VERDICT
As always, one might expect the result to be controversial. If it wasn’t, then something would be amiss. Let’s start with the Figo. I really had high hopes from this Ford. A value for money car seems like such a good idea in India. But there’s a fine line between value for money and cheap and sometimes perspective may be a little blurred. Then there’s driver involvement. Fords have always been renowned for their prowess in this area but unfortunately, the Figo doesn’t shine there either. What of fuel economy? It’s the least fuel efficient of the bunch on test here, which doesn’t help its case. Finally, what of value? Sorry, but the Maruti twins cost as much, are better to drive, more fuel efficient and have a wider sales and service network, not to mention they’ll enjoy better resale as well. 
The Swift, like I said earlier, is a car that I really like and would recommend to anyone wholeheartedly. The all-black interiors and small-ish rear are about the only negatives with this car, however for some, the ride isn’t the best. Nonetheless, it still outsells its Ritz sibling almost two to one, so obviously there’s something going right for it. If you want a fuel efficient and fun to drive diesel hatch, the Swift is almost the default choice. The Ritz makes a lot of sense as a family runabout for middle-aged people. The ease of ingress and egress has won it favours. Backed up by Maruti’s reliability and service, the Ritz is a strong contender in its own right.
Let’s look at the Fabia. It is an expensive car. A hatchback that nudges the Rs 9 lakh barrier makes you swallow hard. Yes, there are many who would plump that kind of cash on the table for it, but given that the newer competition offers as much and more for less money means that the Fabia is on a shaky wicket. It’s due for an engine change soon given the BS IV norms.
That leaves us with three cars – the Punto, the Polo and the i20. These three cars make you stop and think long and hard. Each one makes an excellent case. The Punto ranges in price from Rs 5.7-7.2 lakh, the Polo from Rs 6.2- 7.8 lakh and the i20 from 7.2-8.3 lakh. The Punto manages 18.9kmpl, the Polo delivers 19.7kmpl and the i20 does 19.1kmpl. 
I love the Punto for the way it looks and handles. The driving position is a bit odd and Fiat’s infuriating interior quality makes me mad, but honestly in its diesel avatar, the Punto is definitely worth a look. The i20 is the suave one. It looks a million bucks and offers a smooth drive. It is feature packed too and very spacious on the inside. It is pricey, yes but for that price, you get a fully loaded car. It is decent to drive, even if it lacks the sharpness of the Punto’s steering, and it does wallow in corners. But to live with everyday, you can’t complain about the Hyundai.
This leaves us with the new Volkswagen Polo. Let’s get the criticism out of the way: cramped rear at this price, relatively speaking, but then it has about the same rear space as the Punto and the Ritz. Really, you can’t fault much with this car. It isn’t the cheapest and VW aren’t charging a premium ‘just because’ either. You pay for what you get, which is a concept we’re slowly warming up to. 
So how do you decide? This one isn’t as cut and dried as our petrol comparo last month. On pure value terms, the Maruti twins make a very strong case. But if you aren’t a purely value conscious buyer and don’t mind spending more for a premium car, the i20 is at the other end of the spectrum. The Punto in its diesel avatar is a far more compelling proposition than its petrol sibling, but the iffy interior quality and notchy gearshift don’t win it favour.
Which is why, once again, we must look at the Polo. It straddles the segment perfectly, offering something for everyone from the value conscious buyer to the customer with a fatter wallet. It has unimpeachable build quality and is frugal at the pumps too. Its modern three-cylinder engine has very good drivability and its power delivery makes it very easy to overtake even on single lane highways, unlike some of the other cars on test here. It also enjoys the cache of a premium brand. Once again, the Polo it is.
