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Originally Posted by vb-san Good thread. But looking at the no. of responses on premium v/s non-premium, I have a suggestion – Instead of removing certain cars, shed the word premium, and rename the thread to something like “The ultimate hatchback guide (4 to 8 lakhs)”. Otherwise, the discussion may go mainly on my preferred car is more premium than yours, and some owners may get offended on why his/her car is not there in the premium list |
Solid suggestion. VB, I am reminding myself to PM you before starting on such a venture next time. Thanks, my friend!
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Originally Posted by lavish_n Nice thread RavenAvi. Good luck
It sure would be useful for folks looking to buy a hatch.
I would also like to mention that Honda Jazz is among the most refined engine car in India + good NVH & gear shift is butter smooth. |
Thanks, bud! I hope it does.
Indeed. Jazz is the best petrol hatch money can buy in the country today, without doubt.
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Originally Posted by wilful The only premium (large) hatch that currently ticks all the boxes (well almost all) as far as options are concerned is the i20 - since its versions include diesel and an AT version in petrol. The only thing missing is an AT version in diesel. Plus it is high on space and comfort and loaded with features.
Of course it rates below some others in FE, handling etc. |
Even the i20 has it's fair share of issues - lifeless steering specially at high speeds, steering rattle problem, very dark interiors, claustrophobic rear seat, etc. Although it is the most loaded hatch of the lot.
A diesel AT would take the price of the i20 inching towards the 9L bracket, so I think Hyundai was wise to keep it out. The only diesel AT this side of 11L is the Hyundai Verna, and I am sure they didn't want the i20 to eat into the Verna AT's sales!
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Originally Posted by karty_83 Good thread Raven. It ll be of great help for all the guys out there to make a more informed decision.
How about another thread on similar lines for AT's only ? |
Thanks. And that's a good suggestion. Will do some deep research into this and post a comparo soon, if I can.
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Originally Posted by blue_pulsar Liva, Vista are premium hatches??? Even though Figo is built to price, I feel its eligible to be in this list.
And if that's the case, I wonder how Ritz is missing from this list? |
No, Vista is not a premium hatch. But Toyota has placed the Liva, specially the top-end variant, bang into the premium hatch bracket simply by it's atrocious pricing. I agree that the Liva doesn't deserve to be in the 7L priced group, and it's prices should be slashed, IMO.
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Originally Posted by aryasanyal Just the Polo 1.6 and the Jazz for me. Haven't seen the new Swift - hence can't comment on it.
No, not the new Fabia - a car that doesn't provide a rear defogger and wiper to the buyer even on the top-end model doesn't deserve a 'premium' tag, in my opinion. |
Fabia was a premium hatch in every sense of the word when it was first launched with that hair-raising price. Yes, Skoda has cut down on some features to price it competitively, but the Fabia is still very much a premium hatch just by it's build quality, riding comfort, and driveability.
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Originally Posted by devarshi84 U-VA and Beat are missing.
I don't see a reason why Ritz should not be included.
Also if premium goes by price then Premier RiO should be included too.
What about Fiat 500 and VW Beetle? |
And that would have made the list complete LOL!
I checked on the U-VA. The top-end model is priced under 5L so I decided to keep it out. Different reason for the Beat - I thought it targeted a different segment altogether (the i10 one).
The four listed below the Fabia should have been omitted, then the listing would have been complete. Ritz will find a place in the Figo/Liva/Micra/Vista/i10/Beat section in the future.
Fiat 500 and VW Beetle - the supremos of premium hatches! If only we really stretched our budget to 20L, maybe they would have come in. But we were having a look at the 4L - 8L bracket, so nope.
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Originally Posted by ethanhunt123 I think this debate is never ending. If Punto is premium, so is Swift/Ritz. They offer ACC, electric OVRM etc. And so is Micra. First in class to offer Keyless entry etc.
I think instead of having the title as "Premium Hatchback", just keeping it has hatches between 4-8 Lakh would be better. |
The way I see it, any hatch with a starting price of 4L - 4.5L and having a top variant touching the 7L price and comes loaded with features, belongs to the "premium" brand. In that case, Figo/Vista/Micra miss out. Liva is the only one left.
Excellent suggestion for the thread title. I support it wholly. Thanks!
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Originally Posted by CARDEEP IMO the best premium hatch has to be ANSS, because of the following reasons:
1. It's got a diesel mill
2. It's a competent handler
3. It's got the best A.S.S. (common, cost, capability)
4. It's priced reasonably well as compared to few others in the list
5. It's engines got sufficient grunt for Indian condition
6. It's got the best resale value
I bet someone would few more points here, but, I feel these are enough for me to suggest ANSS to anyone. |
Well, the top-end Swift certainly comes loaded. It is built sturdily and has a good performing set of engines to back it's nomination. The superb DDiS alone should help the Swift make the cut, if nothing else. Awesome features in the ZXi/ZDi help a lot too.
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Originally Posted by volkman10 In the premium hatches I have narrowed down are Jazz X variant and the Polo1.6. Both cars being evenly posied in features and have to take a call by this weekend.
On OTR price front (Bangalore)
Honda Jazz 742,740 ( no discounts)
Polo 1.6 750,992 (free insurance, corporate discount,extended
warranty)
Jazz delivery time is 8 weeks and the Polo 1.6 is readily available! ( not a criteria though !)
Its a real close call, any pointers to this?
Cheers! |
I still back the Jazz, even over the Polo 1.6. Just for the practicality it offers, overall features (comes more loaded than the Polo 1.6), is a pretty solid performer in the city and on the highways alike, plus it is a complete family package. Polo 1.6 is a driver's car, and is made for the highways. I don't think it will return good FE figures in city driving, plus lack of features and a comparatively smaller rear seat to the Jazz - I say wait a bit and go for the Jazz.
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Originally Posted by fiat_tarun My definition of a premium hatch would be the following; (in no particular order) - Large & decently spacious
- Should give you a big car feel
- Good equipment level (safety included)
- Decently powerful engines
- Good Dynamics
- Good interiors
- Good footwear (wider tyres)
The other factors like A.S.S, maintenance etc are supporting points and in no way make a hatchback premium.
Going by the above points my list would be; (all in their top variants) - Hyundai i20
- Honda Jazz
- Fiat Punto
- VW Polo
- New Swift
|
Totally agree. Top variants of the models are indeed the main criteria for distinguishing a premium hatch, in addition to fit and finish, driveability and handling, and features on offer.
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Originally Posted by xingamazon I am sorry RavenAvi, but I do not get the intention of this thread, are you just listing down all the cars available.
Or are you making a comparison of cars (in that case we need to have ratings attached)
Or are you just making the good and bads list of cars (in that case you could have taken it from Official reviews list)
Or are you just giving your opinion about the cars.
If there is no details on comparison between them, then this not to be termed as shoot out. The discussion in this thread are only going about whats premium and whats not. Which I am sure was not your intent of starting the thread |
The intention of the thread was to give prospective hatchback buyers in the 4L - 8L budget bracket, a peek at the choices available today, with their positives and negatives, in the Indian car scene.
No comparisons were being made here, just a simple list of positives and negatives of each car listed. Nothing was taken from the official reviews, although I sat down and read through some of them which I linked with the car listed, so that a prospect can go to that official review thread and check out the car in question.
Most of them are my opinions, plus some pointers are from Mdsaab and some from my real-life friends who own these cars.
Indeed, the whole point of the thread went on a tangent with the addition of the Vista/Figo/Micra/Liva/i10. I initially had only the Micra & Liva listed (because both models' top-end variants went over 7L in some Indian states), then added the i10 because I felt it was a premium hatch in it's own segment. Demands came in from members that I include the Figo and Vista as well (see the first replies of the thread), and I tossed them in as well, against my better judgement. I used them merely as a comparative example (though the title of the thread "premium" meant they should not have been added to the original list), and now we find ourselves here.
Like VB and EthanHunt pointed, a more apt title would have been "A 4L - 8L Hatchback Comparison". Wish I had the power to change the thread title, or even the ability to edit my post after 30 minutes. A lot of stuff could have been avoided.
As it is, the list is flawed, and I take the blame for it. Sorry, I will try to do better next time! It's a promise!