Best Car To Buy

Best Diesel Hatchback Car in India 2014

2014-03-23T17:40:00.001+05:30

The Year 2014 will see a host of new hatchback cars for diesel car lovers. We had seen the successful launch of Hyundai Grand i10 Diesel and the demand for the car is making Hyundai dealers smile. Honda is all set to launch the diesel version of Honda Jazz this year with Honda’s brilliant 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine that is currently doing duty in Honda Amaze.

There are news from Maruti Suzuki planning to launch a diesel version of their best selling Wagon R and Volkswagen coming up with UP.

Major hatchbacks that will have facelifts or cosmetic changes in 2014 will include popular ones such as Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Tata Indica Vista and Chevrolet Beat. There is no news from Nissan to launch the diesel avatar of their new hatchback Datsun Go and Honda has no immediate plans to launch the diesel version of Honda Brio. However, we are still expecting the launch of DieselTata Nano late this year.

The most surprising news is from Tata Motors who are on a mission to change their brand image and is coming up with cars having quality fit and finish. They have already revealed the new diesel hatchback Tata Bolt which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2014.

So let us wait and watch for all these launches.

Which is the Top Diesel Hatchback in India?

We will list here the hatchback cars for an average Indian whose budget is between 4.5 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs. The list is bit long as we have more cars competing this space.

Maruti Swift

Best selling premium hatchback in the country. The new makeover has made it smarter and hot. This is a car worth to buy without a second thought. You can’t go wrong with Swift.

Maruti Swift

Pros:

Decent Multi Jet peppy engine.
Fun to drive. Good ride and handling
Tried and tested car
Decent average mileage.
Low maintenance cost and reliable Maruti service network.

Cons:

Interiors are not roomy and have a small boot.

Pricey and less on features compared to Hyundai Grand i10
Need a facelift

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city) and 19.6 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi – 6.19, VDi – 6.89, ZDi – 7.78

Best model to buy: VDi

Hyundai Grand i10

It is Hyundai’s latest diesel hatchback that follows the car maker’s fluidic design philosophy and has already redefined few rules becoming value for money car in its class. It is considered as the nicely built and well equipped car for city traffic. Thus, Hyundai Grand i10 can be called as an Ideal urban hatchback.

Hyundai i10 Grand

Pros:

Small efficient diesel engine

Spacious and Comfortable

Rich Interiors and features

Practicality

Efficiency and Value for money

Hyundai service network

Cons:

Almost None

Driving dynamics compared to Swift

Engine feels little underpowered

Mileage (in Kmpl): 21 (city) and 24 (highway), 18 (Overall)

Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): CRDi Era – 5.15, CRDi Magna – 5.34, CRDi Sportz – 5.72, CRDi Asta – 5.98, CRDi Asta Option – 6.29

Best model to buy: CRDi Magna

Ford Figo

Ford Figo is indeed a city car and you will enjoy driving in city. It’s core strength being a value for money and practical car. The recent facelift have made Figo more attractive with users. Ford Figo, whose design resembling Ford MK6 Fiesta car is truly a best-selling car from Ford India.

Ford Figo

Pros:

Finest Ride and Handling.
Truly value for money.
Ideal for city drive.

Cons:

Lacks outright performance

High Maintenance Cost compared to Maruti and Tata/Fiat Siblings

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.1 (city) and 18.5 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LXi – 5.36, EXi – 6.11, ZXi – 6.21, Titanium – 6.64

Best model to buy: ZXi

Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat having the smallest diesel engine is rated as the most fuel efficient diesel hatchback in India. It’s unique sporty looks along with an affordable price tag and top fuel efficiency has made it an instant hit with first time diesel car buyers.

Chevrolet Beat

Pros:

Distinctive Looks and styling

Small yet smart diesel engine

Most fuel efficient diesel hatchback (25.4 Kmpl, as per ARAI standards)

Chevy promise: 3 year/1,00,000km warranty

Affordable Price

Cons:

Average performance and lacks punch

Noisy at high speed

Small boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 16 (city), 19.1 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): PS – 5.01, LS – 5.31, LT – 5.79, LT option – 6.31

Best model to buy: LT

Chevrolet SAIL UVA

Chevrolet SAIL UVA is the latest competitor in the diesel hatchback car segment. This is a thoroughly re-engineered car from Chevrolet for India to handle all the difficult roads here. It has the same Fiat sourced engine, seen in Maruti Swift and has got all the right mix to compete in this hatchback segment.

Chevrolet Sail UVA

Pros:

Great ride and handling

Good overall Performance

Spacious Cabin

Well-rounded engine

Cons:

Normal Interior and dated design

Rear seat comfort

Quality of cabin

After sales service

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.1(city), 19.0 (highway)

Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): LS –5.93 , LS ABS – 6.26, LT ABS – 6.69

Best model to buy: LT ABS

Tata Indica Vista

Tata Indica Vista has improved a lot. Tata Motors have introduced new engine variant known as Quadrajet 90 for Indica Vista. Quadrajet 90 engine is an 1.3L 88bhp diesel engine which is also found in Tata Manza and Fiat Punto 90HP Sport car. There are two new variants with this engine: VX and ZX. These models come with new elements including safety features. Tata Indica Vista still remains as an affordable spacious family car.

Tata Indica Vista

Pros:

Space and Comfort

Value for Money

Fiat sourced engine as in Maruti Swift

Cons:

Brand Image

After sales service

Small boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.6(city), 16.7 (highway)

Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): TDI LS -4.67 , TDI LX – 5.20, Quadrajet LS –5.20 , Quadrajet LX – 5.61, Quadrajet VX – 5.86, Quadrajet ZX – 6.53 , Quadrajet 90 VX – 6.03 , Quadrajet 90 ZX 6.63

Best model to buy: Quadrajet 90 VX

Maruti Ritz

Maruti Ritz is a smart alternative to the popular Maruti Swift especially for families. The face lifted Maruti Ritz looks better and feature rich.

Maruti Ritz 2014

Pros:

Refined Engine (same engine as in Maruti Swift)

Better interior space than in Swift

Driving comfort and feature rich

Practicality

Low maintenance

Fuel efficiency

Maruti service network

Resale value

Cons:

Small Boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (On road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi- 5.94, VDi – 6.29, VDi ABS – 6.50, ZDi – 7.17

Best model to buy: VDi ABS

Toyota Etios Liva

Etios Liva is Toyota's small car for India. The 1.4 litre diesel engine in Liva gives an impressive mileage (ARAI tested) of about 23.59 kmpl . The car has got good space and drive quality and has the 'Toyota' brand image. On the downside, the interiors in the car look basic and need improvement. Cost cutting is clearly visible inside the car.

Toyota Etios Liva

Pros:

Spacious

Easy to drive

Toyota Brand

Excellent Fuel efficiency

Easy Maintenance

Cons:

Dull Interiors

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.5 (city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): GD – 5.94, GD Safety – 6.62, TRD Sportivo – 6.47

Best model to buy: GD Safety

So who are the rest of contenders for the best diesel hatchback in India for 2014?

Please click here to read the Part 2 of this topic.

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Best Diesel Hatchback Car In India 2014 -Part 2

2014-03-23T17:38:00.001+05:30

This is in continuation of our previous post for the Best Diesel Hatchback Car In India for 2014.

Nissan Micra

Nissan Micra is a value for money car from Japanese auto major Nissan. Micra boast of great fuel efficiency and luxurious interiors. But lack of good sales and service network makes it unattractive among buyers.

Nissan Micra

Pros:

Easy to drive

Low running cost and Value for money

Good features and equipments

Best city car

Distinctive styling

Fuel efficient

Cons:

Seating

After sales service

Resale value

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6(city), 19.5 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): XV – 5.96, XV premium – 6.41

Best model to buy: XV

Renault Pulse

Renault Pulse is the small hatch from French Automaker, Renault and shares the same platform as Nissan Micra. Though it has lot of similarities with Nissan Micra, Pulse has its own unique identity and French styling and is definitely better car than Micra. The ARAI certified mileage of Renault Pulse is is 23.08 Kmpl.

Renault Pulse

Pros:

Efficient K9K diesel engine

Spacious interiors

Good features

Good city car

Fuel efficiency

Cons:

Similarity with Micra

After sales service

Dull cabin

Low rear seat

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.5(city), 19.2 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): RxL -6.10 RxL -6.23 optional RxZ -6.65 RxZ optional - 6.78

Best model to buy: RxL Optional

Fiat Grande Punto

Fiat Grande Punto is a stylish and talented premium hatchback powered by the most popular Fiat’s Multijet diesel engine known for its fuel efficiency. Under standard test conditions, Fiat Grande Punto gives a fuel efficiency (ARAI tested) of 20.3 Kmpl.

Fiat Punto

Pros:

Solid Build

Looks and Styling

Good Features

Efficient Multi Jet engine as in Swift but doesn’t make the response as in Swift. It’s quicker than Ford Figo.

Service cost is lesser than Ford Figo but costlier than Maruti.

Cons:

Average performance

Sometimes feel little under powered

Maintenance cost and after sales service

Rear leg room

Interior Fit and finish

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.0(city), 19.1 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Active – 5.72, 1.3 Dynamic -6.37, 1.3 Emotion- 7.00, Emotion Pack 90BHP -7.36, Sport 90 BHP – 7.52

Best model to buy: Dynamic

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo is an elegant looking car that has many good elements combined into one package. It has got great design, styling and comfort in addition to its uncompromising quality and powerful engine. Moreover, this premium hatchback car has striking interiors and exteriors that will attract car lovers.

Volkswagen Polo

Pros:

German engineering

Build quality

Ride and comfort

Cons:

Average performance but better than Ford Figo

Rear leg room

Maintenance cost and less service network

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.0(city), 19.0 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Trendline -6.09, Comfortline – 6.59, Highline- 7.16

Best model to buy: Comfortline

Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20 has got three important things – Space, Comfort and Safety. The new face lifted next gen i20 truly boast of attractive fluidic design with host of cool features and efficient 1.4L CRDi diesel engine.

Hyundai i20

Pros:

Great looks

Refinement

Spacious interiors

Feature rich

Hyundai Service Network comes next to Maruti

Cons:

Average performance

Poor initial response

Pricey

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.8(city), 19.5 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Era-5.93, magna -6.17, Magna (0pt)-6.47, Sportz- 7.04, Asta-7.51

Best model to buy: Asta

Tata Indica eV2

Tata Indica eV2 is the most affordable and spacious diesel car in India for the masses. The new refreshed version of Tata Indica eV2 has cool interiors and additional new features. It also has Auto drive Assist and Clutch-to-start features which makes this hatchback more attractive than before.

Tata Indica eV2

Pros:

Cheap and affordable

Comfort and Spacious

Value for money

Fuel efficient

Cons:

Quality issues

Fit and finish

Brand image

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 15.3(city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs: L - 4.13, LE - 4.57, LS - 4.72, LX-5.02

Best model to buy: LX

FINAL VERDICT:

As we have new entrant in this year’s final list, it was quite tough to decide between Hyundai i10 Grand and Maruti Swift. Choosing a best diesel hatchback depends on various factors such as performance, ride and handling, features, Price, Maintenance cost, After sales service, Fuel efficiency, Resale value and of course the buyer requirement, which is subjective.

Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 are almost equal in most of the aspects and here is our final verdict:

Maruti Swift - Hyundai i10 Grand - Ford Figo

Best #1. Maruti Suzuki Swift still tops the list considering the above mentioned factors. It’s truly the best diesel hatchback in India that has almost all the necessary elements to be at the number one position. It has got all – great performance, Good ride and handling, striking design, well finished cabin, excellent fuel economy, Maruti’s hassle free ownership and host of other features. Though it loses out on certain level of comfort aspects, it clearly scores on all other areas. But we can’t neglect Hyundai Grand i10. Other than the driving dynamics and fun element in driving the swift, Grand i10 has got it all and is little cheaper than Swift.

Best #2: Hyundai Grand i10

As said before, Hyundai Grand i10 has got all right ingredients such as comfort, features, space, practicality, efficiency and value for money to be kept next to the winner. It is also very efficient and cheaper than Swift. It is nicely built, well-equipped and feels effortless to drive in the city. Grand i10 is ideal for city traffic whereas Maruti Swift performs well in highways. Thus we can call Hyundai Grand i10 as an ideal urban commuter.

Best #3. Ford Figo comes in the third position as it has a mix of comfort, value and practicality. It’s a well equipped hatchback that outshines all others in terms of ride and handling. Ford has cleverly priced the Figo to attract customers and this car is already a hit among Indian customers. We recommend the higher end Titanium model though Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq ZXi model is also worth to consider.

Other five alternatives to choose are:

Chevrolet Beat – The most fuel efficient affordable hatch back.

Chevrolet SAIL UVA - For excellent ride, spacious cabin and refined engine.

Tata Indica Vista – Most spacious, affordable, value for money hatchback.

Toyota Etios Liva – For fuel efficiency, space and Toyota brand.

Hyundai i20 – Though pricey, it has got style, comfort, features, safety and space.

What do you think is the best hatchback car?

Do not forget to share your feedback and comments.

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Maruti Launches Celerio at a Starting Price of 3.9 Lakhs!

2014-02-06T17:32:00.000+05:30

Maruti Suzuki has finally launched Maruti Celerio compact hatchback. As usual, anything from Maruti's stable is always a news!

The need for a compact, easy to drive and fuel efficient hatchback is the need of the hour due to sky rocketing fuel prices and crowded roads. The new Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the answer from Maruti Suzuki.

The Celerio is stylishly designed and has spacious and functional interiors with an adequate boot. As per ARAI standards, Celerio offers a fuel efficiency of 23.1 km per litre. The starting price for the base Lxi version is INR 3.90 lakhs (Exshowroom price, Delhi).Celerio comes in six petrol variants - four with Manual transmission and two with Auto Gear Shift. Auto Gear Shift on the Celerio is a first for India amongst passenger cars.

Maruti Celerio Price (Delhi)

Click here to read the quick review for Maruti Celerio.

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Maruti Celerio - The New Small Car in Town!

2014-02-01T20:55:00.005+05:30

All about New Maruti Celerio – Specs, Review and more.

Maruti Celerio is the new small car from Maruti Suzuki and looks like a sure shot winner from the Indo- Japanese Company. This car is expected to fill the gap of A Star and Estilo models for which Maruti was not happy with sales. Maruti Celerio has certain resemblance with Hyundai i10 and is clearly targeted to compete with Hyundai i10.

The Celerio has been developed on a completely new platform and boast of a unique feature known as EZ Drive, a special automatic gearbox that is expected to change the way we drive. The design of the Celerio is based on the A-Wind concept that Suzuki showcased at the Thai Auto show.

Design

Maruti Celerio has got a clean and appealing Japanese design that will please all sorts of people in the small car segment. This time, Maruti has not gone wrong with the design and styling.

Few key design aspects are

Attractive curved headlights and prominent Suzuki Grille
A twin-slat bonnet grille in chrome
Front looks aggressive due to large air dam
Prominent and lightly curved bottom side lines
Spacious interiors, Rear is roomy
Tall hatchback, Spacious legroom and headroom
Simple and fairly straight-forward rear design
Overall, Designed for better aerodynamics

Maruti Celerio

Engine and Performance

Maruti Celerio is currently offered only with a petrol engine. It has the same but updated K10 B three cylinder 1.0 litre engine that we see in new version of Wagon R. The car has got responsive motor with decent power at lower speed. The engine is silent till 3000rpm and has got good noise absorbing insulation.

Maruti Celerio is offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The car can reach 0-100Kph within 14.9 seconds. But the surprising feature of this car is the automatic gearbox or EZ Drive (that is what Maruti like to call it) where there will not be any clutch to shift gears. Actually, it doesn’t use a torque converter but rather relies on an electronic control unit that manages hydraulic actuators to control clutch engagement and gearshifts. Even more surprising fact is that the automatic mode gives adequate performance and good fuel economy similar to that of manual mode!

Few other performance aspects include:

Light steering
Tight Turning circle
Slick gearshift
Good straight line stability and also around corners
Excellent ride quality compared to its competitors

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Interior

Quick Specs

Height: 1560 mm
Wheel base: 2425mm
Boot volume: 235 litres
Ground clearance: 165mm
Steering Type: Electronic
Front Brakes : Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: Drums
Fuel Tank: 35 litres

Features and Interiors

Celerio will be offered in three variants – LXi, VXi and ZXi having added features when we move from base variant LXi to top model ZXi.

LXi - Air-conditioning and power steering are standard features

VXi – has a rear parcel shelf, power windows, central locking and internally adjustable rear view mirrors.

ZXi – Its key features include alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, tilt-adjustable steering, a driver’s side airbag, rear wash & wipe, integrated audio player with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth for telephone and audio streaming functions, steering controls for the audio system and a rear defogger.

ABS and a front passenger airbag are available only as an optional package on the ZXi. Moreover these safety features will not be offered on the automatic version of the Celerio that will only be sold in LXi and VXi variants.

The car has got dual tone black beige interiors with dashboard-mounted gear lever layout, just like the Hyundai Grand i10. The car has got new instrument cluster with the steering wheel taken from Maruti Swift. The centre console houses audio system and air-con controls.

Maruti Celerio Interiors

Storage features include:

Two cup holders on the front side and a bottle holder each on the rear doors
Space to hold a bottle behind the handbrake
Decent Boot space, at 235-litres
Adequate glove box but not very large
60:40 split rear seats that folds forward to carry more luggage

Mileage

23.1 kmpl ARAI-tested figure

Expected Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rs. 3.9 lakh for the base manual version

Rs. 4.9 lakh for the automatic.

Bookings

Bookings are open at all authorized Maruti Suzuki dealers in India.

Finally

Maruti Suzuki has got things right this time with Celerio. This is definitely a smart and easy to drive efficient car that can give tough competition for other small cars especially Hyundai i10.

The new automatic gearbox will be the highlight of this car as it promises to be frugal both in terms of costs and in terms of fuel consumption. We can expect its competitors coming up with similar or even better solution to drive sales. However, Hyundai Grand i10 is much better car than Maruti Celerio.

Quick Note: Maruti Celerio Diesel

Though Maruti is busy behind developing a small diesel engine for their small cars, Celerio with Diesel engine is not expected soon.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

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All New Honda City 2014 Unveiled with Diesel Variant

2013-12-01T10:31:00.006+05:30

All New Honda City Unveiled – It comes with Diesel Engine Variant

Honda has unveiled the all-new City fourth-generation City in New Delhi. It will be available in both petrol and diesel engine variants. This is the first time Honda is coming up with a Diesel variant for City. The new car follows the Honda’s H design approach, which will be passed over to other Honda model cars. The car has become much more spacious, stylish and smart than its forerunners.

Tell me, is there any major change?

At first glance, the car resembles the existing City. But if we look closer, we can notice the change by ourselves. The car has got

Honda City

New twin barrel headlight
Narrow rear tail lamps that wrap around the boot lid
Sharper bumper
Notable front grille
New strong character lines on the sides
More legroom and space inside
And a host of new luxurious features

What about Specification?

Engine

Improved 1.5 litre iVTEC petrol engine
Honda’s 1.5 litre iDTEC diesel engine (Same as in Amaze)

Transmission

6 Speed manual (diesel)
5 Speed manual petrol
5 speed automatic petrol

Dimensions

Length of the car is 4440 mm - same as the present Honda City
Wheelbase is 2600 mm - an increase of 50mm over the current City.
Width is 1695 mm wide - same as the current City
Height is 1495 mm.
Ground clearance is 165 mm - same as the current City
15-inch wheels

Honda City Rear

Is it high on Features?
As we said before, the new Honda City is equipped with host of new luxurious features like never before. The features in top end variant include:

Five inch multi-function touch screen music system
Distinctive touch panel for the all the aircon controls
8-speaker sound system is supported with USB, aux-in inputs and CD player.
Rear Air vents
Key less entry
Four power output sockets to charge smart phones.
Start/stop button,
Sunroof,
Cruise control
A rear view camera with different views.
All-new rich interiors with quality plastics
Improved dashboard
Clear instrument panel with blue back lights
Well-built vents on the dash.
Better steering wheel and good driving position.
Nice leather clad gear lever

Honda-City-Interiors

Tell us about its mileage

Diesel Engine: 25.8 Kmpl (Expected)
Petrol Engine 15 Kmpl (Expected)
In actual road conditions and heavy traffic, we can expect a mileage of around 13 Kmpl for petrol and 18.5 Kmpl for diesel model.

Honda-City-Interiors

Did Honda say anything about the price?
Honda has not yet revealed the cost. However, we expect the cost to be between Rs. 8.5 lakh for the base petrol model to Rs. 11.5 lakh for the top-end diesel.

When can I see this car in Indian Roads?
The new Honda City is expected to go on sale in January 2014.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

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All about Hyundai Grand i10

2013-08-14T00:57:00.000+05:30

Hyundai Grand i10

Hyundai has finally revealed its small diesel car named as Grand i10.

Hyundai i10 Grand

What this car is all about?

Grand i10 is Hyundai’s answer for small diesel cars.

It will be placed between i10 and i20.

Is it i10’s diesel model?

Though the name has the word ‘i10’, the Grand i10 is built on a completely new platform. If we look at the size and features, it has similarities with i20. So you can consider it as a ‘Mini i20’ rather than a ‘bigger i10’. The existing i10 will not be phased out and the Grand i10 will be sold along with the existing one.

How about the Engine options

Grand i10 comes with both petrol and diesel engine models with 5 speed manual transmission. It has got all-new 1.1 litre U2 VGT diesel and 1.2 litre Kappa petrol engine. The petrol model will have automatic variant as well.

Hyundai i10 Grand

What about the Performance, especially the diesel one?

Grand i10 has got refined diesel engine. The usual diesel rattle at the start goes away once the speed rises. The car is quite stable at higher speed and the engine is almost silent while idling. The diesel engine is pretty responsive at low speeds. The turbo lag is very little and there is no need of frequently shifting gears. Yes, this car will be ideal for city driving.

We could not test the Petrol model yet.

How it looks? What about interiors?

Grand i10 looks good and eye-catching. It is designed based on Hyundai’s fluidic concept with new tail lamps and alloy wheels. Cabin quality looks premium and spacious with two-tone dashboard. The gear lever is placed similar to i10 integrated along with dashboard. The car has got ample legroom and headroom. There are enough storage spaces everywhere inside and boot looks quite adequate. Grand i10 has 100 mm longer wheelbase. The dash and the instrument cluster looks premium.

What are the model options?

Magna, Sports, Asta and Asta (O)

Hyundai Grand i10

Tell me about the features

You will be surprised to know about the list of features that the car has got. The higher end ASTA (o) has ABS,Airbags,Electric ORVM’s, Driver seat height adjustment,Reverse Camera,Rear Air con vent,Steering mounted audio controls,Cooled Glove box.Push Start button,Blue tooth connectivity. hmmm..the list is quite impressive.

Who will be the rivals?

Ford Figo, Maruti Swift, Nissan Micra, Chevrolet Beat and Toyota Liva.

Mileage

No official figures yet. The mileage of diesel model will be around 26 Kmpl and the petrol ones will have around 19.5 Kmpl.

Price

No official prices announced.

We expect the Petrol models price to start from 4.1 Lakhs and Diesel models to start from 5 Lakhs (Exshowroom price, Delhi).

When is the launch date?

September 03, 2013.

So what you say?

Grand i10 is a spacious, feature rich and stylish hatchback. This will be a value for money hatchback ideal for urban use. This will be one of the best selling car from Hyundai.

Hyundai has plans to launch a sub 4 metre saloon of Grand i10 by next year. Maruti has plans to launch a small diesel car next year!

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

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Nissan unveils Datsun GO, price under Rs. 4 Lakh!

2013-07-17T07:17:00.000+05:30

Nissan has unveiled Datsun GO. The new hatchback car will be priced under Rs. 4 Lakhs. Datsun GO will be seen on Indian road early next year. The car will be powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine producing 68 PS and 104 Nm. The engine is same as in Nissan Micra Active and will have 5-speed manual transmission. Though the mileage figures are not out, it is believed that Datsun GO will have better fuel efficiency than Nissan Micra Active which is about 19.49 Kmpl (ARAI Tested).

So what are the key features that one should look in Datsun GO?

Datsun Go is decently styled car having muscular looks. One can see lot of design elements from other cars such as Maruti Ertiga from the front, Alto 800 or Etios Liva from rear!
Go will provide good interior space with ample legroom and has the same wheel base as Nissan Micra (2450mm)
It has front bench seat and can seat 3 people at the front.
The gear lever is neatly mounted on the dashboard and this allows the third person to sit at the front.
The front seat is a single piece unit with integrated headrests.
The handbrake is placed next to the gear knob.
The door handles, AC vents and instrument cluster are the same that we see in Nissan Micra
Lot of cost cutting elements are visible. There are no rear power windows, internally adjustable rear view mirrors, cup holders, rear wiper, defogger and fog lamps. It has single wiper, black coloured rear view mirrors, single-din audio system and open glove box.

Datsun GO will compete with the popular entry level hatchback especially Maruti Suzuki WagonR, A Star, Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat. But all the eyes are on the final price and fuel efficiency figures, the key indicators about a car’s success in this segment. Moreover, Nissan needs to improve the service network.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

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Ford ECOSPORT launched !

2013-06-28T01:04:00.000+05:30

Ford EcoSport, the new urban compact SUV from Ford is the new talk of town. Ford has finally launched the much awaited Compact SUV with a tempting starting price tag of 5.59 lakhs!

We have seen Ford EcoSport in New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012 and Ford has big plans for Ecosport to be exported to 40 countries from India. Compact SUV segment is slowly gaining popularity in India and Renault Duster is currently ruling Indian roads in the entry level category. It seems like Ford EcoSport can become a nightmare for Renault if Ford strike at the right chords.
Mahindra Quantro and Maruti Ertiga are other two rivals for Ecosport. Ford Ecosport will also attract compact sedan buyers who go for Honda Amaza or Maruti Swift DZire.

Ford Ecosport is an urban SUV designed for city lifestyle. Its compact design makes it easy to park and drive through busy city streets. Moreover, It has the right mix for an SUV to go to places you want to go.

Ecosport Engine and Price

With three engine options - 1.0 litre petrol with Ecoboost technology, 1.5 litre turbo petrol and 1.5 litre diesel, Ecosport comes in 10 variants. It comes in 7 colors with 38 accessories.

1.5 litre petrol starts with 5.59 Lakhs
1 litre Ecoboost Petrol starts with 7.90 Lakhs
1.5 litre diesel Ecosport starts with 6.69 Lakhs
Automatic transmission 1.5 petrol Ecosport can be yours for 8.45 Lakhs!

Mileage (ARAI tested)

1.0 L Petrol Ecoboost: 18.7 Kmpl
1.5 L Turbo Petrol: 15.8 Kmpl
1.5 L Diesel : 22.7 Kmpl

One can expect a mileage of 15.6 Kmpl for automatic petrol Ecosport. ARAI tested mileage for Diesel Ecosport is 22.7 Kmpl. But one can expect around 15 Kmpl in city driving and 18 Kmpl on highways.

(All prices quoted are ex showroom price, New Delhi)

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Mahindra Verito Vibe Review

2013-06-12T09:16:00.003+05:30

Value for Money Compact Diesel Sedan

We know about Mahindra Verito sedan since those Logan days. It has got quite few good qualities and is well known as a value for money spacious sedan that can comfortably sit 5 people. Moreover, the presence of reliable and good performance Renault 1.5 litre diesel engine add to its advantage. The main drawback is the styling and design factor - it is just basic and nothing much to say.

Mahindra had been planning to bring a low cost car that should have all the good qualities of Verito and still look stylish. Thus Verito Vibe was born. It is a sub 4 meter length car and retain the Verito design . Both these factors keep the cost low.

Design and Looks
At first glance, it looks like a hatchback from rear with its sporty new rear tail lamp cluster. But the boot opens like a sedan. We can open only its bottom part and the boot is hinged at the bottom of the rear windscreen. So we can call Vibe as a compact sedan that was trying to look like a hatchback. You are not mistaken if you find some similarity with Ford Figo from the rear. The boot line and two tone bumper looks like Ford Figo, giving Verito Vibe a new refreshing look!

But don't think of any other major design change in Vibe. All other sections are same as in Verito. You can say as a 'cut and paste' model of Verito from front Bumper to rear door. Everything 'same -same'. Oh yes! two changes. The chromium frame in front grille has been replaced with carbon shade frame and the headlights has got a smoky look.

Engine
The Renault engine in Verito Vibe is the same that we see in most of the popular Renault models. It is a tried and tested 1.5 litre diesel engine that is efficient and responsive with minimum engine noise. There is no need of frequently changing gears which makes it ideal for city use. It gives an average fuel efficiency of 20 Kmpl, which is not bad.

So what about inside?

Interiors and Features
There is not much to say about interiors. It is just basic design that we seen in Verito. The rear seat has three headrests and three people can comfortably sit with ample leg space. Needless to say, Vibe is various spacious inside and has got wide front road view. It has got 330 litres boot space. The rear seats cannot be adjusted or folded to add boot space. Due to small boot entrance and high ground clearance, keeping large luggage need some effort. Vibe gives good driving experience and easily absorbs all those jerks and potholes in Indian roads. One main disadvantage is the lack of driver seat adjustment.

Vibe comes in three diesel models - D2, D4 and D6. The high end D6 model comes with Airbags, ABS, 2 DIN music system with CD, MP3 player, USB and aux in, alloy wheels and a rear defogger.

The Verito Vibe competes with the likes of Chevrolet Sail U-VA and Toyota Etios Liva.

So how much does it cost?

Mahindra Verito Price in India (Ex showroom, Mumbai)

D2 Rs 5.63 Lakhs

D4 Rs 5.89 Lakhs

D6 Rs 6.49 Lakhs

Pros:

Powerful and reliable engine.

less engine noise
Spacious
Ideal for city use

Value for money

Cons

Basic interiors

Lack of features

Overall Looks

Driver seat adjustment
Small boot entrance

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Chevrolet Enjoy - The New MPV in Town

2013-05-01T16:34:00.001+05:30

Chevrolet Enjoy Review

When Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are having good time with their respective MPV's - Innova and Ertiga models in India, how can American car maker Chevrolet be just remain as a spectator?
Chevrolet has decided to launch their much awaited MPV - Chevrolet Enjoy on this May 9th to give sleepless nights to rivals.

Exterior Styling

Looks like a proper MPV with compact dimension. The front styling is sleek with the signature Gold Bowtie and the Chrome surround three dimensional grille merging well with the jewel effect wrap around headlamps. The leaf style fog lamps add to the style quotient of Enjoy.

The side profile looks neat and clean. The integrated sporty rear spoiler with High mount stop lamp at the rear conceals the boxy looks to a certain level.

Interior Styling

Chevrolet Enjoy has plain yet spacious interiors. The luxurious dual tone interiors along with wooden finish AC vents and door trim inserts make the interiors look premium and rich. But the dashboard looks just basic. The triple cluster silver surround instrument panel along with blue night time illumination looks good and provides us a strain free view of the panel. There is a single din music system with USB and AUX comparability.

One has to mention the standard dual AC provided as standard feature in all variants which ensures efficient front and rear cooling. Other features include Theater Style Seating, Height Adjustable Driver Seat, Front and Rear Power Windows, Power Adjustable OSRVMs, Rear Wiper and Washer, Tilt Steering and Multipurpose 12 V Accessory Power Outlet in the 3rd row for charging portable electronic devices. Chevrolet Enjoy can comfortably seat 7 people and has adequate boot space but not enough storage space inside.

In terms of safety features, Chevrolet Enjoy doesn't lag behind. It has got Safe Cage Design with strong protection beams made of high strength steel and in built crumple zone for the safety of cabin occupants. Other features include dual front airbags, reverse parking sensors, ABS with EBD which prevents steering lock to ensure better wheel control during emergency braking situations.

Engine and Performance

Chevrolet Enjoy has two engine options:

1.3LSMARTECH Turbo charged diesel engine

1.4L SMARTECH petrol engine

The diesel engine provides seamless power delivery with good fuel efficiency. This rear wheel drive MPV has minimum turbo lag and smooth gear shifts. The petrol engine provides you excellent driving experience delivering refined power delivery and efficiency.

Enjoy Specifications & Quick Facts:

Overall Dimension: 4305 mm * 1680 mm *1750 mm (length*width*height)
Wheelbase: 2720 mm
Ground Clearance: 161 mm (diesel), 165 mm (petrol)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 Litres
Tyres: 6 Spoke 14 inch wheels, 175/70/14 Tubeless Radials
Turning Radius: 5.5 meters

Engine: 1248cc, 4-cylinder - Diesel | 1399cc 4-cylinder, DOHC - Petrol
Power: 77.5 PS @ 4000 RPM - Diesel | 104 PS @ 6000 RPM - Petrol
Torque: 188 Nm @ 1750 RPM - Diesel | 131 Nm @ 4400 RPM - Petrol
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension: McPherson Struts -Front | 5-link Coil Spring - Rear
Brakes: Ventilated Disc - Front | Drum - Rear

Chevrolet Enjoy Mileage and price

Mileage: 14-16 Kmpl- Diesel | 10-12 Kmpl- Petrol (actual driving conditions)
Price: 7.5 lakhs - 10 Lakhs (estimated on road price)

Pros:

Spacious Interiors
Powerful Engine and good ride quality
Dual A/C vents in all models

Cons:

Interiors can be made better
Engine can be more powerful
Not feature rich
Ground clearance
Normal looks

Chevrolet Enjoy seems to be a promising MPV for its practicality and good performance. Enjoy is definitely spacious than Maruti Ertiga. But in terms of features, Maruti Ertiga scores better. If we see the overall quality and reliability, Toyota Innova is far ahead and yes, we need to check the price too. Chevrolet will aggressively price this MPV to tap the masses.

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DC Lounge Duster - a refreshing change!

2013-04-26T23:57:00.001+05:30

Renault Duster Makeover

DC Design is well known for their various custom designed cars and prototypes. They have given magical touches to so many well known cars including Porsche Cayenne and Rolls Royce coupe. This time, it was Renault duster who has undergone an interesting makeover.

DC Design has modified our top selling renault duster into a piece of richness and luxury and named it as DC Lounge Duster.

What catches our eyes at the first glimpse is the front design. Front grille is replaced with a new striking one with daytime running light strips. Front bumper gets a large air dam with chrome enclosed fog lamps. The fog lamps act as the main headlights.

So, What are the other changes?

The SUV gets a matte black color finish. There is nothing much to say about the sides expect the new alloy wheels. The rear end too have not much change other than the engraved DC logo. But enter inside and see the change yourselves. DC Design has transformed he interiors with chrome, leather and wood to make it look luxurious and comfortable. However the interior colour may not please everyone.

DC Design usually plays with chrome ,leather and wood for the interiors as part of their makeover plan. In Duster, we can find 6 way powered individual captain seats and this SUV can comfortably seat 4 persons. Recline the front seats and join with the rear to form a bed (almost).

Rear passenger seat has foldable tray and gets tiltable LCD screen. All these modifications can be yours for an amount of Rs 3.49 Lakhs in addition to price of Duster.

Price may go up depending on further customisation and needs.

Let the pictures speak for itself.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

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Maruti Suzuki SX4 2013 Facelift

2013-03-31T10:08:00.005+05:30

Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2013 SX4 facelift model in India. It has got few new changes both inside out with a notable improvement in the fuel efficiency figures. Maruti was able to increase the fuel efficiency up to 6 % without making any changes to the engine or its price!

This launch was inevitable as the company was not happy with SX4 sales and fuel prices are going up day by day. So what to look for in the new facelift SX4 2013 version?

Maruti Suzuki SX4 2013 features

Sporty new chrome grill
Dual coloured front bumper for a contrasting look
SX4 got longer by 10mm due to the new bumper
Electronically foldable ORVMs with turn indicators

New Black and beige dashboard for an elegant & classy look
Wood Finsih arm-rests on door trims with cubic panting
New Luxurious upholstery
New Chrome finish on inside door handles and AC louvers
Touchscreen audio system with GPS navigation and bluetooth connectivity
Improved mileage

SX4 2013 Mileage

16.51 Kmpl Petrol
21.79 Kmpl Diesel
22.1 KM/Kg CNG

SX4 2013 Price (on road price, New Delhi)

Petrol VXi :8.05 (manual)
Petrol ZXi :8.91 (manual)
Petrol : 9.67 (Auto)
CNG VXi :8.72
Diesel VDi: 9.31 (manual)
Diesel ZDi :10.31 (manual)

Best Model to Buy: VDi

Marurti Suzuki has given special attention to improve its interior quality which was one on the drawback for its earlier version. With the new looks, features and improved mileage, SX4 will delight customers for sure.

Ford Figo Celebration Edition Launched

2013-03-07T00:35:00.001+05:30

Ford India has launched the special celebration edition of Ford Figo to mark its third birthday in India. Ford India President and Managing Director Joginder Singh launched the car along with notable fashion designers, Shantanu and Nikhil.
The new celebration edition was designed by fashions designers and owners of Figo. According to Ford India,the idea behind designing the car by them is to get the raw ideas of the owners across to professional designers.

What's new in the celebration Edition?

Branded scuff plate
Rear spoiler
Reverse park assist
Satellite navigation
Limited edition seat covers
Special decal
Signature badge.
The special edition of Figo is available in Diamond White Color, with blue colored decals.

Price

Petrol Variant: Rs 4.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Diesel Variant: Rs 5.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Ford Figo is one of our top choice for the best diesel hatchback in India.
The new rear spoiler and special features have made Ford Figo more sporty and smart!

Also Read:
Ford Figo Review
Best Diesel Hatchback In India 2013

Best Diesel Hatchback Car In India -2013 Part 2

2013-02-22T19:54:00.003+05:30

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

Best Small Diesel car in India 2013

This is in continuation of our previous post for the Best Diesel Hatchback Car In India for 2013.

7. Toyota Etios Liva

Pros:

Spacious

Easy to drive

Toyota Brand

Excellent Fuel efficiency

Easy Maintenance

Cons:

Dull Interiors

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.5 (city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): GD – 5.94, GD Safety – 6.62, TRD Sportivo – 6.47

Best model to buy: GD Safety

8. Nissan Micra

Pros:

Easy to drive

Low running cost and Value for money

Good features and equipments

Best city car

Distinctive styling

Fuel efficient

Cons:

Seating

After sales service

Resale value

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6(city), 19.5 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): XV – 5.96, XV premium – 6.41

Best model to buy: XV

9. Renault Pulse

Pros:

Efficient K9K diesel engine

Spacious interiors

Good features

Good city car

Fuel efficiency

Cons:

Similarity with Micra

After sales service

Dull cabin

Low rear seat

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.5(city), 19.2 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): RxL -6.10 RxL -6.23 optional RxZ -6.65 RxZ optional - 6.78

Best model to buy: RxL Optional

10. Fiat Grande Punto

Pros:

Solid Build

Looks and Styling

Good Features

Efficient Multi Jet engine as in Swift but doesn’t make the response as in Swift. It’s quicker than Ford Figo.

Service cost is lesser than Ford Figo but costlier than Maruti.

Cons:

Average performance

Sometimes feel little under powered

Maintenance cost and after sales service

Rear leg room

Interior Fit and finish

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.0(city), 19.1 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Active – 5.72, 1.3 Dynamic -6.37, 1.3 Emotion- 7.00, Emotion Pack 90BHP -7.36, Sport 90 BHP – 7.52

Best model to buy: Dynamic

11. Volkswagen Polo

Pros:

German engineering

Build quality

Ride and comfort

Cons:

Average performance but better than Ford Figo

Rear leg room

Maintenance cost and less service network

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.0(city), 19.0 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Trendline -6.09, Comfortline – 6.59, Highline- 7.16

Best model to buy: Comfortline

12. Hyundai i20

Pros:

Great looks

Refinement

Spacious interiors

Feature rich

Hyundai Service Network comes next to Maruti

Cons:

Average performance

Poor initial response

Pricey

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.8(city), 19.5 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs): Era-5.93, magna -6.17, Magna (0pt)-6.47, Sportz- 7.04, Asta-7.51

Best model to buy: Asta

Note: Hyundai Grand i10 diesel hatchback will be launching in September 3, 2013. Click here to know more.

13. Tata Indica eV2

Tata Indica eV2 is the most affordable and spacious diesel car in India for the masses. The new refreshed version of Tata Indica eV2 has cool interiors and additional new features. It also has Auto drive Assist and Clutch-to-start features which makes this hatchback more attractive than before.

Pros:

Cheap and affordable

Comfort and Spacious

Value for money

Fuel efficient

Cons:

Quality issues

Fit and finish

Brand image

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 15.3(city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (Exshowroom at Delhi in Lakhs: L - 4.13, LE - 4.57, LS - 4.72, LX-5.02

Best model to buy: LX

FINAL VERDICT:

Choosing a best diesel hatchback depends on various factors such as performance, ride and handling, features, Price, Maintenance cost, After sales service, Fuel efficiency, Resale value and of course the buyer requirement, which is subjective. Here is the final verdict:

Best #1. Maruti Swift tops the list considering these factors. It’s truly the best diesel hatchback in India that has almost all the necessary elements to be at the number one position. It has got all – great performance, Good ride and handling, striking design, well finished cabin, excellent fuel economy, Maruti’s hassle free ownership and host of other features. Though it loses out on certain level of comfort aspects, it clearly scores on all other areas. As we said before, Maruti Ritz can be a smart alternative to Swift especially for family. If you have deep pockets, Maruti Swift ZDi would be worth to buy.

Best #2. Ford Figo comes in the second position as it has a mix of comfort, value and practicality. It’s a well equipped hatchback that outshines all others in terms of ride and handling. Ford has cleverly priced the Figo to attract customers and this car is already a hit among Indian customers. We recommend the higher end Titanium model though Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq ZXi model is also worth to consider.

Other five alternatives to choose are:

Chevrolet Beat – The most fuel efficient affordable hatch back.

Chevrolet SAIL UVA - For excellent ride, spacious cabin and refined engine.

Tata Indica Vista – Most spacious, affordable, value for money hatchback.

Toyota Etios Liva – For fuel efficiency, space and Toyota brand.

Hyundai i20 – Though pricey, it has got style, comfort, features, safety and space.

What do you think is the best hatchback car?

Do not forget to share your feedback and comments.

As always, Happy and Safe driving!

Hyundai has revealed Grand i10 diesel. Click here to know more.

Best Diesel Hatchback Car in India 2013

2013-02-22T19:49:00.001+05:30

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

Which is the Top Diesel Hatchback in India?

There are some great new diesel cars in store for 2013. But most of the upcoming diesel cars are either saloons or SUV’s. Year 2012 had few launches and more facelift for hatchback cars. Chevrolet launched its diesel hatchback SAIL UVA whereas popular cars like Maruti Swift, Ford Figo and Maruti Ritz had gone through facelifts or cosmetic changes.

Among the upcoming launches, Hyundai’s Grand i10 diesel hatchback is the one worth waiting for in 2013. It will be launched in September this year. Click here for more details on Hyundai Grand i10 diesel.
We are not expecting Tata Nano Diesel to be launched any time this year.

Honda is going to enter the diesel market with the launch of Honda Amaze sedan. This is the first diesel car from Honda for India. We can also expect the diesel version of Honda Brio hatchback soon.

Note: Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

We will list here the hatchback cars for an average Indian whose budget is between 4.5 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs. The list is bit long as we have more cars competing this space.

1. Maruti Swift

Best selling premium hatchback in the country. The new makeover has made it smarter and hot. This is a car worth to buy without a second thought. You can’t go wrong with Swift.

Pros:

Decent Multi Jet peppy engine.
Fun to drive. Good ride and handling
Tried and tested car
Decent average mileage.
Low maintenance cost and reliable Maruti service network.

Cons:

Interiors are not roomy and have a small boot.
Waiting list – You need to wait to own one (though the waiting time has reduced a little since few months)

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city) and 19.6 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi – 6.19, VDi – 6.89, ZDi – 7.78

Best model to buy: VDi

2. Ford Figo

Pros:

Finest Ride and Handling.
Truly value for money.
New facelift has made Figo more attractive than before.
Ideal for city drive.

Cons:

Lacks outright performance

High Maintenance Cost compared to Maruti and Tata/Fiat Siblings

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.1 (city) and 18.5 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): LXi – 5.36, EXi – 6.11, ZXi – 6.21, Titanium – 6.64

Best model to buy: ZXi

3. Chevrolet Beat

Pros:

Distinctive Looks and styling

Small yet smart diesel engine

Most fuel efficient diesel hatchback (25.4 Kmpl, as per ARAI standards)

Chevy promise: 3 year/1,00,000km warranty

Affordable Price

Cons:

Average performance and lacks punch

Noisy at high speed

Small boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 16 (city), 19.1 (highway)

Price (on Road at Delhi in Lakhs): PS – 5.01, LS – 5.31, LT – 5.79, LT option – 6.31

Best model to buy: LT

4. Chevrolet SAIL UVA

Pros:

Great ride and handling

Good overall Performance

Spacious Cabin

Well-rounded engine

Cons:

Normal Interior and dated design

Rear seat comfort

Quality of cabin

After sales service

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.1(city), 19.0 (highway)

Price (Ex Showroom at Delhi in Lakhs): LS –5.93 , LS ABS – 6.26, LT ABS – 6.69

Best model to buy: LT ABS

5. Tata Indica Vista

Tata Indica Vista has improved a lot. Tata Motors have introduced new engine variant known as Quadrajet 90 for Indica Vista. Quadrajet 90 engine is an 1.3L 88bhp diesel engine which is also found in Tata Manza and Fiat Punto 90HP Sport car. There are two new variants with this engine: VX and ZX. These models come with new elements including safety features. Tata Indica Vista still remains as an affordable spacious family car.

Pros:

Space and Comfort

Value for Money

Fiat sourced engine as in Maruti Swift

Cons:

Brand Image

After sales service

Small boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 13.6(city), 16.7 (highway)

Best model to buy: Quadrajet 90 VX

6. Maruti Ritz

Maruti Ritz is a smart alternative to the popular Maruti Swift especially for families. New face lifted Maruti Ritz looks better and feature rich.

Pros:

Refined Engine (same engine as in Maruti Swift)

Better interior space than in Swift

Driving comfort and feature rich

Practicality

Low maintenance

Fuel efficiency

Maruti service network

Resale value

Cons:

Small Boot

Mileage (Average Kmpl): 14.6 (city), 19.3 (highway)

Price (On road at Delhi in Lakhs): LDi- 5.94, VDi – 6.29, VDi ABS – 6.50, ZDi – 7.17

Best model to buy: VDi ABS

So who are the rest of contenders for the best diesel hatchback in India for 2013? Please click here to read the Part 2 of this topic.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

Hyundai is going to launch Grand i10 diesel. Click here to know more

How to Test Drive a Car?

2013-02-20T01:01:00.001+05:30

Test Driving a Car

Before buying a new car, it is very important to test drive it. This will ensure that the new car will serve all your purpose and needs for the coming years.

There are various factors to consider while test driving a car. Before we start to talk about it, you need to note three important things:

Make sure that the car you are going to test drive fits your budget. Get on road price of the model you wish to own from manufacturer website or car dealers or any reliable auto website. Check for any discounts or offers available for the model.
Make a wish list including all the ‘must haves’ in your new car. Ensure that the car that you are going to test drive has all the essential features that you would like to see in your new car.
Before test driving a car, make sure that you can afford its running and maintenance cost. This will include service cost, insurance cost and fuel cost.

So we will get back to the topic – How to test drive a car and make sure that it is the right car for you?

We will mention below few tips to take care while test driving a car.

Research Well

Before stepping to a dealership, do your research on the car model. Learn about its specification, comfort features, equipment list, mileage, standard accessories and safety features.

Know about the various model options or variant available. Check the equipments and features that come with these variants. All these information are easily available from manufacturer’s website or any reliable auto website or magazines. So get all the facts clear before feeling the wheel.

Choose Your Test Drive Time

Never test drive in a hurry when you have very little time to spare. A clever salesman can take advantage of this situation. So test drive on a day when you have ample time to spend. Ideally, you should test drive on a bright day time during non peak hours when traffic is less.

Take your friend or family member

It is always good to hear a second opinion from your reliable friend or family member. So bring them along and let them sit at the back while you drive. Ask them to share their feedback. As they have a different riding experience, they can share feedback from a different angle.

Check exteriors, door and boot Space

How the car looks from outside?

Look the car from all possible angles. Check the build quality and finish of the car.

Inspect the side and boot doors. Are they feeling solid and well build?

Check the Boot space and try other alternate option to stretch the boot space, as suggested in the manual. Is the boot space adequate for your needs? Will you able to load and unload luggage with ease?

If you are happy with the exteriors, then it is time to look what is inside the car.

Examine interiors

Here, you need to check interior space, leg room, head room, cabin quality, seat fabrics, different controls, instrument clusters, storage spaces, seats and adjustments.

Are you able to easily get in and out of the car?

Check for interior space and over all cabin quality. Verify the quality of the plastics used.

Is there ample legroom and head room. Is it spacious enough for your purpose?

Test the climate controls and other equipments provided.

Is the instrument cluster clearly visible? Make sure that all the controls including gear are easily accessible, ease to use and of good quality.

Ready for the drive

Inform the accompanying salesman politely that you want to focus on the drive. Ask him questions only when necessary. Inspect everything yourself. Don't be tempted to take the salesman's word for anything or let him demonstrate for you.

Get in to driver’s seat. Adjust the seats. Sit in your most comfortable position.

Cover different road types

Before staring the test drive, inform the salesman that you want to try out different terrains and not their pre determined test drive route. This will reduce unnecessary delay in getting permission from his supervisor.

Test drive on highways, rough roads, country roads and busy streets to get a feel of how the car handles on various road types. Try to replicate different driving situation you can.

Check the suspension, ride quality, handling and speed.

Visibility Check

This is simple but an important check before buying a car. Are you able to see the road in your most comfortable seat position? Adjust the mirrors and see if you can see the sides and rear of the vehicle clearly.

Noise level check

Start the engine and roll up all windows and close all doors. Don’t accelerate.

Can you feel any vibrations inside the car? Can you hear any noise inside the car?

Check for any sound coming from outside the vehicle.

A well insulated cabin should eliminate almost all outside noises. Also, check for any rattle or engine noise. If the noise and harshness make you uncomfortable, then it is a negative sign.

Now, accelerate the car with gear in neutral and rev up the engine for few seconds. Observe the vibrations again. Though there might be engine noise on acceleration, but the vibration should be minimum and acceptable.

Check car handling

Start the car, switch off the air conditioner and try to drive as gently as possible, slowly picking up speed. You can feel whether the car is smooth to drive or not. Now, switch on the air conditioner and check the power lag. Also, observe for any noises or vibrations during these tests.

Turn the car at varying speed to test car handling. Check whether the car is flying away or holding close to the road. You can check car’s turning radius by doing a full circles on an open ground. You check how the car handles while braking hard after giving a hard acceleration.

Take the car to any rough road (but not too bad) and drive at a normal speed. Examine how the car handle the potholes and bumps. Is the car feeling stable? This can give an idea about its suspension.

Ride back to Back

If you have wide range of cars to test drive, then it is advisable to test drive all of them one after the other or within shortest possible break between each test drive.

Check for your specific need

If you have any specific requirement for your car, then check that too. If you have less parking space at home, then ensure that you can park the car properly at home. If you have a large family, then ensure that the car accommodates all of them comfortably.

Test Drive again

If you are still not sure on few aspects, then test drive again. It is advisable to have a second test drive after a couple of days to get a fresh outlook.

Always remember that it is your money and you are going to own and maintain the car. So decide well before signing the check. If you are still not sure about the car, feel free to walk away.

Reviews For You To Read:

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Renault Duster Price in India

2013-02-09T12:23:00.002+05:30

Renault Duster Price

With excellent ride quality, Spacious interiors, Good SUV looks and Decent fuel efficiency, Renault Duster becomes the top choice for an entry level SUV in India.

Renault Duster SUV (Click image to zoom)

Our recent quick review about Renault Duster makes it as the best entry level SUV to buy in India for its price and features. But in some cities, we got few negative feedback about its service and showroom experience. Renault has to seriously take this into consideration to ensure a good sales and service experience for customers.

Here we list the on road price for Renault Duster in few important cities in India.

PRICE (on road in Lakhs)	New Delhi	Mumbai	Kolkata	Chennai	Bangalore
RXE (Petrol)	8.44	8.66	8.05	8.50	8.72
RXL (Petrol)	9.54	9.86	9.11	9.65	9.92
RXE 84 (Diesel)	9.57	9.79	8.75	9.39	9.65
RXL 84 (Diesel)	10.69	11.00	9.80	10.54	10.85
RXL Pack 84 (Diesel)	12.19	12.33	11.38	12.21	12.39
RXL 108 (Diesel)	11.35	12.33	11.38	12.21	12.39
RXZ 108 (Diesel)	13.35	13.55	11.91	13.41	13.63
RXZ Pack 108 (Diesel)	13.25	13.92	12.33	13.77	14.01

Annual insurance cost ranges from Rs.38740 (base petrol model) to Rs.53154 (High end diesel model). Click here to know about the ex showroom prices for other cities.

Renault Duster SUV Review

2013-02-09T11:57:00.000+05:30

Renault Duster - Review Price and Quick Facts

Renault Duster is a smart and affordable SUV from Renault that is slowly flooding Indian Markets. Duster is a carefully packaged SUV for Indian roads. It boast of excellent ride quality, SUV looks, cool features and decent fuel efficiency. India has been waiting for a fuel efficient and affordable SUV. Renault sensed this gap and closed it cleverly with the Duster before anyone else. Other big players have spotted this and will be launching their compact SUV’s in the days to come.

Renault is rated as one of the best entry level new SUV in India.

Renault Duster (Click image to zoom)

Quick Facts:

Petrol engine

Engine Code	1.6 K4M
Displacement (cc)	1598
Engine Type	4 Cyl in-line
Max Power : PS @ rpm	104 PS @ 5850 rpm
Max Torque : Nm @ rpm	145 Nm @ 3750 rpm
Fuel System	Multi-point Fuel Injection
Transmission Type	5-speed Manual

There are two diesel engine options : 85 PS and 110 PS

85 PS Diesel Engine:

Engine Code	1.5 dCi K9K HP
Displacement (cc)	1461
Engine Type	4 Cyl in-line
Max Power : PS @ rpm	85PS @ 3750 rpm
Max Torque : Nm @ rpm	200 @ 1900 rpm
Fuel System	Common rail direct injection (dCi)
Transmission Type	5-speed Manual

110 PS Diesel Engine:

Engine Code	1.5 dCi K9K THP
Displacement (cc)	1461
Engine Type	4 Cyl in-line
Max Power : PS @ rpm	110PS @ 3900 rpm
Max Torque : Nm @ rpm	248 @ 2250 rpm
Fuel System	Common rail direct injection (dCi)
Transmission Type	6-speed Manual

Common Fact File:

WheelBase (mm):	2673
LxWxH (mm):	4315x1822x1695
Ground clearance (mm) :	205
Boot (litres):	475
Tank (litres):	50
Kerb Weight (Kg):	1160-1308
Doors/ Seats	5/5
Engine/Drive	Front/Front

Pros:

Good build
Real SUV look
Ride Quality
Spacious and ample leg room
Comfortable seats
Fuel efficiency
Practical and comfortable
Easy to drive
Impressive cabin insulation

Cons:

Look and feel of plastics
Interior and cabin quality
Equipment list
Lack of good service network
Lack of proper storage space inside
It can seat only 5 people and not 7

Renault Duster Interior (Click image to zoom)

Price:

The ex showroom price for base petrol starts from 7 Lakhs. The diesel version starts from 8 Lakhs and goes up to 12 Lakhs for the higher end model. (price quoted here are approximate figures)

Click here to know about Renault Duster price list in India for important cities.

Annual insurance cost ranges from Rs.38740 (base petrol model) to Rs.53154 (High end diesel model).

Best Model To Buy: 108bhp Diesel RxL

Mileage:

Models	ARAI tested	Actual Average
Petrol	13kmpl	11.8 Kmpl
Diesel (85 PS)	20 Kmpl	18 Kmpl
Diesel (110 PS)	19 Kmpl	17 Kmpl

By seeing the advantages of Duster, you might have already thought in your mind that “what more could I ask for in an entry level SUV“.

Yes. Duster is a good choice for an entry level SUV to buy for that price and features.

New Honda CR-V 2013 Review

2013-01-23T18:52:00.003+05:30

New Honda CR-V launch 2013

Come February 2013, Honda will launch its fourth generation Honda CR-V in India!

Honda CR-V, the most popular imported SUV in India for a long time still has good number of fans following. Now Honda is all ready to launch its much awaited fourth generation CR-V, which will be assembled in India. This will help Honda in pricing it competitively.

Honda CR-V 2013- Front view (Click image to Zoom)

With competition becoming very tight in recent times for SUV segment, Honda CR-V is seen slowly losing its grip with buyers. This could be due to high price and lack of diesel option. Though Honda is coming back with cars powered by new diesel engine, we have to wait a bit to see a diesel CR-V in India. So an improved and facelifted version of the existing petrol model was what the doctor suggested for the time being!

Honda Cr-V 2013 - Rear View (Click image to zoom)

New Honda CR-V 2013 - Preview

So what are the changes in this new Honda CR-V?

One doesn't have to think much to recognise the new Honda CR-V from outside. It is very easy to make out. We can spot a lot of sharper details in new CR-V. It is interesting to note the pointing rear window glass. There is a stylish three bar horizontal grille and overall, the new CR-V looks much compact, sharper and aggressive.

There would be two engine options:

2.0 litre i-VTEC Petrol – upgraded one
2.4 litre i-VTEC Petrol

There will not be any diesel version initially.

2.4 litre engine model will have five speed automatic version. New CR-V has a faster electrically actuated four wheel drive system. Base model will spot 2.0 litre engine which may come with an option of manual gearbox as well. New CR-V will get a more efficient electrically assisted steering system. New CR-V will feature improved suspension geometry, a firm body structure and a full length under body tray to reduce road noises as much as possible.

Honda CR-V 2013 - Inside Cabin (click image to zoom)

Key features of this new Honda CR-V:

The new CR-V is actually 5mm shorter than its predecessor but has notably more space inside and the largest boot space in its class.
More spacious interiors - Additional 225mm in the cabin.
Inside is very open and airy and good space utilisation.
Wider cabin - Additional 225mm in the cabin.
Good quality materials – Its typical Honda level of quality.
Classy instrument panels and well finished interiors.
Good rear leg space.
Spacious boot – 598 litres.
We get 1648 litres boot space if we fold the 60/40 split rear seat.
Comfortable driving position – feels like a car.
Good forward visibility.
Gear lever is high up and suitably close to the wheel.
The one-step fold-flat system for the rear seats - just pull a tab for them to spring forward and fold down.

Expected Price: Rs. 20 Lakhs – Rs.22 Lakhs (Ex showroom, Delhi)

Mileage: Not Available

So whether India’s favourite SUV has become better and smarter?

Watch this space for more updates on the new Honda CR-V.

Also Read : Best Diesel Hatchback In India 2013

Car Buying Tips

2012-12-14T17:45:00.002+05:30

How to Buy a Car?

There are lot of factors to be considered while choosing a new car. The below guide will help you in choosing one.

Your requirement

First of all, you need to have clear idea about your requirement from your new car. There are lot of cars out in market in various categories, size, shape and even for various purpose!

Knowing your need will avoid unnecessary confusions in choosing the right car and will not make you buy a big SUV where your really need is a small diesel hatchback.

You can consider the following points while noting your requirement.

Seating capacity and boot space
Distance to cover in a day/week/month
Parking Space at home/office
Engine capacity
Features - basic and luxury features in car
Safety Features - like ABS, Airbags etc
Expected Budget and Maintenance charges
Expected Mileage
Brand Image and Resale
Dealer Service network
Easy availability of spares, Finance options and EMI
Do you need a new car or an old one. As value of car depreciate drastically over time, even buying a one year old car will save you thousands of rupees...so the list goes on.

Know Your Budget

As cars are depreciating assets, knowing your budget is very important as this helps you in avoiding financial burden later. Mark your budget to your comfort levels and stick to it, no matter what the dealer or finance company says you can afford. Apart from EMI for the car, you need to consider about the running costs, fuel cost, insurance premium and servicing cost.

Know your options

With the knowledge of your budget and need, now it is easy to research the market to list out the available options. Make of list of probable ones. You can go through the specs and reviews from internet including this site.

Test Drive the Vehicle

Do test drive cars from your shortlisted list and get the first hand feel of it. You can bring friends or your nearby workshop mechanic to get a second opinion. If you’re taking a decision from a wide range of cars, try to test-drive them back to back. If the car is to be used as a family vehicle, make sure they all fit in the car comfortably, can easily get in and out, and check for storage space if you need to.

Negotiate

Negotiate price with the dealer and discuss finance options (If any). Choose the best finance's available and finalize on the best price and offers (if any). Dealers will give good offers mostly near month end as this is time when they have to close the sale in a hurry to achieve their targets.

Final Decision

After going through the above process, it will be now easy for your to decide on your right car - the car suits your budget, need and even status!

Hope this helps. If you have any feedback, do write to us at contact@bestcar2buy.com

Related Posts:
How to test drive a car
How to choose a colour for my car

Chevrolet Blockbuster Mega Benefits Offer!

2012-12-13T23:39:00.000+05:30

Chevrolet India has announced a mega benefits offer Known as Chevrolet Blockbuster Offer for their range of cars. This limited period offer includes never before benefits and amazing discounts.

New Spark

Mega Benefits of up to Rs. 40,000 + Corporate Discount
Starting Price (P) will be Rs. 3.26 Lakh
Offer Valid on Petrol and LPG models

Beat

Mega Benefits of up to Rs. 35,000 + Corporate Discount
Starting Price Rs.3.80 Lakh (Petrol)/ Rs.4.61 Lakh (Diesel)
Offer valid on Petrol, Diesel and LPG

Cruze (LT)

Mega Benefits of up to Rs.25,000 + Corporate Discount
Starting Price will be Rs.13.86 Lakh

Tavera Neo 3 BS IV

Mega Benefits of up to Rs. 61,000
Attractive offers on BS III also
Starting Price will be Rs.7.74 Lakh

New SAIL U-VA

This is India's first car with 5 Year/1,50,000 km engine & transmission warranty.
Available in Petrol & Diesel
Corporate discount available.
Price Starts at Rs. 4.44 Lakh

New Captiva 2.2l AWD A/T - Starting Price Rs.24.59~ Lakh

Terms and Conditions Apply.
Chevrolet promise offer applies to the maintenance and repairs carried at the authorized service stations for a period of 3 years/45,000 km (whichever is earlier). Warranty coverage 3 years/1,00,000 km (whichever is earlier).
Warranty on Engine & Transmission for 5 years/1,50,000 km (whichever is earlier).
Price mentioned above for all car lines is the ex-showroom price for the entry level variant. For full terms and conditions, please contact your nearest dealership.

Maruti Suzuki’s A-Star to get new 800CC diesel engine

2012-11-24T19:14:00.000+05:30

Maruti Suzuki is working hard in developing a two cylinder 800cc diesel engine to power its forthcoming diesel cars. This is being developed with the help of Suzuki engineers in Japan and is codenamed E2.

This new engine is likely to deliver 40 hp and is expected to give a mileage of 25-30Kmpl. It will come to India for indigenisation in a year after thorough tests at Suzuki Motor Corp, Japan. This diesel engine will power the next gen A-star (Known globally as Alto), ready to be roll out in India by 2015.

There will be tight competition in this segment as Tata Motors and Hyundai are coming up with small diesel engine cars. Tata Motors will be launching 800 CC Tata Nano diesel and Hyundai is working on 1.1 litre i10 diesel to be launched within a year.

In India, entry level segment makes up for 40-45 % of the total car market and every car maker is working on small diesel cars to boost their sales in the coming years. At present, we have only 1 Litre Chevrolet Beat in this segment and it delivers a decent fuel efficiency of 25 kmpl. So we need small diesel cars that gives all these factors – power, performance, mileage and affordable. As entry level customers are price sensitive, car makers will have to consider all these factors to have a winning offer.

Awaiting more entry level diesel car launches in the coming years.

Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

Honda Brio Amaze - First Honda Diesel in India!

2012-11-17T09:39:00.000+05:30

Honda’s new Brio based saloon will be called Honda Amaze. This car is developed on the existing Brio platform. It will be powered by an all new 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine and 1.2 litre i-VTEC Petrol engine. You heard it right! This new Brio entry level sedan will be Honda’s first diesel vehicle in India.

Honda Amaze (click image for a full screen view)

Honda Amaze will be sub-four-metre in length to take advantage of the excise duty cut. It will compete with similar cars in that range like the Indigo eCS, Swift Dzire and the yet to be launched sub-four-metre Mahindra Verito. Honda will also place the same diesel engine in the existing Brio hatchback.

As per company sources, this new entry level sedan to be launched in Thailand and India, will have amazing power delivery with class leading fuel efficiency. Few days back, Honda released an official teaser image of Amaze on its Thailand website. The car which will be initially launched in Thailand on November 23 will have only petrol models. It will be launched in India by mid next year.

What we heard about Honda Amaze:

Both petrol and diesel models will be launched in India.
Engine compliant with Euro 4 emission standards.
5 Speed Manual Transmission.
Automatic version for its petrol model is likely to follow.
Max torque: 200Nm.
Good fit and finish.
Light-tan coloured interior with plenty of interior space having enough legroom.
Spacious Boot with 420 litres of boot space – this will be the best in its class.
As per Honda India Cars, this diesel will be the lightest and most fuel efficient in its class.
Launch expected in mid next year (mostly April 2013).
Expected Price Range: 5.6 Lakh – 8.2 Lakh.

What we think about Honda Amaze :

Honda Cars are better known for its quality and finest petrol engines. We expect the same characteristics in its diesel variant. We believe that Honda Amaze will stick to Honda Core values – Reliability, Quality, performance and Economy. If priced competitively, Honda Amaze can pose a serious challenge to its main competitor - Maruti Swift Dzire. With the launch of Honda Amaze, a strong competition can arise in entry level sedan segment especially for diesel cars.

We expect more details to come out after its Thailand launch on November 23, 2012.

Check Out latest Honda Brio Amaze Video :

You would be interested to know about the Best dieselhatchback car in India for 2014.
Click here to read our latest 2014 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2014.

New Tata Nano Special Edition Launched!

2012-11-07T01:23:00.003+05:30

Tata motors is celebrating this festive season by adding colour to its product line such as the new Tata Manza Club Class, Tata Safari Storme and latest one being the New Special Edition Tata Nano.

So what is so special about this Nano?

The new special edition Tata Nano comes with five distinctive new add-ons that make the car more stylish so that you arrive in style all the time! It includes:

Alloy wheels
Two glove boxes on either side of the dashboard so that you never run out of space
A Blaupunkt audio system with an MP3 player, iPod connectivity, USB/AUX support
Two front-door speakers
Special edition stickers at C pillar on both sides
Body graphics on either side of high end LX model.

Few points to note:

The special edition is available in all colours of Nano LX and Nano CX. So these features are not offered for the base standard model of Nano.
The Special Edition Nano is not available in Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. However,this car is available in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
The new body graphics is available only for the LX variant and not for the CX model. Other than Body graphics, CX and LX model have all the other above mentioned accessories.
This is a limited period offer.

As per Tata Motors, the new-range of features in Nano are worth up to Rs. 25,000 and is given absolutely free to customers for a limited period.
There is an exchange bonus of Rs. 10,000 for four wheelers and Rs. 5000 for two wheelers on purchase of Tata Nano Special Edition.
This Special Edition car comes with a 4-year / 60,000km warranty. Moreover, Government employees, teachers and doctors will get a cash bonus of worth Rs. 3000 on the purchase of this Special edition car.

Tata Nano Prices: (All prices at ex-showroom Mumbai)

Tata Nano Base: Rs.1,54,540 (No Special Edition Applicable)
Tata Nano CX: Rs.1,73,000
Tata Nano LX (high end): Rs.2,13,706

Click here to know the prices at different cities.

Tata Nano Mileage:

25.4 Kmpl (ARAI Tested)

Tata Nano Pros:

Compact Car, Price, Ideal for city drive, Fuel efficient, new good features at old price, Easy to park.

Tata Nano Cons:

Lacks power, No Boot space, Stability, Small fuel tank, Refinement, Reliability.

If you have already made up your mind to go for Nano petrol model, then this is the best time to buy one. We can expect a new CNG version of the Nano by this year end. In 2013, Tata motors will launch the much awaited diesel powered Tata Nano.

Click here to know more about Tata Nano Diesel.

All new Chevrolet Spark review

2012-10-31T20:32:00.002+05:30

General Motors has launched a facelifted version of its compact small car Chevrolet Spark in India. This new 2012 Chevrolet Spark has got few new changes that make it sit next to other Chevy siblings. The existing Spark which has been plying on Indian roads since 2008 will be discontinued and replaced by this new Spark.

The new 2012 Chevrolet Spark is available in both petrol and LPG options and is costlier by up to Rs 10,000 from the existing equivalent versions of the model.

So what are the new changes and features in this facelift version?

Fresh Looks and improved interiors

The Chevy Signature Twin Port Chrome Lined Honey Comb Grille adds to the excellent and dynamic front-end design.
New Spark has got new bumpers, satin roof rails and remodelled head and tail lamps. The new Clear Glass Jewel Effect Headlamps provides clear visibility at night giving a unique identity to Spark. The trendy tail lamps have shinning chrome finish to enhance the overall appeal of the exterior. The new satin-silver roof rails highlight the overall compact design.
New two-tone finish upholstery, silver finish dash and decor, updated wing inspired instrument cluster, 2-DIN audio system with aux and USB functionality enhance the style quotient and luxury feel of the vehicle.

The new premium looking instrument cluster in the centre has a very fresh wing inspired design for a fast paced and sleek look.
New Spark is furnished with a variety of clever and practical storage spaces.
There are five variants on offer now with a choice of seven colours - white, beige, silver, misty lake (silver blue), grey, black and red.

What has not changed?

Engine and Mileage

Like its earlier version, new Spark is powered by a 1.0-litre 63PS 4-cylinder engine which is available in both petrol and LPG variants. There is no change in the engine performance and mileage. Spark is not as fuel efficient as its competitors. It has a tested mileage of 18 Kmpl for petrol models and 15 Kmpl on LPG.

However, GM India is offering a three-year/100,000-km standard warranty under the Chevrolet Promise Cost of Ownership Programme , which also provides free maintenance for three years or 45,000 km.

Price

The price of new Spark starts from 3.26 lakh for the petrol variant and 3.81 lakh for the LPG version (all ex-showroom prices at New Delhi).

Chevrolet Spark Std: Rs.3.26 lakh
Chevrolet Spark LS: Rs.3.52 lakh
Chevrolet Spark LT: Rs.3.80 lakh
Chevrolet Spark LS (LPG): Rs.3.81 lakh
Chevrolet Spark LT (LPG): Rs.4.10 lakh

Pros

Fresh Cute looks

Good quality materials for interiors

Chevrolet Promise Cost of Ownership Programme - three-year/100,000-km standard warranty and free maintenance for three years or 45,000 km.

Smooth drive and good ride quality

Cons (compared to its competitors)

Bit Pricey

Low Mileage

Average engine performance

Verdict

New Spark has become a better car after this facelift. It looks cute with its new Chevrolet front design and improved interiors. But when it comes to essential factors like price, mileage and engine performance, Spark takes a back seat. People who buy a car of this range will be more concerned about price and mileage than its look, fit or finish. Moreover, there are better cars like new Alto 800, Alto K10 and Hyundai Eon as competitors which scores high on these essential factors. It seems like this car doesn't have enough spark to attract buyers!

However, Spark can be considered as an ideal second car for those occasional shopping and supermarket run in city. It’s compact, easy to drive and park.

What you think about new Spark?

Let us know your feedback and comments.