Hyundai New Verna 2017 Review

The all-new Hyundai Verna was unveiled at the Chengdu Motor Show earlier this year. The C-segment sedan, now in its fifth generation, has been introduced in India. This all new Verna is available in 12 variants, with two engine and two gearbox options.

It also comes with an all-new design. The design elements are cued from its larger sibling, the Elantra. This characteristic styling marks the introduction of a 'family face' for all Hyundai cars. The hexagonal chrome-lined grille gets horizontal slats and the air dam gets a honey comb mesh grille. The profile retains the coupe-style sloping roofline and a strong shoulder-line that extends to the boot. The sleeker wraparound tail lamps come with a LED lighting signature. Size-wise, the 2017 Verna measures 4,380mm in length, 1,728mm in width and 1,460mm tall compared to its earlier stats of 4375mm, 1,700mm and 1,475mm respectively. Apart from that, there are also four new body colours to choose from.

The cabin is done in beige and black with an updated feature list and some additional rear room. The new feature list now includes a bigger seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, ventilated front seats, rear AC vents, dual USB charging points, power windows, electrically adjustable ORVMs and climate control. Hyundai has also added Eco Coating for scent control, rear curtains and a hands-free boot opening. The top-of-the-line model gets six airbags and ABS with EBD.

The new Verna is powered by a pair of 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The petrol unit produces 121bhp of power at 6,400rpm and 151Nm of peak torque at 4,850 rpm. The oil burner, on the other hand, puts out 126bhp at 4000rpm and an impressive torque of 260Nm from as low as 1,500rpm. Both engines can be had with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. In the Indian market, the new Verna is Hyundai’s take on the growing C-segment sedan category. This part of the market has been gaining a lot of popularity lately. It takes on the likes of the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid.

Hyundai Verna Mileage:

Fuel Type                               Transmission                          Mileage

Petrol                                                  Automatic                                           17.25 Kmpl       

Petrol                                                  Manual                                                17.4 Kmpl  

Diesel                                                  Automatic                                           24.35 Kmpl

Diesel                                                  Manual                                                24.8 Kmpl

Verna Specifications:

Engines

1582 cc, Diesel, 126 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

1591 cc, Petrol, 121 bhp @ 6400 RPM power

Gearboxes

6-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

6-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

   

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Review

Mahindra has updated KUV100 with a new NXT series. It is available across five variants, two engine options as well as eight colour options including two dual tone schemes. Mahindra has stacked up the KUV with features and technology to ensure that the update has the firepower to compete with the established players in the segment.

Exterior

The most significant change in terms of design is a completely new face for the NXT. It comprises a vertically stacked design for the overall appearance. The headlamps have got a new design while the front bumper has moved from a conventional design to a sportier one to give the car a crossover appearance. With the NXT, you get a new design for the alloy wheels/wheel covers while at the rear the tail lamps have become wider and now come with silver inserts. The tall design gets a high bonnet and a pronounced shoulder line that accentuates the length of the sub-four metre car.

Interior

Inside, the KUV100 NXT is now a standard six-seater but you can also order for a five-seater vehicle across both fuel options. The overall layout of the cabin has not changed but you now get a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the top spec variants in place of the 2-DIN unit that was offered in the outgoing model. Mahindra also got rid of the multi-dial design for the air-con system and has replaced it with a minimalistic button style setup. The four-speaker music system gets Bluetooth and USB connectivity along with steering mounted controls.

Engine and gearbox

The KUV continues to use the same two engine options – the petrol mFalcon G80 and the diesel mFalcon D75. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine develops 82bhp and 114Nm, while the 1.2-litre turbodiesel delivers 77bhp and 190Nm. Both the engines come mated to a five-speed transmission. The G80 engine is a micro-hybrid with start-stop technology while the diesel D75 gets driving modes like Eco and Power.

With the update out of the way now, Mahindra has announced that the AMT variants for both petrol and diesel will be added in the next five months. On the other hand, an electrified KUV will be introduced next year. We expect the electric KUV to make an appearance at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo.

Competition and Price

The KUV100 is priced at Rs 4.39 lakhs (ex-Mumbai) for the base petrol variant and Rs 5.39 lakhs for the base diesel variant. It competes against mid-size hatchbacks like the Ford Figo, Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Swift, Nissan Micra and the Maruti Suzuki Ignis.

Mahindra KUV100 NXT price starts at ₹ 4.52 Lakhs and goes upto ₹ 7.54 Lakhs. Petrol KUV100 NXT price starts at ₹ 4.52 Lakhs. Diesel KUV100 NXT price starts at ₹ 5.53 Lakhs.

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Mileage:

Fuel Type                                Transmission                       Mileage

Petrol                                       Manual                                  18.15 Kmpl

Diesel                                       Manual                                   25.32 Kmpl

KUV100 NXT Specifications:

Engines

1198 cc, Diesel, 77 bhp @ 3750 RPM power

1198 cc, Petrol, 82 bhp @ 5500 RPM power

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

6 seater

Steering

Power steering

 

Isuzu D Max V Cross Review

Isuzu has had a long association with India. Not many of the millennials would recall, the Ambassadors, the Contessas and also a bunch of commercial vehicles were powered by the engines from the Japanese manufacturer. Now that the Sri City manufacturing plant has commenced production, Isuzu has quickly launched the V-Cross luxury pickup that had been showcased at the Auto Expo 2016.

The V-Cross gets the standard Isuzu garb we have seen in the MU-7 and D-Max. The radiator grille has thick borders and a single horizontal slat. The headlamps are swept back and get projector units. The butch looking SUV has a higher ground clearance than the D-Max along with a wider track and a longer wheelbase. The twin-cab pickup seats five and runs on 16-inch alloy wheels and gets roof rails and turn-indicators on the chrome ORVMs.

The cabin is finished in black with silver highlights for the centre console and door trims. The dashboard design is simple and gets a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with USB and AUX input along with Bluetooth connectivity. It gets climate control and tilt adjustable steering wheel and a height adjustable driver seat. The twin pod instrument cluster gets a multi-function display to read out the two electronic trip meters along with other vital information. For storage, you have a two-part glove box, driver armrest storage and cup-holders in the front. On the safety front, it gets dual front airbags and ISOFIX mounting points for child seats in the rear.

The V-Cross is powered by the 134bhp four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which develops 320Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a manual gearbox and also gets a shift-on- fly four-wheel drive system. It gets double wishbone suspension setup in the front with anti-roll bar and long-span leaf springs in the rear with gas shock absorbers. It also gets ABS and EBD along with brake assist.

The V-Cross is a luxury pickup truck – a niche segment in the Indian market. While Tata and Mahindra have been there for a long time with the Xenon XT and the Scorpio Getaway, the volumes haven’t been much. But, with the lifestyle product segment, the one where the Isuzu V-Cross stands, is growing. If you want a big burly luxury pick-up truck for weekend getaways, the V-Cross certainly fits the bill.

D-Max V-Cross Specifications:

Engines

2499 cc, Diesel, 134 bhp @ 3600 RPM power

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, 4WD / AWD

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

Toyota Innova Crysta Review & Competitions

The Toyota Innova has been the Japanese automaker’s most successful product to date in India after taking over from the Qualis, its predecessor. Since it began sales in 2005, the Innova had remained pretty much the same until the showcase of the Innova Crysta at the Auto Expo 2016.

The new generation Innova is almost an entirely new car except for the remnants of the body shell. Built to meet the demands of the new age Indian car buyer, the Innova Crysta looks and feels more premium than the outgoing car.

Exterior

The Innova Crysta looks boxy as compared to the Innova. The twin horizontal slats on the radiator grille blend into the wrap around rectangular double-barrel headlamps. The lower half of the hexagonal grille gets thin black slats and is flanked by the fog lamps housings on both sides. The headlights are projector units, and there is an addition of DRLs in this new version. The side profile, thanks to the roofline, gives the car a much sleeker appearance. It also gets a prominent shoulder-line, flared wheel arches and large 17-inch wheels to make it look its part like an SUV rather than an MPV. The third row quarter glass window is slashed by the thick D-pillar and may make the last row feel a bit stuffy. The tail lamps get the signature kink seen on modern Toyotas like the Prius which was also present at the Expo.

Interior

The interior seems to be a miles ahead of the outgoing Innova. The dash gets driver-centric contours and is dressed in black with a classy metallic strip defining its outline. The instrument cluster is new and blue-lit. The two dials read out revs and speed while the multi-function display in the centre gives away all other related information. The digital display at the top centre of the dash continues to read out time, temperature and other bits. The touch-screen infotainment system on the dash doesn’t feel like a retro-fit and is intuitive to use. The new steering wheel gets metal highlights and steering mounted controls.

Space has been the Innova’s forte and the Crysta takes it a level further. Longer, wider and taller than the outgoing car, the Crysta offers comfortable seating in the first and second row. While the third row seating is still a bit low for long hauls, it is one of the better places to be in within the segment. The top-spec car now gets power seats and climate control with separate zone for rear passengers continues to cool the barge.

Engine and gearbox

The decade-old 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine has finally been replaced by an all-new 2.4-litre diesel unit producing 147bhp and 343Nm of torque. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the engine sends power to the rear wheels. Toyota also offers the Innova Crysta with a six-speed automatic transmission option but that comes only with the new 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo-charged diesel. The 2.8-litre mill develops 174bhp of power at 3400rpm and 360Nm of torque from as low as 1200rpm. ABS and EBD is standard across all variants along with dual front airbags and knee airbags. The automatic transmission car gets ESP and hill-assist for driver aids.

Price and competition

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

Toyota Innova Crysta Mileage:

Fuel Type                             Transmission                       Mileage

Petrol                                    Automatic                              10.75 Kmpl

Petrol                                    Manual                                   11.25 Kmpl

Diesel                                    Automatic                               14.29 Kmpl

Diesel                                    Manual                                    15.1 Kmpl  

Innova Crysta Specifications:

Engines

2755 cc, Diesel, 172 bhp @ 3400 RPM power

2694 cc, Petrol, 164 bhp @ 5200 RPM power

2393 cc, Diesel, 148 bhp @ 3400 RPM power

Gearboxes

6-speed, Automatic, Rear Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Rear Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

7 seater

8 seater

Steering

Power steering

Volkswagen Ameo Review

The Ameo is the new compact sedan from Volkswagen. Based on the Polo, the new model will be just under four metres in length to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze and the Tata Zest.

In terms of looks, the Ameo will follow the traditional VW design which is subtle yet elegant. The front fascia of the Ameo is very similar to that of the Polo with the twin slat grille and a chrome underline and rectangular fog lamps. The profile is identical to the Polo till the C-pillar. The Ameo’s C-pillar has been thinned out with a quarter-glass added to make it feel roomy. The stubby boot fits the four-metre bill, but doesn’t gel with the overall flow of the design. The tail lamps are similar to the Vento but with a kink on the inner side.

The interior has been carried over straight from the Polo. The top of the dashboard is black, while rest of the trim is beige to make the cabin look roomier. The Ameo gets rear AC vents from the Vento, but that apart, the feature list has been taken over form the Polo. The top spec car gets cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, a touch-screen infotainment system, all four power windows and electrically adjustable wing mirrors. Like all VWs in India, airbags are standard on all variants, while the middle and top spec trims will get ABS-EBD.

The Ameo had been launched with the petrol engine only. It started with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder MPI engine tuned to produce 108bhp and 250Nm powers the compact sedan and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen has also started offering their 1.5-litre diesel engine on the Ameo. The four cylinder turbo-diesel develops 89bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. It is offered with the five-speed manual as well as the dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox. We also expect VW to offer the 1.2-litre TSI with the seven-speed automatic with the Ameo just like the Polo GT TSI.

Volkswagen has positioned the Ameo aggressively in terms of pricing. The starting price of the compact sedan is a tad above the Tata Zest but lower than its primary competition – the Maruti Swift Dzire, the Hyundai Xcent and the Honda Amaze.

Volkswagen Ameo Mileage

Fuel Type                           Transmission                       Mileage

Petrol                                  Manual                                  17.83 Kmpl

Diesel                                  Manual                                  21.66 Kmpl

Diesel                                  Automatic                             21.73 Kmpl  

Ameo Specifications:

Engines

1498 cc, Diesel, 109 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

1198 cc, Petrol, 74 bhp @ 5400 RPM power

Gearboxes

7-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

Volkswagen Polo Review

Volkswagen launched the Polo in 2010 to compete with the Hyundai i20 in the premium hatchback segment. The German manufacturer has been tweaking the Polo regularly with cosmetic and equipment upgrades to stay abreast with the competition. Volkswagen also tinkered with idea of hot hatches with Polo GT series.

The latest string of updates on the Polo has made the signature grille a tad bit wider and it gets a chrome accent on the lower slat. The rectangular front fascia continues with the same headlamps but an added chrome strip across the length of the bumper connecting the fog lamp housings gives it more character. The side profile as well as the tail gate is the same but the tail lamp has been slightly revised to make it look modern.

While the interior has been the same black and beige for a long time, the Polo cabin is one of the most pleasant ones in the lot. And with the regular equipment upgrades, the Polo now gets rain-sensing wipers, push-button start and electrically folding wing mirrors for the top-spec Highline trim. The Polo still remains the only hatchback to offer auto up and down functions for all four power windows. It gets height adjustable driver seat on the mid and top variants along with adjustable steering position.

On the safety front, Volkswagen offers dual front airbags and ABS as standard across all variants, being one of the first manufacturers to give preference to safety in India. The Polo GT with automatic gearbox gets ESP.

The Polo is offered with three engine options and three gearbox options. The 1.2-litre three cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and develops 74bhp of power at 5400 rpm and 110Nm of torque. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, the TSi, powers the Polo GT TSI and develops 103bhp of power at 5000rpm and 175Nm of torque from 1500rpm. The GT TSi gets a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox which drives the front wheels. The diesel engine is the 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel and is offered in two states of tune – 89bhp for the standard Polo and 103bhp for the Polo GT. Even the torque developed in the GT is 20Nm more than the 230Nm available in the standard state of tune. The diesel is mated to five-speed manual gearbox.

The Polo pitches itself in the premium hatchback segment competing with the Hyundai i20, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Honda Jazz. With the other three being fairly new products, the Polo’s build quality, handling and performance makes it a formidable competitor.

Volkswagen Polo Mileage

Fuel Type                                 Transmission                          Mileage

Petrol                                        Manual                                      16.47 Kmpl

Petrol                                        Automatic                                 17.21 Kmpl

Diesel                                        Manual                                      20.52 Kmpl

Polo Specifications:

Engines

1198 cc, Petrol, 103 bhp @ 5000 RPM power

1498 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4200 RPM power

1498 cc, Diesel, 108 bhp @ 4400 RPM power

1198 cc, Petrol, 74 bhp @ 5400 RPM power

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

7-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

    

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Review

The Ciaz sedan has been updated in September, 2015. While there are no changes to the petrol car, the diesel model is the first one to use the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle from Suzuki) technology. The mild hybrid version works in tandem with the diesel engine and further improves the fuel efficiency of the C-segment sedan.

The design of the Ciaz is based on the Suzuki Authentics concept which was showcased first at the 2014 Shanghai Motor Show in April and then shown in production form as the China-spec Alivio sedan. It gets an aggressive front fascia with a trapezoidal front grille that features ample amount of chrome. The sweptback headlights and the elongated hood further enhance its street presence. The side profile is a rather conservative affair but one that works for Maruti Suzuki. It features delicately flared wheel arches, chrome door handles and a strong shoulder line which works well with the forward leaning stance of the car.

At the rear, the Ciaz gets the standard wrap around tail lamps which lend the car a premium look. The rear bumper is large and includes integrated reflectors. There’s also a lip spoiler and chrome badges across all variants.

Inside, the Ciaz gets a simple and clutter-free design. The dashboard design is reminiscent of other Maruti models including the Ertiga and the Swift Dzire with its all-beige treatment. The car gets keyless entry and start, Aux-in, USB, Bluetooth streaming with telephony, automatic retract for the ORVMs, reversing camera and navigation system. It also gets a sunshade for the rear windscreen, which will be appreciated by occupants at the rear.

The integrated audio system is a touch screen unit – a segment first. The steering gets controls for the audio system and telephony controls on the left unlike the competition that has buttons spread on either sides. The faux-wood and aluminium inserts, light colour of the upholstery and plastics lend a bright and airy feel to the interior. In terms of safety, all but the base variant get ABS-EBD and front airbags. The base variant on the other hand has to make do with driver-side airbag.

The petrol versions of the Ciaz continue to use 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine producing 94bhp and 134Nm of torque. While there is no difference in the diesel engine either, it now gets Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), larger battery and braking energy recuperation. The larger battery is charged by the brakes, which help in engine start-stop, also the battery assists the crank in developing torque and takes some load of the engine. The Ciaz hybrid has ARAI rated efficiency of 28.09kmpl, making it the most efficient car in the country. The petrol model continues to return 20.73kmpl. The diesel engine comes coupled with the five-speed manual gearbox, the petrol on the other hand is available with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission.

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz puts up a strong case for itself when it comes to value for money. It competes with others C-segment vehicles such as the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid among others.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Mileage

Fuel Type                              Transmission                                Mileage

Petrol                                     Automatic                                       19.12 Kmpl

Petrol                                     Manual                                             20.73 Kmpl

Diesel                                     Manual                                             28.09 Kmpl

Ciaz Specifications:

Engines

1248 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

1373 cc, Petrol, 91 bhp @ 6000 RPM power

Gearboxes

4-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering