Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Indian Hatchback Market - A Comparison

Friends, here i am taking you through a comparison of hatchbacks. I have considered only B & B+ segments for this equivalence and so you will not find all the cars in hatchback division. Please read and drop your suggestions. TY.


Fiat Punto


The Fiat Punto has been launched in India at a price of 4.90 - 7.36 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• The most stylish hatchback on our roads today.
• Fuel efficient diesel.
• Superb ride quality.
• Excellent maneuverability.
• First class safety feats, ABS & airbags (even on the diesel variant).

MISS:

• Rear bench space.
• Interior quality is strictly average.
• Petrol not fuel efficient.
• No high powered engine.
• High engine noise when you speed up (on both variants).
• Service does not match the standard of competitors (Maruti, Hyundai).

Honda Jazz


The Honda Jazz has been launched in India at a price of 5.75 - 6.31 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• Excellent build quality.
• Extremely spacious interiors.
• Fuel efficient.
• Flexible storage solution (magic seats).
• Light & easy to drive around in city.

MISS:

• Ride quality poor at low speeds.
• Low rpm torque delivery is weak.
• Level of equipment, poor.

Nissan Micra


The Nissan Micra has been launched in India at a price of 3.98 - 5.29 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• Semi Retro styling.
• Quality, well-designed, interiors.
• Driver airbag standard across the range even in base variants.
• Diesel engine offers stunning driveability. Fuel efficient as well.
• Suspension tuned for comfort.
• Keyless entry & go, engine start / stop button, electric folding mirrors, climate control.

MISS:

• Three-cylinder petrol engine.
• ABS brakes removed from the diesel Version.
• Poor under-thigh support on the rear seat.
• Thin dealer network.
• Nissan's cost of ownership is not yet known.

Toyota Etios Liva


The Toyota Etios Liva has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 3.99 - 5.99 lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• Spacious interiors can easily carry 5 adults.
• Effortless to drive within the city. 
• Safety package (Airbags, ABS & EBD) optional on middle variant too.
• Toyota’s ownership experience & excellent after-sales. 

MISS:

• Poor 1.2L engine.
• Stark interiors, as a part of cost cutting. 
• Cheap interior quality & unconventional dashboard.
• Missing equipment feats (climate control, height adjustable driver's seat etc.)
• Engine, suspension & road noise are prominent.

Ford Figo


The Ford Figo has been launched in India at a price of 3.81 - 5.94 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• Sturdy build and construction.
• Interiors more comfortable than chief competitor Swift.
• 1.4 Diesel's proven driveability and fuel efficiency.
• Mature big-car-like ride quality.
• Extremely spacious boot, 284 liter.

MISS:

• Lacks the modernity in looks of recently launched hatchbacks.
• Both engines lack in outright performance. Neither engine can exploit the car's dynamics.
• No true top-end variant (tilt adjustable steering, rear power windows, MID etc.)
• Average backseat legroom.
• Ford's sub-par dealership experience.



Chevrolet Beat

The Chevrolet Beat has been launched in India at a price of 3.59 - 5.61 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).



HITS:


• Funky styling inside & out.
• Light, easy to drive and chuckable.
• Unique superbike-inspired speedometer.
• ARAI fuel efficiency topper.
• Chevy's 3 year service guarantee.


MISS:


• Compact 170 liter boot. 50 - 60 liters smaller than competition.
• Horribly undertyred (155 mm width).
• Some goodies missing (driver seat height adjust, steering mounted controls)
• Small rear window.
 

Volkswagen Polo


The Volkswagen Polo has been launched in India at a price of 4.34 - 6.7 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

HITS:

• A well-built solid European hatch.
• Clean and contemporary styling.
• "Big car like" ride quality.
• Neutral handling & mature road behavior.
• Fuel efficient range of engines.
• 280 liter boot.

MISS:

• Poor 3-cylinder engines. Does not match the segment benchmarks.
• Ordinary rear bench legroom.
• Thin 40 dealership network.
• VW's cost of ownership is not yet known.

Maruti Suzuki Swift


The Maruti Swift has been launched in India at a price of 4.22 - 6.38 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).
 



HITS:

• A good looking car Interiors are well-designed too.
• Competent engine range. Very refined motors.
• Balanced ride and handling.
• Terrific fuel efficiency, especially from the diesel version.
• Effortless to drive in the city; extreme fun on the highway.
• Maruti’s excellent after-sales service & wide dealer network.

MISS:

• Small, impractical boot. Luggage capacity is severely restricted.
• Mediocre brakes (LXi / LDi & VXi / VDi).
• Looks nearly identical to the outgoing generation car.
• Rear seat space, though improved, still isn't "spacious".
• Pricey ZXi / ZDi variants.
• ABS no longer an option on the middle “V” variants. 
• Long waiting period for delivery. Runs over 6 months in some cities.

Hyundai I20


The 2012 Hyundai i20 has been launched in India at a price of between 4.73 - 7.67 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).
 


HITS:

• New Fluidic styling, excellent looks. 
• Best of the class equipment list (auto headlamps & wipers, keyless entry & go, reverse camera, electric folding ORVMs etc.)
• Big, practical 295 liter boot.
• 5 star safety equipment rating. Upto 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS & EBD.

MISS:

• Underpowered 1.2L petrol engine. Offers mediocre performance on the highways.
• Light & sensitive steering at speed.
• Diesel variant differs of Re. 1.5 lakhs (on the road) over the petrol.
• Asta variants prices like more powerful sedans.
• Hyundai's service costs are usually higher than that of the competition.

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