First, I would like to thank Pratham Motors, Pune for arranging test drive of Indica Vista TDi. All other dealers were offering Quadrajet Testdrive but I am looking for TDi as I have to take testdrive before actual booking. And on internet no TDi review is present so I thought that I should post my experience here so that you can get idea about Vista TDi. Going directely to my experience…
When I drove Vista Quadrajet I found that there is little with which we can differentiate with Swift VDi. Both cars are equally good in driving experience and engine response, afterall both are using same engine from fiat. But I would endorse Swift for its look, build quality and Image also. If you have money then go for Swift VDi otherwise I would suggest Vista TDi ( not Quadrajet). Because with little extra money over Quadrajet you can buy Swift VDi and Maruti’s peace of mind. Now coming back to TDi… here is pointwise discussion
1)Looks: You decide
2)Build Quality: Swift is better if you have money
3)Engine and Performance: Most concerned point in the buyers mind is that Engine Noise in Cabin. I was also concerned about this but when I drove Vista TDi, I felt it is not point to concern. It’s bare minimum and as equivalent as Quadrajet or Swift. I think Tata has done good job to reduce cabin engine noise. If you are aware of normal diesel engines noise then you will accept this level of noise from Inside. But from outside it’s noisy. But who cares outside engine noise? And one more point noise in Inside is very less compared to Indica V2 Turbo.
You will feel difference between engine response of Quadrajet and TDi. TDi is bit sluggish compared to it’s bigger brother but better than Indica V2 Turbo. It will not impress you but you will feel that it is more than sufficient.
Mileage quoted by one of the TDi user is 21Kmpl on Highway. It is quite impressive one.
4)Suspension: Best in class even better than Swift. Rear passengers will not feel bumpy ride as compared to other hatchbacks. Of course not as good as sedans but it’s better in hatchbacks. Suspension thump does not come into cabin which is always evident in Swift and Santro. Here Vista scores much more than it’s competitions.
5)Gear Box: You know that Quadrajet has Fiat’s Gearbox but TDi has Tata’s. Tata need to improve in this department. I found that a click is missing while gear shifting. Swift has better gear shifts then Quadrajet and then TDi. But it is better than previous Indicas.
6)Stability: Vista scores good points in this department. As it has some more weight and some good suspension changes it feels very stable on road. Both TDi and Quadrajet are equally good in case of stability.
7)More points: Interior will impress you for some time then you start feeling that it’s plastic. Swift has good interior plastic quality but Vista needs improvement. But you can live with this. Interior looks good. Car is spacious. Boot is very small. Adjustable steering is good feature. Missed rear power windows in Aqua version. Fiat Palio has best in class build quality and interior quality.
Added on 08 Dec 2008:
This time I took huge 15 Kilometers test ride And I think I have more to tell you. Ride was 8 Kilometers on Highway and 7 Kilometers on bad bumpy road.
This time I observed a big improvement in a car. Gear shifts were very good. It was giving nice feeling. And interior Plastic quality was much better. I was impressed by that. This cars pulls very good on highway. I touched it to 100 kmph easily, absolutely without efforts. Engine noise in the cabin was minimal. You can consider it as equivalent to Swift VDi noise. Vista TDi was fun to drive. Very firm on road, giving confidence to driver. I will tell you it has better ride quality than Swift. It is very stable on highway.
One more thing I noticed is that Gas filled shock absorbers. Oh mann... they are really amazing. Generally on cement road you get very loud noise in cabin. But this was not the case with Vista. Even large bumps were not coming into cabin. I would rate this supension as best in class supension. Far far better than Swift. Car runs like hell when turbo kicks. Now I am going for this vehicle. I am booking it in next week.
Verdict: If you have a budget of 4.5 lakhs max then go for this car. If you have budget of 5.4 lakhs then increase your budget and go for Swift VDi.
Changed Verdict: No matter TDi or Quadrajet. I could see no reason to go for swift except it’s looks. Indica Vista is really a car which will cross your expectations. It is much much better than swift. And you know TATA Dealers are improved in their working. No doubt customer care will be one of the best available in the market. Bindast go for Indica Vista....
and one more thing with Central Governments Cenvat cut by 4% on 7th december I am getting Aqua TDI onroad for Rs.418000 only...
Please do comment on this review. If you would like me to add some more points and details then I will do it by having more test rides.
Edit: I am coming back to this review after long time. Actually I booked Aqua TDi but later changed to Aura Quadrajet. Now I have completed whopping 48000 Kilometers in 1.5 yrs. I am very satisfied with the ownership of Aura QJD.