Hatchback cars 2021

Even though, India is a large country with humongous amount of population who prefer SUVs for their large families, still 48% of the Indian four-wheeler market is dominated by hatchbacks of various shapes and sizes. Therefore, the narrow roads and regular on-road traffics still makes hatchback cars in India extremely important for both consumers and manufacturer.

We have compiled an in-depth study of top 5 premium hatchback 2021 especially for our Indian customers to make their buying a bit easy.

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno continues to be among the Top 5 Premium Hatchback 2021. Having said that, around 16,648 units were sold in January 2021. This led to have its market share among the highest in 2021, at nearly 43 percent. Maruti Baleno comes in 9 variants, each of which is spread across under 4 trims, 3 engine, 2 transmission and 2 fuel options. In respect to the specs and features of top premium Hatchbacks 20201, the Baleno manages to compete  against Hyundai Elite i20 and the Honda Jazz.

Specifications of Maruti Baleno

Maruti Suzuki has launched Baleno with two types of petrol engine  options i.e.  a 83PS 1.2-litre K12B unit and a 90PS 1.2-litre Dual Jet engine. A mild hybrid system is included in the latter engine. Features like torque assist and start-stop functions are powered packed in it. Both of these engines are offered with a 5-speed manual transmission. Bit if you are looking for an automatic Baleno, only the CVT is offered with the standard 1.2-litre K12B engine. It has a 2520mm long wheelbase.

Exterior and Interior of Maruti Baleno

Maruti Baleno comes with LED projector headlamps on its outer design along with a great road gripping 16-inch alloy wheels and LED tail lamps.The rear profile of the car also looks stunning with C-shaped tail-lamp cluster and the integrated rear spoiler gives the car a sporty feel.

On its interiors, Maruti has  featured Baleno with  a 7-inch infotainment system along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, steering mounted audio control, a multi-info display, electrically adjustable ORVMs and keyless entry with push button start. Even though there are no rear AC vents, but still the cooling is good enough. 

Safety

Safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD and rear and reverse parking sensors/camera, rear defogger, auto dimming IRVM.

The another one from the top 5 premium hatchback 2021 is Tata Altroz. According to the latest 2021 updates, Tata has rolled out a special Founders Edition of the Altroz hatchback, featuring a blue emblem Tata logo and Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata’s signature badge all around the car. Unfortunately, it is only limited to Tata employees.

Tata Altroz gives a good competition to the segment-leading Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20. It always manages to features refreshing design exteriors with stylish body contours, headlights with daytime running lights, blacked-out roof and much more.Tata  Altroz comes in six broad variants i.e. XE, XM, XM+ (petrol-only), XT, XZ, XZ (O), and the new XZ+. These are available in five colour options: a new Harbour Blue, High Street Gold, Midtown Grey, Downtown Red and Avenue White.

Specifications of Tata Altroz

Tata Altroz is available  with three engine options that are a new 110PS/140Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, a 86PS/113Nm 1.2-litre petrol, and a 90PS/200Nm 1.5-litre diesel unit. Although the factory fitting offers a transmission options of a standard 5-speed manual gearbox, but you can have a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission later to the i-Turbo variants. The naturally aspirated petrol and diesel engines get ARAI-claimed mileage of 19.05 kmpl and 25.11 kmpl. The Altroz i-Turbo has the ability to perform  0-100 kmph sprint in 11.9 seconds with a claimed efficiency of 18.13 kmpl.

Exterior and Interior of Tata Altroz

This premium hatchback car has a well get along exteriors. It includes a headlights with LED daytime running lights that are placed below the fog lamps. Furthermore, there are radiator grille with chrome that surrounds the stretch till the end of the sharp headlamps. You can electrically adjust or fold the OVRMs on its side profile. The stylish body contours of the door panel and new set of 16-inch alloy wheels are installed in the top variants.

On the inside, Tata Altroz features iRA connected car tech, a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Harman sound system, Hinglish voice commands, climate control, rear 12V power outlet, wearable key, height-adjustable driver seat, and tilt steering. The utility and convenience features include a large cooled glove box with a retractable tray, fully automatic climate control with rear air vents, power windows and smart key push button start.

Safety

Along with anti-lock braking system, the Altroz by Tata has disc brakes in the front and drum brakes at the rear  and electronic brake force distribution for enhanced stopping power. The strong build quality of the body shell and panels, the dual front airbags, seat belt reminders will be featured for complete protection of the occupants.

The premium hatchback Hyundai i20 is offered with 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre-turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options which is coupled with manual and automatic transmissions. The i20 is available in four variants- Magna, Sportz, Asta and Asta (O).  It come in six monotone and two dual-tone colour options.The third-generation Hyundai i20 gives a tough competition to  Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Volkswagen Polo and Tata Altroz.

Specification of Hyundai i20

The naturally aspirated petrol and diesel engines of Hyundai i20 are likely to come with a manual gearbox whereas the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol utilises the 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT. The 1.2-litre petrol belts out 87 bhp and 115 Nm on the IVT version. On the other hand, the manual delves on producing the 82 bhp and 115 Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel pushes out 99 bhp and 240 Nm. But the most powerful is the 1-litre turbo petrol which punches out 118 bhp and 172 Nm of peak torque.

Exterior and Interior of Hyundai i20

Keeping four elements in mind which are proportion, architecture, design, technology, Hyundai has systematically designed its i20. The length of the car has increased by 10 mm and now stands at 3995mm.The wheelbase to has gone up by 10mm which translates into more space at the rear. In fact, Hyundai says that the rear leg room has gone up by 88 mm which is a big improvement over the previous model.

Looking at the interiors, Hyundai i20 features a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose sound system, a sunroof, wireless phone charging, cruise control, automatic climate control, multi-info display, digital instrumentation and connected car tech. A taller person might find headroom a bit less but the seats are firm and comfortable, with good under-thigh support.

Safety

Dealing with safety, the Hyundai  i20 is equipped with multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, parking sensors and a rear view camera.

The Polo has earned it goodwill by being smartly styled vehicle because of its European looks and solid build quality. This car made its entry in top 5 premium hatchback 2021 due to its looks, features and availability in both petrol as well as diesel guises. Both the fuel trims have three similar variants – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. These variants equally offers the performance-oriented GT variants in petrol and diesel trims, respectively. It comes in seven colour options: Candy White, Flash Red, Carbon Steel, Reflex Silver, Toffee Brown, Lapiz Blue, and Sunset Red.

Specifications of Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo is available with a 1.0-litre TSI and 1.0-litre MPI engine which are. The new 1.0-litre TSI motor delves on producing 110PS and 175Nm of twist and is now amalgamated with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter.Your 1.0-litre MPI engine has been upgraded to meet BS6 emission norms that produces 72PS and 96Nm. It comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Further, the Polo offers a boot space of 280 litres along with ground clearance is rated at 168mm.

Exterior and Interior of Volkswagen Polo

On the exterior front, the Volkswagen Polo features a honeycomb grille that inculcates the dual-beam headlamps with cornering lights for illuminating the roads during your night drives. The toned down usage of chrome in and around the front grille gives it more sporty look. The front bumper compliments the design and houses the fog lamps. The Polo also benefits from slightly tweaked alloys and body-coloured door handles which blends in quite well with the overall design.

On the interiors Polo focuses on  a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Support, cruise control, rear AC vents, cooled glovebox, and rain sensing wipers. There are dual-tone dashboard is giving it a premium look along with the all-new centre console. Furthermore, the silver-coloured elements all around helps to liven up the interior.

Safety

Safety features on offer include dual airbags ABS, and rear parking sensors. Volkswagen does not offer ESP with the automatic variants anymore.

The quasi-MPV shape of Honda Jazz might not seem appealing to you but it does allow for an incredibly roomy cabin. There’s enough space for five large adults to sit comfortably and even the boot is large. During low speed driving , the Jazz’s 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine might not be comfortable or feel lively but the 5-speed manual gearbox is nice-to-use. The standard-fit paddle shifters enhance the experience. The Honda Jazz is available in V, VX and new top-spec ZX variant. The manual variants range from Rs 7.55 lakh to Rs 8.79 lakh, whereas the CVT variants range from 8.55 lakh to 9.79 lakh.

Specifications of Honda Jazz

The new Honda Jazz inculcates the same 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine that powers the Amaze subcompact sedan. The BS6 compliant motors been adjusted in a way to make about 89 bhp and develop 110 Nm of peak torque. All the necessary transmission duties while driving is headed by a 5-speed manual gearbox, along with an optional CVT automatic unit. Honda will also be offering paddle shifters with the CVT variants of the car, similar to the City sedan.

Exterior and Interior of Honda Jazz

The new Honda Jazz has been updated with new designs like new LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a revised front grille, new LED front fog lamps, and sportier bumpers. The cabin are left relatively similar apart from the addition of an electric sunroof. The prominent features on the interior fronts are 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering mounted controls, voice commands, electrically folding ORVMs, climate control and keyless entry with push-button start. It also has CVT option and are upgraded with the manual trim. Along with this, it include – push-button engine start/stop and Smart key with keyless remote function.

Safety

The safety has been ensured with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are some of the safety kit on offer.