New Hyundai i20 vs Rivals: Fuel Efficiency Compared

How efficient is the third-gen i20 with its new engine lineup? Can it close the gap to the segment topping Baleno offering a mild-hybrid system?

• New Hyundai i20 gets a choice of three engines: two petrol and one diesel.

• The 1.2-litre engine with the manual gearbox is the most fuel efficient option of the new i20 but still falls behind the Maruti Baleno.

• New i20 is the most efficient hatchback with an automatic transmission in all three variants.

• The most frugal petrol-automatic i20 is one with the 1.0-litre turbo engine mated to a DCT automatic which claims 20.28kmpl.

• Hyundai i20 is the only other diesel choice in segment after Tata Altroz, its 25kmpl claim only 0.11kmpl less than its rival.

The third-gen Hyundai i20 will be offered with a total of five powertrain options including three engines: two petrol and one diesel. Details of these engines have been revealed ahead of the launch and we’ve got out hands on the ARAI efficiency figures too. Let’s see how efficient the new i20’s engine options are when compared to its numerous rivals:

Petrol

* Intelligent Manual Transmission -- clutchless manual 

• The Hyundai i20 gets the most powertrain options in the segment. The most fuel efficient petrol combo of the new i20 is the one with the least performance. It’s 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with the manual gearbox claiming to deliver 21kmpl. Even so, it is the third most frugal choice in this list.

• The Maruti Baleno is the most fuel efficient premium hatchback by some margin. It’s newer 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine also gets a mild-hybrid system and as a result it claims a mileage of 23.87kmpl. With the regular 1.2-litre petrol engine, it only promises 0.01kmpl more than the most efficient i20 petrol option. It has been grouped with the Toyota Glanza since that is a badge-swapped version of the same hatchback

• Based on the ARAI claimed fuel efficiency figures, the clutchless alternatives of the new i20 are more efficient than the Baleno/Glanza petrol-automatic and all other rivals irrespective of transmission. The turbo-petrol engine is the most powerful in this segment and the only one to offer a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. This combo has a claimed mileage of 20.28kmpl while the same engine with the iMT claims 20kmpl.

• The least frugal i20 powertrain is the 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to the CVT automatic for a claimed 19.65kmpl. It is still more efficient than the Baleno/Glanza CVT that claims to deliver 19.56kmpl.

• Tata offers the Altroz with only one petrol engine and its only offered with a manual gearbox. This powertrain promises a mileage of 19.05kmpl. However, it is due to be updated with the choice of a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that is expected to offer a dual-clutch automatic transmission as well.

• The next best choice for a fuel-efficient premium hatchback is the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol Volkswagen Polo. With a 6-speed manual transmission, it has a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.24kmpl which is even better than the regular 1.0-litre petrol engine that only claims 17.75kmpl. 

• Honda only recently revived its place in the premium hatchback segment with the launch of facliefted Jazz. Its BS6 1.2-litre petrol engine is more efficient when mated to the CVT automatic with a promise to deliver 17.1kmpl while the manual option only claims 16.6kmpl.

• The Polo’s automatic variant is the least frugal choice in the segment with an ARAI certified mileage of 16.47kmpl. It combines a 6-speed torque convertor to the torquiest and second-most powerful engine in the segment.

Diesel

• Hyundai and Tata are the only brands that continue to offer a diesel engine in the premium hatchback segment. Both cars get a 1.5-litre diesel engine with only a manual transmission. 

• While the Altroz has less performance and is short one gear, it does have a higher claimed mileage of 25.11 kmpl.

• The Hyundai i20’s diesel has an extra 10PS of power and 40Nm of torque but claims a lower fuel efficiency of 25kmpl.

• The diesel engines are more efficient than any petrol option listed above but neither gets the comfort of an automatic transmission.

While the new-gen Hyundai i20 promises the excitement of choice and performance with its new range of engines to choose from, it’s not the most frugal in either petrol or diesel avatar. However, it is the most efficient choice if you’re looking for an automatic option and also the most powerful one. The 2020 i20 is scheduled to launch on November 5 and will likely be priced between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.