Hatchback vs Compact Sedan: Which one to buy?

For someone looking to buy a car and has a budget of around Rs 7-8 lakh deciding which one to buy can be one helluva task. Within the price range, one can not only purchase a premium hatchback but also look at spending a little more to get a compact sedan. Selecting between the two can be quite a dilemma, which is why we at ZigWheels decided to pitch the two segments against each other to find out which one is a smarter buy. Of course, taking into consideration basic parameters like price, space, features, efficiency and of course overall driving dynamics.

(Note: All prices ex-showroom Delhi)

Hyundai Grand i10 vs Hyundai Xcent

Grand i10 Asta (O): Rs 5.47 lakh

Xcent SX (O): Rs 6.47 lakh

Firstly, both these cars not only have the same powerplant, but are also based on the same platform. So in terms of space and comfort there is barely a difference between the two. As far as the drive in itself is concerned, the two cars are pretty much similar here too. The setup is fairly soft, manages to take on the undulations of the road with utmost ease but at the same time doesn’t wallow too much if you show it some corners. (Also Read: Hyundai Xcent: Review) The top end variant of both the cars comes loaded with exactly the same features. While both these cars have a lot in common, what really sets them apart is the Xcent’s three box design which makes it larger in terms of proportions. With 407 litres of boot space, in the Xcent you can carry your world in the trunk. The Grand i10 on the other hand has a smaller 256 litre boot.

So the question is at Rs 1 lakh extra, should you buy the Xcent over the Grand i10? Now, in India, there is as much of fascination for a ‘boot’ (read: sedan) as there is for a SUV. If you are the kind of guy who takes some weekend getaways with your friends or family, then you will surely be happier with the sedan. At the same time, the larger proportions can make it more cumbersome, comparatively speaking especially while parking in tight spots. The larger boot space is the only thing that works in favour of the Xcent over the Grand i10, leaving that aside the latter is surely a more sensible buy. But then all of these comparisons have been made between the top end trims. And if you have a limited budget and don’t mind stepping down by a trim on the sedan then airbags, climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel/gear knob and button start are the only major features you will be missing out on. The S(O) variant of the Xcent is priced at Rs 6.22 lakh, saving straight off Rs 25,000.

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Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Swift – Rs 5. 65 lakh

DZire – Rs 6. 31 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has been one of the highest selling hatchbacks since the time it was first launched in 2005. Following the success of the hatch, the sedan was a much awaited model. The previous DZire wasn’t a sub-4 meter sedan, but then in order to make most out of the subsidies Maruti Suzuki decided to bring it in the new avatar that we now see.

The new DZire and Swift have pretty much the same story to tell like the two Hyundai siblings. They have the same, engine, platform, space and more or less match comfort too. With just Rs 66,000 separating them apart, the difference between DZire and Swift is considerably less than gap between the Grand i10 and Xcent. In that respect, the Dzire makes a slightly better proposition than its Korean rival. But in order to make room for the boot, rear kneeroom in the DZire had to be reduced marginally and the rear seat backrest had to be made more upright, which does compromise passenger comfort. So, kids wouldn’t notice the difference and elderly could have an issue with the shortage of space. Depending on who travels on the back seat of your car would determine whether you should go for the larger Dzire or the compact Swift.    

Honda Brio vs Honda Amaze

Honda Brio - Rs 5. 22 lakh

Honda Amaze - Rs 6. 64lakh

The Honda Brio versus the Amaze is a different comparison altogether, taking into consideration the difference in the cost is the most here. The Brio’s smaller proportions cannot match its elder sibling. The Amaze is slightly roomier not just in the front but also at the back. Seating three at the back, ingress egress is also much easier in the Amaze as opposed to its smaller hatch which has a slightly smaller rear door. Add to that the fact that at 175 litres the Brio has the tiniest boot as compared to all the hatches and leave alone the Amaze’ massive 400 litre boot. But then does all of this justify the extra Rs1.42 lakh? The advantage you get out of buying the sedan is more storage space for your luggage and an insignificant increase in comfort. More importantly, Honda offers the Amaze in both petrol and diesel variants, while the Brio is only available in petrol trims, at least as of now.

So, all of these hatchbacks and their sedan counterparts are identical in almost every factor – space, features, interiors look and feel, and even efficiency for that matter. Then it all boils down to one question; whether you would like to spend that extra sum and purchase a compact sedan simply for the boot or make a compromise by losing out on some features by buying a mid-level variant of the sedan. On a holistic picture, a hatch makes much more sense at any point in time considering our traffic condition and congested roads. But if you are a jetsetter and travel to the station/airport more often and luggage is a cause of concern, than buying a sedan definitely is the right choice.