Avventura vs Ecosport vs i20 vs Mobilio Comparison

In a price bracket where diesel sedans rule the roost, we find out what other options you can choose from. So, here we have a crossover, a compact SUV, an MPV, and a premium hatchback. Find out which one best meets your needs as we do our Fiat Avventura vs Ford Ecosport vs Hyundai i20 vs Honda Mobilio Comparison.

A car is no longer just a vehicle to get you from point A to point B. It now needs to make a statement, reflect one’s personality, and, at the same time, be practical. Being normal and predictable is passe. That’s why automobile manufacturers are coming up with more innovative designs that make their cars look bold and quirky, and make you stand out. We decided to bring together four alternatives to a sedan priced in the Rs. 7-10 lakh bracket. And so we shortlisted the new Fiat Avventura, the heavyweight of the compact SUV segment, the Ford EcoSport, the versatile MPV from Honda, the Mobilio, and the Indian Car of the Year, the Hyundai Elite i20, to find out which one offers the most complete package and do a comprehensive Fiat Avventura vs Ford Ecosport vs Hyundai i20 vs Honda Mobilio Comparison.

The Avventura might be a hatch on stilts, but virtually the same could be said for the EcoSport as well. In all fairness, the Fiat stands out, and a lot of this has to do with the huge spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. The black cladding and the chunky front bumper give the Italian crossover a rugged look, while the extended headlamps ensure that the Mediterranean flair is very prominent. Plus, the roof rails add a no-nonsense image.

The Avventura’s suspension setup has been tightened for better handling, but what’s impressive is that this doesn’t compromise ride quality. With 205mm of ground clearance, it takes the bumps and ditches in its stride. It also comes with under-body protection, both in the front and the rear, just in case you do actually feel adventurous.

The cabin has the same design as the Punto, but with dual black-grey interiors to make it look sporty – the build quality could have been better though. It’s the only vehicle, though, that comes with a compass and clinometers that display the roll and pitch of the car. This cluster is neatly placed above the centre console. On the whole, though, the interior does feel a little cramped – especially at the rear.

If it’s style that you’re after, though, the EcoSport has it in spades as compared to others in our Fiat Avventura vs Ford Ecosport vs Hyundai i20 vs Honda Mobilio Comparison. Like it or not, it brought in a refreshing design with its imposing, high-mounted hexagonal front grille. Like the Fiat, the spare-wheel mounted on the tailgate adds to its rugged appeal. And it sails over potholes and speed breakers thanks to its impressive 200mm ground clearance. Step inside, and you’re welcomed by a space-age dashboard that also does duty in the Fiesta. Sadly, the interiors aren’t as solidly-built as Ford’s of previous years. I suspect that the price war has finally caught up with them. That being said, the front seats are supportive, snug, and provide a commanding driving position. But for the rear passengers, there’s just about enough leg-room – and fitting three in the back would be quite a squeeze.

Despite the Mobilio being an MPV, it looks great due to its curvaceous silhouette – as the roof slopes down rather than wedging up vertically. The thick chrome band on the front fascia tries to make it look aggressive. At the rear, a bold ridge between the large wrap-around lamps, as well as bumpers with black inserts to house rear fog lamps, make this MPV look quite contemporary.

It has spacious interiors, and provides ample leg and headroom in the front two rows – even for tall passengers. The second row, however, lacks shoulder room – but, because the seats slide back and forth, knee-room can be created for passengers in the third row. With the third row of seats in place, the Mobilio has enough luggage space to accommodate two large suitcases. Fold the last seats, and you get a massive 520 litres of boot space. But, while the packaging of the Mobilio is extremely impressive, it’s let down by hard plastics and questionable quality in the cabin – especially by the faux wood dashboard finish, which is a tacky attempt to spruce up the cabin.

In my opinion, the Elite i20 is most radical-looking hatch in the country today. The new Fluidic Sculpture design is edgier. Its cabin lives up to its Elite name, as the design of the dashboard is classy and has a solid feel. The soft, yet easy-to-use, steering-mounted controls are great. The cabin feels spacious and airy too. At the rear, three passengers can fit thanks to generous shoulder space.

Switching to powertrains, the Avventura is powered by a 92bhp 1,248cc multi-jet diesel engine that has a tendency to keep you waiting till the rev needle hits the 2,000rpm mark. The mid-range is where it starts to gallop though. At slow speeds, the lack of low-end punch tests your patience and you end up changing gears frequently. Handling is where you tend to respect the Avventura though, but with the competition raising the bar, it’s lost a little of its edge.

The EcoSport’s 90bhp, 1.5 litre diesel engine responds instantly, and it’s happy to sit in third gear in slow traffic. That being said, the engine could use a little more refinement. And while the light steering lacks feedback, it makes it a breeze to drive in the city limits – although the ride could be a little more compliant as well.

The Mobilio, meanwhile, despite its proportion, drives like a sedan and has minimum body roll. It sweeps through corners at speed with the utmost ease, though the 1.5 litre engine remains noisy. The 99bhp powerplant has linear response, and sets a fairly decent pace for a family vehicle. Plus, the gearbox is a joy to work – which makes the Mobilio quite a fun car to pilot.

The i20’s 1.4-litre engine feels the most refined of the lot, and the 89 ponies are ready to set off with the slightest nudge on the accelerator. With stiffer suspension than its predecessor, it sticks to the intended line while taking turns at a fair clip. The steering again lacks feedback, but the gearshift is smooth and the lever slots in with ease. It certainly feels the most refined of the lot.

So, which one should you buy? After a very extensive and detailed Fiat Avventura vs Ford Ecosport vs Hyundai i20 vs Honda Mobilio Comparison we realised that it all comes down your priorities. If you have a large family, then the Mobilio is clearly the one for you. The spacious interiors are a revelation, but you do have to compromise slightly on refinement and build quality. The EcoSport and Avventura are glam dolls – but when it comes quality and reliability, Ford scores over Fiat. And, as styling is a personal choice, we’ll let you decide. But if you have a nuclear family, drive everyday to work, want all the bells and whistles, and, of course, want a car that looks impressive, then nothing comes close to Elite i20. It’s a very practical all-rounder for the city, and has enough power and stability to let you cruise on the highway.