So, Hyundai Motors has launched the i20 Facelift a few days ago, it is time to put the i20 against one of its rivals, Maruti Baleno to see if the facelift update made it any better than the Baleno.
As you can see at the front of the Hyundai i20 Facelift, it has blacked out front grille with parametric jewel pattern and sleek LED Multi-Face Reflector headlamps with L-shaped LED DRLs inside the headlamps, the bumpers finished in silver, and the 2D Hyundai logo has been moved at the chin of the bonnet. Moving to the side, it features a simple body with chrome door handles and chrome on the beltline with sportier looking 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. At the rear, it has Z-shaped LED taillamps with a chrome line joining the taillamps and shark fin antenna at the top.
From the outside, the Baleno has a much bigger grille over the old-gen with chrome grille running at the bottom of the grille. The LED headlamps has Audi’s Matrix light LED DRL’s and it has LED fog lamps as well. Moving to the side, it has chrome line at the bottom of the window frame, chrome finish for the door handles, and 15-inch alloy wheels. At the rear it has C-shape LED taillamps that is extended on the tailgate, rear wiper on the rear windscreen, and the antenna on the top.
From the inside, the i20 Facelift features a 10.25-inch infotainment system placed above the AC vents and the AC vents are design like the dashboard styling to give it that seamless look. The i20 Facelift gets the dual-tone interior option, a digital instrument cluster with flat bottom four spoke steering wheel that is leather-wrapped, blue soothing ambient lighting above the wireless charging pad, a cooled glovebox, and the i20 is equipped with 7 Speaker Bose Premium Sound System. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio with center armrest and two cupholders, rear AC vents, and above is the single-pane sunroof.
the Baleno has a 9-inch infotainment system placed above the AC vents and the AC vents are positioned horizontally. It has a dual-tone dashboard option as well. The Baleno has a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with a Analog instrument cluster with a TFT display between the two analog dials, sliding armrest with storage space inside, and the brake pedals finished in black, and charging port at the front. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio and has 6-speaker Arkamy’s sound system.
So, from the outside, and the inside the Hyundai i20 Facelift looks premium and spacious than the Maruti Baleno although the Baleno interiors looks good as well.
| Dimensions | Hyundai i20 Facelift | Maruti Baleno |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 3990 MM |
| Width | 1775 MM | 1745 MM |
| Height | 1505 MM | 1500 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2580 MM | 2520 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 170 MM | 170 MM |
| Turning Radius | 5.2 M | 4.85 M |
| Boot Space | 311 L | 318 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 37 L | 37 L (Petrol) 55 L (CNG) |
| Kerb Weight | 987 KG | 920 – 1035 KG |
When it comes to Dimensions, the i20 Facelift measures 3995 MM in length, 1775 MM in width, and 1505 MM in height. The Baleno on the other hand measures 3990 MM in length which is 5 MM shorter, 1745 MM in width which is 30 MM narrower, and 1500 MM height which is 5 MM shorter. The i20 Facelift features wheelbase of 2580 MM, Ground Clearance of 5.2 M, and Boot Space of 311 L where as the Baleno features 2520 MM wheelbase which is obviously 60 MM shorter, turning radius is 4.85 M which is good and helps get out of small spaces, and boot space of 318 L which is 7 Litres bigger. Lastly, both the i20 Facelift and Baleno is offered with a 37 Litres Petrol Fuel tank, but only Baleno comes with 55 litres CNG CYlinder, and i20 Facelift kerb weight is 987 KG while the Baleno is between 920 – 1035 KG.
| Petrol | Hyundai i20 Facelift | Maruti Baleno |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Kappa Engine | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Engine |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 1197cc |
| Power | 81.80 BHP | 88.50 BHP |
| Torque | 114.74 NM | 113 NM |
| Transmission | 5 Speed MT, 7 Speed IVT | 5 Speed MT / AMT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 20.35 KMPL – MT 19.65 KMPL – IVT | 22.35 KMPL – MT 22.94 KMPL – AMT |
In Engine Options, both the hatchbacks offered with the normal Petrol engine. The i20 Facelift is powered by the 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Kappa Engine producing 81.80 BHP and 114.74 NM of torque mated to 5 Speed Manual Gearbox with 20.35 KMPL mileage, and 7 Speed IVT with 19.65 KMPL mileage. The Baleno on the other hand is powered by the 1.2 L 4 Cylinder K-Series Petrol Engine generating 88.50 BHP and 113 NM of torque mated to 5 Speed Manual Gearbox with 22.35 KMPL mileage, and 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox with 22.94 KMPL mileage.
| CNG | Hyundai i20 Facelift | Maruti Baleno |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | – | 1.2 L 4 Cylinder Engine |
| Displacement | – | 1197cc |
| Power | – | 76 BHP |
| Torque | – | 98.5 NM |
| Transmission | – | 5 Speed MT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 30.61 KM/KG |
Other than the Petrol Engine, Maruti Baleno is offered with the CNG Fuel Option as well. The 1.2 L 4 Cylinder CNG Engine produces 76 BHP and 98.5 NM of torque paired to 5 Speed Manual Only Gearbox with 30.61 KM/kG Fuel efficiency.
| Features | Hyundai i20 Facelift | Maruti Baleno |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED MFR | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel size & Tyre | 16-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Fabric |
| AC | Auto | Auto |
| Rear AC vent | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument cluster | Digital | Analog |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 9-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wired | Wireless |
| Ambient Lighting | Yes | – |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 7-speaker Bose premium sound system | 6 Speaker Arkamy’s Sound System |
| Cooled Glovebox | Yes | – |
| Auto Dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Height adjustable driver seat | Yes | Yes |
| Height Adjustable Seat belts | Yes | – |
| Sunroof | Single-Pane | – |
| Drive Modes | Yes (Normal and Sports) | – |
In Features, the Baleno misses out on Drive modes, sunroof, height adjustable seat belts, cooled glovebox, 7 speaker sound system, ambient lighting, bigger infotainment system, and digital instrument cluster.
| Hyundai I20 Facelift | Maruti Baleno | |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six Airbags | Six Airbags |
| Camera | Reverse Parking Camera | 360 Surround View Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | – |
| Heads-up Display | – | Yes |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| VSC | Yes | – |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Brakes | Front Disc | Front Disc |
In Safety, the Baleno misses out on Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC) where as the Hyundai i20 misses on Heads-up Display (HUD), and 360-degree camera. So, in safety features, the i20 is better than the Baleno and moreover, the i20 has a 3-star Global NCAP rating and the Baleno when tested in 2021 had scored 0-star Global NCAP rating. Therefore, it’s safe to say the Hyundai i20 is safer than the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.
| Models | Price (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Hyundai i20 Facelift | Rs. 6.99 – Rs. 11.16 L |
| Maruti Baleno | Rs. 6.61 – Rs. 9.88 L |
The Hyundai i20 Facelift starts from Rs. 6.99 Lakh for the new entry-level variant ‘Era’, and it goes up to Rs. 11.16 Lakh for the top variant, ‘Asta (O) IVT DT’ where as the Maruti Baleno is priced from Rs. 6.61 lakh for the base ‘ Sigma’ and Rs. 9.88 Lakh for the top variant ‘Alpha Automatic.’
As for the warranty, the i20 Facelift comes with 3 years / Unlimited KMs and can be extended up to 7 Years / Unlimited KMs while the Baleno has a warranty period of 2 years/40,000 km that can be extended to 5 years/1,00,000 km.
In the end, the decision to buy which premium hatchback depends totally on you, however, if you’re looking for an hatchback that looks premium in design both the outside and inside, loaded with features, good fuel efficiency, and engine performance, then the Hyundai i20 Facelift is a very good choice as its the best looking hatchback for its price, and if you can afford it, you should go for it. Although the Baleno is a good hatchback as well that gets luxury vehicles features like Heads-up Display (HUD), and 360 Surround View Camera which i20 doesn’t, and its way more affordable, and very fuel efficient. So, if you can afford the i20 Facelift, blindly go for it, otherwise the Baleno is a good choice as well. What are you gonna do?