POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
It’s the battle of the Ks. The i10’s Kappa versus the Ritz’ K12 M. Both are pretty high-tech units, with stuff like hydraulic lash adjusters, twin-overhead cams, aluminium construction et al. These smart engines not only claim to produce good power for their small capacity, they also tend to produce better torque over the rev range. While the 1197cc i10 produces 78.8 bhp@5200 rpm, the Ritz produces 84 bhp@6000 rpm, thus pulling no punches on the power front.
Both produce identical peak torque of 11.4 kgm, with the i10’s curve starting at 4000 rpm while the Ritz starts at 4500 rpm. Then, when one gets to read the power to weight and torque to weight columns, the Ritz starts to lose heavily. The extra pork and stuffing on the Ritz means it weighs a full 170 kg more than the i10 on test here. And that translates into quicker acceleration times for the i10 as it gets off the blocks.
Take any aspect of performance and the i10 just nudges the Ritz to the back of the field. Both cars take off reasonably quickly, but it’s the i10 that surges ahead. Zero to 60 kph comes up a second quicker in the i10 at 5.3 seconds, while the gap grows to one and a half seconds to the tonne. Passing speeds are identical, but at the top end, it’s the i10 that is quicker. The i10 also brakes quicker, utilising less space, but the Ritz is the one that feels more planted while doing so and there’s also less drama.
It’s on the driveability factor that the Ritz comes up trumps. Despite the slower times, the Ritz feels less lumpy and the production of torque lower down and gear ratios make it a better driver around town. The engine on the Ritz also feels more refined and NVH is better too. Both have a positive action to their gearboxes, with the i10 clicking into place and the Ritz delivering a little less feel while doing so. Both came back with similar fuel consumption figures. The i10 isn’t as efficient in the city, but it turns the tables on the Ritz on the highway. Eventually, the Ritz falls short, but by a very small margin.
Maruti Suzuki Ritz: 4 star
Hyundai i10: 4 stars
RIDE AND HANDLING
The Swift is an excellent platform for a good handling car. And that translates on the Ritz as well. Despite a higher roofline than the i10, the Ritz compensates with a wider front and rear track. Around a winding course, both cars exhibit roll, with the Ritz just that mite better. The turn-in on the i10 is quicker, thanks to its lighter mass and quicker turning steering that gives out decent feel. The steering on the Ritz feels heavier in comparison but has more feel and therefore tends to give you a better idea of the road curvature. But it lacks the outright agility of the i10 and therefore won’t win urban traffic races.
It’s the Ritz that uses its better body control to win the contest in the ride department. The i10 can feel like a yo-yo once you get into triple digit speeds, while the Ritz exhibits a very planted feel. At very low speeds, the i10 feels pretty decent while the Ritz can tend to thud around. Though once the speedo needle starts to climb, the Ritz feels surefooted and transmits less of the vertical oscillations to the occupants. It feels like a car that’s a class larger and that alone can inspire a driver to push the car harder.
Maruti Suzuki Ritz:4 star
Hyundai i10: 3 star
VERDICT
You see, it’s very hard to go wrong with either car. Both offer pretty good value and won’t give you much trouble over extended use, so even if you choose one over the other, you really won’t be called a nitwit. The i10 is a quality hatch that has proven its credentials and is a fun car to drive, even though it’s a touch short on space and doesn’t necessarily ride the best here. It has the go to match the show and really doesn’t put a foot wrong. It set the benchmark when it first arrived, but it seems that benchmark has moved forward.
The Ritz is a touch short in the quality department and the performance is a bit short of the small Hyundai. Those seem to be the only two points working against it. Otherwise, the Ritz is an accomplished performer in every other area. It feels and drives like a larger car. It rides like one and handles like one. There’s decent space on the inside too and with Maruti’s service backup, it offers that little extra peace of mind. The overall feel-good factor is stronger with the Ritz and can’t be ignored. That, and the fact that it has moved a full two steps up on the Wagon R, makes it our winner here.
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