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When the Grand i10 was launched last year, its superb combination of style, space, quality and equipment made a lot of people wonder if it was necessary to move up to an i20 — the smaller car had pretty much all you needed. Now, however, with the new i20, the game has moved even further, as this new car is bigger, more striking to look at and even more spacious than the last one. Hyundai really wants you to know that this car is a step up from the Grand i10, and has even added the word ‘Elite’ to the car’s name to drive that point home. It promises the same things that made its predecessor great — good looks, loads of equipment and an upmarket feel.

However, this premium positioning comes with a premium price tag, and while the i20 has always sold in good numbers, it could never hope to match Maruti’s class-leading hatchback on sheer sales. The Maruti Swift is the car that, way back in 2005, convinced Indians that hatchbacks could be desirable. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s the second best selling hatchback in India. But it’s not just a better price tag that makes buyers flock to the Swift. It’s a handsome looking hatch that’s comfortable and great to drive, and it comes with Maruti’s legendary reliability and after-sales service backup.

So, let’s look past the sales figures and compare these two cars on their abilities. Which of these premium hatchbacks should you own?