Maruti Swift versus Hyundai I-20 –5 lacks segment cars

Hi friends,

You people might have heard a lot of hoo-haa going on in the motoring press about Hyundai I‑20 these days.

Recently, I had the opportunity to drive one for an extended session.

LOOKS (EXTERIOR): I 20 has good paint work. "I have tried too hard to copy Peugeot 307" headlights, the belt line is nice, side profile, especially rear window reverse angle C - pillar harks back to Swift, wraparound tai lights - again very Swiftish touch.

INTERIORS: Good. Plastic quality pretty good, some bits shiny, huge glove box.

SPACE: Found the seats to be a bit on the flat side. Rear under thigh support could be better.

PERFORMANCE: Weird. Hyundai claims 80 odd bhp. Car I drove was new but even allowing for the new ones of the engine, the engine's reluctance to freely rev beyond 4500 rpm was disappointing. Until 3500 rpm, I 20 pulls decently, but beyond that you can sense a strain on the power plant. It is not that I-20 does not want to rev, but that it os better that you do not. Compare that to the Swift's turbine smooth "revvability" till the 6600 rpm limiter and you'll understand what I mean.

HANDLING: Lousy. Simply lousy. I 20 rolls and wallows in a corner. There is way to much understeer so much so that at modest speeds, say as low as 60 kph in a tightening bend. The nose starts washing out. Compare this to the Swift's razor sharp turn in, flat cornering, resistance to understeer and "throttle adjustability" the swift simply pummels the Hyundai into submission.

FUEL EFFICIENCY: I 20 : 9.8 hard driving, tankful to tankful in Delhi traffic Swift VXI with 185/70 - R14's: 11.82 same route, tankful to tankful, same traffic conditions.

SUMMARY: I 20: spacious hatch if you want to pootle around town.

SWIFT: The vehicle to own if you love driving, love cars and want to put a smile on your face when you are driving down that long and winding road, where ever it is.

It is good despite after three years of launch, Swift still rules and Hyundai despite doing a calculated effort not even coming closer to the performance of Swift.

Truly Swift is a revolution.

The funny thing is that if you drive the I 20 - drive it for an extended session, if possible, and you will also feel it - the engine does not behave as if it has got 80 odd bhp on tap - as claimed by Hyundai.

Initially it feels peppy, but when you extend it over the rev range, then the limitations come up.

If f you guys have driven the old Hyundai Accent and remember how the engine used to run into an "imaginary wall" after 4500 rpm versus the then free revving Esteem engine, you will have a very good comparison.

In terms of safety stakes, I-20 has the Swift licked what with 6 airbags, etc, but then again the price is also whopping enough.

Moot point is: FRILLS and niceties go for the Hyundai

For driving pleasure and depth of engineering, I would recommend MARUTI SWIFT.