The Indian small car market is currently witnessing a shift in trend as the demand for automatic hatchbacks has taken a surprising surge recently. Hyundai Motors leads the charge with its automatic i10 Sportz 1.2 AT Kappa2 model, while the Japanese auto maker Honda is all set towards the launch of its much anticipated automatic variant of its Brio hatch on October 18, 2012.
The Hyundai i10 Sportz Kappa2 can be considered as the most popular automatic hatchback in the Indian passenger car market and has been incorporated with some state-of-the-art interior and exterior features. The Hyundai product's tall boy design and best-in-class interior cabin space along with ample headroom and legroom has propelled its popularity among the Indian car enthusiasts.
However, the Honda Brio automatic scores better points in terms of suave exterior looks and a rich interior feel as compared to the Hyundai i10 Sportz. The interiors look compelling while the seats and driving posture seems more comfortable in the Brio automatic, besides the car carries the perfect stamp of a Honda product.
Comparing the under the hood specifications of both Hyundai i10 Sportz AT Kappa2 and Honda Brio automatic, some differential appears clearly. The Hyundai i10 Sportz automatic comes assimilated with a 1.2 litre Kappa petrol powertrain, which churns out a maximum power output of 80 bhp and 111 Nm torque. The drivetrain features a four speed manual transmission gearbox developed by Hyundai.
The Honda Brio automatic incorporates a 1.2 litre petrol power-mill under its hood that rolls out a peak power-torque delivery of around 85 bhp and 110 Nm, respectively. The automatic transmission system trimmed with the powertrain features a five speed gearbox with seven operating modes. The most acute difference comes with the transmission system only as Hyundai i10 Sportz features a four speed automatic gearbox as against a five speed gearbox of Honda Brio automatic. Accordingly, the Honda Brio seems to be more compliant with the necessary requisites of the city traffic conditions, besides the Japanese product scores better on the power and performance meter as well.
The pricing of the Honda Brio automatic will steer the course of its future in the country and top industry boffins believe that the yet-to-be launched car will fetch a price tag around Rs. 5.7 lacs and Rs. 5.9 lacs in the Indian passenger car market. The Korean auto maker Hyundai currently retails its i10 Sportz 1.2 AT Kappa2 at Rs. 5.2 lacs in the country and thus, the car definitely seems more attractive in terms of pricing. However, the Japanese auto maker has much better experience with the automatic transmission system and the Honda Brio automatic scores slightly better against Hyundai i10 Sportz, on the basis of overall easement in driving and its enticing great looks. Hence, only time will decide how the two cars fares against each other and an interesting contest is in the offing, as we move closer to the launch of Honda Brio automatic during the upcoming festival season.
