Thread Starter
#1
My first car was ALTO LXI BSIII and while selecting alto, I was not choosy about the cars. This was my first car so don’t wanted to take any risk. Closed my eyes and decided alto lxi. This decision never regrets me. I was very happy as an alto owner and enjoyed every moment with my alto. Since November 2010 I was thinking to replace my ALTO LXI with some big hatch. My yearly running is 10000 to 12000 KM (40% city and 60% highways) so no problem for choosing either petrol or diesel vehicle. I did not consider that I need to pay 80K to 1 lakh extra for diesel vehicle. I decided my budget and tried to get whatever is best in that budget. Budget was 6.50 lakh and extended up to 30/40K. Mainly 4 peoples always traveled with the car.
Primary requirements –
· Engine/Power – Petrol - 1.2 lit
– Diesel - 1.3 Multijet/1.4 TDCI/1.4 D-4D/1.2TDI/1.4CRDi
· Rear space (better legroom and headroom), Adjustable rear headrest
· Decent mileage - 16/17 KMPL (petrol) and 20/22KMPL (diesel)
· Best in class interior
· Build quality, handling and ride quality
· Effective AC for front as well as rear passenger (not necessary ACC)
· ICE/Music system with USB and Aux
· ABS,EBD
· 4 door central locking only (not necessary remote locking)
Secondary requirements –
· Safety features like airbags
· Minimum NVH and better engine refinement
· Better Ground Clearance (not faced too much scraping issue’s with my alto)
· Exterior/look of car
· Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres
· Defogger
· Internally adjusted OVRAM (Electrically)
Wish list –
· Both OVRAM with blink indicator
· Rear wiper
· Glove box cooling
· 4 decent bottle holders
· Boot space (not too much worried about boot space)
As per above requirements short listed some hatch
1) Hyundai I20 1.2 Asta / 1.4 Magna CRDi
2) New Swift 1.3 VDI
3) Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq
4) Skoda Fabia 1.2 Elegance (petrol)
5) Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Highline (petrol)
6) New Honda Jazz
7) Nissan Micra 1.5 dci
8) Fiat Grande Punto Emotion 1.3 Multijet
9) Chevrolet Beat 1.0 TCDI
10) New Tata Vista 1.3 Quadrajet
11) Toyota Liva V 1.2 / GD 1.4 D-4D
Took test drive of all above vehicles except Volkswagen Polo 1.2 and not considered Suzuki Ritz for rear look. Here I am not going to mention TD experienced for all vehicle because I am satisfied with all dealers for immediate TD.
Some observations -
1) Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq
+ve
1) Better Handling
2) Effective AC
3) Bluetooth connectivity
4) Reasonable price
-ve
1) Absence of rear power windows (at least should have been provided for ZXI and Titanium)
2) Absence of driver seat height adjustment
3) Absence of alloy wheels (at least should have been provided for Titanium)
4) Heard that Maintaince on higher side
5) GC
Why Rejected - Only due to rear power windows and GC.
2) I20 CRDI
+ve
1) Superb interior
2) Spacious
3) Better Build
4) Top notch fit and finish
4) 6 speed gearbox (now comes with 5 speed)
5) Endless feature list
6) Reliable ASS network after Maruti Suzuki
-ve
1) AC not effective (especially for rear passenger)
2) Ride quality
3) GC - 165 mm
4) Overpriced (Magna - 7 lakh OTR)
I20 1.2 Asta felt underpowered as compared to competitor but not bothered too much.
Why Rejected - Horrible stories of steering rattling and front suspension problem (even with 2011 model).
3) Skoda Fabia 1.2 Elegance (petrol)
+ve
1) Superb interior
2) Spacious
3) Better Build
4) Top notch fit and finish
5) Effective AC (also provided rear AC vents at rear foot level)
-ve
1) 3-pot engine
2) High NVH as compared to competitor
3) Cost cutting in features as compared to previous version
4) Overpriced
5) Less Mileage as compared to competitor
Why Rejected - 3-pot engine and expensive to maintain
4) Beat Diesel 1.0 TCDI
+ve
1) Bold Front view
2) Better build
3) Mileage (claim 24KMPL)
4) Decent interior and sporty front panel display
5) Decent boot space
6) Light weight steering
7) Better suspension
-ve
1) 1.0 Multijet (would have been better if 1.3 Multijet)
2) Not appropriate door handle for rear
3) 5.75 lakh OTR for LT seems costly (especially when compared to Vista VX)
4) Hard to push beyond 80
Why Rejected – Lack of punch for highway drives.
5) New Swift 1.3 VDI – Booked 1.3 VDI before launch (8 August 2011)
+ve
1) Best tuned Multijet engine
2) Great handling and improved ride quality
3) Effective AC
4) Mileage
5) Improved NVH as compared to previous version.
6) Best ASS network
-ve
1) 3rd gear surge missing (compared to old swift)
2) Boot space
3) Costly - 6.18 lakh OTR without ICE and ABS (Figo, Vista and Punto looks VFM)
4) Waiting period
5) Rear legroom not improved as per expectation
Why Rejected – Waiting period, lot of expectation before launch but could not fulfilled and effect of Honda Jazz price cut.
6) New Honda Jazz Select – Cancelled New Swift 1.3 VDI and booked Honda Jazz Select (4 September)
+ve
1) Best in class 1.2 iVtec engine (not bothered about low end torque)
2) Minimum NVH
3) Effective AC
4) Smooth gear shifting
5) Mileage
6) Excellent handling
7) Decent interior with lot of goodies
8) ICE support with USB and Aux
9) Jazz select model comes with all safety features and alloy wheels
10) Boot space
11) Magic seats
12) Honda reliability
-ve
1) GC – 160mm
2) Expensive spare parts as compared to competitor
3) Painful service interval
4) Waiting period
Why Rejected – Expected delivery was at 6 October 2011 but later dealer said 4 months waiting period and may be extend up to 6 months. Other reason was not sure about spare part cost.
Meanwhile my Alto LXI was sold before cancellation of Jazz and only available with me till 6 October 2011. Next one was Toyota Liva recently launched model.
7) Toyota Liva 1.2 / 1.4 GD D-4D
+ve
1) Very spacious at rear seat
2) Exterior/Looks
3) Smooth gear shifting
4) Light weight power steering
5) Better handling
6) Short clutch (better for city driving)
7) Toyota mileage claim for both engines
8) Turning radius
9) Decent boot space
10) Decent engine power for both petrol and diesel
-ve
1) Interior (Biggest disappointment)
2) Central mounted console not up to the mark (Vista has better console)
3) High NVH for diesel option
4) AC not effective (always need to put knob on 2nd position)
5) V and VX model looks overpriced 6.24 lakh OTR and 6.74 lakh OTR respectively. Lot of better
option available in market at this price. Same story for 1.4 GD model
Why Rejected – Interior and Overpriced
8) Nissan Micra 1.5 dci XV premium
+ve
1) Excellent 1.5 dci diesel engine from Renault and Nissan
2) Great city drivability
3) Good handling
4) Better build
5) Very good fit and finish
6) USP like push button start
7) Decent boot space
8) Mileage (proven in Logan)
-ve
1) GC – 154mm (too minimum)
2) Rear seat not comfortable (especially low height seats)
3) ABS is missing in top model
4) Limited service network
5) Seems overpriced (even with discount)
Why Rejected – Minimum GC and rear seat comfort as per not expectation
Meanwhile refreshed vista had been launched and also Fiat Punto yet to be tested.
9) New Tata Vista VX Quadrajet
+ve
1) Proven Multijet engine
2) Better handling and suspension
3) Best interior after I20 and Fabia
4) Good feature list like Bluetooth and audio control for lower variant also.
5) Reasonable price (VX Quadrajet – 5.84 lakh OTR and 5K accessories free)
6) Very cheap to maintain
7) Mileage
8) Best in class rear space
-ve
1) Taxi Image
2) Little bit hard gear shifting
3) Unknown about long term durability
Why Rejected – Not taken any decision. Looks VFM as compared to competitor
Primary requirements –
· Engine/Power – Petrol - 1.2 lit
– Diesel - 1.3 Multijet/1.4 TDCI/1.4 D-4D/1.2TDI/1.4CRDi
· Rear space (better legroom and headroom), Adjustable rear headrest
· Decent mileage - 16/17 KMPL (petrol) and 20/22KMPL (diesel)
· Best in class interior
· Build quality, handling and ride quality
· Effective AC for front as well as rear passenger (not necessary ACC)
· ICE/Music system with USB and Aux
· ABS,EBD
· 4 door central locking only (not necessary remote locking)
Secondary requirements –
· Safety features like airbags
· Minimum NVH and better engine refinement
· Better Ground Clearance (not faced too much scraping issue’s with my alto)
· Exterior/look of car
· Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres
· Defogger
· Internally adjusted OVRAM (Electrically)
Wish list –
· Both OVRAM with blink indicator
· Rear wiper
· Glove box cooling
· 4 decent bottle holders
· Boot space (not too much worried about boot space)
As per above requirements short listed some hatch
1) Hyundai I20 1.2 Asta / 1.4 Magna CRDi
2) New Swift 1.3 VDI
3) Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq
4) Skoda Fabia 1.2 Elegance (petrol)
5) Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Highline (petrol)
6) New Honda Jazz
7) Nissan Micra 1.5 dci
8) Fiat Grande Punto Emotion 1.3 Multijet
9) Chevrolet Beat 1.0 TCDI
10) New Tata Vista 1.3 Quadrajet
11) Toyota Liva V 1.2 / GD 1.4 D-4D
Took test drive of all above vehicles except Volkswagen Polo 1.2 and not considered Suzuki Ritz for rear look. Here I am not going to mention TD experienced for all vehicle because I am satisfied with all dealers for immediate TD.
Some observations -
1) Ford Figo 1.4 Duratorq
+ve
1) Better Handling
2) Effective AC
3) Bluetooth connectivity
4) Reasonable price
-ve
1) Absence of rear power windows (at least should have been provided for ZXI and Titanium)
2) Absence of driver seat height adjustment
3) Absence of alloy wheels (at least should have been provided for Titanium)
4) Heard that Maintaince on higher side
5) GC
Why Rejected - Only due to rear power windows and GC.
2) I20 CRDI
+ve
1) Superb interior
2) Spacious
3) Better Build
4) Top notch fit and finish
4) 6 speed gearbox (now comes with 5 speed)
5) Endless feature list
6) Reliable ASS network after Maruti Suzuki
-ve
1) AC not effective (especially for rear passenger)
2) Ride quality
3) GC - 165 mm
4) Overpriced (Magna - 7 lakh OTR)
I20 1.2 Asta felt underpowered as compared to competitor but not bothered too much.
Why Rejected - Horrible stories of steering rattling and front suspension problem (even with 2011 model).
3) Skoda Fabia 1.2 Elegance (petrol)
+ve
1) Superb interior
2) Spacious
3) Better Build
4) Top notch fit and finish
5) Effective AC (also provided rear AC vents at rear foot level)
-ve
1) 3-pot engine
2) High NVH as compared to competitor
3) Cost cutting in features as compared to previous version
4) Overpriced
5) Less Mileage as compared to competitor
Why Rejected - 3-pot engine and expensive to maintain
4) Beat Diesel 1.0 TCDI
+ve
1) Bold Front view
2) Better build
3) Mileage (claim 24KMPL)
4) Decent interior and sporty front panel display
5) Decent boot space
6) Light weight steering
7) Better suspension
-ve
1) 1.0 Multijet (would have been better if 1.3 Multijet)
2) Not appropriate door handle for rear
3) 5.75 lakh OTR for LT seems costly (especially when compared to Vista VX)
4) Hard to push beyond 80
Why Rejected – Lack of punch for highway drives.
5) New Swift 1.3 VDI – Booked 1.3 VDI before launch (8 August 2011)
+ve
1) Best tuned Multijet engine
2) Great handling and improved ride quality
3) Effective AC
4) Mileage
5) Improved NVH as compared to previous version.
6) Best ASS network
-ve
1) 3rd gear surge missing (compared to old swift)
2) Boot space
3) Costly - 6.18 lakh OTR without ICE and ABS (Figo, Vista and Punto looks VFM)
4) Waiting period
5) Rear legroom not improved as per expectation
Why Rejected – Waiting period, lot of expectation before launch but could not fulfilled and effect of Honda Jazz price cut.
6) New Honda Jazz Select – Cancelled New Swift 1.3 VDI and booked Honda Jazz Select (4 September)
+ve
1) Best in class 1.2 iVtec engine (not bothered about low end torque)
2) Minimum NVH
3) Effective AC
4) Smooth gear shifting
5) Mileage
6) Excellent handling
7) Decent interior with lot of goodies
8) ICE support with USB and Aux
9) Jazz select model comes with all safety features and alloy wheels
10) Boot space
11) Magic seats
12) Honda reliability
-ve
1) GC – 160mm
2) Expensive spare parts as compared to competitor
3) Painful service interval
4) Waiting period
Why Rejected – Expected delivery was at 6 October 2011 but later dealer said 4 months waiting period and may be extend up to 6 months. Other reason was not sure about spare part cost.
Meanwhile my Alto LXI was sold before cancellation of Jazz and only available with me till 6 October 2011. Next one was Toyota Liva recently launched model.
7) Toyota Liva 1.2 / 1.4 GD D-4D
+ve
1) Very spacious at rear seat
2) Exterior/Looks
3) Smooth gear shifting
4) Light weight power steering
5) Better handling
6) Short clutch (better for city driving)
7) Toyota mileage claim for both engines
8) Turning radius
9) Decent boot space
10) Decent engine power for both petrol and diesel
-ve
1) Interior (Biggest disappointment)
2) Central mounted console not up to the mark (Vista has better console)
3) High NVH for diesel option
4) AC not effective (always need to put knob on 2nd position)
5) V and VX model looks overpriced 6.24 lakh OTR and 6.74 lakh OTR respectively. Lot of better
option available in market at this price. Same story for 1.4 GD model
Why Rejected – Interior and Overpriced
8) Nissan Micra 1.5 dci XV premium
+ve
1) Excellent 1.5 dci diesel engine from Renault and Nissan
2) Great city drivability
3) Good handling
4) Better build
5) Very good fit and finish
6) USP like push button start
7) Decent boot space
8) Mileage (proven in Logan)
-ve
1) GC – 154mm (too minimum)
2) Rear seat not comfortable (especially low height seats)
3) ABS is missing in top model
4) Limited service network
5) Seems overpriced (even with discount)
Why Rejected – Minimum GC and rear seat comfort as per not expectation
Meanwhile refreshed vista had been launched and also Fiat Punto yet to be tested.
9) New Tata Vista VX Quadrajet
+ve
1) Proven Multijet engine
2) Better handling and suspension
3) Best interior after I20 and Fabia
4) Good feature list like Bluetooth and audio control for lower variant also.
5) Reasonable price (VX Quadrajet – 5.84 lakh OTR and 5K accessories free)
6) Very cheap to maintain
7) Mileage
8) Best in class rear space
-ve
1) Taxi Image
2) Little bit hard gear shifting
3) Unknown about long term durability
Why Rejected – Not taken any decision. Looks VFM as compared to competitor
![[cheers]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
. Definitely this experience was not pleasant but I am not saying this was bad experience but definitely below my expectations. Hopefully I’ll get pleasant A.S.S. experience for 1st service at TATA-FIAT.
![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
Congrats buddy and please do post pics of your beauty
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")