Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno pitches the two largest selling premium hatchback against each other in this detailed specification based comparison. We compare these two cars on the basis of prices, features, mileage and other important parameters.
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20 are currently two of the largest selling premium hatchbacks in our country. Both of these cars promise to offer comfortable driving experience, a feature loaded cabin, refined and fuel-efficient engines along with a dependable after sales service. The i20 brand has been with us for quite some time and is currently running in its second generation iteration. While the Baleno, in its hatchback form, is a comparatively new entrant. So, which one out of these two should be your pick if you are looking to buy a comfortable, feature loaded and fuel-efficient hatchback? Which one of out these two is the maximum bang for your buck? We tell you in this detailed specification based comparison report.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Design Comparison
The exterior profile of the Hyundai Elite i20 remains identical to the model it replaces. The front and the rear profile of the vehicle incorporate the majority of the changes. Up-front, the i20 now comes with a slightly restyled bumper which accommodates the new fog-lamps. The headlights remain the same, featuring projector lamps and LED daytime running lights. The side profile continues to feature the sharp shoulder crease and the i20 indigenous sporty appeal. At the rear, you now get a revised tail-lamps. They lit up in horizontal lines. That said, the previous model’s tail-lamps were slightly more appealing.
Also Read: 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift Vs Baleno- Comparison Report
The Maruti Baleno, in comparison, gets a curvaceous exterior profile. The front features swept-back headlamps and a large grille which has chrome surrounds. Towards the side, you see swelled shoulder lines as opposed to i20’s sharp creases. A similar design language exists on the rear-profile of the car as well. The Maruti Baleno gets projector headlamps and daytime running lights. It also features LED tail-lamps. Overall, the design of the 2018 Hyundai Elite i20 is sporty. On the other hand, Maruti Baleno’s design is slightly premium.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Interior Comparison
The cabin of the of the 2018 Hyundai i20 is identical to the pre-facelift version. It continues to feature a beige and black dual tone colour scheme. The quality of the plastics used is very good and the cabin feels quite premium. The touch and feel of the knobs and dials are to very up-market. The seats are broad and comfortable. The Elite i20 can seat three people with each at the back.
Also read: Maruti Baleno Facelift In Works: Launch Likely By First Quarter of 2019
In comparison, Maruti Baleno’s cabin, on the other hand, gets an all-black colour theme along with silver accents for contrast. The dashboard layout is clean. That said, thanks to the radically styled air-vents, it looks a bit funky. The i20’s dashboard and simple and elegant. Baleno’s cabin used good quality plastics. The seats are quite comfortable. The rear bench can swallow three people with ease. The i20, however, comes with a rear seat arm-rest which is missing from the Baleno.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Engine Specification Comparison
The 2018 Hyundai i20 is available in both petrol and diesel guises. With this facelift, Hyundai ditched the 1.4-litre petrol motor. The petrol derivative of the Hyundai Elite i20 gets a 1.2-litre Kappa VTVT engine. This motor produces 81.86 BHP of power along with 114 NM of peak torque. The diesel derivative of this premium hatchback gets the U2 CRDi oil-burner. This engine produces 88.7 BHP along with 219.66 NM of peak torque. The petrol engine gets a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel motor, on the other hand, gets a 6-speed manual transmission.
Also Read: 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift Vs Tata Tiago- Price, Features, Mileage And Spec Comparison
The Maruti Baleno also comes with petrol and diesel guises. The petrol derivative of this premium hatchback gets the 1.2-litre K Series motor. This engine churns out 83.1 BHP along with 115 NM of peak torque. The diesel derivative of the Baleno gets a 1.3-litre DDiS motor. It churns out 74 BHP along with 190 NM of peak torque. Both the engines get a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. However, the petrol engine also features a CVT automatic unit.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Mileage Comparison
The petrol engine of the 2018 Hyundai Elite i20 promises a mileage of 18.6 km/l. The diesel engine, on the other hand, promises a mileage of 22.54 km/l.
Talking about the Maruti Baleno, its petrol engine promises a mileage of 21.4 km/l. On the other hand, the diesel derivative promises a mileage of 23.84 km/l.
Also Read: 2018 Maruti Ertiga India Launch, Expected Price, Features, Specs And Other Details
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Dimension Comparison
The 2018 Hyundai Elite i20 measures 3985 mm in length, 1734 mm in width and 1505 mm in height. The hatchback’s wheelbase stands at 2570 mm. The boot space has a capacity of 295-litres.
The Maruti Baleno measures 3995 mm in length, 1745 mm in width and 1510 mm in height. The cars’ wheelbase stands at 2520 mm. Its boot space has a capacity of 339-litres.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Feature Comparison
In terms of features, both the cars score equally. They feature projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, Alloy wheels, LED tail-lamps, rear washer-wiper among the others. The cabin of both the cars offers fabric upholstery, a touchscreen infotainment system, Key-less entry along with push button stop-start. That said, Hyundai i20 gets a rear seat armrest which the Baleno does not.
Also Read: Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol Price, Mileage, Launch, Features And Engine Details
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Price Comparison
The 2018 Hyundai i20’s Base petrol variant costs INR 5.35 Lakh. The top of the line variant, however, retails at INR 7.91 Lakh. The base diesel variant of the i20 costs INR 6.73 Lakh while the top-end diesel costs INR 9.61 Lakh.
On the other hand, the base petrol variant of the Baleno costs INR 5.36 Lakh. The top-end petrol, however, costs INR 8.45 Lakh. The base diesel variant of the Baleno retails at INR 8.45 Lakh while the top of the line diesel goes for 8.50 Lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Vs Maruti Baleno: Comparison Verdict
Both the Hyundai i20 and the Baleno are parallel to each other. One offers premium looks while the other is slightly on the sporty side. The i20’s cabin is slightly more premium than the Baleno in terms of touch and fell. On the other hand, the Baleno offers better mileage figures. In the end, it really is, pick one or the other between the two. That said, Baleno currently has a significantly longer waiting period than the i20, which could be a major deciding factor when buying either one of these cars.
