Battle Of The Hot Hatches: Tata Altroz iTurbo vs Volkswagen Polo TSI vs Hyundai i20 Turbo

Published January 14, 2021
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All three get a turbocharged petrol engine, but which one comes out on top on paper?

Battle Of The Hot Hatches: Tata Altroz iTurbo vs Volkswagen Polo TSI highlights

Tata Motors recently debuted the Altroz iTurbo which will compete in the hot hatch segment. The highlight here is the introduction of a more powerful 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine. But is this upgrade enough to take on the Volkswagen Polo TSI and Hyundai i20 Turbo? Let’s find out.

Mechanicals

	Tata Altroz iTurbo	VW Polo	Hyundai i20
Engine	1.2-litre turbo	1.0-litre Turbo	1.0-litre turbo
Power	110PS	110PS	120PS
Torque	140Nm	175Nm	172Nm
Gearbox	5-speed manual	6-speed manual / 6-speed torque converter	*6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT**

*clutchless manual

In terms of specifications, the Altroz iTurbo gets a bigger displacement compared to its rivals, and its 110PS output is right up there with the Volkswagen Polo TSI. But the Hyundai i20 Turbo just about edges out by 10PS. The Polo is the torquiest of the lot, at 175Nm, closely followed by the i20 Turbo, at 172Nm. The Altroz iTurbo, on the other hand, pushes 140Nm of twist.

Battle Of The Hot Hatches: Tata Altroz iTurbo vs Volkswagen Polo TSI overview

While the Altroz iTurbo is expected to get a DCT (dual-clutch transmission) automatic gearbox soon, its transmission options are currently limited to a 5-speed manual. Meanwhile, the i20 and Polo get the option of a 7-speed DCT and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Claimed Fuel Efficiency

Tata Altroz iTurbo	VW Polo	Hyundai i20
18.13kmpl	18.24kmpl	20.25kmpl (iMT)/ 20.28kmpl(DCT)

Battle Of The Hot Hatches: Tata Altroz iTurbo vs Volkswagen Polo TSI gallery

In terms of frugality, the Altroz iTurbo is nearly a match for the Polo TSI with only .09kmpl keeping the latter ahead. But yet again, it's the i20 that’s the most frugal with a claimed rating of 20.25kmpl (iMT) and 20.28 (DCT).

Pricing and Verdict

	Altroz iTurbo	VW Polo TSI	Hyundai i20 Turbo
Prices (ex-showroom)	Rs 8 lakh onwards (expected)	Rs 8.34 lakh to Rs 9.93 lakh	Rs 8.80 lakh to Rs 11.33 lakh

Battle Of The Hot Hatches: Tata Altroz iTurbo vs Volkswagen Polo TSI showcase

While prices of the Tata Altroz iTurbo will be revealed on January 22, here’s where it may have the edge over its rivals. Being offered in the XT, XZ and the new XZ+ variants, prices are expected to start around the Rs 8 lakh mark, which would undercut both the Polo TSI and i20 Turbo. Moreover, the Altroz iTurbo comes in more variants compared to its rivals. But all that will be confirmed once it goes on sale.