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-   -   Compact Sedan Showdown: Ameo vs Dzire vs Xcent vs Amaze vs Aspire vs Zest (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sedans/178154-compact-sedan-showdown-ameo-vs-dzire-vs-xcent-vs-amaze-vs-aspire-vs-zest-4.html)

My vote would go to the Zest XT Petrol. I love its looks, awesome features and good ride. OEM music system and projectors seem to hold top priority in my head (for some reason.) The only thing is that i require CNG due to my high daily running and the Zest does not have an option. Therefore, if i was to book a compact sedan today, it would be the Hyundai Xcent SXO with CNG.

My Choice is Xcent based on below points,
1. Proportionate design on all sides.
2. Good Petrol engine.
3. Long list of features.
4. Decent build with quality interiors.
5. Practical boot.
5. Hyundai after sales service.

The exact reasons why I voted for Xcent as well!

Interesting poll result so far:
1. Though Aspire and Zest seem to be popular on the forum, they are not doing well out in the market
2. Whereas, Dzire not so popular on the forum (which I agree) is killing outside in the market. Shows the Maruti loyalty base!

Quite confused with answers here. For an average joe like me comapct sedans makes much more sense since for same dollars or may be less I am getting a proper boot space and also a nice looking bigger car.
Am I missing something here?

Hi Sparkguy, I'm with you on this :thumbs up

Perhaps you haven't checked out this thread so far?

Admittedly, if you actually like the looks, then lots of things fall into place and it probably makes sense for you to consider the cars in this segment.

1) Cars in this segment are roughly Rs. 50,000 cheaper when compared to equivalent specced premium hatchback.
2) Airbags/ABS variant entry point is lower when compared to premium hatchback.
3) If you are looking at automatics, choices are much varied (you can get top specced versions, which premium hatchbacks have mid-variants. You also get diesel AT).
4) No waiting list, available immediately off the shelf.
5) Lower spare parts & maintenance costs, compared to premium hatchback.

However, a premium hatchback with 300+ litre bootspace is MORE useable and practical than a compact sedan with 300 - 400 litre bootspace.

Is there a Diesel Ameo?
I recall, only a Petrol was launched?

A diesel Ameo? Would we not want to touch it with a barge-pole? Is this exempt from the infamous VW Diesel Emission scandal?

Thanks,
C_

Not yet.

I would touch it happily :D
The reason why VW has suspended the sales of the diesel Vento and delayed the launch of the Ameo and the Superb diesel is to take care of the emission issue.

Voted with my wallet for the Zest XT Petrol last year and in this thread. My parents car, and they are very particular in the typical way only a non-enthusiast can be. Nothing matters other than how she looks and rides, features available, comfort, reliability and mileage.

The Zest only lets them down on the mileage front. That too I think is not really the vehicle's problem, more of a driver problem. It is driver driven almost 100% of the time, and it is impossible to get a driver to drive the car the way that we would. I got 12+ easily in May (Kerala!) with 100% AC and a full load of 5 adults on winding narrow roads and lots of city-like driving. I wasn't even trying, and this was before the first service. The AC chills, car seats 5 without any problem, and still has more than enough suspension travel and clearance to manage without scraping anywhere - not even severely pot-holed, crater-like roads.

A year and two services later, they still complain about the mileage which hovers around 13kmpl. I suggested that I will take the Zest from them and we can pick up an Amaze in exchange (once my car is due for a trade-in), but they wouldn't have it. They love the bling on the outside like the DRLs and Projectors, the seating hight is very convenient to slide into, the interiors are well built and rattle-free, and they really love the Harman system :)

I was surprised at their response. They really love the vehicle, just are very mileage conscious. FYI the car runs hardly over 500kms a month, so they are in no way candidates for a diesel :D

I haven't voted to this poll as I probably won't buy any of these cars. However, if there is a compulsion to choose, I'd probably go with Ford Aspire 1.5 TDI or wait for VW to launch the TDI in Ameo. My Polo has crossed 5 years and hence, I'm sort of contemplating to buy a new car. So, ideally I should be looking out for an upgrade to a sedan but the CS segment doesn't entice me at all as there is not a single car that satisfies me in all aspects. Hence, my mood swings between buying a Polo all again to trying an upcoming Skoda Rapid (2016 facelift likely to be launched later) or VW Vento or even an Ecosport. But never given a serious thought about the CS segment.

But still the CS segment as a whole is hellishly popular in India as a majority think buying a car with boot is much better than buying a hatchback that comes with a lesser boot capacity without even individually assessing the boot capacity of every car. :Frustrati

That's Hilarious!

Given that situation, I would certainly go for the Ford Aspire. It's a well-rounded package and the Boot gels well in the design. But again as I said this is only given that someone's pointing a gun at me.

In regular scenario, a premium hatch would be a straight forward choice. Here's the reason why.



The above table is the comparison of Manufacturer-wise Compact Sedan Vs Premium Hatch. Almost all the Premium Hatch Sizes are nearly equal to the compact sedans with an exception of the Length of Tata Zest. But then again, you cant call the Bolt as a Premium Hatch too. :uncontrol

Despite, such nominal difference in size, there is a significant difference of 10% or more in the Boot Spaces between the Compact Sedan & Premium Hatch. Again barring the exception of Dzire Vs Baleno. The packaging of Baleno is just much better than the Dzire.

So where does this extra boot space come from in Compact Sedans with such minimal size changes from the Premium Hatch.

The answer to this is 'Inside Cabin Space'.

Why do manufacturer's come up with Compact Sedan? The Buyer's Ego. 'Gaadi to dicky waala hi chahiye' (Translation - Car has to be with a boot only) The biggest reason for the success of Dzire even with Swift being around.

This mentality is there across segments. Most of our C segment sedans are based on hatchbacks. Some of them priced the same as their hatchback siblings internationally, but demands a huge premium in our market. Consider the differences between a Jazz diesel and City diesels, Polo TDI and Vento TDi etc and see if the premium they demand is worth it? Probably not.

Manufacturers don't even have the courage to bring products like i30, Focus, Civic hatchback etc to our market because of this mentality. Else we would have started viewing C segment with the same contempt as the current compact sedan situation. A 15L Civic hatch, or the i30 hatch will make a brilliant proposition against the 'made for emerging markets' C segment sedans we have in the market.

Or they would buy compact SUVs giving even more premium for the image factor over their equivalent premium hatchbacks.

Even in luxury segments, manufacturers don't have the courage to bring in the hatch / estate version of their cars since for Indians - 'Gaadi to dicky waala hi chahiye'

I doubt that it is only the premium which creates the huge price difference. I am not sure by how much but the duties for vehicles longer than 4 mtrs. are substantially high and that could be increasing the cost too.

Yes, Manufacturer's will be adding that extra margin in Sedans based on the market response. But the difference in prices is not entirely premium being charged by Manufacturers.

The Ford, most of the time comes in top 3 whenever there is a poll in Team-BHP. But somehow the market sales is never in sync. What could the possible reason be?

1. The Ford cars are actually the best in segment but the marketing teams lets it down big time.
2.Team-BHP is flooded with too many Ford fanboys.

Not that I am concerned about the sales and personally I prefer moderately selling vehicle which gives perfect balance between exclusivity and resale.

Xcent for me (although i must admit i am a bit biased ;-) )

1) Terrific petrol engine, stunning refinement and decent fuel efficiency. Period
2) Mammoth ane easily loadable boot (407 Litrs)
3) Light controls make city driving a breeze.
4) Its a Hyundai, so finding service centres and A.S.S not a big issue.