The new Polo, introduced day before yesterday, is one of the first cars getting launched in the fiercely competitive B-segment hatchbacks.
Maruti Suzuki Swift, Fiat Punto and i20, all are coming in with newer facelifts and upgrades within this year. Thanks to the early bird advantage, the new Polo gets to attack the market first. One of the sturdiest cars in the market saw a shift to a more powerful diesel mill combined with a few cosmetic changes.
Here is a quick comparison between the new Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto.
Swift vs i20 vs Punto vs New Polo: Diesel
| Specification | Volkswagen Polo (D) | Maruti Suzuki Swift (D) | Hyundai i20 (D) | Fiat Punto (D) |
| Engine | 1.5L four cylinder, TDI | 1.3L four cylinder, DDiS | 1.4L U2 CRDi | 1.3L Multijet |
| Max. Power | 90PS | 75PS | 90PS | 76PS/93PS |
| Peak Torque | 230Nm | 190Nm | 219.7Nm | 197Nm/209Nm |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual | 5 speed manual | 6 speed manual | 5 speed manual |
| Dimensions (in mm) | 3971×1682×1469 | 3850×1695×1530 | 3995×1710×1505 | 3987×1687×1495 |
| Wheelbase | 2469mm | 2430mm | 2525mm | 2510mm |
| Fuel Tank | 45L | 42L | 45L | 45L |
| Turning Radius | 4.97m | 4.8m | 5.2m | 5m |
| Boot space | N/A | N/A | 295L | 280L |
| Kerb Weight | 1033kg, 1049kg, 1053kg | 1050kg, 1060kg, 1080kg | 1650kg | 1130kg, 1144kg |
| Ground Clearance | 165mm | 170mm | 165mm | 185mm |
| Fuel Efficiency | 20.14kmpl | 22.9kmpl | 21.9 kmpl | 20.3kmpl/20.5kmpl |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 6.27 lakhs to 7.37 lakhs | Rs 5.5 lakhs to Rs 6.7 lakhs | Rs 5.95 to Rs 7.53 lakhs | Rs 5.61lakhs to Rs 7.24 lakhs |
With the new Polo, Volkswagen has announced a massive attack on the competition specially for the diesel version. On the specs front, new Polo has the biggest engine here with power output equaling Hyundai’s i20, slightly lesser than Punto 90hp. However, on the torque front, Polo is the champion with class leading figures. This should translate into real easy drives, we hope they are involving as well.
While the rest of the cars get 5-speed manual transmissions, i20, here comes mated with a 6-speed gearbox. i20 is also the largest car in this comparo leading in all the dimension figures, including wheelbase.
New Polo’s ground clearance of 165mm is as good as the competition with Punto outdoing all others at 185mm. However, its on the fuel efficiency figures that the bigger engine takes a blow. Polo is the most fuel guzzling car in this comparo. Swift leads the pack with most impressive fuel efficiency figures but it also lowest on power.
New Polo diesel also has the highest entry price but then it comes with standard dual airbags upfront. On the top of the line variants, Hyundai is the costliest to own.
Polo vs Swift vs i20 vs Punto: Petrol Comparo
| Specification | Volkswagen Polo (P) | Maruti Suzuki Swift (P) | Hyundai i20 (P) | Fiat Punto (P) |
| Engine | 1.2L three cylinder, MPI | 1.3L four cylinder, DDiS | 1.2L | 1.2L/1.4L |
| Max. Power | 75PS | 75PS | 84PS | 68PS/90PS |
| Peak Torque | 110Nm | 114Nm | 114Nm | 96Nm/115Nm |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual | 5 speed manual | 5 speed manual | 5 speed manual |
| Dimensions (in mm) | 3971×1682×1469 | 3850×1695×1530 | 3995×1710×1505 | 3987×1687×1495 |
| Wheelbase | 2469mm | 2430mm | 2525mm | 2510mm |
| Fuel Tank | 45L | 42L | 45L | 45L |
| Turning Radius | 4.97m | 4.8m | 5.2m | 5m |
| Boot space | N/A | N/A | 295L | 280L |
| Kerb Weight | 1126kg, 1142kg, 1158kg | 1050kg, 1060kg, 1080kg | 1515kg/1565kg | 1130kg, 1144kg |
| Ground Clearance | 165mm | 170mm | 165mm | 185mm |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16.47 kmpl | 18.6 kmpl | 18.5 kmpl | 14.6kmpl |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 4.99 lakhs to Rs 6.07 lakhs | Rs 4.42 lakhs to Rs 5.66 lakhs | Rs 4.81 to Rs 6.74 lakhs | Rs 4.92 lakhs to Rs 6.70 lakhs |
When it comes to petrol versions of these cars, things just look very general! Polo’s 1.2L MPI engine, which has been carried over, is just about an average motor with a lot of noise. Punto, with the biggest 1.4L petrol engine is the most powerful car here producing 90PS of power. In terms of torque, all the cars are just about similar and all of them carry 5-speed manual gearboxes. i20 also comes with an optional automatic gearbox on the 1.4L petrol engine.
Punto is the least fuel efficient car in this comparo, followed by the new Polo. Both i20 and Swift manage to return very respectable official ARAI fuel efficiency figures.
When it comes to price, top of the line Volkswagen Polo petrol is the most affordable, if we discount half a segment lower Swift.
So, which one for you…?
Related: 2014 Fiesta vs Vento vs Linea vs Rapid vs SX4: Price & Spec Comparo
