Volkswagen Polo vs Rivals: Spec Comparison

  • Sep 6, 2019
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Can the refreshed Polo fend off rivals from Maruti, Ford and Hyundai? Let’s find out

 

While the Volkswagen Polo has been a solid hatchback in the past, it has been showing some signs of age against newer and more modern rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite 20. In an attempt to keep up, Volkswagen has launched the Polo facelift priced between Rs 5.82 lakh to Rs 9.88 lakh if you count the GT trim. While the changes  are only limited to its cosmetics, how does it fare in the uber competitive hatchback segment? Let’s find out.

Dimensions:

Dimensions

Volkswagen Polo

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Elite i20

Length

3971mm

3995mm

3985mm

Width

1682mm

1745mm

1734mm

Height

1469mm

1510mm

1505mm

Wheelbase

2469mm

2520mm

2570mm

Longest: Baleno

Widest: Baleno

Tallest: Baleno

Longest Wheelbase: Elite i20

The Volkswagen Polo facelift continues to be the smallest hatchback in its segment. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the longest (3971mm), widest (1682mm) and tallest (1510mm) among the three hatchbacks. 

 

However, that advantage is held by the slimmest of margins as the Hyundai Elite i20 only falls behind the Baleno by an average of 5-10mm in length, width and height. The i20 does have an advantage in terms of wheelbase.

Performance:

Petrol

 

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo GT

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Hyundai Elite i20

Engine displacement

1.0-litre MPI

1.2-litre TSI

1.2-litre VVT/ DualJet VVT

1.0-litre Boosterjet

1.2-litre Kappa

Cylinders

4

3

4

3

4

Power

76PS

105PS

83PS/90PS

100PS

83PS

Torque

95Nm

175Nm

113Nm/113Nm

150Nm

114Nm

Transmission

5-speed MT

7-speed DSG

5-speed MT/ CVT

5-speed MT

5-speed MT/ CVT

Fuel economy

18.78kmpl

17.21kmpl

21.01kmpl (MT), 19.56kmpl (CVT), 23.87kmpl (MT)

21.1kmpl

18.24kmpl (MT), 17.4kmpl (CVT)

Most Powerful: Polo GT

Torquiest: Polo GT

Most Frugal: Baleno

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Under the hood, the high end trims of the Polo and the Baleno blitz the competition, but the Polo GT edges ahead in power (105PS) and torque (175Nm). If these variants aren’t counted, the Baleno Smart Hybrid variant is the most powerful(90PS) of the lot, while the standard Polo is the least powerful (75PS).

In terms of fuel economy, the Baleno and its RS trim streak ahead of the rest with efficiency figures above 20kmpl.  While the Polo GT has power, it comes at the cost of fuel efficiency, which at 17.21kmpl, is the least out of the three hatchbacks. It is closely followed by the Hyundai Elite i20 in its CVT trim at 17.4kmpl. However, the standard Polo is the only hatchback that is close to the Baleno with 18.78kmpl. In terms of transmissions on offer, all three hatchbacks come with a 5-speed manuals. however they differ in the automatic range. The Polo GT gets a slick shifting 7-speed DSG, while  the Baleno and the Elite i20 receive CVTs which are efficient but less fun to drive.

Diesel:

 

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo GT

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Elite i20

Engine displacement

1.5-litre TDI

1.5-litre TDI

1.3-litre DDis

1.2-litre Kappa

Cylinders

4

4

4

4

Power

90PS

110PS

75PS

90PS

Torque

230Nm

250Nm

190Nm

220Nm

Transmission

5-speed MT

5-speed MT

5-speed MT

6-speed MT

Fuel economy

20.14kmpl

19.91kmpl

27.39kmpl

22.54kmpl

Most Powerful: Polo GT

Torquiest: Polo GT

Most Frugal: Baleno

While the petrol powered hatchbacks are close in power, there are more differences when it comes to their diesel motors. The Polo GT leads the way in power (110PS) and torque (250Nm), but comes at a cost of being more of a gas guzzler (19.91kmpl). Interestingly, the standard Polo and the Elite i20 boast the same power figures (90PS), but the i20 is more frugal at 22.54kmpl compared to the 20.14kmpl in the Polo.

The Baleno’s 1.3-litre diesel has gone more for a frugal setup, sacrificing power (75PS) to give it better fuel efficiency at 27.39kmpl. All three diesel hatchbacks come with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Features:



Volkswagen Polo

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Elite i20

Headlamps

Halogen

LED Projector with DRLS

Projector with DRLs

Infotainment

Touchscreen

Touchscreen

Touchscreen

Apple Carplay & Android Auto

Yes

Yes

Yes

Automatic Climate Control

Yes

Yes

Yes

Steering Mounted Audio Control

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel

Yes

Yes

Yes

Electric Mirror Adjustment With Power folding

Yes

Yes

Yes

Keyless Entry and Start

Only Keyless Entry

Yes

Yes

Wireless Phone Charger

No

No

Yes

All three hatchbacks are adequately equipped with features like a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other common features include automatic climate control, powered ORVMs with electric folding and keyless entry, cruise control as well as steering mounted audio controls. The Polo however, misses out on projector headlamps and DRLs that are present in the Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20. Push button stop/start is another feature exclusive to the Baleno and i20.

The Polo gets a slight advantage with cruise control, whereas the Elite i20 has an additional wireless charger option compared to the two hatchbacks. The Baleno scores in additional smartphone connectivity via its Smartplay infotainment system.

Safety:



Volkswagen Polo

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Elite i20

Airbags

2

2

6

ABS

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rear Parking Sensors with Camera

Only sensors

Yes

Yes

ISOFIX

No

Yes

Yes

While all three hatchbacks get standard safety features like ABS, and rear parking sensors, the Hyundai Elite i20 goes a step further with six airbags in the top-spec Asta (O) variant. Both the Baleno and the Elite i20 also feature reverse assists and a rear parking camera which is not present in the Polo. 

Sadly, the Volkswagen also misses out on ISOFIX child seat anchors which is present in the Baleno and the Elite i20.

Price:

Price (ex-showroom)

Volkswagen Polo

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Elite i20

 

Rs 5.82 lakh to Rs 9.88 lakh 

Rs. 5.59 lakh to  8.90 lakh

Rs. 5.53 lakh to 9.34 lakh

In the end, if you are looking for a car with some serious juice under the hood, the Volkswagen Polo would be your best bet. However, it comes at a compromise of low fuel efficiency and less premium features at a higher cost. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the ideal pick if you are looking for a frugal car with modern gizmos. It offers the most banf gor your buck too. The Hyundai Elite i20 offers the best of both worlds, but with additional safety equipment. What would be your ideal pick? Let us know in the comments below. 

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