Best Diesel Hatchback in India – 2012

Which is the best Diesel Hatchback in India?

Click here to read our latest 2013 review - Best diesel hatchback in India - 2013. 

In 2012, we have more diesel hatch back to choose from - like Chevy Beat , Renault pulse and Toyota Liva. Maruti has done a decent makeover for its technological marvel – Swift. Maruti Swift is still the popular diesel hatch back in the country with its smart - urban design and Fiat's 1.3 litre Multijet engine. 

Maruti Ritz has got a refreshing facelift by adding more features to it and improving the engine for high performance and better mileage . With the entry of Chevy Beat diesel, we have now cheaper diesel options to choose from. New Tata Indica Vista has refined engine, space and comfort which makes it a decent family car. 

Here we consider buying a diesel hatch back car for an average Indian, where the budget is between 4.5-8 Lakhs. This time, we have more players to compete and here comes the long list:

TOYOTA LIVA/ CHEVY BEAT/ FORD FIGO/ NEW MARUTI SWIFT/ MARUTI RITZ/ HYUNDAI i20/ FIAT PUNTO/ VW POLO/ TATA INDICA VISTA/ TATA INDICA eV2/ NISSAN MICRA/ RENAULT PULSE

Let’s quickly go through each:

TOYOTA LIVA

+ Good ride

+Toyota brand - Reliable.

+ Space and comfort

+ Mileage of 17Kmpl in city and 20kmpl in highways.

-  Looks and interiors

CHEVY BEAT

+ New small yet smart diesel engine.

+ Good ride and value for money

+ Fresh and Sporty looks but may not liked by all.

+ Chevy promise: 3 year/1,00,000km warranty

+ Most fuel efficient diesel hatchback

+ Decent mileage of 18Kmpl in city and 23.5kmpl in highways.

-  Resale value

-  Small boot space

FORD FIGO
Ford Figo will get a makeover soon with few cosmetic changes.

+ Same engine as in FIESTA. Lot of ‘Fiesta’ inside.

+ Finest ride & handling and value for money

+ Good looks and more interior space

+ Decent mileage of 18Kmpl in city and 23kmpl in highways.

- High maintenance cost compared to PUNTO and MARUTI siblings.

MARUTI SWIFT

Best selling premium hatchback in the country. The new makeover has made it smarter and hot. This is a car worth to buy without a second thought.

+ 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.

- Waiting list

MARUTI RITZ
New face-lifted Ritz looks better and is feature rich. So we can consider this as a smart alternative to Swift especially for families.

+ 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 23.2 Kmpl.
+ Driving comfort and feature rich.

-  Small boot.

-  Engine has slow response than Swift.

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.

+ Fuel efficiency – 16 kmpl in City, 22 kmpl in highways

- Sometimes, feel little under powered.

- Rear Leg Room

- Interior Fit and Finish

VW POLO
An able and fit hatch back.

+ 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

TATA INDICA VISTA

New Vista has improved. It can be considered as a value for money family car.

+ Spacious hatch back

+ Engine same as in Swift

+ Good ride, Engine refinement

+ Decent Mileage of 21.3 Kmpl

+ Price

- Lack safety features, Brand image

- 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. 

+ Low running Cost

+ Best City car

+ Good Features

+ Fuel Efficiency of 21 kmpl

- Less Service Network

RENAULT PULSE

+ Looks and interiors same as Nissan Micra.

+ High in features

+ Best City car

+ Good Fit and Finish

+ Fuel Efficiency of 23 Kmpl

-  New entrant, Less Service Network, Brand image

VERDICT:

Budget Option would be in the order:

1. MARUTI SWIFT, followed by RITZ– All rounders
2. FORD FIGO – Good ride and handling
3. TATA INDICA VISTA – Best value for money family car
4. CHEVY BEAT – Most fuel efficient

 Higher End option would be in the order:

1. HYUNDAI I20 
2. FIAT PUNTO
3. VW POLO

Note:  There are lot of factors to look while selecting a new car for your use. First, note down your requirements and short list your car by going through the specs and features. Go and test drive the car. Fuel Efficiency of car depends on a lot of factors such as Driving style, Speed, Tyre pressure, Road conditions etc. Cars are depreciating assets and always buy a car within your budget.

As always, Happy driving :)

You would be interested to know about the Best diesel hatchback car in India for 2013.