Honda Jazz Vs Hyundai i20 Vs Maruti Swift Vs Skoda Fabia

Overview

Honda Jazz Vs Hyundai i20 Vs Maruti Suzuki Swift Vs Skoda Fabia

So, there's a new Swift. But there's also the i20. Then there is the Jazz, which is no longer over priced. Finally, there's the Fabia. AUTO BILD INDIA picks the best of this clutch of petrol hatchbacks

It’s an ever changing world, especially the automotive world. Just take a look at all the new car launches that have happened over this past year and you’ll know what I’m on about. The most active part of this world, the auto world thatis, is the part that relates to hatchbacks.

And it’s entirely logical too, for hatchbacks are indeed the stepping stones that people use to become car owners. Consequently, a majority of manufacturers feel, and rightly so, that this is where the moolah is, leading to more and more new hatchbacks on our roads. The latest such entry is the new generation of the Maruti Suzuki Swift.

Now, the new Swift is not a case of a meagre cosmetic upgrade. Rather it’s a genuinely “all-new” car built on a next gen platform that is at once more compact but more spacious than the previous generation avatar of the Swift. A number of cons of the old car too have been rectified in this new car. But does all this make it the hatchback to buy?

That however is not an easily answered question. After all, the segment in which the Swift competes has some stalwarts who pose a serious threat to the Maruti’s success. To start with, there’s the feature laden Hyundai i20. Then there’s the oh-so-spacious Honda Jazz, and finally, there’s the capable Skoda Fabia that is also the winner of our previous comparison test.

Confused already? To clear away the mist and deliver the final word on which is the car that makes for the most sensible purchase proposition of this lot, we have therefore done the only thing we could think of. We got all of them together and let them fight it out for getting to the top of our Scorecard.

Exterior & Interior

Despite Honda having worked on the suspension, ride on the Jazz remains stiff

THE Jazz is the cleverest car here. The engine sits way forward under a short bonnet. That, combined with the second longest wheelbase here (the i20 has the longest), results in the most in-cabin space in this test. It also feels the roomiest, thanks to a huge glass area. Inside, the Honda's comfortable and supportive seats, which offer very good lower back support, can be folded away in a variety of configurations. As a result, this already spacious car also boasts the maximum flexibility of use. Adding to this practicality quotient of the Jazz are the numerous cubby holes, cup/bottle holders and stowage bins strewn around the cabin.

Earlier, apart from its unnaturally high price, one of the biggest drawbacks of the Jazz was its suspension setup that resulted in a bone jarring ride quality on any surface less than perfect. Honda has now softened things a bit but the Jazz continues to have the worst ride quality on this test. To the Honda’s credit, it’s a decent handler that displays good dynamic abilities as well as straight line stability. The steering too, though light and easy to use like the i20’s, returns decent feedback.

Soft suspension setup along with a steering that's vague at dead centre means the i20 can get scary in bends at speed

THE i20 has a pleasing shape that’s not too radical, yet contemporary. This is thanks to Hyundai’s designers having conceptualised the car with Europe (its primary international market) in mind. So, smooth flowing lines and rounded off edges are the hallmark of its styling. The same story is carried

on inside as well where the dash and instrument panel feature clean cut lines.

The car, in the range-topping Asta trim, is loaded; there is a trip computer on the centre of the dash, steering mounted controls for the audio system, which features aux-in, USB and iPod compatibility. For safety, there are a pair of airbags, ABS and EBD too. Inside, it’s not as spacious as the Jazz but there’s enough room for five adults. The boot is also quite deep and spacious. That the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split only adds to the car’s versatility. Seats too are comfy and supportive.

As you drive off bumps are absorbed quite comfortably at slow speeds, but as speeds rise things tend to get wallowy and there are prominent body roll around corners. The steering too, though light and easy to use in the city, is quite vague around dead centre.

Like the previous generation car, the Swift continues to be a grin inducing handler

Looks are deceptive and so it is with the Swift. After all, it does not look much different from the previous model apart from the lights and tailgate. But make no mistake, this really is an all new car.

On the outside, the Swift is now more compact but that doesn't mean it offers less space. In fact, the reverse is true, courtesy a longer than before wheelbase. This results in improved kneeroom at the rear. Carved in front seat backs also help things on that front considerably.

Inside, the Swift story has improved vastly. Not only does the all new dashboard look a lot more modern and contemporary now, quality of materials used is at par with the competition now. There's more kit to be had too, in the form of an electronic climate control and a new age audio system with USB compatibility. The Swift also gets a smart new set of instruments and, along with it, a comprehensive trip computer. There's also a new steering wheel with controls for the audio system; thelatter now feel more positive than before. As do all other buttons, rotary knobs, switches and stalks.

The Fabia offers the best ride and handling package in this lot

SKODA’S Fabia, is not only the defending champion here, having won our previous comparison test, it also has a lot going for it. While it’s not as spacious as the others here, the Fabia doesn’t feel cramped even with five adults on board. It has a big boot too with a low loading lip that makes it easy to fill it up. It’s got the best dynamic abilities among these four cars, even now and despite the improvements on the Swift. Complimenting its composed handling, be it in a straight line or around bends, is the best steering. Not to mention the best ride quality as well. The Fabia also scores high on operability and scores highest on feel of quality. Unfortunately, while these are great aspects in a car they are no longer enough to let this Skoda hang on to its crown.

Engine & Gearbox

Honda Jazz 1.2 i-VTEC is efficient and smooth

Like the other Japanese engine here, Honda’s 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine is super smooth and rev happy. However it does sound a bit coarse when revved hard. Nonetheless, it helps the Jazz post the second best 0-100kmph time of 13.2s, the highest top speed of 162kmph while being the second most efficient car after the Swift. Driveability too is par for the course. The 5-speed manual ‘box meanwhile is a joy to use; it’s short throw, slick in operation and precise.

Hyundai i20 The 1.2 Kappa 2 engine is the quickest accelerating of the lot but not the most efficient

Under the bonnet of the i20 is the 1.2 Kappa 2 petrol engine that also powers the i10. A free revving unit, it has an astonishing capacity to support spirited driving. So it’s a small wonder the i20 posts the quickest 0-100kmph acceleration time of 12.9s here. On the downside it isn’t as efficient as either the Jazz or the Swift, returning 13.1kmpl. Also, the 5-speed manual transmission the engine is mated to feels vague and notchy. The reverse gear especially, takes some time getting used to thanks to a hidden safety button at the top of the shift lever.

Maruti Suzuki Swift K-series 1.2-litre petrol engine is a smooth, free revving and efficient unit

It Power for the new Swift continues to come from Maruti's 1.2-litre K-series engine with variable valve timing (VVT). The engine is super smooth and efficient, the most efficient of this lot in fact. At the same time it's rev happy enough to let the boy racer in you have fun should you want to indulge in heroics. The gearbox too is slick shifting and precise.

Maruti has reworked the suspension so that the ride is more pliant than before. Nonetheless it's stiff enough to zip around tight bends. The only let down perhaps is the steering that feels lacklustre at high speeds.

Skoda Fabia Fabia is the only one to get a 3-cylinder motor in this lot

Despite a well balanced chassis, its 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine fails to excite. Not only is it the slowest accelerating with the least top speed, it’s also the least fuel efficient, returning just 12.9kmpl. To its credit however it’s good on driveability. The 5-speed manual transmission too is the best here; it’s short throw, slick and precise.

Dimension

Honda Jazz (mm)
	The boot is large and the low loading lip of the boot reduces effort while loading.
Hyundai i20 (mm)
	Boot is deep and rear seats fold in 60:40 ratio
Maruti Suzuki Swift (mm)
	Boot has become smaller while the loading lip has risen.
Skoda Fabia (mm)
	The boot in the Fabia is pretty spacious and the seats are foldable too.

Scorecard & Verdict

Three Maruti Suzuki Swift - While it has the least cabin or boot space to offer, the Swift offers good equipment, a great enginegearbox combo and the best efficiency and fun factor, thus winning this test.

Two Hyundai i20- For less than Rs 7 lakh, on road, the i20 in its Asta form offers an enormous gamut of equipment and the best warranty. Along with decent space, be it in the cabin or the boot.

Rank 1 Honda Jazz- Even after the inevitable price cut, the Jazz continues to be an expensive proposition. But it does offer unmatched space and versatility. Not to mention the Honda badge.

Three Skoda Fabia - A winner of our past shootouts, the Skoda Fabia, sadly, finishes last here. Not only is it the second most expensive to buy, it also offers too little by way of features to retain its crown.

Scorecard

Body: When it comes to space, there is only one leader, the Honda Jazz. Additionally, it also benefits from flexi seat folding options. The Jazz also offers best all round visibility, courtesy a huge glass area. The Skoda though is the best if quality is your concern.

Drive: Under this head, the Swift just pulls away from the competition. It has a great gearbox, very good engine characteristics, great acceleration and driveability and top speed that is at par with its rivals. What it does have over all the others is way better fuel economy.

Comfort: While ride quality on the Fabia is by far the best, it also handles better than the Jazz and the i20. Equipmentwise there's no match for the Hyundai but the Fabia hits back again with the best operability, winning the Comfort round.

Dynamics: With its combination of best steering response, great directional stability and grip, the Fabia wins the Dynamics section. The Swift follows closely with equally good directional stability and manoeuvrability and better braking.

Cost: All the four contenders are pretty closely priced. The i20 nudges ahead with better warranty but then the Swift steals the show with its much better resale, ending up on top spot here.

Verdict

The best ride quality, steering response, feel of quality and operability were once the reasons why Skoda's Fabia was such a powerful purchase proposition. Unfortunately, in an ever changing market status quo is no longer guaranteed. As a result the Fabia loses out to all the other cars here, and fi nishes last. If it's space you want the Honda Jazz is leagues ahead of anything else here. If it's features you want, along with decent space, then the Hyundai i20 is a package that's hard to beat. But on the question of which is the best overall buy in this petrol hatchback shootout? There is no better buying proposition than the Maruti Suzuki Swift 1.2 ZXI as of right now.