Honda Jazz vs Hyundai Elite i20 vs Maruti Baleno

2015 Honda Jazz has started its second innings in India as it was launched a couple of months ago. Needless to say, it is effective, tempting and more desirable than before. Furthermore, people would get to see in a diesel avatar as well with Honda’s trusted 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor at the helm. The company has given the Jazz all it could have to withstand the Hyundai Elite i20 which has epitomised the segment with its sharp looks, rich interior and supreme performance ever since its launch. Wait, it’s not the end of the story as there is another worthy challenger joining the party, albeit a bit later. And, it’s Maruti’s Baleno which will be launched in the next few days. Lets have a detailed comparison and see who is going to be the ruler of the premium hatch segment in India.

Exterior Design:

Hyundai Elite i20 changed the perception of people and norms of the segment with its launch in the country as it was unthinkable that a premium hatch can have such an exquisite styling. Adorning Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ design philosophy and with European designing cues coming into play, it has been the best looking car in the segment with its sharply pointed corners, broader foglamps, and bigger headlamps with chrome treatment.

No matter, it did wonders for Hyundai and is doing so even now as I type this. But, its fortress has been challenged by Honda Jazz which also looks promising and lethal than its previous iteration. Being based on Honda City’s platform, it would have several sporty elements in form of foglights, rear spoiler, chrome plated rear registration plate enclosure, rear wiper and washer to accentuate the overall exterior styling component. Talking about the Maruti Baleno, it was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Underpinning an all-new platform, it is curvaceous with a low and wide silhouette. Front grille with chrome inserts and LED headlamps give it an astonishing makeover. Hence, both the challengers – Honda Jazz and Maruti Baleno – look threatening and it would be a fierce battle among the three for supremacy and one shouldn’t be surpised if the fortress of Hyundai Elite is finally breached by any of them, or actually both! Fingers crossed, folks!

Interior Cabin:

What made Hyundai Elite i20 an instant winner – even before its launch – was the interior space due to an extended wheelbase. There was more than ample legroom even for the rear seat occupants. Also, the refurbished cabin with a new three-spoke steering wheel and dual-tone dashboard were instrumental in its success.The upholstery looked premium with an array of advanced and up-market features like double-DIN audio player, climate control, rear AC vents, touch-screen music system, push start-stop button, etc. to mention a few.

Coming to the Jazz’s interiors, they can be said to be at par with Elite i20. First things first, getting in and out of Jazz is like getting in and out of a room as the doors open 90 degrees. The interior cabin is shared with the City sedan as it also gets an all-black dashboard, beige seats, and three-spoke steering wheel from the sedan. Here comes the first-in-segment feature of the Jazz – it has a 6.2-inch touch-screen infotainment system with DVD/MP3/AUX/USB/Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Also, the touch-screen system doubles up as navigation system and reverse parking camera. However, Jazz misses out on rear A/C vents, push start-stop button, and smart entry system. Just so you know, Honda Jazz’s wheelbase in 30mm more than before – means more legroom.

Talking about the Maruti Baleno, the interiors would be notches higher than what we have seen on some of the current company cars. It would have an array of never-seen-before features on a Maruti car like multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, automatic climate control, 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, USB and Aux-in connectivity. Hence, it is quite tough to pick one clear winner among all the three hatches as each and everyone seems to be offering something fresh and contemporary.

Engine & Transmission:

Hyundai Elite i20 comes in both petrol and diesel guises, as would be the Honda Jazz – albeit for the first time. The Elite i20 has a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol motor which churns out 83bhp of maximum power and 114Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a five-speed manual gearbox. The engine is good for city driving but fumbles a bit during high revs at the highways.

As for diesel variants, they are powered by a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine which generates 89bhp of top power and 220Nm of highest torque, while coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. Honda Jazz would come with company’s tried and trusted pair of 1.2-litre i-VTEC and 1.5-litre i-DTEC engines. These engines are also offered with Amaze compact sedan. The 4-cylinder petrol engine makes 88bhp of power and 110Nm of torque, while mated to a five-speed manual and CVT transmission.

On the other hand, the four-cylinder diesel mill would belt out 99 horses of power and 200Nm of torque, while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox in Jazz. Coming to the Maruti Baleno, with its 1.2-litre petrol engine with power and torque figures that are at power with the competition.  However, the diesel variants would be powered by a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre, four-cylinder engine will have a 75bhp and 190Nm of power ratings.

Verdict:

Pricing would play the catalyst’s role in deciding the fate of these hatchbacks. Hyundai has done significantly well to start the prices below the INR 5.50 lakhs (on-Road), while the sustaining the range-topping variant below INR 8.50 lakhs (on-road).

Honda claims that Jazz would have over 90 percent of local content with production talking place at company’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan. If the Jazz is offered in the similar price domain or something to the Elite i20, then the Japanese car maker will give a tough fight to the i20. There is no word on Maruti Baleno’s pricing, but we expect it to be in a range of INR 6.5-9.5 lakhs (on-road). Thus, it would be all but Honda’s game if the pricing is bang on for the Jazz.