FIAT Grande Punto v/s Hyundai i20

[Shynish M]

Shynish, don't finalize anything now. Punto 90 HP and i20 CRDi is very close with different parameters. My thumb rule, if more highway drive, take Punto. More city drive, i20 should be choice.

Hmmm i think Shynish must be using it in City more , so i20??

You both are correct. I will have a city driving most of the time with once in in 2 - 3 months long drive from Bangalore to Calicut. Humm, I have to think and decide carefully

Mods: Please move this post and above 3 posts to FIAT Grande Punto v/s Hyundai i20 thread, if that is appropriate.

 

[Shynish M]

Yeh! I missed that point - Auto Expo. I am reaching there on this 24th morning

Once again, I am coming back and will be in Bangalore by this 27. At least this time I am sure that I am coming back for good. That calls for my car search again!

Guys, is there any realestic figure availble on FE of i20 1.2 and Punto 1.4 ? So far I know that both has the same average of 12 to 14 km. Is there any better figure available ? JRavi's Linea speaks good FE for the same 1.4 engine. Then how come the FE is less in Punto?

 

[cooldhaya]

For i 20 1.2L give me a week's time. My friend is going on a trip this week and he will be able to give the highway mileage for i20 1.2L.

 

[*Arkin_Young*]

Once again, I am coming back and will be in Bangalore by this 27. At least this time I am sure that I am coming back for good. That calls for my car search again!

Is that so? Great! I'm looking forward for your arrival, and to meet you. I shall have yet another invaluable friend at Bangalore. Bangalore = Heaven!
Sorry for going

BTW, the Jazz seems perfect post 6 lakh, that's what I feel. The Punto and especially, the i20 are getting a bit too common in Bangalore. That's why I'm more inclined to the Jazz regarding my own purchase.

 

[Shynish M]

For i 20 1.2L give me a week's time. My friend is going on a trip this week and he will be able to give the highway mileage for i20 1.2L.

That will be perfect mate! Looking forward for your inputs.

BTW, the Jazz seems perfect post 6 lakh, that's what I feel. The Punto and especially, the i20 are getting a bit too common in Bangalore. That's why I'm more inclined to the Jazz regarding my own purchase.

Regarding Honda, there is no doubt that they have excellent product. However, I always felt that they are charging a premium for the goodwill they have. This is apparently visible in their ASS bills too.

You know what, my first preference will always be MSIL car, may be a Swift. I am considering FIAT and Hyundai as a change! Otherwise MSIL is the sensible option in India and I honestly don't care whether my car is a very common one. All that does matters to me is whether it is a viable selection both to my heart & brain and whether it offers all the features I am looking for.

Basically, I have 3 cars in mind. Punto, i20 and Swift. The problem is I am rating Punto and i20 at the same level. If I can decided upon of them as the first option, I am done!

 

[*Arkin_Young*]

Since you have a relatively higher budget, I recommend the DZire, rather than the Swift, unless you are going to ply on the 'bad' routes in Bangalore. The swift, as you know is really low on space.

My take (I'm convinced it can come true too). The i20 1.4 is perfect. Go in for the 1.2 if you'd like shifting gears.

 

[Shynish M]

I am considering Petrol as I don't think that my monthly usage will be around 700 KM max!

 

[*Arkin_Young*]

Well, I was talking about the 1.4 AT and 1.2 Petrol. as well as the DZire Petrol.

 

[RSM]

Once again, I am coming back and will be in Bangalore by this 27. At least this time I am sure that I am coming back for good. That calls for my car search again!

So finally you are coming back. Once you come back, let me know we can meet sometime.

Guys, is there any realestic figure availble on FE of i20 1.2 and Punto 1.4 ? So far I know that both has the same average of 12 to 14 km. Is there any better figure available ? JRavi's Linea speaks good FE for the same 1.4 engine. Then how come the FE is less in Punto?

FE depends on so many things, but normally FE of Punto 1.4 would be in range of ~ city - 12-14 and Highway 15-16KMPL.

Basically, I have 3 cars in mind. Punto, i20 and Swift.

I would suggest add Polo 1.2 Petrol also in the list.
Test Drive Punto, i20 & Polo, if possible multiple times. Then take a decision. If not satisfied, buy Swift eye closed.

 

[cooldhaya]

Nah i would still prefer an i20 , Punto or Polo. All these cars are a segment higher than Swift overall! If going for a Swift , wait for the new one.

 

[nevinpowers]

@Shynish, i totally understand how you feel. i own a fiat grande punto 1.4 emotion. bought it just 2 weeks back after extensive research and TDs. i20 is a great car and i know why people are so confused , but on Indian roads, FIAT's suspension and punto's engine is the best combo. the 1.4 engine give a decent 89 bhp, its peppy, its gr8 to handle and its got killer look to go with it. If u want people staring at your car, u've got to own this beauty[ unless u r rich enough to afford a chevy cruze].
initial mileage i'm getting is pretty bad though. 9 to 10. its only been city driving so i'm hoping it improves. hei guys , is there anyway i can get my punto to drink less fuel?

 

[RSM]

Hey navin, nice to see some Punto Petrol owners. I would suggest please start a new thread with pictures of your Punto.

Regarding FE, since its just 2 weeks, don't think about it till 1st servicing at 3K.
Also do use Instantaneous FE indicator to adjust your driving, that would help you to have better FE. Normally Punto 1.4L owners are getting 12-13 in City and upto 16-17 on highways.

 

[*Arkin_Young*]

Hehe. Shynish seems to be in the process of shipping back to India, and has been missing.
When you are back, why not consider the Polo 1.6, Shynish?
-----------Next Post-----------
You won't miss europe that way!

 

[jayadev]

small car- lite nibbles

if a newbie asks me which car. on present date i will say hyundai i20 right away. they are offering great package.(else he may slap me if recommend anything less)

if i had to buy one more car that would be fiat linea tjet(but i dont want boot again).
i own punto 90hp and thank god .

i20 is car packed to teeth with creature comfort and perfomance too.it may be like a boxing champion or sprint race athlete .hyundai is doing great job with those great gearb0x and efficient engines surely masculine.
but on other hand .
punto may not be sprinter or rocker .but i assure, it can sing a song or draw a picture for you. punto is more artistic and feminine .it has that consistency and quality which any of the small car lack which i have come across.

i have seen many people crying due to mediocre engine performance of Punto.but they forget to mention at least in post script as how great it is in normal driving band.

there is no car which could be compared with punto in handelling and sure footed performance.

at least for me , i agree punto 90 hp doesnt fire like a bullet or missile. but when it is set off it it is never out of breath . it could easily reach 150kmph yet at those speeds you have solid idea about maneuvering and breaking. that is what only fiat can provide.

but one thing should be kept in mind:- creature comforts at such a price range could mostly be a marketing gimmick messed up with cheap Chinese accessories with labels and tags of different brand. if it is bmw or benz then fine else same as the below example.
father owns old amby with airconditioner only and son bought new skoda octavia loaded with features.skoda could make it upto two year . son got it replaced with swift. i got curious and inquired. he swears "dad mock at me for failing electronics , inconsistent engine performance and terrible service, long term stay in service centres due to inavailability of spares.
amby is still giving 14-15kmpl even after 15years and was better than new ones never stayed in service centre more than two days. "

all the best

 

[amiti]

Jayadev, good explanation. Its because of your writeup I am considering this vehicle in my list. And yes, I plan to keep the hot hatch which I will buy for at-least 6-7 years. Keep your posts on punto coming.