Test drive Hyundai i10, Renault Twingo and Suzuki Alto: little joys

They are small and agile - they are not afraid of even the most difficult challenges that they may face in the urban jungle. In addition, their price is below BGN 20. Which of the three models will win this competition?

Please! Get behind the wheel, enjoy life and don't worry about the costs. This car will be your faithful assistant in the city, and its price is only 17 leva ”. Suzuki they had a practice of selling cars in the open air, they fairly advertised their product with words similar to those.

It's all worth it

If you live in a big city, then buying a small car is worth it. If you're looking for one, you'll be pleasantly surprised at Suzuki's offices to find that the top-of-the-line GLX Alto currently costs just over BGN 17 including VAT. If you read the price list for more details, you'll soon find that, given its price, the three and a half meter long Alto is more than well equipped. Four doors, a radio with a CD player, power windows in the front, a height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, six airbags and even ESP electronic stabilization program are all standard on the car.

Two competitors cannot boast of such a ratio of price and quality of furniture. Neither the recently partially refurbished Hyundai i10 nor Renault The Twingo has standard ESP, the Korean model also costs a surcharge, and its price is the highest in the test. Twingo sells for a price close to that of the Alto, but its hardware is one idea worse. On the other hand, the 3,60-meter Frenchman boasts various practical details and the coziest interior in this comparison.

Minor things

It's all the cute details that delight everyone who climbs the Twingo. Alas, Alto owners can only dream of this. What remains for them is excellent functionality, but also a single gray landscape of hard plastic, characterized by a complete lack of attempts at friendly design. The only non-standard detail here is the opening windows in the rear doors. There is only one option that the customer can order - metallic paint. Dot.

Aside from the aluminum alloy wheels, Hyundai obviously sees no reason to offer any "luxury additions" for its small model. However, the Koreans have tried to make the i10 Style at least look a little livelier from the inside. Colored plastic elements and blue dials of the gauges (which, by the way, are quite difficult to read in direct sunlight) bring a bit of freshness to the interior. There is enough space for storing various items, cups and bottles. In terms of interior performance, Hyundai and Renault are clearly better than Suzuki, but Alto manages to make up for that in the value column.

Size matters

However, when you open the trunk of an Indian-built car, it immediately becomes clear that it will not win in body evaluation. The hard-to-reach luggage compartment holds a ridiculous 129 liters - a volume that can be increased to 774 liters with the rather sloppy rear seat folded down. Competitors with more angular bodies have a load capacity of 225 (i10) 230 liters (Twingo). In addition, Hyundai can collect some small things in a hiding place under the double bottom of the trunk.

Interior flexibility in the Renault is particularly impressive – in the long Twingo tradition, each of the two halves of the rear seat can be independently adjusted in both tilt and length. Thus, it is possible to choose between maximum space for rear passengers and a luggage compartment volume of up to 959 liters - with such achievements, partially obstructed access to the rear seats remains in the background.

Little runner

It's time to look under the miniature hoods of three cars. In this price range, it is quite logical that heavy-duty machines should not be expected, so do not be surprised that Suzuki has one liter of working mechanism, 68 hp. and a maximum torque of 90 newton meters. Once in service, however, the small three-cylinder unit spontaneously reacts to the gas and it seems that the 885-kilogram Alto is moving forward much more than objective measurements indicate. The petrol engine easily accelerates up to a maximum limit of 6000 rpm, which, combined with precise gear shifting, creates an almost sporty feeling with more dynamic driving. The dry numbers speak quite clearly too - with an intermediate acceleration time from 80 to 120 km / h in 26,8 seconds, the Alto performs even better than the Renault with its 75 horsepower and 1,2 liters.

Fine-tuning the Alto's suspension certainly doesn't bring good driving comfort, but is the main culprit in the car's surprisingly good handling. In classic slalom, the little one is the only one in the test that manages to reach speeds over 60 km/h, and in the quick change of direction at high speed test, the Alto performs at almost the same level as the Twingo, which uses much wider tires. However, those who allow themselves too bold excesses and ignore the strong lateral vibrations of the body quickly come to the conclusion that the ESP system is rudely interfering.

Good servants

Renault is the heaviest model in the test and behaves obediently, remains trouble-free in critical situations, but, like the i10, has no sporting ambitions. Both models are fairly comfortably oriented, and feedback from their steering systems is a bit fuzzy. The Twingo and i10 ride surprisingly well for a small class and go through lateral joints and long bumps much smoother than the Alto. Thanks to comfortable seats, longer transitions are also not a problem - the main thing is that the engines do not constantly work at too high speeds. In such situations, the two four-cylinder engines protest with an annoyingly loud hum.

Despite notable differences in power and acceleration, Renault and Suzuki rank the same in the powertrain rankings. The reason for this lies in the consumption of 6,1 liters, which Alto reported - the best achievement in the competition. If you are careful with your right foot, you can easily save another liter per hundred kilometers. For weak and gaining momentum, a motor with a pronounced resistance of 69 hp. Hyundai remains only in last place. A small consolation in this case is that at 6,3 l / 100 km it is still slightly more economical than the Twingo.

Last Chance

In road tests, the i10 performed the worst. In addition to the slowest pace and strongest side slope, the model also exhibits a tendency to skid at the rear. The brake test results of the Korean model, which only stops after 41,9 meters from 100 km / h with heated brakes, are also poor. The Alto's brakes are even worse, which isn't really an excuse for the i10's four-disc brakes.

It is the brakes that are the factor that, on the one hand, sends the profitable and agile Suzuki Alto to last place, and on the other hand, concretizes the victory of the functional, balanced and perfectly made Twingo. The i10 sits in between the two models and is likable mainly for its interior space and pleasant driving comfort.

text: Michael von Meidel

a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert

Evaluation

1. Renault Twingo 1.2 16V - 416 points

The Twingo is slowly but effectively garnering points for its balanced character, high level of active safety and extremely flexible interior. The comfortable Frenchie is a great little car at a reasonable price.

2. Hyundai i10 1.1 Style - 408 points

The well-made Korean car is close behind the Twingo – even in terms of driving comfort. However, a slow engine, a “nervous” ass in sharp maneuvers and weak brakes negate the i10's chances of winning.

3. Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLX – 402 tons

Alto offers a wide range of equipment at an affordable price. The energetic and economical three-cylinder engine and the maneuverability are impressive. Comfort, quality of materials in the cabin and brakes are clearly not up to par.

technical details

1. Renault Twingo 1.2 16V - 416 points	2. Hyundai i10 1.1 Style - 408 points	3. Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLX – 402 tons
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	75 k.s. at 5500 rpm	69 k.s. at 5500 rpm	68 k.s. at 6000 rpm
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	13,4 with	14,5 with	14,3 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	40 m	42 m	43 m
full speed	169 km / h	156 km / h	155 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	6,7 l	6,3 l	6,1 l
Base Price	17 590 levov	11 690 euro	17 368 levov

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