Upgrading from Ecosport: Altroz Racer vs i20 N Line vs Slavia 1.5

Racer is a good car if you don't take its badge seriously. But in comparison I felt i20 Nline to be more fun.

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I had test-driven the Racer, and then the n-line DCT and Slavia 1.5 MT. I couldn't get my hands on a manual i20 Nline as they didn't have a TD car.

Racer is a good car if you don't take its badge seriously. But in comparison, I felt i20 Nline to be more fun. The handling is better and the 1 L TGDi engine has more grunt in the top than the Racer, though still not an exciting top end compared to some other similar engines. I found the shifts are particularly notchy in the Racer with a long throw clutch, especially if you drive a little enthusiastically. Again, I didn't find the DCT in Nline to be that engaging as well. But going by the review the manual box is great. Also, I felt the range of steering tilt adjustability is more in the i20. I could set the i20's driving seat at the lowest position, but I would get an awkward steering position if I did the same in Altroz, as the steering wouldn't tilt down further.

Coming to the Slavia, that's a different beast altogether(but then, it also has a different segment and price bracket), it has an explosive engine, great top-end and midrange and decent low-end pull as well, great handling (I still like the I20 Nline in this regard) and the interior was so much better than i20 and Racer. I found the clutch travel longer in Slavia than my EcoSport, though with a linear clutch engagement, unlike the Altroz racer, which has an abrupt bite point like you said. But the gearbox - clutch is smooth to operate.
I would pick the Virtus 1.5 or Slavia 1.5 any day, as an upgrade to my EcoSport, if I am looking at an approx. 20L budget.

Please share the feedback once you TD the Nline MT and Virtus MT

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