmos wide track and minimalistic looks is also the easiest on your wallet, the Swift Zxi bearing a price tag of Rs. 5, 37,916 ex-showroom, Mumbai. The uppers being its performance and the Maruti name which means excellent and economical maintenance and service.
Choose your pick…
