Best Diesel hatchback in India 2011

With rising petrol prices, all the eyes are on the diesel cars. It seems like we are forgetting the age old myth – to buy diesel car if you are driving at least 80Km in a day. This is true as Diesel cars have high initial and service cost than the petrol ones.
Let us consider buying a car diesel hatch back car for an average Indian, where the budget is between 4-8L. So what are the things we need to look upon?

Initially we all start with the looks but only to realise later that Fuel efficiency and Maintenance cost need a front seat.


Let’s note few parameters:
Performance - Value for Money - Fuel Efficiency - Maintenance Cost - Features - Looks

There are lot of players to compete and here comes the long list:
FORD FIGO - MARUTI SWIFT - MARUTI RITZ - HYUNDAI i20 - FIAT PUNTO - VW POLO - TATA INDICA VISTA - TATA INDICA eV2 - NISSAN MICRA
Skodia Fabia is costly car in 9L bracket and is dropped from the list

Let’s quickly go through each:

FIGO:
+Same engine as in FIESTA. Lot of ‘Fiesta’ inside.
+Good ride and handling and value for money
+Good looks.
+Decent mileage of 18Kmpl in city and 23kmpl in highways.
-High maintenance cost compared to PUNTO and MARUTI siblings.

MARUTI SWIFT:
The only car in the list here where you can see the driver smiling all the time must be the Swift.
+Decent Multi Jet peppy engine, fun to drive
+Tried and tested car
+ Decent average mileage of 19.5 Kmpl.
+ Low maintenance cost and reliable Maruti service network.
-Interiors are not roomy and have a small boot.
-Moreover, it has all black interiors.
This is a car worth to buy if you are ok with its down sides.

MARUTI RITZ:
+ Share the same engine as in Swift and has better interior space than Swift.
+ Like Swift, it enjoys low maintenance cost and reliable service network
+ It has good fuel economy of about 21 Kmpl.
-Small boot.
-Engine has slow response than Swift.
So we can consider this as a smart alternative to Swift especially for families.

HYUNDAI i20:
Hyundai Diesels are now well known for its performance after Verna made its mark. I20 with its six speed gear box doesn’t lag behind.
+ This car has got three important things: SPACE COMFORT and SAFETY.
+ A fully loaded car with lot of features.
+ Excellent fuel economy of 18 kmpl in city.
+ Hyundai comes next to Maruti in terms of maintenance cost and service networks.
-Little pricey compared to our previous contenders.

FIAT PUNTO:
+ Has efficient Multi Jet engine as in Swift but doesn’t make the response as in Swift. It’s quicker than FIGO.
+ Ride, Handling, Solid Build, Styling
+ Cheaper Service cost than FIGO but costlier than Maruti.
+ Fule efficieny – 16 kmpl in City, 23-25 Kmpl in highways
-Sometimes, feel little under powered.
-Rear Leg Room
-Interior Fit and Finish
A Good Value for Money Car.

VW POLO:
+ Average performance but better than FIGO.
+ Good Build Quality and Ride Comfort
+ Overall Fuel efficiency is 19.8 Kmpl
-Rear Leg Room
-Maintenance cost and Less Service Network
An able and fit hatch back.

TATA INDICA VISTA
+ Spacious hatch back
+ Engine same as in Swift
+ Good ride, Engine refinement
+ Decent Mileage of 21.3 Kmpl
+ Price
-Lack safety features
-Quality Issues

TATA INDICA eV2+
Latest Indica boasting of Excellent Mileage and few new good features
+ Spacious hatch back
+ Good ride, Engine refinement
+ Decent Mileage of 22-23 Kmpl
-Lack advanced safety features
-Quality Issues

NISSAN MICRA
+ Distinctive styling. Same may like it some may not.
+ Low running Cost
+ Best City car
+ Good Features
+ Fuel Efficiency of 21 Kmpl
-Less Service Network


VERDICT:
Budget Option would be in the order:
  • SWIFT
  • FIGO – A New entrant compared to Swift and Ritz
  • RITZ
Higher End option would be in the order:
  • HYUNDAI I20
  • PUNTO
  • POLO
Note: There is no car like an ‘Ideal Car’. Find out your requirements and short list your car by going through the specs and noting the points mentioned here. Do test drive it. Fuel Efficiency of car depends on a lot of factors such as Driving style, Speed, Tyre pressure, Road conditions etc.


For Best Diesel hatch back review 2013, check out the link:
Best Car To Buy: Best Diesel Hatchback in India – 2013


For Best Diesel hatch back review 2012, check out the link:
Best Car To Buy: Best Diesel Hatchback in India – 2012

Happy Driving!:)