Hyundai i20 vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Glanza: Comparing Their Variants Under Rs 9 Lakh for Safety-conscious Buyers

For a safety-conscious buyer, it is important to consider the safest cars, or top safety-rated cars in India, when purchasing a vehicle. Today, we look at the premium hatchbacks Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza in terms of their safety aspects.

In this article, we will share

• What a safety-conscious buyer looks for in a car
• Hyundai i20 vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Glanza – an in-depth look at their safety features, ratings, and driver assistance features
• How to pick the right car for you

How have these cars fared in crash tests? What features do they have to ensure driver, passenger and child safety? Read on.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

What a Safety Conscious Buyer Looks For in a Car

Here’s what a safety-conscious buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Driver assistance – Does the car have features like parking camera, rear parking sensors, follow-me-home headlights, etc.
• Space – Does the car have enough interior space?

A safety-conscious buyer primarily seeks features ensuring maximum protection during potential road mishaps. Key aspects in the best cars with safety features include ABS, multiple airbags, crash warning systems, a high GNCAP rating, and electronic stability control (ESC). 

Additionally, driver assistance features such as rear parking sensors and day/night IRVM further add to the vehicle’s safety appeal.

Why Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Toyota Glanza are Popular

Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Toyota Glanza have gained traction among safety enthusiasts largely due to their safety-centric features. 

The Hyundai i20 has been praised for its stable high-speed stability and a bevy of safety functions. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza, stemming from the same platform, are celebrated for their stable road demeanor and comprehensive safety packages, despite some missing top-tier safety ratings.

Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza Variants Shortlist in Rs 8-9 Lakh Range

For Hyundai i20, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 13 September 2023
Sportz	₹808,000
Sportz DT	₹823,000

For Toyota Glanza, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 13 September 2023
S AMT	₹810,000
G	₹858,000

For Maruti Suzuki Baleno, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 13 September 2023
Zeta	₹838,000
Zeta AMT	₹893,000

Hyundai i20 Sportz & Sportz DT

Priced at ₹808,000 and ₹823,000, both variants boast of ABS, 2 airbags, crash warning, ESC, and a 3-star GNCAP rating. These encompass core safety features, ensuring protection during potential collisions. If you’re a style-conscious buyer, you can read our comparison of the i20 with Maruti Baleno.

Toyota Glanza S AMT & G

Glanza S AMT, priced at ₹810,000, offers ABS, 2 airbags, and crash warning. The G variant, at ₹858,000, enhances safety with 6 airbags and rear parking sensors, although lacks a notable GNCAP rating. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can check out our comparison of the Glanza with Hyundai i20.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta & Zeta AMT

At ₹838,000 and ₹893,000, both variants are equipped with ABS, 6 airbags, and crash warning. Their stable high-speed nature further complements the safety features. If you’re a family-focused buyer, you can read our comparison of the Baleno with Hyundai i20.

Our Pick for the Best Variant Among Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Toyota Glanza for Safety-conscious Buyers

Hyundai i20 Sportz emerges as the frontrunner, especially when considering its 3-star GNCAP rating, which indicates a significant level of safety in collision tests. 

Priced at ₹808,000, it offers ABS, 2 airbags, crash warning, and ESC. The GNCAP rating combined with these features makes it the preferred choice for those prioritizing safety.

The Top 3 Choices

1. Hyundai i20 Sportz
2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta
3. Toyota Glanza G

Attributes	Hyundai i20 Sportz	Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta	Toyota Glanza G
ABS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Airbags (number)	2	6	6
Crash warning	Yes	Yes	Yes
Day/night IRVM	No	No	No
ESC	Yes	Yes	No
Fog lights	No	No	No
GNCAP Rating	3	0	0
High-Speed Stability	Stable	Stable	Stable
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes	Yes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Hyundai i20 Sportz provides a commendable blend of safety features with a 3-star GNCAP rating, emphasizing its protective capabilities. 
• Following closely, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta offers an expansive safety package with six airbags, albeit missing out on a GNCAP rating. 
• The Toyota Glanza G also brings to the table six airbags and stable high-speed stability but lacks the crucial GNCAP score. 

Prioritizing the GNCAP rating, Hyundai i20 Sportz assures greater safety, but all three choices cater effectively to the safety-conscious audience, offering a combination of essential features.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered