Best car of 2018

Best car of 2018

Volkswagen Vento 

Summary

Over the past few years, German car maker Volkswagen has carved a niche for itself in the Indian market by delivering excellent quality in its vehicles. Despite being a pretty high-end brand to be a mass seller, the company has created its own fan following. One of the models that have contributed to its success is the Volkswagen Vento - the mid-sized sedan. Good looking, efficient and high quality in terms of performance, Vento has done well while remaining in a highly competitive segment. It competes with the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Ford Fiesta.

Exterior

Volkswagen Vento is a sedan version of the Polo hatchback; thereby the appearances of both vehicles are quite similar save the extended rear of the former. This sedan is reasonably stylish and features a bold grille with a large Volkswagen moniker in its centre. The presence of fog lamps with static lights makes this car look even better. Other highlights of this car include chrome strip on door handles, ORVM with turn indicators and 15-inch alloys.

Interior

As expected from a Volkswagen vehicle, the interiors of this car are pretty classy and full of utility features. The German car maker uses what it calls the Space Max technology, which maximises leg room at the back through adjustment of the co-driver’s seat from the back. Furthermore, the presence of dual air conditioner vents at the rear ensures complete comfort to users. The multifunctional console in this car facilitates connecting calls, listening to music and controlling functions. Steering mounted controls further enhance the comfort of passengers. Trunk illumination, rear doors with storage compartments and front centre console with 12V outlet are some of the other features in the interiors of Vento.   

Engine and Transmission

Keeping everything aside, the proficiency of the engine is Volkswagen’s USP around the world and it is no different for Vento. This compact sedan comes in both petrol and diesel variants. There are two petrol versions of Volkswagen Vento, which are powered by 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6-litre MPI engines. The latter version of Vento, powered by a 1.6-litre engine, produces a power level of 103 BHP and a fuel economy of around 15 kmpl. The diesel version of this sedan is fitted with a 1.5-litre TDI engine that delivers top class fuel efficiency in excess of 21 kmpl.  

Performance and Handling

Like most Volkswagen cars, the performance of Volkswagen Vento is pretty good in terms of pick-up and power delivery. The pickup and acceleration of the diesel version is better than that of the petrol guise. Handling wise Volkswagen Vento is pretty smooth and the seven-speed automatic dual shift transmission system is the car’s highlight. Notably, the DSG transmission system is not available with all variants of the Volkswagen Vento. The steering of this car is pretty smooth and can be manoeuvred quite easily.

Braking System

The braking system of Volkswagen Vento, like in the Polo, is quite robust and ideal for Indian conditions. Disc brakes are present in the front wheels while the rear ones are equipped with drum brakes. The solidity of the braking system, coupled with that of the suspension, ensures more stability while riding for the driver and passengers. Front part of this car has a McPherson style strut system and the rear has a trailing arm (partially independent).

Mileage

The 1498 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 18 kmpl in city and 20 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 15 kmpl on urban roads and 17 kmpl and freeways, respectively.

Safety Features

Safety is one of the USPs of Volkswagen Vento and there are several features to ensure the same. This car is fitted with dual front airbags as standard, which is a must in the modern day scenario. Vento comes with the anti-pinch technology that prevents the window from closing if there is an obstacle in the way, thereby preventing any mishaps from happening. Rear parking sensors provide driver assistance while reversing the vehicle and alert him/her using sound signals. Vento also comes fitted with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which improves stability in non-favourable road conditions. Interior rear view mirror, height-adjustable headrests, electronic engine mobiliser and high mounted brake lights are some of the other safety features in Volkswagen Vento.

Verdict

To put things in a nutshell, there is not much wrong about Volkswagen Vento as a car. Decently stylish, featuring well-designed interiors and equipped with several utility features, Vento has everything that a customer would want from a mid-sized sedan. However, in certain aspects, it lacks the cutting edge that would make someone buy it instantly. Also, the price of this car is on the higher side, which is a deal breaker for several customers in India. Nevertheless, Volkswagen Vento is a good car and anyone who buys it would not be disappointed at all.

Competition

Unfortunately for Volkswagen Vento, it is present in a segment with immense competition in the Indian market. Models like Honda City and Hyundai Verna have been present in the market for a long time and outdo Vento on a lot of accounts. For starters the brand value of Honda and Hyundai are higher than Volkswagen that certainly plays a role. Also, Verna and City, as models, are ahead of Vento in terms of mileage.

Pros

1. Compact yet spacious
2. Neatly designed exteriors along with well-equipped exteriors
3. Lot of safety features and a top class engine, which combine together to form its USP

Cons

1. Slightly on the higher side when it comes to pricing and part of a really tough segment with some amazing competitors
2. Fuel economy is also on the lower side, which proves to be a deterrent.
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4. Skoda Octavia 

   Summary

   The Skoda Octavia was launched in back in 2001 and was amongst the first European cars to offer luxury at a slightly affordable price to the Indian car buyer. The Octavia went on to become the benchmark for build quality in India and also paved the way for Skoda to increase its footprint in the country. The Octavia was introduced again in 2013 after a three-year hiatus to jump from C-segment to the D-segment in the Indian market, replacing the Skoda Laura in the process.

   Engine Transmission

   The Skoda Octavia saloon is available in three engine options- a 1.4-litre TSI, a 1.8-litre TSI and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel. While the entry-level petrol variant is capable of producing 138bhp and 250Nm of torque, the powerful, 1.8L, unit develops 177bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. The 1.4L TSI motor is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, whereas the 1.8L TSI motor is paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The oil burner is a 2.0L TDI motor that churns out 141bhp of power and 320Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels of the sedan via a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

   Features

   The Skoda Octavia is a premium sedan and gets a befitting airy cabin dressed in beige. On the safety front, you have eight airbags on the fully loaded car. ABS with EBD and ESP is standard along with dual front airbags. The automatic transmission cars come with hill-hold and you can also shift gears manually using the gear-lever.

   As for the creature comforts, the six-speaker touch-screen music system is standard while the Style Plus gets electrically operated sunroof. Ambition gets height adjustable driver seat whereas the Style and Style Plus come with 12-way adjustable power seats with memory function and adjustable lumbar support. The wing mirrors are retractable and the top spec car also gets electrically operated rear window blinds. Front and rear armrests are standard and so is the adjustable steering wheel for reach and rake.

   Mileage

   The 1968 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 18 kmpl in city and 20 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 14 kmpl on urban roads and 16 kmpl and freeways, respectively.

   Competition

   The D-segment cars include the Octavia’s main competitor the Volkswagen Jetta along with the Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze and the Toyota Corolla. While the Corolla scores on fuel economy and lower ownership costs, the Elantra scores in the styling and features department. The classic looking sedan scores on performance and handling along with comfort.

5. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz 

   Exterior

   The Maruti Ciaz is the new premium sedan that looks premium and makes a statement. The Ciaz has a prominent chrome grille that looks subtle and premium too. The headlamps are pulled back and are elongated. The side profile of the Ciaz makes it feel long with a long bonnet and a boot too. The low height of the Ciaz further contributes to it. The Ciaz’s rear looks premium as it has this new tail lamps that make it looks classy. The high quality paint job on the Ciaz makes it look no different from its European competition. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz comes with seven colour options, which are Metallic Clear Beige, Metallic Glistenina Gray, Metallic Silky Silver, Pearl Metallic Dignity Brown, Pearl Midnight Black, Pearl Sangria Red, Pearl Snow White.

   Interior

   The interiors of the Maruti Ciaz look premium and possibly the best Maruti Suzuki has ever had in under 11 lakhs. The Ciaz has dual tone black and beige interiors with a clean layout. The Ciaz gets features like in-dash music system with bluetooth connection, satellite navigation, USB and aux connectivity, keyless entry, start and stop button, reverse parking camera, rear AC vents, voice recognition, ABS with EBD and even dual airbags. The Ciaz is one of the most feature loaded sedan when it comes to the price tag in this segment.

   The Ciaz has sufficient space at the front and even the rear. The knee room for rear passengers is amazing and it is highly comfortable too.

   Engine  and Transmissio

   The two engine options for the Ciaz are the 1.4-litre petrol engine and the second one is a 1.3-litre diesel engine that churns about 90bhp of power and a torque of 210Nm. This engine comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The petrol is also available with a four-speed automatic transmission as well. The diesel now comes with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) technology, which is start stop system.

   Performance and Handling

   The Ciaz has decent performance, be it the petrol or the diesel. The premium sedan has good pick up and it is fairly easy to drive in city or even the highway. The handling of the Ciaz is good, but what is worth a mention is its ride quality.

   Braking System

   The Ciaz’s front brakes are discs, while the rears are drum. The higher variants now offer ABS with EBD. This assists in better braking and the controlled as well.

   Mileage

   The 1248 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 24 kmpl in city and 26 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 17 kmpl on urban roads and 20 kmpl and freeways, respectively.

   Safety Features

   The Maruti Ciaz comes loaded with several safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD. There is reverse parking camera also to avoid any kind of collision also.

   Verdict

   The Maruti Ciaz is one of the best value for money package vehicles you can buy. It is feature-loaded, gets the best in class space and even the engines have decent performance and fuel efficiency as well.

   Competition

   The Maruti Ciaz is a direct competition to the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento. The Ciaz is the best value for money package of the lot and with Maruti’s backing it has the strongest dealership network as well.

   Pros

   1. Design
   2. Features
   3. Price
   4. Engine power and efficiency
   5. Service cost and resale

   Cons

   1. Thigh support for rear passengers
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Toyota Innova Crysta 

Summary

Toyota has built an all new Innova and has named it the Innova Crrysta. The Crysta is a step above the original Innova and turns out to be a premium people mover with the new equipment and build, way up the ladder from where the first Innova started in 2005. The Innova Crysta is all new, based on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform. Since it began sales in 2005, the Innova had remained pretty much the same, save for a host of cosmetic updates which came in three batches with the last one coming in 2014.

The Innova Crysta ideally competes with the Mahindra XUV 500 and the soon to be launched Tata Hexa. The pricing though indicates that the Innova Crysta demands a chunky premium over its competition, something the buyers would pay for an equally reliable and better equipped car.

Exterior

The all-new Innova Crysta gets a boxy MPV design, but gets a lower roof line making it look longer. The SUV-ish fascia is dominated by a two-slat grille in line with their current design philosophy. The headlights are projector units, and there is an addition of DRLs in this new version. The side profile, thanks to the roofline and the blacked out B and C-pillars, gives the car a much sleeker appearance. The sloping roof cuts into the visibility of the third row and the wrap around thick D-pillar adds to it. The rear profile overall remains the same as before but gets a spoiler and the boomerang tail lamps. The prominent shoulder line and lower rear bumper and the boxy shape makes it looks butch.

Interior

The interior of the new Innova replicates the Corolla in many ways. The interior is all-black except for the top-spec automatic variant which gets tan coloured upholstery. The cabin now comes packed with features including power windows, automatic climate control, a new touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and aux-in. The twin-pod instrument cluster is new and blue-lit with a multi-function display. Automatic climate control system with a blower for the rear passengers completes the interior. Also included in the list are tables for the second row, 12-volt sockets for the third row and a plethora of storage spaces both above and below.

The Innova Crysta gets disc brakes up front. ABS and EBD is standard across all variants. Dual front airbags with knee airbag are also standard across all variants. The automatic variants get hill-assist and ESP too. The projector headlamps provide adequate illumination without causing glares and the reverse parking sensors offered on the higher trims help safe parking.

Engine Transmission

The Toyota Innova Crysta is available with two diesel mills. The all-new 2.4-litre diesel unit producing 147bhp and 360Nm of torque is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The 2.8-litre mill develops 174bhp of power at 3400rpm and 360Nm of torque from as low as 1200rpm and comes mated to an automatic gearbox. Both the engines are quite refined as compared to the 2.5-litre rattler and power the rear wheels of the new Innova.

Thanks to the heavier kerb weight and Toyota going for a softer suspension setting, the new Innova rolls considerably more and it feels like a heavy car too. On the plus side, the steering is quite direct and you can still steer the Innova with confidence and there is loads of grip from the 17-inch wheels.

Mileage

The 2393 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 13 kmpl in city and 15 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 12 kmpl on urban roads and 14 kmpl on freeways, respectively.

Mahindra Scorpio 

Summary

The current gen Mahindra Scorpio has got the first update since its introduction in 2015. The new and updated Scorpio comes with slight cosmetic updates, more powerful engine options and a new seating configuration. Mahindra has also changed the variant monikers of the Scorpio with the update. The updated Scorpio continues to lock horns with the likes of Tata Hexa, Hyundai Creta, stable mate Mahindra XUV500 and the newly-launched Renault Captur.

Exterior

The updated Scorpio gets a revised face and grille. The fascia hasn’t changed its appearance all that much but is more than enough for the car to be called an update. The head lamps and tail lights get a new lightning signature. There are now redesigned alloy wheels along with indicator mounted ORVM and fog lamps with chrome bezels. The vehicle also gets new air extractors and new upper and lower grille mesh design. The tailgate gets a chrome applique and an aeroblade wiper.

Interior

On the inside, the Scorpio comes equipped with leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, new mobile holder slot and bigger cubbyholes. In terms of features, the new Scorpio gets reverse parking camera with dynamic assist, one-touch lane change indicator, auto window roll-up, six-inch touch screen infotainment with Bluetooth/ CD/ DVD/ USB/ Aux, driver information system, Steering mounted audio and cruise controls, cushion suspension and anti-roll technology and shift-on- the-fly 4WD system. The SUV also gets Intellipark, tyre-tronics, rain and light sensors, micro hybrid technology, gear shift indicator and voice assist system. 

The new Scorpio comes loaded with safety features such as front dual airbags, ABS, panic brake indication, collapsible steering column and side intrusion beams, engine immobliser, anti-theft warning and seat belt reminder lamp. The vehicle also gets speed alert and an auto door lock.

Powertrain

Under the hood, the new Mahindra Scorpio is powered by a 2.5-litre (only in base S3 variant) and 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine in three states of tune – 75bhp (only in S3 variant), 120bhp/280Nm (S5 and S7 variants) and 140bhp/320Nm (S7 and S11 variants). The top spec S7 variant gets a new six-speed manual transmission, while the rest come mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The top-spec S11 is also available with an optional four wheel-drive system. The company claims that the new sixth generation Borg Warner turbo charger with a new easy shift 6-Speed transmission optimises performance, cruises on highways in overdrive and claims to save fuel. There is no automatic on offer right now, but we expect it to be offered sometime later.

 Tata Nexon

Tata has introduced the new XZ variant as a part of the Nexon lineup. The new variant sits between the XT and XZ+ variants and at Rs 7.99 lakh for petrol and Rs 8.99 lakh for diesel, costs Rs 82,000 over the XT variant. For the extra cost you get the 6.5inch touch screen infotainment system withAndroid Auto, rear parking camera with sensors and dynamic guidelines, day/night IRVM, four tweeters and fabric inserts on the door pads. You also get projector headlamps, height-adjustable driver’s seat and body-coloured ORVMs. LED DRLs and a two-tone roof though are skipped.

The prices for the Nexon overall start from Rs 5.85 lakh for petrol variants, the diesel ones start from Rs 6.85 lakh. It is Tata's first crack at the sub-4-metre SUV space and willtake on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300 and the Mahindra NuvoSport.

Engine options on the Tata Nexon include a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, tuned to produce 110PS/170Nm; and a new 1.5-litre diesel with an output of 110PS/260Nm. Both the engines come with a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed AMT transmission variant of the Nexon was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo and wil be launched this year. The AMT transmission will be paired to the diesel engine only.

The Nexon measures 3995mm in length, 1811mm in width and is 1607mm high. Ground clearance is around 200mm. Exterior details include projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-tone colour schemes and LED tail-lamps. On the inside, Tata has packed the Nexon with a lot of goodies that includes a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio/call controls as well as a front armrest.

Tata Motors is back in the groove with the launch of Nexon compact SUV. The Nexon is hogging all the limelight owing to its radical design and a lot of clever engineering touches. The white ceramic strip running along the windows is a clever visual touch and merges well with the other design elements like tear-drop headlamps, smiling grille, muscular bonnet etc. Step inside and the quality of the cabin is pretty impressive, especially in terms of choice of materials and their soft-touch feel. The Tata Nexon is powered by a set of new-age powertrains - 110PS/170Nm, 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine and 110PS/260Nm, 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine. For now, both these engines are mated to 6-speed manual transmission though AMT is soon expected to join the ranks. Priced between Rs 5.85-9.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Nexon has primarily got Maruti Vitara Brezza in its crosshairs along with Ford Ecosport and Mahindra KUV1OO NXT.

Tata Nexon Exterior and Interior

At first look, it's hard to say that Tata's latest SUV tucks under four metres in length. Its voluptuous design and the use of vibrant colours on the outside makes it look striking. Speaking of the design, it has been kept really close to the 2014 concept. The white band which runs along the side, at the boot and underlines the fog lamps really livens up the look. The dual tone roof, along

 with a rising shoulder line and a sloping roofline makes it look sporty as well. Overall, as far as exteriors are concerned, the Nexon is arguably the best looking sub-4m SUV out there.

 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass was launched in India in July last year and in just a few months it has become one of India's favourite SUVs. The prices for the most affordable Jeep in India start from Rs 15.16 lakh for the petrol base while the top-end diesel is priced at Rs 21.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The biggest appeal of the Compass apart from its off-roading capabilities is that it gets the Jeep brand within reach for alarge portion of the car buying population.

The Compass measures 4395mm long, 1818mm wide, 1640mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2636mm. The five-seater SUV rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (in its top-spec Limited variant) and gets features such as bi-xenon projector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and a two-tone paint scheme. The interiors feature a black and white colour theme, and get goodies such as a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a 6-speaker sound system and dual-zone climate control. On the safety front, the top-spec Compass gets 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, hill hold and descent control.

Engine options for the Jeep Compass include a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel. The petrol motor develops 160PS and 250Nm, and will be available with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The diesel, on the other hand, makes 173PS and 350Nm and is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only. Jeep has confirmed that a 9-speed automatic will be available with the diesel drivetrain but not anytime soon