Car Comparison Archives - Indiandrives.com

June 7, 2015

Maruti Celerio vs Chevrolet Beat vs Hyundai Grand – Compact Diesel Spec Comparison

‘Going compact, but efficiently’, the mantra that stuck many car buyers in India has not even spared the petrol king of small car segment – Maruti, and compelled it to deliver a one such example for the others to follow on.

The Delhi based carmaker finally took its turn to roll out a small diesel car called Celerio DDiS 125 this week, which house a 793cc twin-cylinder diesel engine of 47bhp. But it isn’t the only car in the segment so far to offer mobility with the efficiency of a small diesel engine. A couple of other models present there proven quite competitive, and are doing the job very well since launch. Everyone knows them very well, a Chevrolet Beat and Hyundai Grand i10. Stacking neck to neck, each of them have got a different story to tell, but their makers aims at the same point – bottom line.

Engine Talk

On paper, it’s Celerio that holds the smallest engine of all three with twin-cylinders, which even at its peak produces the lowest amount of power than the other two. Comparatively, Beat balances the situation handsomely. From the whole one litre engine it sends an output of 56bhp. The most powerful car of this comparison Hyundai Grand i10 with its 1.1-litre engine sends other to shame with the peak power of 70bhp.

Engine	Maruti Celerio	Chevrolet Beat	Hyundai Grand i10
Cubic capacity	793cc	936cc	1120cc
Cylinder on offer	2	3	3
Power	47bhp	56bhp	70bhp
Torque	125Nm	150Nm	160Nm

The power isn’t all to talk of; weight too is taken into consideration where aligning both puts up a new story on the board. Outcome is clearly witnessed on fuel-efficiency, where to name the least powerful option Celerio, which is also the lightest here, is rated as India’s most fuel-efficient car by ARAI for its 27.62kmpl return. Earlier, the Beat too enjoyed that top spot of most fuel-efficient list during its heydays, but later it got dethroned by entrants who managed to sum up numbers in a better way. Though, Hyundai’s grandeur of small car – i10 – is the most powerful option available, but the huge weight pulls it down quite literally on the fuel-economy, and as a result it fares last.

Fuel-Efficiency	Maruti Celerio	Chevrolet Beat	Hyundai Grand i10
As per ARAI (kmpl)	27.62	25.44	24

What’s inside?

Thus, it makes no sense in writing about the space inside the cabin of compact cars. After all, they are compact and one is pretty much sure about facing crunches in the cabin. Still, in India and people do ask for such information. So carmakers prefer to put on offer about the information of space on their brochures, for some to do the comparison. Amongst all, Grand i10 is literally grand in nature when it comes to serving the cabin space. It offers airiness to front and rear occupants both. The Beat on its side is focused only to the front. Maruti conceptualizing the mentality of Indians very aptly offered more space at the rear bench. Overall, Beat is a cool option to make a statement on arrival, rather than it puts utility to the best.

Space	Maruti Celerio	Chevrolet Beat	Hyundai Grand i10
Front legroom (min/max)	56/77 cm	62/82 mm	61/82 cm
Rear legroom (min/max)	68/90 cm	62/80cm	67/89 cm
Front headroom	100 cm	98 mm	99 cm
Rear headroom	95 cm	90 cm	92 cm
Boot space	235-litre	170-litre	256-litre

The featured excitement

Out there looking to buy a small diesel car, for them the list of features does make sense offered for the given price. Without raising a doubt Hyundai remained unbeaten leader in league for offering more features than others in the segment of compact cars. But the effort put up by Maruti Celerio is really worth to talk of. Maker left no stone unturned to mark it where it needs to stand as of now. The availability of two top-end trims (ZDi & ZDi Optional) explains the relevance. However, Chevrolet Beat is altogether a different story. Its cabin space is quite narrow and the seats at rear aren’t quite comfortable, but liveliness it offers is unmatchable. The sportiest design on inside and outside both, with very interesting instrument cluster and dials makes it to top the chart for an young enthusiast looking out to buy his first car of life.

Overall

All put to together, everyone has a different story with the same aim, but its buyer’s choice who prefer a one that suits his taste.

May 11, 2015

Maruti Alto K10 AGS vs Tata GenX Nano Easy Shift: Spec Comparison

The fiascos of locking horns get better at the grass root level. To worsen it for the better competitive results, Tata Motors jumped into market with the AMT gearbox for Nano against the Maruti Alto AMT. Though, both cars are of the same category, and since price tag shares close vicinity with other, Indian audience needs a comparison to make the better choice. Here, we present the on-paper comparison between Nano GenX against the Maruti Alto K10 AGS (Auto Gear Shift).

Engine

Tata Nano is a one with smaller engine than that of Alto, where it produces less power and torque. The ratio of its torque against the rival is very disappointing.

Engine	Tata Nano GenX	Maruti Alto K10
Displacement	624cc	998cc
Power	37.5bhp	67.1bhp
Torque	51Nm	90Nm

Space and Dimension

As Tata Motors has offered Nano with openable hatch, it means owners are now relief of adding more luggage to their drive. Still, Alto proves better on the space with regards to space between two wheels, boot and length. Despite being small, Nano AMT offers decent ground clearance, with width and height more than the Maruti.

Dimension	Tata Nano GenX	Maruti Alto K10
Wheelbase	2230mm	2360mm
Length	3164mm	3545mm
Width	1750mm	1515mm
Height	1652mm	1475mm
Boot space	94-litres	177-litres
Ground Clearance	180mm	160mm

Features

As talking about features available on the list, each car is available in one trim of AMT transmission, which made our job easier to criticize them over a single scale. Tata Motors projected Nano more for the urban buyers, especially youths, where Alto K10 had an image of catering as many buyers as possible across the nation and that’s why it remained the best seller throughout the time. Now, in the list of features, several features that Nano GenX holds like Bluetooth connectivity and rear speakers for the audio system are missed out on the Alto. But gaining brownie points are the front disc brake and internally adjustable outside mirrors which Nano doesn’t takes upon. And from three seat belts at the rear seat, K10 with AMT lifts only a two of it with the three-point set-up, where the world’s cheapest automatic car of Tata do come with the lap belts for rear passengers.

Overview

Overall, both cars boast uniqueness and utility. But going as per our taste, it may cost more to prefer Alto K10 but it’s a safer option with metal body coveting its passengers throughout.

April 12, 2015

Renault Lodgy vs Toyota Innova vs Mahindra Xylo: Spec Comparison

If the family car isn’t enough, a MPV will do fine. Those who think ‘bigger’ is ‘better’ and buys a MPV to rather avoid the space congestion in the cabin, even though do not cruise outside the city more often, for those multipurpose vehicles (MPV) are the boon from auto industry. Thus, the narrow price difference between the segments has sparked outrage of buying MPVs, which not only allow the owners to suffer crunches at any point of time, and in India, the MPVs too are of tough built quality that also makes them to do jobs of SUVs up to certain level. Here, followed by the launch of Renault Lodgy, the segment is about to change it dimensions. Earlier led by Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo, buyers now get a rather more sophisticated option well-suited for all occasions and still cost as per the size of pocket. Here, we have worked out a comparison of three MPVs – Renault Lodgy, Mahindra Xylo and Toyota Innova – to see who has the better grunt and looks at business seriously at least on paper.

Dimension

It’s Innova that measure maximum in length, while Lodgy is the shortest of all, still the latter offer maximum wheelbase among the three which means more legroom is inside the Lodgy. Now we wonder how three can sit comfortable in the third row of Xylo, apparently due to its width that offers the maximum, which is far more by standard of Innova. Adding more to body roll, it’s the Xylo’s height which too, once again, is far more by the measures of Innova and Lodgy.

Very importantly, the ground clearance which without any doubt is scored maximum by Mahindra due to its utility vehicle platform pinned underneath ever passenger vehicles rolled off from its factory, the rest two of them offers like a one on the sedans.

Dimension	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova	Mahindra Xylo
Length	4498mm	4585mm	4520mm
Width	1751mm	1765mm	1850mm
Height	1697mm	1760mm	1905mm
Wheelbase	2810mm	2750mm	2760mm
Ground Clearance	174mm	176mm	186mm

Engine

The power matters a lot when an India spends around one million INR (approximately) on its buy. This is well understood by Mahindra & Mahindra. Xylo splurges 120PS from a 2.2-litre MHawk diesel engine, which in comparison to Innova is quite decent looking to the 102PS from a big block metal of 2.5-litre displacement. Here, Lodgy gains the maximum benefit with regards to its output of 110PS from a smaller 1.5-litre engine – for a feel more like a Duster than of a proper utility vehicle.

Engine	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova	Mahindra Xylo
Displacement	1.5-litre	2.5-litre	2.2-litre
Power	110PS	102PS	120PS
Torque	245Nm	200Nm	280Nm
Gearbox	6MT	5MT	5MT

Fuel-Efficiency

Fuel-efficiency, the most sought figures sometimes even before the price tag, has altogether a new story to tell. Due to smaller engine, Renault manages to clock the maximum marks here with a whopping 19.98kmpl as per ARAI. The next is Mahindra Xylo with 14.02kmpl, while the Toyota takes a backseat with the huge engine block and lowest efficiency at 12.99kmpl.

Fuel-Efficiency	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova	Mahindra Xylo
KMPL as per ARAI	19.98	12.99	14.02

Price

Only a few years old in India, Renault has studied how to position the cars hitting directly on the heart and mind of buyers with a soft touch. With an exception, the 110PS version (which we have considered for the reason rest two are also of the same specifications nearly above 100PS of power), it seems the maker has defamed image of a winner with range starting at Rs 10.09 lakh and terminating at Rs 11.79 lakh.

Price	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova	Mahindra Xylo
As per Ex-showroom Delhi	Rs 10.09-11.79 lakh	Rs 10.51-15.8 lakh	Rs 8.95-11.46 lakh

Obviously, Mahindra has born from the genes of an Indian that translates better options and multiple choices to suit buyers of every pocket in the country, starts for a price of Rs 8.95 lakh that literally hits the chord one lakh lesser than the second in line – Renault.

Toyota follows premium pricing but the interesting part is it concludes top-end at an eye watery price of Rs 15.8 lakh, where we can say it it’s hard to convince these much buyers but it still does that successfully.

Overview

It’s tough to conclude a winner on the paper, where Xylo sounds like a more pocket-friendly option, but the Renault is also equally efficient in long run due to its maximum fuel-economy. Toyota fails on every impression, but it seems the driving ergonomics has suited Indians the most, for which it is selling in large numbers despite not very economical at all. Ah, the built-quality could be the reason.

April 5, 2015

Mercedes-Benz CLA vs Audi A3: Spec Comparison

Plush or just conventional, everyone in the auto industry needs to keep a check on numbers to follow the route to success. On a one such road, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW were found locked horns in India, where suddenly the BMW made its way out, left the two of them to counter each other with aggressive launches. The entry-level sedan, the car that says a lot about the maker, commitment to the auto-making and advancements its flagship holds, is sold in huge number across this country. After all, they are a reason for the large sedans of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and others to get wiped off this country, being offered for similar price tags and offering existent comfort level. Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 are the recent examples of Germans that attacked each other for surging ahead in the race. Small in size, but they offer loads of feature and power to keep the buyers’ spirit always in a good mood. It could turn into a cold-blooded war when compared both of them on the paper. Mentioned here is a whole account of the rivalry, see how it takes the stern shape just on a piece of paper.

Dimensions

Both of them are of the compact category, but still the CLA offers generous space with respect to height, length and wheelbase. It’s just a matter of fact Audi A3 turns wider than the other.

Dimensions	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Audi A3
Length	4,630mm	4,456mm
Width	1,777mm	1,796mm
Height	1,432mm	1,416mm
Wheelbase	2,699mm	2,637mm
Weight	1,510kg (P)1,570kg (D)	1,295kg (P)1,340kg (D)
Boot Space	470 litres	425 litres

Styling

CLA is the one with maximum aerodynamics. The A3 on other side is derived on the same platform of Volkswagen Vento, the reason Audi falls in the parental hands of VW Group.

Engine

Petrol

CLA always kept drawing an advantage, now owns a big displacement too. Audi with a smaller capacity gives a tough fight for almost the same amount of power output. The petrol of Ingolstadt comes mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, while Mercedes uses a 7-sped DCT in the drivetrain.

Engine	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Audi A3
Displacement	2.0-litre	1.8-litre
Power	183PS	180PS
Torque	300NM	250NM

Diesel

No more mercy in the count of cubic capacity of the engine, Mercedes triumphs with its big diesel motor, but Audi teases it with more power despite hauling a small engine in the bay. Here, the difference of transmission in petrol is equaled with the 7-speed DCT.

Engine	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Audi A3
Displacement	2.2-litre	2.0-litre
Power	136PS	145PS
Torque	300NM	320NM

Fuel Efficiency

In both the cases (petrol and diesel) Audi sworn through the backlash of numbers, now had a last laugh at Mercedes for the reason to have delivered more kilometres per litre of fuel. It is the weight-advantage that gained Four-ringed sedan to score with an excellence here.

Fuel Efficiency (as per ARAI)	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Audi A3
Petrol	15.04 kmpl	16.6 kmpl
Diesel	17.9 kmpl	20.38 kmpl

Features

No doubt, both cars come fully-loaded with features; leather for seats and upholstery, 16-inch wheels for the base trim and 17-inch for the top-end. It’s the Benz that offers the panoramic sunroof and paddle shifters which are nowhere seen on Audi, nor even on the optional list.

Price

Usually, we don’t post price in a comparison like this, but certainly there is a literally wide gap between the duos compelled us to scale the Germans. Mercedes-Benz CLA is almost Rs 7-8 lakh pricier in the base trims, but the gap narrowed up to top-end variants. Leaving a wide gap for Audi to eat through, Benz was almost up to the next level of lineup C-Class. Look for yourself in the table below.

Price Ex-Showroom Delhi (in lakh)	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Audi A3
Petrol	35	28.95
Diesel	31.5-35.9	22.95-31.95

March 23, 2015

Hyundai i20 Active vs Toyota Etios Cross vs Fiat Avventura: Spec Comparison

‘Cross hatches’ or ‘hatchback-turned crossovers’, both terminologies are suitable to convey cars like Hyundai i20 Active, Fiat Avventura and Toyota Etios Cross. Taking every of them into account for a comparison, we studied who is the best bet on paper, and do they really have a grunt to go for the off-roads, or at least can handle the world-famous half-paved roads of India for the brutal sense they do create the lucrative promises. Find out with us whether the Active i20 will be able to stand in line to those formerly introduced models in the acute market of 1000 units a month restricted to niche and premium set of buyers.

Engine

In the state of petrol, Fiat offers max power off the mid-sized engine. Toyota Etios Cross with two options (1.2L and 1.5L) tops the chart with largest displacement and power, but ironically the small unit pulls it down on the list. And needed to push the car off the line first, it’s the Etios offering max torque, whereas Hyundai and Avventura compromised at a tie here.

Petrol

Engines Hyundai i20 Active Toyota Etios Cross Fiat Avventura
Displacement 1.2-litre 1.2/1.5-litre 1.4-litre
Power 83PS 80PS/90PS 90PS
Torque 115Nm 104Nm/132Nm 115Nm

Diesel

Engines Hyundai i20 Active Toyota Etios Cross Fiat Avventura
Displacement 1.4-litre 1.4-litre 1.3-litre
Power 90PS 68PS 93PS
Torque 220Nm 170Nm 209Nm

On the side of diesel, Fiat gets fixed by shortest engine, but it sends max power off that small machine. Hyundai didn’t managed to attain the top position in power delivery, but it will set you straight off the launch with its chunk of torque. Toyota in the diesel guise do not performed well. The huge machine of 1.4L lacked a way back in either of the plots.

Fuel-Efficiency

On the fuel-efficiency, Fiat lacks in both the fuel options. It’s Toyota to deliver more kilometres from a single litre of diesel, whereas the petrol’s performance wasn’t too bad either. Hyundai Active’s figures aren’t disappointing either.

Fuel Economy as per ARAI Hyundai i20 Active Toyota Etios Cross Fiat Avventura
Petrol 17kmpl 17.71kmpl/16.78kmpl 14.4kmpl
Diesel 21.19kmpl 23.59kmpl 20.5kmpl

Dimensions

Emerging as the clear winner, Hyundai ranks on the top of all with regards to length, width, height and wheelbase. On the other side Fiat which had fallen short on every aspect despite holding a spare wheel at the back, wins on the note of ground clearance for offering maximum than the rivals. Avventura to an extent envied some compact SUVs for sitting this high on the heels after being converted to crossover from a hatchback.

Overview

It’s Hyundai that packs more features and space for a comparatively bigger price tag. But for the built-quality Toyota has enticed Indians with sturdy machines carved by means of every quality measure known to Japanese. It’s the Fiat Avventura that has personally won our heart due to the tail-gate mounted spare-wheel, the only one to do so, and massive ground clearance like small SUVs.

March 22, 2015

Renault Lodgy vs Toyota Innova – Specifications Comparison

The MPV market of India hitting us new suggestions after every interval, is now reported to get a now one soon from Renault. Named as Lodgy, this French people carrier is boasted to take on the major players of the segment. To name it directly, it could be no one except the Toyota Innova to face blow of competition. Comparing both of them on paper, Lodgy appears overly garnished for the battle. Though, a specific compassion is utmost needful to understand what makes Toyota to sell it in this heavy numbers, or else it was the marketing campaign and segmentation that helped the Japanese carmaker to hit the nail on its head. Scroll down this page to know what each of them in detail with regards to their justification.

In the engine bay, though it is evident Innova packs a large engine, but it’s the Renault’s 1.5-litre workhorse named K9K that sends more power and torque than the other. It even sports an additional sixth gear for torquey experience, where Toyota fumbles with five-speed.

Engine	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova
Cubic capacity	1,461 cc	2,494 cc
Power	110 BHP	100 BHP
Torque	248 NM	200 NM

Talking about the space, Renault offers maximum wheelbase but no lesser competitive Toyota manages to top the charts in height, width and length.

Dimensions	Renault Lodgy	Toyota Innova
Wheelbase	2,810 mm	2,750 mm
Length	4,498 mm	4,585 mm
Width	1,751 mm	1,760 mm
Height	1,682 mm	1,760 mm

On the note of safety and features, both of them had a very competitive list to offer. Considering the top-end variant into the account, features like AC vents for third row seats, USB-aux (including Bluetooth) connectivity, touchscreen system, rear-parking camera and sensors are up for the comfort. For the safety, each MPV get ABS and dual airbags but Toyota also offers airbags on base trim.

Hence, Renault is quite capable to hit the target in MPV segment with the Lodgy. It is pricing that may get the French right on cards against the Japanese. Innova comes tagged from Rs 12.54 to Rs 15.81 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). On the other side Renault is speculated to post its offering somewhere between Rs 9.0 and Rs 13 lakh. So, stay tuned to us for more updates till the launch. And shoot your feedbacks in the comments section below…

March 18, 2015

New Maruti Swift Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Tata Zest vs Hyundai Xcent: Specification Comparison

Things going the way too compact to save a lot of money but demands generous space, the sub 4-metre segment barges into the picture to save the grace of such buying ideologies. Though, the government shall be blamed for such unrealistic norms and standards set for the automotive horizon of the nation that drags ‘length’ of a car for taxation and segmentation. The makers here shall be praised for their noteworthy work on developing the sub-4 meters segment to counter the barriers and surge ahead with a challenging role. Another perception had also came to the mind, if the government had strapped the limit to 4-meters, certainly for the competitive reason cars in the compact-sedan segment has considerably increased, and the buying decision changes in its favour due to the very short price gap between the hatchbacks and bespoke. Recently, king of the segment Maruti Dzire rolls out with a facelift, and the whir in competition simultaneously went up. Tata Motors with the Zest claims itself as the only maker in the segment with a ‘diesel automatic’, and the cheapest options in India if wished to go gearless in the guise of oil-burners. The others are first Honda diesel on Indian shores called Amaze, and the Xcent that promised Hyundai a helping hand in achieving its market shares. All of those will get chance to outdo each other for attaining a clear picture how anyone carmaker go this small and can also offer the right tweaks of selling it in the Indian market. Follow us to know more…

Dimension

Honda believes in the strategy of max-man and minimum-machine. To apply in real, it may have kept the length to its minimum at 3980mm, while the rest of three sedans scale at 3995mm from front to end.

On other notes, Tata Motors offered the widest cabin (1706mm width) and longest wheelbase (2470mm); and Honda had fallen shorten on most of them (1680mm width & 2405mm wheelbase). Reasonably, the Dzire (1695mm width & 2430mm wheelbase) is up to the consideration, but Hyundai Xcent (1660mm width & 2425mm wheelbase) also lacks enormously spacious cabin in the league.

Features

Here, the Japanese had made a mark along with the Tata Motors for offering touch screen with Bluetooth connectivity. In fact, the Tata is still a way ahead for offering the image display on the same screen from external devices.

All cars here are packs dual-airbags, ABS with EBD in the top-end variants. But Hyundai turns exceptional to offer the rear AC vents and rear parking camera in the segment. Apparently, Xcent is also the most features-packed car among the rest for offering push-start button, 1GB storage for the music system, and chrome finishes.

Engine

As already said, in terms of technical advantages Tata Zest owns a major of it with the 1.3-litre 89bhp diesel for offering automatic transmission, the only car to do so in the segment for such a low price tag. On the petrol side, this carmaker had also gained momentum with a 1.2-litre 89bhp turbocharged petrol motor that offers three driving-modes and the only turbocharged engine mated with the manual transmission.

Alongside, the Amaze has the biggest displacement in the series of diesel, a 1.5-litre unit worth of 99bhp.

Hyundai Xcent has the thinly occupied engine bay, a 1.2-litre petrol of 82bhp with the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic gearbox. The smallest of all, a 1.1-litre diesel churns out the least output of 71bhp.

Talking about the Dzire, engine options are from the past model where it now sells the car with a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine of 83bhp (lesser by 3bhp) and 1.3-litre Multijet of 73bhp. Both of them mate to a five-speed manual transmission. The only triumphant ace that it posses here is the fuel-efficiency, where diesel yields 26.5kmpl, followed by Amaze at 25.8kmpl. Hyundai’s effort this time hasn’t proven the worth here as offers only 24.4kmpl, and Tata propels to send 23kmpl from a single litre of fuel.

Overview

The entire cars of the fleet don one or another benefit over the other. It is just a matter of preferences that allows them to flourish with various set of buyers. Well, if talked about the new Dzire, it is has returned with a vengeance and claimed the max fuel-efficiency among the rest, where the Tata Motors stands alone with three driving modes for petrol and automatic gearbox for diesel. Honda owns the biggest and the most powerful displacement (in diesel). Hyundai not focusing on machine’s number had provided us the feature-loaded cabin.

Overall, it is a mix-match, but the proper test-drive will deliver a proper insight how they perform in real road conditions.

March 1, 2015

Chevrolet Trailblazer vs New Ford Endeavour vs Toyota Fortuner: Upcoming SUVs Spec Comparison

The definition of SUVs in India has been always held as the vehicle with massive ground clearance standing on huge four wheels, domination spelled from every aspect, and at the end of day it shall be pricey to command a status quo. Cashing this equation immensely, Toyota with its Fortuner had made fortunes of profits, compelling others to do so. Living in a democratic country that runs on the tunes of mixed-economy structure always tends to bring number of options before the buyers for a wise decision, and no exception the Ford Endeavour had been serving the segment along with Toyota for long past, where the Chevrolet has rolled up its sleeves to bring the giant looking Trailblazer SUV on the sales floor of this country after receiving warm response at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014. This Chevy SUV will replace the Captiva for the sake of not going expectedly well in the lifespan. Ford’s new version of the Endeavour too will be rolled out this year at the cost of ongoing model. This intense situation of the SUV sect had brought us on the standstill to pen down the perfect answer by comparing each of them on paper. The actual test drive account will milk altogether the real time driving status, but before going on the steering wheel, studying about the claims made by their makers will prove beneficiary towards a justified judgment. Read on to find more about those SUVs that soon will be found battling and screeching their metals by rubbing the shoulders in the league.

Design

Though, two of the three SUVs, except Toyota, will see a new face in the country, so for a large extent this quotient will keep the buyers looking around for them. Ford’s model is based on the pickup, which translates it to have a greater wheelbase than the Fortuner. And the Trailblazer in international market is stretched by 2850mm between the wheels, which if launched the same way would be the roomiest SUV for the category. Chevy’s prominent bowtie logo will capture the front at the very glimpse, where one can’t exclude some cues are drawn from the Captiva as well.

Features

The trio are bound to share the similar list of features, with each of them having the common clicks like climate control, touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, steering mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking camera, leather themed interiors, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags and vehicle stability program. Above all, 17-inch wheels give all of them the dominance for which they have entered the market.

Engine

The engine specifications of the Trailblazer are still not confirmed, but in international markets the maker sells it with the options of 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre. The former is managed to produce the max power of 161bhp being supported only on two-wheel drive layout, but the latter yet bigger beats the heat of completion with the output like 197bhp accompanied by 6-speed auto transmission and four-wheel drive layout.

Ford’s options for this list can be said with the 2.5-litre of 141bhp or else the 3.0-litre worth of 154bhp with 4WD and five-speed auto gearbox. Five-speed manual is for the stock model of Endeavour.

Overview

Prices have played intuitively in making the fortunes for Fortuner. But still there is some scope for other carmakers to bite into the segment by keeping the ownership cost very low, whereas the styling and power packed into them are enough for setting the pace. Those referred to buy Toyota always end up saving huge on the maintenance due to its build to last quality, translating the typical Indian audience to fall for it with every penny that could be shelled. Such an attitude in the rivalry would be a shortcut to success for the SUV category if other makers wished of making huge bucks in a very short span of time.

Feel free to pen down your thoughts in the comments section below…

December 4, 2014

Mitsubishi Pajero Automatic vs Toyota Fortuner vs Ford Endeavour vs New Santa Fe: Spec Comparison

Big SUVs, more popular as full-size SUVs, possess less utilitarian and more show-off appeal after ideally maligning in comparison to the road conditions of India. But however, since they have developed a taste of the most powerful machine the money can buy for cost of a D-segment sedan, they (SUVs) also galore a ‘take me anywhere’ feel out on the road. In addition, over the mindset of most car buyers in India, who are quite young, believes driving the SUV makes them feel better rather than sitting snug behind the steering of a sedan on the tarmac. As every second meter stretch of the road is riddled with crater-type potholes and speed-breakers touching the belly of sedan relenting it to suffer bruises and a hefty service bill for owners, driving a sedan also sound a bit tad and impractical.

In order, India has always remained invaded by one or the other forces, so people of the nation are more of the preference to avoid them by using an invading machine (SUV) itself that mimics a brave attitude and stud accents of our way of living. Hence, the said has craved as a major reason for the makers to be striking chunk of sales from the SUV body-type in this market. After the recent launch of Mitsubishi Pajero automatic for the price of Rs 23.55 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) the business became a bit tough for existing players of diesel automatic SUVs in 4×2 like, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Engine

Nothing can better grunt-ify the rival than its powerful machine. The biggest in size – Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner – are strapped by the 3.0-litre unit, but both of them produces the least amount of power (in comparison) at 154bhp (379Nm) and 169bhp (360Nm) respectively. The smallest Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre units milk the maximum at 194bhp and 436Nm of torque. Amidst of all, Pajero’s 2.5-litre is good enough for 176bhp and 350Nm.

In the gauge of transmission, all the SUVs are mated to a 5-speed automatic, where only Hyundai makes an exception with the 6-speed automatic.

Dimension

Measuring them from all the angles, Endeavour surprisingly comes up with the maximum space between the front and rear wheels – wheelbase, as well as the overall length. However, all of them are more or less similar in the sizing, but the long length of Ford’s SUV makes ample of space for the rear passengers and luggage.

Overview

The max power of Santa Fe offers on-paper the speediest deal, whereas the Pajero isn’t bad either. With acres of spaces, sluggish Endeavour is designed to carry the maximum luggage and additional comfort for rear passengers. But as said in the start, the looks is what matters for the show-off SUVs appeal, Fortuner and Endeavour emerge as the best options to choose from. And they spruce commanding visuals with their beefy tyres. The remaining two offset them by overcoming on the power and handling aspect a lot.

So the choice is a bit precise, either to go for the hard-core off-road with chunks of metals, or just ply the tarmac easy for the most with the racy experience behind steering wheel.

December 1, 2014

MINI Cooper 5-Door vs BMW 1-Series vs Mercedes A-Class – Diesel Hatchbacks: Spec Comparison

The game of hatchbacks started from down-the-line segment in India. The reason was demand of an urban car with the seating capacity of sedan, but friendly on pocket and parking space. Unimaginably, the trend hyped intensively and made way to an all new level where nowadays they are being seen have moved upmarket with makers like Mercedes, BMW and MINI aren’t shying from rolling-in their ‘smallest stuffs’ with the ‘biggest price tags’. The interesting piece of story is despite being priced against to the top-end trims of C-Class sedans (against the likes of Toyota, Honda and such) and SUVs (like Fortuner, Endeavour and more) those niche hatchbacks are selling in numbers and are craving more from the segment. The last launch of MINI Cooper D 5-Door in India had surprisingly added more spark to the plot, which mean that go-karting feel behind the steering and modern-retro looking hatchback leaped a step ahead just to be roomier for serving the lifestyle buyers with a utilitarian purpose.

Here, mentioned is an account of comparison between MINI 5-Door hatchback against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1-Series. Read more to learn about them in detail.

Engine

MINI is almost mini (smaller) than the rest under the hoods. Yet, it wins the race over Mercedes-Benz’s A. The 1.5-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine (of MINI Cooper) produces max power of 118PS and 270Nm whereas the Merc’s 2.2-litre (biggest in the comparison) consisted of 4-cylinder produces the least output of 109PS and 250Nm of torque. Here, BMW takes the cake away. From a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit 1-Series churns out a whopping 145PS of max power and 320Nm of peak torque.

Even on the transmission side, BMW 1-Series is powered by ultimate 8-speed automatic, MINI by a six-speed automatic and Mercedes-Benz uses 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Dimension

In an attempt to stretch a bit, the 5-door Cooper still falls shorter than the rest on length, width and wheelbase. BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class are large enough to gain the max of space inside and even manage most of passenger’s luggage. There’s one point where the MINI gets an upper hand, and that’s the ‘weight’. Tipping the scale at 1190kg, it attains comparatively better power to weight ratio which the A-Class is found extensively low of. Hence, the driving may bring to notice that MINI is still the same go-kart vehicle which it was with the three-door and those plunging springs underneath has just fared better.

Overall

When talking diesel, the performance may be a bit low from their petrol counterparts. And fuel-efficiency is always on the top of mind of buyers. So, based on that derivation MINI Cooper D 5-door rates the best than all – ample of power and good fuel-economy makes it stand for a better equation. Style is also enticing to catch everyone’s attention and stands out from the crowd. On the other side, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class delivers almost the similar fuel-economy. But as BMW is comparatively lighter in weight and boasts more power the Merc fails to cope up here and loses the league.

Hence, this is an on-paper comparison which is subjected to differ than the real-time driving experience.