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Ever wondered why every single model replacement is followed by one that is larger? Well, no matter what you do, packaging has its limitations, and the only way to get around it after a point is by pulling at the edges a bit.
So you will be surprised to find that the Hyundai i10 has actually gained nothing in terms of length and wheelbase over the Santro, while the new kid on the block, the Suzuki Ritz, has instantly gained a couple of centimetres on the Wagon R in practically all areas. So has someone here forgotten the replacement formula, or does the current segment best, the i10, send another potential rival to the bottom of the hatch heap?
Well, numbers do have something to say here. Hyundai sells a little under 8,000 units a month of its wonder car, on an average. And we aren’t even talking exports here! Which is precisely why Maruti Suzuki is looking to grab some part of that slice, with not one, but two cars. The A-Star has grabbed the collar of the base versions of the i10, while the Ritz takes on its Kappa engined variants. A seemingly simple comparison, then? Not quite.
DESIGN
Ideally, this would have been a Ritz-i20 comparison, but for forces prevailing at Maruti’s senior management, who’ve managed to keep the introductory pricing so competitive that the i10 has appeared in its crosshairs. But that has got nothing to do with the design here, right? Uh oh, it does, because you get more metal for your money. Longer than the i10, the Ritz can’t hide its larger proportions, especially since the wider track and taller stance make the Ritz bulkier. The overall design language might not excite, but Suzuki have left behind the Wagon R’s boxy appearance for some curves. What instantly catches your eye is the swooping roofline, which defines the overall design. Tall headlamps and a simple grille remind you of its utilitarian appeal, while the wide rear arches and neatly integrated tail lamps just bring in a slight hint of aggression.
In contrast, the i10 is far more contemporary. When it was first launched a little less than two years ago, it looked like nothing on the road and even today the i10 stands out with its unique pear drop headlamps, its small mustachioed grille, the bonnet that pretends to have a ‘power bump’ and the sweeping C-pillar. You can’t complain about the way it looks, even though some might find it too radical for their appetite.
Maruti Suzuki Ritz:3 stars
Hyundai i10: 4 stars
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