In the battle for premium hatch superiority, the Hyundai i20 and Skoda Fabia trade blows like no other. They are both not just bought for fuel economy or price but for the practicality they offer. Both are ‘made for Europe’ cars which dictate the level of build, quality and equipment they come with. But which one’s got the knockout punch? AutoCar (Feb. 09) finds out…

Inside Out
Externally the i20 is really one of the better looking Hyundai’s. It has a purposeful stance, no sacrifice to cab-forward practicality and stylistic cuts and detailing are just spot on. There’s a hint of Mercedes SLK in the aggressive headlights and nasal spine and its tight flanks and compact rear make it a hatch you can actually ogle at. The Fabia is not inconspicuous – it’s just less of an extrovert. The large chrome badge and radiator brooch lend it an air of sophistication and class and in true European fashion, the lines are understated and etched with the ravages of time in mind. Much of its design philosophy is shared with the Swift, which means you can confuse the two if all you get is a quick glance.

But pull open any of the Skoda’s doors and any Swift illusions are rapidly dispelled. Build quality is excellent – the Hyundai simply cannot match upto its grain, fit and finish of the plastic, the materials used on the steering or the basic rich ambience. However the i20 is pretty feature rich in comparison to its Czech rival. The Fabia has no steering-mounted controls, no iPod, USB connection, no electrically folding mirrors, two airbags to the i20’s six and no electronic climate control either.

The Fabia has some thoughtful conveniences though. Like the one-touch button on the key fob to lock all four windows at one go, or the clasp for toll tickets, or the clamp for a pen on the inside of the glovebox lid and the elastic strings on the door pockets for keeping maps and road books from flapping about.

At the rear, the Fabia has more legroom, boasts a higher hip point with better under-thigh support and it’s easier to step in and out of too…say AutoCar testers (Feb. ’09). The i20 has a one-size-fits-all cabin. Visibility out is better than the Skoda and a number of the features on the car are tuned so that short and tall drivers will both be comfortable.

Engine & Performance
The i20’s Kappa motor has an extremely silent idle. Smooth, responsive and on-the-ball-from-the-word-go, it’s so responsive initially that it feels like it is a much larger engine. The steering is very light and direct, making it perfect for urban lock-to-lock calisthenics – it is these factors together that make this an ideal car to drive in the city. The only irritant is the sloppy gearbox, which often baulks just when you want to execute a quick shift.
The Fabia’s box is light years ahead, so good in fact it’s genuinely fun to click through a few gears. The steering is slightly heavier though and not as nice to pedal through start-stop traffic.

But these cars won’t always be city-bound. Fancy many weekend trips out of town and it’s the Fabia that shines on the highways of India. It has better midrange torque for starters and walks all over the Hyundai when you compare ride quality, overall grip and handling. The i20 is more softly sprung than the Fabia and with taller tyres it rides marginally better at very low speeds. But up the pace a bit and the Fabia’s road manners move it into a different world. Under braking, both cars posted identical times and stopping distances.

Summing It Up
The i20 s a well rounded, very capable hatchback that’s well equipped ad spacious. It’ more practical, has a wider sales network and has easy maintenance. Throw in the superior fuel efficiency and the i20 is clearly lighter on the pocket than the Fabia. However, if you are looking for that all-important fel-good factor, it’s the Fabia that provides the better premium car experience. It feels more grown up, has the more solid build, feels richer and is clearly more plush and comfortable. To sum up, says AutoCar (Feb. ’09), the i20 feels like a grown-up econo hatch while the Fabia feels like a shrunken luxury car. That’s what makes all the difference.