Dynamics
Right, so we’ve compared features and looked at the practicality aspect, but they’re cars, not lounges, and they have to be driven. They’re all four-cylinder turbo-diesels, but they’re all of different capacities and pack different outputs.
The new Baleno (still) packs the 1.3-litre FIAT-sourced motor, but it’s now badged ‘DDiS 190’ for its 190 Nm of peak torque. The 75-PS max is good enough for the city, but it is the least powerful of the three. The engine sounds quite rattly, even at idle, but those dynamic power and torque graphics in the digital centre display do coax you to crack a smile.
While it is quite jumpy in first, the diesel Baleno is very tractable in second and third. However, the steering feels quite dead. The engine makes you wish the sound deadening was better. The torque delivery is not pronounced lower down, but from 1,500 RPM, it begins to pull, before peaking at 2,000 RPM. It’s also the only car here with five gears. The tiny wing mirrors and back window limit rear visibility; it’s almost a Lamborghini in that respect. Where it will claw back favour is with the 20 km/l overall figure. It’s lighter than the Swift, and, while that makes me wonder about its crash-rating, it does benefit economy.
The Elite i20 packs good numbers: 90 PS and 220 Nm from its 1.4 motor. The six-speed box lets you have fun when you want to and be economical when you have to. The handling is good and the suspension is much better sorted than its predecessor’s – a welcome change. Visibility, too, is good and the steering feel and power delivery are more spirited than the others. On the efficiency front, 18 km to a litre in the city, 24 on the highway, and 19.5 overall are excellent. Besides, it can corner and brake well and leaves nothing to complain about really.
The new Jazz gets the i-DTEC diesel for the first time, and, with 100 PS and 200 Nm, packs good potential. Of course, it has the lowest peak power revs at 3,600 RPM and thus is very driveable in any gear with a hefty bottom end. However, the gear lever is a tad small and the shifts are quite clunky. Unlike the Amaze, the Jazz gets one more forward cog (so that’s six), and that means it shines on the highway on the efficiency front with 25 km/l. Let’s not forget 19 in the city and 20.5 overall. The suspension is rather soft but is quite good. Damping is excellent on the straights and while tackling bumps, but round corners it wallows about noticeably and that’s not good.
Verdict: Of the three here, the Elite i20 edges ahead. But when it comes to driving dynamics and a similar price-tag, I’d have the Volkswagen Polo GT TDI in the blink of an eye. It’s a proper driver’s car and has sublime handling.
