We find out which of these fun to drive, sporty hatchbacks is the one to buy.
You’ve got to hand it to Hyundai and Tata Motors. At a time when other manufacturers are shying away from hatchbacks, especially the performance-oriented kind, these two continue to bet on this space with two competent products. Hyundai’s i20 N Line has been on sale for a while now, and was the defacto choice if you wanted a sporty hatchback. That was until Tata decided to have a second crack (after the Tiago JTP) at this space with the new Altroz Racer. We’ve now pitted the two against each other to see which one you should opt for.
Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line exterior
These two definitely look the part, and both companies have done well to differentiate the sporty avatars from their standard counterparts. The Altroz had a pleasing design to begin with, but Tata has given it a blacked-out treatment on the bonnet, roof, mirrors, wheels and the rear spoiler, all of which lend it a sporty vibe. Completing the Racer look are racing stripes down the centre and the Racer badging.
In comparison, the i20 N Line lets you know of its sporty intent in a more subtle manner. Changes over the standard i20 include twin muffler tips, sportier bumpers, a blacked-out front grille with the N Line logo, unique 16-inch alloys and red highlights all around. Looks are always subjective, so it comes down to what you like – the look-at-me Altroz Racer or the more subtle i20 N Line.
Both are premium hatchbacks that measure less than 4m but it’s the i20 that has a longer wheelbase, is wider and is longer overall. The Altroz is the taller one and has the larger boot, at 345 litres. Both have 16-inch wheels, though the N Line has wider 195-section tyres compared to the Racer’s 185 section.
Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line interiors
Both hatchbacks also convey their sporty intent inside the cabin. Over the run-of-the-mill Altroz, the Racer gets an all-black interior theme, with orange trim on the dash, ‘Racer’ embroidered on the headrests, orange ambient lighting, orange stitching on the seats and on the steering. What is a letdown though is the basic-looking gear lever, especially when you compare it to the N Line’s. The front seats are nice and supportive, but taller drivers will find headroom tight thanks to the inclusion of a sunroof. Space at the rear is near-identical to the i20, and you also get an armrest here with cupholders, which the Hyundai doesn’t. The Racer does miss out on load sensors for the seatbelt warning system, so even if no one is sitting here, you will have to buckle in the belts, else it will keep beeping for a few seconds at the start of each journey.
Racer gets rear armrest, which adds to comfort.
Like the Altroz gets orange accents and details inside, the i20 N Line’s signature colour is red. It, too, gets an all-black theme and that’s contrasted by red accents on the dash, red ambient lighting, N logos on the seats and red stitching on the seats and steering. The hard, non-textured plastics on the dashboard aren’t upmarket but what certainly is are the two most common things you’ll interact with in this car – the gear lever and steering. The N-specific gear lever and steering wheel look superb and feel like they’ve been borrowed from a more expensive car. The N Line also features sporty, metal pedals.
Ventilated front seats are unique to the Racer.
Front seats in the i20 are more accommodating and a bit more comfortable, although they miss out on seat ventilation that’s present in the Altroz Racer. And at the rear, while space is good, it doesn’t get an armrest with cupholders. Speaking of which, let’s take a look at what the top variants of these cars have to offer in terms of features.
N Line rear seat is spacious for even six-footers.
The Altroz Racer here is the range-topping R3 variant and the N Line is in N8 MT trim. Both get a large touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, leatherette upholstery, auto climate control and sunroofs. Features unique to the Altroz Racer are wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated front seats, a rear armrest and a 360-degree camera. The N Line, on the other hand, gets LED headlamps and an auto dimming inside mirror.
On the safety front, the standard versions of both cars have been crash tested by Global NCAP. In 2020, the Tata Altroz secured a 5-star crash safety rating while in 2022, the Hyundai i20 achieved 3 stars. Both cars offer kit like six airbags, hill-hold assist and ESP, while the N Line gets the benefit of all four disc brakes.
360-camera on the Racer is a boon in tight parking spots.
Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line performance
Powering both hot hatches are three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engines that put out 120hp, but that’s where the similarities end. The Tata has a higher 1.2-litre displacement but uses indirect injection, while the Hyundai has a smaller 1.0-litre unit that makes use of the more advanced, direct injection.
The Racer’s engine first debuted in the Altroz iTurbo variant, albeit with 110hp, 140Nm and a 5-speed manual – packaging constraints did not allow for a 6-speed box then, which could handle the higher power. Tata’s engineers have solved that issue and the Racer gets the exact same tune as the Nexon – 120hp, 170Nm and a 6-speed manual. However, power delivery has been tweaked and the gear ratios have been shortened for the Racer. Moreover, unlike the Nexon, there are no drive modes and the default setting is ‘Sport’.
The N Line has a slicker gearbox and thus feels more engaging to drive.
This engine is smooth, is eager to respond to throttle inputs and has a more linear power delivery in comparison to the N Line. The N Line’s unit, meanwhile, packs a stronger midrange punch and its rev-happy nature means it’ll pull cleanly till its 6,500rpm redline. The Hyundai engine is smoother still and has a nice raspy exhaust note, but it could have been louder inside. Like the Racer, the N Line manual’s only drive mode is Sport.
Both featured here are equipped with 6-speed manual gearboxes, though the N Line can also be had with a 7-speed DCT option. Shifts in the Altroz Racer are fine for regular everyday driving, but feels rather disappointing when driving in a spirited manner due to its long throws; it just isn’t as slick as the i20’s. The hydraulic clutch is also on the heavier side and snappy, making it difficult to modulate. In comparison, the i20 N Line’s manual is in a different league altogether. Sure, the clutch is on the springy side, but shifts are much smoother and it has well-defined gates.
The N Line edges out the Racer in terms of performance, both from a standstill and on the go.
Tata also missed a trick by not offering an automatic option, given that majority of i20 N Line sales come from the DCT variants. In fact, the Racer’s manual gearbox and clutch makes you want an automatic, and Tata could’ve offered a dual-clutch automatic alongside, especially since it is available with the standard petrol Altroz and Nexon. But we gather that Tata is evaluating launching the Racer automatic.
The N Line also has the advantage in terms of outright performance, given it has marginally more torque and is lighter by 95 kilos. Further, aggressive launches aren’t possible in the Altroz Racer as the ESP can’t be turned off. As for the numbers, we timed the two and the Racer does the 0-100kph sprint in 12.05sec compared to the N Line’s 10.66sec time. The N Line is quicker in rolling acceleration, too, completing the 20-80kph and 40-100kph runs in 9.08sec and 12.39sec, respectively, in comparison to the Racer’s 10.41sec and 13.45sec.
All things considered, it’s the i20 N Line’s engine-gearbox combination that makes for the more involving and enjoyable driving experience, which is kind of the point of these hatchbacks, isn’t it?
Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line ride and handling
Ride and handling is an area where the Altroz Racer claws back lost ground. The regular Altroz was already one of the nicest handling and riding hatchbacks on sale, but the Racer gets minor tweaks to the steering ratio and suspension spring rate that just enhances the experience. The Racer deals with broken roads with great maturity at all speeds, inspiring a lot of confidence behind the wheel. In fact, it perhaps has the best suspension setup of all mass-market hatchbacks today. The direct steering has good heft and the sharp front end means it’s very willing to change directions. Mechanical grip is strong, too, but what is a bit of a downer was tyre grip that gave way too soon.
Like the Racer, the N Line too benefits from stiffer suspension damping and a retuned suspension. The i20’s ride feels more European in comparison, meaning its set up on the stiffer side and feels composed at high speeds. Sure, it does feel stiffer than the Altroz on bad roads, but it’s never unsettling. The steering, meanwhile, is communicative and lighter in comparison. It also feels stable and predictable around bends and the grip from the wider tyres is decent.
The N Line has a slight edge in terms of braking perfomance thanks to the rear disc brakes.
Braking performance of both hatchbacks is strong, but the i20 does have the slight edge as it gets disc brakes at the rear, too.
Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line price and verdict
As tested, the Altroz Racer R3 costs Rs 10.99 lakh and the i20 N Line N8 MT is priced at Rs 11.27 lakh (ex-showroom). That’s a marginal difference and they both get certain features that are unique to them. But crucially, both are practical, have a spacious interior and are loaded with features, meaning they will appeal to enthusiasts and family buyers alike.
In conclusion, the Tata Altroz Racer’s engine is smooth and responsive, and its ride and handling balance is its clear strength. However, its gearbox and clutch rob away some of that joy of driving. And that’s exactly where the i20 N Line shines with a slick powertrain combo. And importantly, here, it is the quicker of the two. It does comes across as the more rounded, performance-oriented package in this comparison, and is thus, our choice.
Also see:
Hyundai i20 N Line vs Tata Altroz Racer comparison video
