Exterior Design:

Fiat Punto: 10/10
Hyundai I 20: 9 /10
Maruti Ritz: 6 /10

Fiat Grande Punto, is an award winning design by Italdesign-Guigiaro as praised highly worldwide. From its stunning front end with Maserati-esque nose to the sensational side stance on those chunky 15 inch alloys to the clean rear end design, it’s an avant-garde timeless design that turns heads, complimented by the stunning range of colors offered on it. Clearly, Italians believe in simplicity without too many contours and it works from all angles. The design is also low for better aerodynamics which aids in stability.

The I20 is also not far behind. Designed in Hyundai's design studios in Russelshim, Germany, it is a safe, conservative design appealing for European tastes and one of the better Hyundai designs with restrained contours and an amazing front end inspired by the Merc SLK. The sides are a bit dull and will pass of as any other European supermini, save for that big character line which gives it a bit of presence. On the rear, it’s the same story with the chunky rear bumper lending some stylistic touch and the big "H" logo acting as a boot opener. I personally feel Maruti Suzuki can pick up some pointer for their new swift from this design.

Build Quality:

Fiat Punto: 9.5 /10
Hyundai I 20: 9 /10
Maruti Ritz: 7.5 /10

The Ritz is one of the better built Maruti’s, even better than the Swift and SX4 and the body feels rattle free, at least on the demo car. However, expect squeaks and rattles to creep up as the cars clock more kilometers. But it lacks the sturdiness.

Hyundai's I20 is built in India for the world, especially for markets in Europe, where build and finish are of prime importance and the new generation design means that build and finish are on par with the world's best and the body, as with most new generation Hyundai’s, will have that built to last feel and has the ability to withstand the abuse our roads throw it into, but it still is no match for the segment benchmark-the Punto, when it comes to sturdiness. As with all fiats, the body is heavy and solid and makes the Ritz look like tin can in comparison. The way the doors shut-in 3 stages, gives you a feeling of sturdiness and security. In fact, the chassis on which it is based is over engineered to withstand the abuse of European countries as well as 3rd world countries, where also the Punto is sold.

When it comes to attention to detail, it is clearly the I20 which wins with small touches like a cooled glove box, power retractable mirrors, better fit and finish of the interior plastics and other gadgets, followed by the Punto and then the Ritz.

Chassis Engineering:

Fiat Punto: 9 /10
Hyundai I 20: 8.5 /10
Maruti Ritz: 7 /10

The I20 is an entirely new design by the code PB which debuted in fall 2008 at the Paris motor show, and is designed primarily for European markets in mind which means a rigid and stiff chassis aided to improve dynamics with Mc Pherson Strut Gas shock absorber suspension in front and Couple Torsion Beam Axle with Gas shock absorbers at the rear for a smooth ride, helped by telescopic dual effect shockers. However, the steering used is electric (MDPS-Motor Driven Power Steering), a disadvantage as far as the dynamics are concerned as it lacks the feel of the hydraulic unit.

The Fiat Grande Punto is again designed with a new chassis that dates back to fall 2005 under the codename project 199 and is based on SCCS (Small Common Components and Systems) platform shared with Opel, an advantage as far as dynamics are concerned.
The key to its superior handling is the use of independent Mcpherson struts, Helical springs, Double Acting Telescopic Dampers With Stabilizer Bar in front and Torsion beam, Helical Springs And Double Acting Telescopic Dampers And Stabilizer Bar at the rear aimed to improve stability at high speeds with a hydraulic steering.

The Ritz (Suzuki Splash) is also based on the modern swift platform (co-engineered with Opel engineers for Opel Agila) and was introduced in 2008 as a practical alternative to the swift. It uses a smaller wheelbase version of the swift platform with convectional Mcphersion strut coil spring at the front and torsion beam with coil spring at the rear, more biased towards urban running and easy drive nature as compared to I 20 and Punto.