I am writing this Purchase experience after six months of usage. Pardon for the delay.
Behind the scene:
I was quite happy with my pre-owned Volkswagen Polo TDI Highline 2012. But that german inspired happiness did not last long when I realized that my expenditure was touching half a lakh in one year just to maintain that bad boy. Greetings from coolant leakage, glowing plug light, glowing engine light, blinking airbag indicators, and ABS warning lights were like my morning cup of coffee. Obviously staff at OSL Exclusive ( Volkswagen ASS in Kolkata) became very good friends of mine as I used to have evening coffee at the service center most of the time.
Saying bye to my german friend:
On January 15th I took a decision to sell my Volkswagen and settle for a reliable machine.
I visited a few second-hand dealers in Kolkata and found out my VW was worth just 60 grands which was shocking and I dropped the idea of selling it to a dealer.
Later I found out OLX Cash my car outlet in Newtown, Kolkata and managed to bag a healthy 1.5 Lakhs.
The decision:
The very next day I simply took an uber and visited Topsel Toyota in Ruby, Kolkata. Things in my mind were crystal clear. I wanted a car which will be reliable and won't decide my coffee dates at service stations.
First consideration: Toyota Yaris J MT 2020 BSVI

I chose this as a option because it's the Toyota which I could afford with the maximum hole in my pocket.
Likes
- Good build quality
- Projectors and alloys are standard across range

- Good legspace due to long wheelbase
- Drives smooth (Keep in mind, I came from a diesel VW)
- Cabin fit and finish was great
- Front and Rear design is great
Loved
- The way it handled on high speeds
- Sure footed nature
- Dual tone dash felt great
- Effortless Engine
Dislikes
- The underbody noise while in bad roads
- Gearbox throw was kind of awkard for me ( I took double attempts while slotting into 2 & 3)
- Cheap Looking gearknob and internal door handles in J trim
- No auto AC ( Didn't expect in base trim but expected in a 10 lakh car)
- Brakes had dual personality (atleast in the test drive vehicle)
Dropped because
- On Road price was coming near 10.5 Lakhs which was a big hole in my small pocket
- 9-10 Kmpl real life fuel efficiency
- Very less features in J trim
Visited Honda and got electrified while learning the on-road cost of a new City.
After dropping Yaris and City I was convinced that this is not the age to run a sedan. Sedans will be costlier to purchase and gallop more fuel resulting in a broken bank statement.
Switched to searching for hatchbacks.
Few considerations were Swift, Figo, and Baleno.
- No! Glanza was not in my list as every friend of mine shouted "Instead of rebadged maruti take the original maruti."
- No VW due to a panic factor related to reliability & maintenance
- No TATA due to reliability and maintenance factor
SWIFT:
- Drives awesome
- Best steering wheel in a hatchback
- I liked the new look of current gen
- But had to drop because non existent rear space. My parent's aren't happy since I bought Polo. No second mistake.
Figo:
- Figo drove awesome. I loved the way it handles.
- Very attractive maintenance programmes
- Dropped because my dad did't like the styling.
- I wasn't happy with halogen reflectors in 2020 either.
I won't write for Baleno as everything will be covered while writing for Glanza. Baleno ticked almost every box on our list but got dropped due to long waiting period and Maruti's service experience.
My colleague had purchased a Baleno Zeta 2020 and he was not happy with the experience and suggested staying away from Nexa.
He suggested Baleno is a great product but to take it from the Toyota stable.
We decided to visit Topsel again and had a look at Glanza.
Glanza 2020
First Impressions:
- Baleno with a different grille
- New Insta Blue colour is something totally different
- Better Warranty offered
- Cheaper than Baleno
- Only two trims mean less confusion
- Less than a week of waiting
- No change in the car other than Toyota Logo.
I was inclined towards G trim as the extra features in V didn't make me drool over it.
- Auto wipers : I didn't require. If present, I won't use it.
- Auto Headlamps: Not my requirement
- UV Cut glasses: I prefer installing Garware sun protection with 70% visibility on four windows. Using in all our cars.
- DRL: I don't find it worth the extra penny
- Rear Tail lamp LED: Not a deal maker
- Rear camera: Was being offered as OEm accessory with G trim
First drive experience:
- Steering is super smooth in city limits
- Engine is almost silent in city, I had to check RPM again and again
- Clutch is light ( releif from diesel VW pain)
- Gearbox is smooth and clicky
- Noise insulation isn't great. Tyre & wind noise prominent after 70 KMPH
- Spacious. Acres of legroom in rear seats. Happy parents.
- Loaded with features
- White projectors lit up the road with ease.
Booking
I booked my Glanza G MT BSVI in Insta Blue colour on 22nd January 2020.
The booking amount was INR 50,000 (chosen by me, there was option from INR 10,000).
They informed me that my vehicle will reach the dealer on 26th January and I can expect the delivery on 1st February.
The booking process was super smooth. I personally found the Topsel Toyota salespeople to be frank. Those gentlemen didn't force me for accessories. There was a nice interactive display in the dealership which shows each accessory and the look of the vehicle after fitment.
I chose accessories of my own choice and they quoted me the price of approximately INR8,80,000/- on-road after rough calculations.
I was called on 27th January 2020 in the morning for pre-delivery inspection. I visited their showroom with the Teambhp checklist and found everything to be perfect.
They sent the car for registration as HDFC Bank was kind enough to dispatch the loan amount within correct date.
Shockingly they were on time. The dealership called me and confirmed the delivery date on 1st February 2020.
Delivery Day 1st February 2020, Topsel Toyota Kolkata
Everything was arranged. We arrived the dealership around 10:30 AM and the delivery was completed within next 30 minutes. Kudos to the efficiency of Toyota people.
Details of the Car
Car : Toyota Glanza
Trim : G (MT)
Colour : Insta Blue
Engine : Four Cylinder, 16 Valve DOHC 1197cc K-series VVT BS6 (Petrol)
Fuel Tank Capacity : 37 Liters
Wheels/Tyres : 195/55 R16 Alloy
Max Power : 82bhp
Boot Space : 339 liters
Year of Manufacture : 2020 (January)
Dealer: Topsel Toyota, Kolkata
On Road Price Glanza G MT BSVI in Kolkata
Ex-showroom price - INR 7,05,000/-
Insurance INR 60,476/- 3 Years (Zero Dep from Iffco Tokio - Toyota Protect)
Registration INR 1040/-
Road Tax INR 72950/- (15 Years)
Handling Charges - INR 2000/-
Toyota Genuine Accessories Package^ INR 25,000/-
Paint Protection(6 Inspection/correction free) - INR 5050/-
Extended Warranty(4th & 5th year/1,00,000 kms) INR 10,999/-
Fastag (HDFC) INR 500/-
Total Cost INR 8,83,015/-
Discounts:
Corporate discount : INR 5000/-
Dealer Discount: INR 5000/-
Effective Cost: 8,73,015/-
Freebies:
- Underbody coating(5 years warranty)
- Surprisingly Half a tank fuel was there at delivery
^Toyota Genuine Accessories Package:
- High Quality Floor Mats (4 Pcs)
- OEM Reverse Camera
- 3D Trunk Mat
- Chrome Garnish on Trunk
- Chrome Bumper Protector
- Chrome Body side lining
- Chrome rear bumper protector
- Mud Flaps - 4pcs (Rear ones are too small)
- Door Visiors (4 Pcs)
- Car Cover
Some pictures of my new ride.
Front looks cute in my opinion. Circular lines and rounded shape gives me happy vibes.
Even I am not a big fan of chrome, side profile looks cooler with chrome inserts. Chrome provides nice contrast with dark body colour.
I really appreciate the bumper protection design and placement. Unusual design.
I did not take seat covers from the dealership as I wanted them to be in a lighter shade as the interior was in black.
The dealership had only black coloured seat covers to offer.
Important task: Handover the vehicle to Captain America.
How can I forget that awesome cookie box from Toyota.
The real part: The review
I will start from inside. The car is all black from inside. Build quality is typical of Maruti (yes I know it's Glanza).
I like the seats. They are well supportive and comfortable. Felt it is better than my old Polo.
Definitely big thumbs up for the beautiful multi-information display.
Icy cool blue colour on MID looks brilliant. I like those interactive fuel economy figures.
Instrument console is lightened up whenever you start your car. Nothing changes in night/when head lamps switched on.
Notice the proper Glanza replica inside MID to show driver door is open.
It shows exactly which door is open (including boot).
LED guidelines act as parking lights. Looks striking.
Projectors look very good and enhance the overall look of the vehicle.
Visibility in night is very good.
Low beam is strong. Works better in dark/badly lit roads.
High beam is strong too.
I quite like the exeterior of Glanza. It has some minimalistic tasteful design language. Personally I do not prefer overdone styling on my car.
But when it comes to the colour, I like to stand out with a subtle taste at the traffic signal. Insta blue is one shade that caught my eyes.
This Insta Blue shade looks awesome on Glanza.

The car stands out in traffic without being flashy or whacky. ( I don't mind a Lambo in Mint green

)
How it drives?
Likes:
- Totally silent below 2k RPM mark. In city traffic, you never hear your engine. In lonely roads with 40kmph you might feel like in an electric vehicle.
- In daily commute it picks up pace quite effortlessly from stand still. Especially in gear 1 & 2.
- Drives so good till 80-90 Kmph
- Cornering performance is quite good for a premium family hatchback.
- It has a bit stiffer suspension setup. Changing direction is easy even on high speeds.
- Light steering wheel makes it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic.
Dislikes:
- Brakes are great but while breaking rear of the car becomes unstable. This occurs while I am alone in the car. Doesn't occur when my family is in.
- Steering doesn't feel connected. My old polo steering had a much more connective feeling.
- Not always sure-footed. Sometimes the car behaves strangely while trying to steer enthusiastically. I think it's normal for a family car.
- Pickup in 4th and 5th gear is slow. The engine takes it's sweet time to react whenever you floor the accelerator.
- This is a light car. Doesn't feel inspiring beyond 90 KMPH.
- Sound isolation is pathetic. You hear everything happening out of your car.
- All black interior in a family vehicle. My mom always complaints against claustrophobic feeling.
Must need points in next update of te vehicle:
- Dual tone interior with better quality materials.
- Better sheet metal. Existing one is thin as weafer.
- Better ABS calibration. The current one is inconsistent.
Thought to shoot few photos against my friend's Suzuki Baleno Zeta.
Twins stand side by side. No difference other than grille.
Some more photo of the twins. Might help folks, confused between Balno & Glanza.
Front:
Rear:
Update 1:
Took my car to first service on 25 Feb 2020 with 1300KMs on ODO.
Topsel Toyota did it under express maintenance and gave me a Zero amount bill.
Update 2:
Took my car to second free service on 30 May 2020 with 5103 KMs on ODO.
Topsel Toyota charged INR 1388/- for car sanitization.
Breakup:
Bactakleen INR 1062/-
Sanitization INR 325/-
Rest of the work was not billed.
Total Bill INR 1388/-