It’s a tough choice to make, actually. Both the Hyundai i20 and the Volkswagen Polo are high quality, premium hatchbacks. Somehow, their advantages and disadvantages seem to cancel each other. For instance, when you want performance, the i20 wins, but when you want great road dynamics, the Polo wins. If you want space, the i20 gives you that, but if you want clean European looks, it has to be the Veedub. And so on and so forth, almost like a yin-and-yang of sorts. We pitted both the cars and drove them extensively to put together this quick reckoner. Hope it sorts your life out!
DESIGN
i20
We Indians have taken a huge liking to the i20’s lines and the prominent snout and muscular curves are a big hit. It looks funky and youthful, all right. The i20 looks like a premium, expensive hatchback, which means the design has worked. Though I don’t like it too much (I think Hyundai seems to have tried very hard. Besides, I feel it will age faster), a random poll in our office revealed that many liked it.
Hyundai i20: 4 stars
Polo
An Italian Volkswagen! There is no grey area with the Polo’s looks. Except for the tame and unassuming rear end, the Polo is a very good looking car. In red, with the 15-inch alloys, it really looks smashing. The aggressive Scirocco front end that has now become a hallmark of all the new-gen VWs, has worked. The architecture of the Polo is a bit more traditional compared to the taller i20, so it looks like a conventional hatchback. But it’s a good looking car for sure. Releasing the hatch by depressing the VW badge is a neat effect too.
VW Polo: 4 stars
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