Compare Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto

The Indian automotive market is overflowing with small cars. Almost every auto manufacturer is coming up with a small car model to make the most of the massive demand for small cars in the country. But so much choice leads to confusion. To help you get over the confusion here is a comparison of three premium hatchback models: Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto.

Compare Maruti Swift, Hyundai Swift and Fiat Punto Engine

The Hyundai i20 feels like a very comfortable hatch from the inside. The first impression of the car is good and so are its technical specifications. It is available with a 1.2L, 1197cc, Kappa petrol engine, a CRDi (diesel) variant and a 1.4 liter petrol engine (with automatic transmission option). The 1197cc Kappa petrol produces 80PS of maximum power with the maximum torque of 110Nm, while the 1.4L petrol produces 100PS maximum power at 5500rpm with a maximum torque of 139 Nm at 4200 rpm. As for the diesel variants, its CRDi diesel engine generates 90PS of maximum power at 4000rpm with the maximum torque of 224Nm at 1750rpm. All of these engines perform well on Indian roads and the overall drive and handling of the car is good. But the drawback here is the mere 11–15kmpl mileage from petrol version while diesel version offers 13 to 16.5kmpl. Hyundai i20 is not good enough for those with mileage as a priority.

The closest competition to Hyundai i20 is Maruti Swift with its Common Rail Direct Injection Technology. The Swift's DDiS engine is delivers power, refinement, response and fuel efficiency. Maruti Swift is available with two engine variants: the 85PS, 1.2-liter four-cylinder, K-series petrol engine, the 75PS and the 1.3-liter DDiS diesel engine. Both engines are available with five speed manual transmission gearbox. Both petrol and diesel engines got huge popularity in the Indian auto market because of its excellent fuel efficiency. The diesel version of Maruti Swift offers mileage around 15 to 19kmpl mileage while the petrol version offers mileage 12.5 to 17kmpl mileage. The overall performance of Swift has impressed the customers especially its eager and responsive engine.

But something matching the performance of i20 and Swift is here now. The comparatively recent entrant in the category, the all new Fiat Punto comes in both petrol and diesel engine options. The base variants of Punto come with a 1.2-liter, 1172cc, FIRE petrol engine that produce a maximum power of 68PS at 6000rpm and 96Nm maximum torque at 2500rpm. The remain variants comes with a powerful 1.4-liter, 1368cc petrol engine that generates 90PS of maximum power of power at 6000rpm and 115Nm torque at 4500rpm. The diesel variant of Fiat Punto has a 1.3L, 1248cc, Multijet Turbo engine with new VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) technology and generates a maximum power of 76PS power at 4000rpm and 197Nm torque at 1750rpm. Fiat Punto is amazing to drive and it just glides on the road provided the roads are not too bumpy!

Compare Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto Features

Each car has its own distinct features to help it perform better. As for the spacious Hyundai i20, it has been inspired by Hyundai's premium hatch i30, which is already available in Europe and Korea. The low slung grille, large headlamps and sporty round fog lamps dominate the front of the car.Hyundai i20's tailgate is upright leaving more room for luggage. The interiors are also pretty good and the car is more spacious than Hyundai's other model Getz. The interiors have front and rear door full size arm rest, rear parcel tray and seat back pocket in magna and magna option pack. The front power windows and air conditioner with heater is available in all variants. While the rear wiper, rear power windows and defoggers are present only in the magna variant. Features like Anti-lock Braking system (ABS), seat belts with pre-tensioner, dual air-bags for the driver and the front passenger, auto-unlocking doors that automatically unlock on sensing an impact and a high-mounted rear stop lamp add to the safety quotient of the car.

As for Maruti Swift, the styling and excellent build have wooed the customers no end. The car has rounded looks but space is a problem. The best part on the car is however its compact dimensions due to which the car can be maneuvered into congested parking spaces. The headlamps are peeled back and the tight front grille combined with stylized tail lamps makes the car very attractive.

Fiat Punto has a slightly Italian edge to its design. The exteriors come with an aggressive looking front grille. The compact body flaunting a muscular frame accompanied with perfect arches gives Fiat Punto an overall solid and masculine look. The interiors are attractive with the dual tone dashboard as the highlight. The leather finished steering wheel and gear knob, height adjustable driver’s seat, comfortable position of pedals, power windows and steering wheel with Blue and Me audio controls make up for the interiors of the car.

Compare Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto Price

Pricing is a key area especially for the Indian market. Hyundai i20 lacks behind in this area because the price of the basic variant of i20 is almost Rs 5.30 lakh plus on road, which is very high for this segment. Hyundai i20 comes at Rs 4.8 – 7.75 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). While the models of Maruti Swift can be yours for Rs 4 - 5 lakh and Fiat Punto come for Rs 4.20 - 6.30 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Models Available

Hyundai i20

i20 Magna 1.2
i20 Asta 1.2
i20 Asta (O) 1.2
i20 1.4 Asta (AT)
i20 Asta (O) 1.4 CRDi (Diesel)
i20 1.4 Asta AT (O) with Sunroof
i20 Asta 1.4 CRDi (Diesel)
i20 Magna 1.4 CRDi (Diesel)

Maruti Swift

Maruti Swift Lxi
Maruti Swift Vxi
Maruti Swift Vxi with ABS
Maruti Swift Zxi
Maruti Swift Diesel Ldi
Maruti Swift Diesel Vdi
Maruti Swift Diesel Vdi with ABS

Fiat Punto
Fiat Punto Active
Fiat Punto 1.4 Dynamic
Fiat Punto 1.4 Emotion
Fiat Punto 1.4 Emotion Pack
Fiat Punto 1.3 Active (Diesel)
Fiat Punto 1.3 Dynamic (Diesel)
Fiat Punto 1.3 Emotion (Diesel)
Fiat Punto 1.3 Emotion Pack (Diesel)

Concluding Note :

While Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto are premium hatchbacks Maruti Swift falls in a slightly lower segment. The consumer sentiment is that Hyundai i20 has space and power but the Swift and Punto's price and mileage are better. With Punto the space and power are not the issues and the after sales services are becoming better by the day. As for Swift, brand Maruti suits the consumers very well only the space and handling of Fiat Punto and Hyundai i20 are little better.