Hyundai i20 vs Suzuki Swift vs Volkswagen Polo: Which on is the best value for money?

Hatchbacks with sporty looks are big business in 2022, with auto giant Volkswagen now making the R-Line Polo a standalone variant. Hyundai has done the same with its i20, now offering the N Line derivative. Does the i20 offer better value than the Polo and the Suzuki Swift Sport, though?

Performance hatchbacks have been popular for decades, however, there is a trend within the industry where manufacturers produce sporty-looking hatchbacks that retain the same powertrains, brakes and suspension used in the ‘regular’ models. When looking at Hyundai, the cosmetically enhanced models are badged ‘N Line’ while at Volkswagen, the sporty models are badged ‘R-Line’. For today’s comparison, we will be comparing the aforementioned i20 and Polo models with a true performance hatchback in the form of the Suzuki Swift Sport to determine which offers the best value for money.

Practicality

The Polo appears to be the biggest car in this comparison, being the longest, featuring the second-longest wheelbase and sporting the largest boot at 351-litres. The i20 just edges out the Swift, being longer, wider, taller and featuring a 311-litre boot versus a 242-litre boot in the Swift.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Suzuki has a clear advantage here, offering the most power and torque, the lowest kerb weight and consequently, the best acceleration. In terms of efficiency, the Volkswagen, on paper at least, appears to be the most efficient, followed by the Suzuki and then the Hyundai.

*This table was compiled with information sourced from www.duoporta.co.za as well as the official press releases of each model.

Specification

All three models are well specified, with 18-inch wheels, climate control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitor, multifunction steering wheel, LED head and taillights, LED daytime running lights, roof rails, rear park distance control, front fog lamps, 6 airbags (7 in the Toyota), keyless entry/start, front and rear electric windows. Both the Chery and Haval feature a panoramic roof and surround-view cameras, while the Corolla Cross gets real leather pews and a reverse camera.

Haval Jolion

Safety

Two of our contenders have been crash tested, with the Chery having been tested by the Chinese C-NCAP assessment programme in 2015 where it achieved a 5-Star rating, with 56.60 out of a possible 58 points. The Jolion is yet to be tested, but it comes with a raft of semi-autonomous driver aids and 6 airbags. The Corolla Cross was tested by the ASEAN NCAP in 2021, where it achieved a 5-Star rating, with a score of 88.16 out of 100. Without a crash test result, the Jolion comes third in this comparison, with the Toyota and the Chery sharing the spoils.

Toyota Corolla Cross

Warranty and maintenance

There is a clear winner in the warranty department, and that is the Chery, which offers a 5-year/150 000km car warranty as well as an additional 10-year/1 000 000km drivetrain warranty as well as a 5-year/60 000km service plan. In second place is the Toyota with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 9-service/60 000km service plan. The Haval is last in this category, offering a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/60 000km service plan.

Haval Jolion

Verdict

Looking at all three of our contenders there are areas in which each performs well, and we can recommend all three models since they all offer value for money, however, there can only be one winner. Having looked at the data, it would appear that in terms of value, the Toyota Corolla Cross is our winner, offering the best service plan, a price that sits between the Chery and the Haval, tied first in terms of efficiency and a good standard specification.

Keyword: Hyundai i20 vs Suzuki Swift vs Volkswagen Polo: Which on is the best value for money?