How Does The Tata Altroz Size Up Against The Baleno and Elite i20?

The Altroz hatchback was unveiled by Tata Motors on December 3 and will be launched in January 2020. Read our first impressions from the drive here. But how will it be received in the Indian market? What makes it special in the small pool of large hatchbacks? We couldn’t wait to find out, so we dusted off the spec sheets of the segment leaders. Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20 have maintained their position among the best-selling cars in India for several years. Here’s how the Altroz stacks up against them:

Dimensions

The difference between the sizes of the three cars is mere millimetres, with each coming as close as possible to the 4-metre mark. The Baleno is the longest, but the i20 has the largest wheelbase. The Altroz is the widest of the lot and also has the biggest boot, beating the Baleno by 6 litres. 

Engines

One criterion for the sub-4-metre regulation is engine size. That’s why all these cars have exactly 1.2 litres of engine displacement. The compromise between natural aspiration and emissions means that power figures are similar, too. On paper, the Tata Altroz has a 3PS advantage. But it also makes its torque lower down than either the Hyundai or the Maruti. Could that possibly translate to better acceleration times? We don’t know because the Altroz isn’t the heaviest or the lightest of the lot. Wait for our road test for a verdict. For now, let’s see how the diesels compare:

Maruti Baleno’s smaller engine lags behind the other two. Interestingly, the i20 trumps the Altroz despite its less capacity. The Hyundai’s mile-munching capabilities are enhanced by its 6-speed transmission. But beware, for only the Altroz’s motor will survive the April 2020 BS6 deadline.  

Features 

All three cars come with a range of convenience features. Here they are:

The Hyundai Elite i20 has a comprehensive features list, but the Altroz is a tech package. It seems to have its bases covered with cruise control, automatic headlamps and wipers, rear fog lamps, and front and rear armrests. The Tata has one shortcoming:

The i20 is made safer than the other two with its side and curtain airbags. The Altroz misses out on this crucial safety feature. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

Price

 

Tata will launch the Altroz in January 2020. We expect it to be priced between Rs 5.5 and 8.5 lakh, although given its features, it could be priced closer to the Elite i20. Since most of the discussed features are only in the top trims of the respective cars, the top-spec i20 is more expensive than the Baleno. We expect the XZ(O) trim of the Altroz to be priced closer to the Hyundai considering the number of features.