What are some of the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we are looking at the automatic variants of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 N Line. Let’s see how these variants compare with each other in terms of performance.
In this article, we will share
- What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Hyundai i20 N Line – a comprehensive analysis of their top-end automatic variants, their performance and features
- How to pick the right car for you
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:
- Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
- Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
- Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
- Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance
Performance enthusiasts prioritize cars with high engine power and torque for brisk acceleration and top speeds. They value responsive handling, minimal body roll, and excellent agility for a dynamic driving experience.
Features like turbocharging, advanced transmission systems, and sporty design elements also appeal to them. Such drivers often prefer cars with an engaging manual transmission or a quick-shifting automatic, alongside enhanced audio systems for an immersive driving experience.
Why Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 N Line are Popular
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 N Line are popular among performance enthusiasts due to their blend of agility, power, and advanced features. Both models offer stable high-speed performance with minimal body roll, enhancing their appeal.
The Hyundai i20 N Line, with its turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission (DCT), delivers quick acceleration and peppy power delivery, making it a favorite for spirited driving.
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno, while less powerful, is known for its agile handling and responsive engine, offering a balanced and enjoyable driving experience. The inclusion of features like sporty alloy wheels, high-quality audio systems, and modern touchscreen infotainment enhances their attractiveness.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 N Line Automatic Variants Shortlist in Rs 8-13 Lakh Range
For Maruti Suzuki Baleno, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 15 November 2023 |
| Delta AMT | ₹8,00,000 |
| Zeta AMT | ₹8,93,000 |
| Alpha AMT | ₹9,88,000 |
For Hyundai i20 N Line, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 15 November 2023 |
| N6 DCT | ₹11,10,000 |
| N6 DCT Dual Tone | ₹11,25,000 |
| N8 DCT | ₹12,32,000 |
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT
The Baleno Delta AMT offers a good balance of performance and convenience with its AMT transmission and a petrol engine delivering 88.5 BHP. It has stable high-speed characteristics, minimal body roll, and decent engine responsiveness, making it suitable for enthusiastic driving. If you’re a family-focused car buyer, you can read our comparison of the Baleno with Hyundai i20.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta AMT
An upgrade from the Delta variant, the Zeta AMT offers additional features like LED headlights and a better audio system by Arkamys. Its agile handling and good power delivery remain constant, appealing to performance enthusiasts.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT
The top-end Baleno variant, the Alpha AMT, combines all the performance traits of the lower variants with enhanced features such as a 9-speaker audio system, better noise insulation, and LED headlights, providing a more premium experience. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the Baleno with Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20.
Hyundai i20 N Line N6 DCT
This variant stands out with its turbocharged engine, delivering a peppy 118.41 BHP. Its DCT transmission ensures quick shifts, and features like sporty alloy wheels and a sophisticated touchscreen enhance its appeal.
Hyundai i20 N Line N6 DCT Dual Tone
Similar to the N6 DCT, this variant adds a dual-tone exterior, offering a more exclusive look. The performance and technological features remain the same, making it a desirable option for those seeking style with performance. We have also compared the i20 N Line with Nissan Magnite for performance enthusiasts.
Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT
The N8 DCT is the top variant in the i20 N Line series, boasting a premium Bose audio system, LED headlights, and more advanced features. Its performance characteristics are akin to the other N Line variants, making it a top choice for enthusiasts seeking luxury with performance.
Our Pick for the Best Automatica Variant among Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 N Line for Performance Enthusiasts
The Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT stands out as the best variant for a performance enthusiast. Its turbocharged engine offers brisk acceleration and a peppy driving experience, perfectly complemented by the quick-shifting DCT.
The car’s handling is agile with minimal body roll, suitable for spirited driving. The N8 variant adds luxury to performance with its premium Bose audio system, LED headlights, and superior interior finish. Its comprehensive safety features, including ESC and multiple airbags, ensure a safe driving experience.
The combination of performance, luxury, and safety features makes the N8 DCT the ideal choice for a performance enthusiast.
The Top 3 Choices
- Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT
- Price: ₹12,32,000
- Key Attributes: Turbocharged engine, DCT transmission, Bose audio system, LED headlights, ESC.
- Hyundai i20 N Line N6 DCT
- Price: ₹11,10,000
- Key Attributes: Turbocharged engine, DCT transmission, agile handling, sporty design, advanced touchscreen.
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT
- Price: ₹9,88,000
- Key Attributes: Agile handling, AMT transmission, Arkamys audio system, LED headlights, good noise insulation.
| Attribute | Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT | Hyundai i20 N Line N6 DCT | Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT |
| Turbocharging | Yes | Yes | No |
| Transmission – DCT | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bose Audio System | Yes | No | No |
| LED Headlights | Yes | No | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | No | No |
| Sporty Design | Yes | Yes | No |
| Advanced Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In summary, the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT excels in performance, luxury, and safety, making it the top choice. The N6 DCT provides a balanced mix of performance and technology at a lower price point, while the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT offers good handling and premium features, making them all attractive options for performance enthusiasts.
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
