Hyundai has launched the 2020 i20 in India at an introductory starting price of Rs 6.80 lakh. It rivals the likes of the Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Tata Altroz, Volkswagen Polo and therefore the Honda Jazz. While we’ve already compared the i20 with the Baleno, let’s pit it against the Tata Altroz today and determine which of those two hatchbacks better suits your requirements.
| Hyundai i20 | Tata Altroz | |
| Length | 3995mm | 3990mm |
| Width | 1775mm | 1755mm |
| Height | 1505mm | 1523mm |
| Wheelbase | 2580mm | 2501mm |
The i20 is longer and wider than the Altroz. It also features a longer wheelbase. In terms of height, the Altroz is taller.
Now let’s mention engines. Both the hatchbacks are offered with both petrol and diesel options. While the i20 is out there with two petrol engines to settle on from, the Altroz is obtainable with one petrol engine.
Petrol Variant:
Hyundai’s 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is that the most powerful engine here. It also makes the foremost torque.
Where the i20 is obtainable with three automatic drive options, the Altroz is out there with a manual transmission only.
The i20 gets a CVT automatic with the 1.2-litre petrol engine where the 1.0-litre turbo is out there with choice of a 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Hyundai isn’t offering an option of a manual transmission with the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
The 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines have very similar power and torque numbers. While the i20 edges past the Altroz in terms of torque, the Altroz has an whip hand in terms of power output. That said, the i20 with CVT transmission makes 5PS quite its manual counterpart making it the second most powerful offering here.
Tata is additionally expected to introduce a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine on the Altroz soon. it’s expected to supply around 110PS of power.
The Altroz is that the only car here to supply multiple driving modes.
Diesel Variant:
Both the hatchbacks are powered by a 1.5-litre diesel .
The Hyundai i20, however, is that the most powerful and also makes the very best torque.
While the i20 comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Altroz gets a 5-speed manual gearbox. Neither offers the choice of a diesel-automatic.
The Altroz is that the only car here to supply multiple driving modes.
Price Comparison:
| Hyundai i20 | Tata Altroz |
| XE Rs 5.44 lakh | |
| XE Rhytm Rs 5.70 lakh | |
| XM Rs 6.30 lakh | |
| 1.2L Magna Rs 6.80 lakh | XM+ Rs 6.60 lakh |
| XM Style Rs 6.64 lakh | |
| XM Rhytm Rs 6.69 lakh | |
| XM Rhytm+Style Rs 6.94 lakh | |
| XT Rs 6.99 lakh | |
| XT Luxe Rs 7.38 lakh | |
| 1.2L Sportz Rs 7.60 lakh/ Rs 7.75 lakh (DT) | XZ Rs 7.59 lakh |
| XZ(O) Rs 7.75 lakh | |
| XZ Urban Rs 7.89 lakh | |
| 1.2L Asta Rs 8.70 lakh/ Rs 8.85 lakh (DT) | |
| 1.0L Sports Turbo iMT Rs 8.80 lakh | |
| 1.2L Asta (O) Rs 9.20 lakh/ Rs 9.35 lakh (DT) | |
| 1.0L Asta Turbo iMT Rs 9.90 lakh | |
| Diesel | Diesel |
| XE Rs 6.99 lakh | |
| XE Rhytm Rs 7.27 lakh | |
| XM Rs 7.50 lakh | |
| XM Style Rs 7.84 lakh | |
| XM Rhytm 7.89 lakh | |
| XM Rhytm+Style Rs 8.14 lakh | |
| Magna Rs 8.20 lakh | XT Rs 8.19 lakh |
| XT Luxe Rs 8.58 lakh | |
| Sportz 9.0 lakh/ Rs 9.15 lakh (DT) | XZ Rs 8.79 lakh |
| XZ(O) Rs 8.95 lakh | |
| XZ Urban Rs 9.09 lakh | |
| Asta (O) Rs 10.60 lakh/ 10.75 lakh (DT) |
Verdict:
The Altroz XM is our pick here. The i20 does get additional features over the Altroz in sort of the front armrest, telescopic steering and rear AC vents but the premium it attracts for these features isn’t justified in our opinion.