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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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: AstaNote: 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.
Good review of hatchback cars. I like the new Figo and Swift after the facelift. Swift is still the best buy among hatchbacks.
ReplyDeleteGood simple review.
ReplyDeleteThis has cleared my confusion. I was confused with Swift or i20. Thanks.
Swift is definitely ahead. Maruti should bring the diesel version of Wagon R. Anyways...Cool review done for all the hatches here!
ReplyDeleteSuper review. I was looking for an easy and complete review like this...Did u miss out Skoda Fabia?
ReplyDeleteThanks. Skoda Fabia is a premium hatchback that doesn't come under the above mentioned price bracket. Its a well built car with very high cost of maintenance!
DeleteToyota Etios Liva should have been the top diesel hatchback If Toyota gives it a new interior and improve its cabin quality. LIva is a better car with refined engine and decent fuel efficiency.
ReplyDelete:>)
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a very good article. Thanks a lot for sharing.
ReplyDeleteReally Informative and simple. Waiting for I10 Diesel.
ReplyDeletethanks buddy i20 rocks
ReplyDeletePunto dynamic offers much more than Swift VDI. Car is solidly built, comes with much more accessories. It might not be quicker than swift in acceleration. But who cares if you are driving the car in the city most of the time.
ReplyDeleteDriving dynamics of Punto is far better than any other available hatchbacks in the country. Ride quality is of top notch. It has the same 1.3 MJD, which is our national diesel engine. Fiat has setup more than 100 showrooms and workshops within a span of 9 month. Still many more coming in 2014.
On all counts Punto looks a better proposition than Swift Diesel (undoubtedly itself is a very good product). Punto has unique presence on road.
Figo.... well a good car. But looks are bad (my personal opinion). Also under powered than Punto or Swift. Though I must say, it offers hell lot of space. Looks, power & avg interiors lets it down badly.
Polo - Premium interiors, lethargic 3 pot engine, solid built, avg rear space, high maintenance cost, pricey.
Live & Uva - Very avg cars to me. Nothing exciting about them. Great on space, but lacks everything else.
personally I feel Ritz 2013 should take the #2 position
ReplyDelete