Guess it’s time for me to write a review of this car, as this website was the one along with a few others to which I frequented in the months of June-July 2009 to read reviews on various cars of this segment...
This is a thorough review, it is meant for the serious buyer and an average browser might feel bored. It will take you 10 mins to read and digest this.
The cars I had considered were Swift, Ritz, i-10/20, Punto along with Vista Quadrajet - Aura Version. I have done close to 9000 Kms in the last 3 months. The mileage in city is ~15+ Kmpl with A/C and ignition always on. Highway gives anywhere between ~20-21 depending on the speed/ Rpm.
I am sure if driven under 90 Kmph, this engine is capable of delivering 23+ Kpl. (Std. test like conditions). I use normal Diesel. Thus one Full tank has the potential of giving anywhere from 500 to 680 Kms. Tank capacity holds approx 32 Ltrs. Car can comfortably touch 120Kmph, tho I feel majority of Indian Roads are still not meant for speeds in excess of 130 Kmph, barring a few toll road sections. I have touched 145+, when the road visibility was clear for 2+ Kms and it was a 4 lane. Always drive at a speed where you can control the vehicle if an animal shoots across the road.
Top 5 reasons for me to take this car...
Price (Cheapest Diesel hatchback available)
Space (Max Space in its segment, you get a feel of sitting in a big car)
Ride Quality (Excellent Suspension)
Fuel Type (Diesel!!!)
Proven Engine (Fiat’s Quadrajet)
Why I did not take other cars? - that needs another article :)
Here we go...
The car drives very smooth, (By mistake I had turned the ignition key again while the car was on idle in the fist week: Lesson: Look @ the Tachometer before touching the ingition key).
The best part being the suspension. It is remarkably strong for a car of this size. Guess, this is the core competency of Tata Motors.
Bangalore roads dont bother me much anymore... :)
The Noise dampening in the cabin has been done very well, tho, I have done an additional underbelly treatement from 3M, which has further quitened the cabin.
The Steering is comfortably placed and the Tilt option is handy. Driver’s seat has a lumbar support, which reduces long drives fatigue for lower back. In Addition, the seat has a feature for height adjustment, thus all frames of Indian males can fit in. (I am 5 Ft 4in and have adjusted the seat well, whereas a friend of mine who is over 6 Ft 2in was also very comfortable, and the guy sitting behind him was also 6+ Ft). The Slide available for the Front seats is huge. The factory fitted Stereo system is decent and performs well with 6 speakers;The company is Clarion, re-branded as Tata.
Dash has got 2 Trip Meters, I use Trip A for Mileage and Trip B for Trips :). Dashboard being shifted towards center did not pose any challenge and getting used to it was a matter of hours, if not days.
Leg room at the back seats is bigger than a few sedans! I have not yet faced any serious packing / space issues with the boot as it easily accomodates 2 Cabin baggage strolleys and leaves enough room for a couple of back packs, without having to fight with the luggage to fit in.
There is a charge point for the back seat, though I am yet to use it.
There was a complaint from the user community, that the A/C is not effective, for which the E-PROM was flashed by Tata and I have noticed a close to 5% more effeciency in cooling at max thermostat. I keep on getting regular follow-up calls from Tata for feedback on the car’s performance etc.
Tata has done a bit of innovation and provided with a small tray below the co-dirver’s seat, which easily holds 2 bottles of 1 Lt each.
The Interior plastics are decent, tho there is room for improvement in terms of finishing touches.
Last but not the least... there will always be a few people who will have the image of a cab, as Indica and Cab have become synonymous in our country. Please keep in mind : Only the name is common between this car and other earlier versions of Indica. This car’s platform is a ground up new development.
I would recommend you have a look at this car if your range is Swift/i-20/Logan/Esteem/Ritz/i-10/Punto and the likes.
In the end, it is your call to decide which car fits your needs the best, how much will you drive? (guess we all underestimate our daily driving average while making the purchase). Make your car purchase a well thought out and researched decision. Take opinions for peers and others, it will only help you in broadening your perspective(contrary to adding confusion), and you will be taking a much better informed decision. You have the purchasing power... remember : True power lies in knowing that you have it, yet use it wisely.
PS: The fuel of this car is ~25% cheaper and the mileage is 15-18% more than a petrol version. the extra 50K you pay for this car, will recover at the rate of the distance you cover.
Hope this review is helpful, in deciding which car you would like to go for...