[carrerastrax]

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

Fiat Punto without doubt and its no surprise that it has got most number of votes. What is surprising to me is that it is followed by Vista. To be honest, I did not expect this. In my opinion, I would say that Skoda Fabia should be the next best.

The Vista uses fiat's suspension, along with the engine, gearbox and the three stage door opening mechanism. I'm assuming that the ride quality will be comparable to the fiats. Handling may not be the same as its dependent on the capability of the chassis.

[vibbs]

I am in the process of buying a new car. Test drove many of the listed cars.
I20 is cushy at low speeds, but as speed increases it tends to bounce a lot specially at the rear. I was surprised when I was jumping in the rear seats on a road which I till then thought to be not really that bad. At slow speeds though it soaks up all the bumps.

Figo is a lot stiffer in comparison yet soaks up everything beautifully at all speeds. Although it's the high speed ride that it delights wonderfully. Coupled with the wonderful handling and precise steering its an absolute joy.

I have a first generation swift and the suspension is too stiff for liking of most. I love it though. The new swift however is quite different. I had test driven a zxi and the ride is vastly superior to the older swift without much compromise on the handling.

I haven't driven the liva, but tried etios. It soaks up the bumps very well but seemed a tad too soft for my liking. Just a little bit.

The polo is very much there. I would have rated it best 1. had I not driven the punto and 2. Had the sales executive not taken me to a bad stretch of road to demonstrate its ride. Till then it was wonderful but that road was a little too bad and I found the polo bouncing a little too much for my liking specially the nose. My swift I feel would've handled the road at higher speeds without as much drama. I may be wrong though.

I liked the punto, the moment I drove it. Among all the cars I listed, I found the punto to have the best balance. Neither too stiff nor too soft. Soaks up the bumps effectively at slow as well as high speeds. I liked the ride so much that I went ahead and booked it.

So my vote would be for the punto very closely followed by the polo and figo. The new swift is not too bad either so would be the liva which I assume would be similar to etios. I am not a fan of i20 's soft set up.

Apart from these, I have sat in a fabia. Not driven, but the ride seemed very competent.

No experience on brio, jazz and sail.

[mercedised]

I did'nt vote as have not experienced all of these cars. I had been on Swift/Swift Dzire back seats and needless to say it has pathetic ride quality. Potholes felt as there was no suspension and both the cars were brand new. I loved Ford Ikon for its ride quality and so far it is the best car which tops in suspension department in my list. I drive Indigo Marina 2005 and it too has bone breaking suspension. I had Indica 1999, 2007, 2005 DLS ,they have good ride quality. indica Vista too has stiff suspension at the back though at the front it is comfy.

[pranjal1984]

The new swift has a much mature suspension than the old one. However as compared to my old Polo, the Polo still comes up a winner against the swift in suspension and ride quality.

[zwift1819]

My 2012 swift was upgraded with Michelin 185/70/R14 fitted to the OE steel rims. It's feels miserable on bad roads due to too much of body roll! Complained many a times to the SA but he said its normal. Even on the slightest uneven road there is too much of body roll. Wonder if the upgrading of tyres makes a difference. Comparatively the Liva on the OE tyres and on the same patch of road takes it smoothly and absolutely no body roll. Have not driven the polo or i20 to feel the same.

[oilmonkey]

I have an Etios Liva 2011 and recently July 2015 I covered a 3000 KMs trip from Mumbai - GOA - Manglore - Mahe - Calicut - Kochi - Munnar - Banglore - Mumbai and covered all in five days. The ride quality was superb and the car was very stable throughout the journey. The ride quality though on the softer side is apt in my opinion considering our road conditions.

[h14]

Apologies for walking up an old thread. Will be interesting to see how the poll results would stand when the current owners and new members vote

[jetsetgo08]

I feel Tiago deserves a place in the above list, even though it is from a different segment its ride quality is comparable to that of premium hatchbacks.

[SPARKled]

I think the Ritz with its "less sporty" suspension set up compared to its more famous cousin, the swift has a very nice cushiony ride that gives it a big car ride feel over bad roads. So at least compared to the swift, etios, first gen Figo, i10, i20 , wagon R, Alto which I have extensively driven Ritz is the best of the lot to handle bad roads.

[AbhisheKulkarni]

I shall vote when Tata Tiago is added to this list.

Originally Posted by jetsetgo08

I feel Tiago deserves a place in the above list, even though it is from a different segment its ride quality is comparable to that of premium hatchbacks.

The i10 is there in the list so don't see any reason why the Tiago cannot be, as both belong to the same segment.

[heydj]

Lot of these surveys lead to results such as Fiat Punto being best on bad roads or for safety and quality German cars. But these factors do not translate into sales numbers.

With such a wide gap between what customers vote for and buy its clear to car manufacturers that Indian people priority list is:
1. Touch screen info system - Creta in base models has this but no airbags.
2. Jazzy and chrome filled exteriors & interiors.
3. Reception management that Maruti & Hyundai service is cheaper even though after buying a new car service is at 1, 3, 6, & 12 month interval, what a waste of time. Whereas VW group at 1 year.

[NFS2024]

Having driven the Swift, Punto, Figo, i20, Duster, Creta, SCross and a couple of other cars, my vote goes to Fiat Punto.

I have done around 50,000kms in the last 3 years and its difficult for other cars to match up to the Punto in terms of Ride quality.