With so many great options, deciding which budget hatchback to choose in the current market is tough. Today, we will choose a winner between the Hyundai Grand i10, the Kia Picanto and the Suzuki Swift.
Related: Is the Hyundai Grand i10 good for families? Here’s our verdict.
Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Fluid hatch manual
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Grand i10 chosen for this comparison is a 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces 49Kw and 94Nm, which is sent through the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.5 L/100km, and the 0-100km/h is quoted at 14.9 seconds.
Standard equipment
In Fluid guise, the Grand i10 comes with cloth/vinyl-covered seats, a colour screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, air conditioning, cruise control, multifunction steering wheel, USB ports front and rear, 15.0-inch alloy wheels, 2 Airbags, ISOFIX, front PDC and a reverse camera.
Safety
The i10 received a 3-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2020.
Practicality
The Grand i10 boasts a 360-litre boot, seating for five occupants and 157mm of ground clearance, making it the most practical car in this comparison.
Price and value proposition
At R277 500, the Grand i10, in Fluid guise, is the most expensive but appears to offer solid value considering its size and specification.
The Competition
Powering the Picanto in this comparison is a 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces 49kW and 95Nm that is sent through the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.0 L/100km, and the 0-100km/h time is not quoted.
Standard equipment
The Style-spec model comes with 14-inch alloy wheels, dual front airbags, a multifunction steering wheel, a colour touchscreen infotainment system, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, cloth-covered seats, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, front fog lights, and a reverse camera.
Safety
The Picanto was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, achieving a 3-star rating.
Practicality
The Picanto features seating for five, a 225-litre boot and 151mm of ground clearance, making it the smallest vehicle in this comparison.
Price and value proposition
At R259 995, the Picanto offers reasonable value for money.
Suzuki Swift
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Swift is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 61kW and 113Nm that is sent through the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.9 L/100km, and a 0-100km/h of 12.8 seconds is provided.
Standard equipment
In GLX specification, the Swift features 15-inch alloy wheels, dual front airbags, a multifunction steering wheel, a colour touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry/start, and rear PDC with a reverse camera.
Safety
The Swift was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, achieving a 3-star rating.
Practicality
The Swift boasts 5 seats, 268-litres of boot space and a ground clearance of 145mm, leaving it in the middle in terms of practicality.
Price and value proposition
The Swift offers the best value in this comparison at R247 900 for the GLX model.
Facts and figures:
|
|
Hyundai Grand i10 Fluid hatch manual |
Kia Picanto 1.0 Style |
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX |
|
Engine size (cyl/size) |
3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol |
3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol |
4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol |
|
Power/Torque |
49 kW/94 Nm |
49 kW/95 Nm |
61 kW/113 Nm |
|
CO2 emissions |
130 g/km |
118 g/km |
116 g/km |
|
Service plan |
1-yr/15 000km |
2-yr/ 30 000km |
2-yr/ 30 000km |
|
Airbag count |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
37 litres |
35 litres |
37 litres |
|
Ave Consumption * |
5.5 L/100km |
5.0 L/100km |
4.9 L/100 km |
|
Driven wheels |
Front |
Front |
Front |
|
Boot volume |
360-910-litres | 255-1010-litres |
268-579-953-litres |
|
Price |
R 277 500 |
R 259 995 |
R 247 900 |
* Manufacturer's claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Looking at the figures, as an overall package, we find the Suzuki Swift as the best proposition among the trio assembled here.
