Volkswagen Polo vs. Hyundai i20: Which Hatchback Is Better?

Introduction

If you too prefer hatchbacks and are interested in buying the best one available in the Indian market, the Volkswagen Polo and the Hyundai i20 are two names you must have heard of. Like all other cars and models, both have their pros and cons and thus, both have their target audiences.

Before the Polo's introduction, the i20 used to rule the segment single-handedly as there was no major competitor. But when the Polo was introduced, young auto enthusiasts started showing interest in the new vehicle. Let's dive into a more detailed comparison of the two hatchbacks.

Volkswagen Polo vs Hyundai i20

1. Design

The Polo carries quite a simpler presence on the road while the i20 appears more edgy, updated, and modern in terms of visual appeal.

polo

Coming to the side & rear profiles, both have grooves and creases that depict aerodynamic behaviour. The Polo has lesser ground clearance (165 mm) when you'll compare it with any rival in this segment. While the i20 sits pretty high (about 190 mm) and you can drive it on any kind of road without a problem.

2. Performance

Only the Polo is available in petrol and diesel engine options, while the i20 is offered only with a petrol engine. However, both are available in manual and automatic transmissions. The power figures and numbers are as follows:

The VW Polo comes with a 1.5L diesel engine producing 88 bhp max power at 4,200 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 230 Nm between 1,500 - 2,500 rpm. This is a 4-cylinder engine that can go 0-100 km/h in about 9.7 seconds which is quite impressive. The petrol one is a 1.0L engine that can produce 75 bhp at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 95 Nm at 3,000-4,300 rpm.

i20.jpg

On the other hand, the i20 comes with two petrol engines. The usual one is a 1.2L 4-cylinder engine producing 82 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm at 4,200 rpm, whereas the 1.0L turbocharged produces 118 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 172 Nm at 1,500 rpm.

3. Safety

Safety is a very crucial factor for any kind of car buyer. The Hyundai i20 is offered with 6 airbags, an overspeed warning, a seat belt warning, and a tyre pressure monitoring system along with standard ABS. It has scored a 3-star rating on the NCAP test

Volkswagen Polo on the other side just comes with 2 airbags and other standard driver assistance techs same as the i20. The Polo has managed to score a total of 4-star ratings in the crash tests.

4. Interiors and Space

Both the cars have a sound interior with the Polo being sportier and seamless, and the i20 a bit more towards the luxurious end. The quality of the materials used is really fine in both the cars and both have soft-touch inserts across the cabin. Furthermore, both of them are equipped with a similar set of comfort and infotainment features.

However, some customers claim that you'll find better space management in the i20 than in the Polo. The boot space in Polo is about 290 L and that in i20 is roughly 311 L.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

After closely comparing i20 and Polo and considering all the points mentioned above, it can be clearly stated that the i20 is the winner here. It might lack in terms of performance but that shouldn't be a deal breaker for most users. So in this debate of i20 vs Polo, you're strongly advised to go for the Hyundai i20 instead of the Volkswagen Polo.

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