Best Diesel Hatchback Car In India 2014 -Part 2

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?

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