Hatchbacks Ruling Indian Roads

Alto is Maruti Udyog’s subcompact offering to India and has become the most popular design and was sold like a ‘hot cake’ in the small car segment. This hatchback can be described as the small & cute car with all advantages keeping in mind like nice looks, good power, low maintenance & best of all is its fuel economy.


This 5-speed manual comes in three different variants. Engine produces the maximum of power of 47 ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 62 Nm @ 3000 rpm. On the fuel economy figure it gives 15 kmph and 18 kmph in city and high way cycle respectively. Coming to its interiors, it is satisfactory with comfortable seating and good upholstery. The styling is conservative but tasteful for the common man who thinks that car is an extension of their personality.


Wagon R

Launched in the year 2000, the car met with a lukewarm response from the market and the initial sales were sluggish at best India largely because the Hyundai Santro was launched much before and was in the spot light. However, in the recent times WagonR picked up its popularity and became a fast moving car in the small car segment.

This comes in both petrol and LPG version, with engine producing power of 64bhp (petrol) and 57.5bhp (LPG). It is one engine, two gear boxes with 5-spped manual and a 3-speed automatic. WagonR’s boxy shape look may not be the prettiest but liberates ample space inside accommodating five persons comfortably. For the first time, customers now have a car which, while being economical to drive, also offers space, superior technology and a refined engine. It is certified as completely safe and reliable. The Duo is truly a triple delight”.

Interiors are at its best with three spoke steering wheel, auto lock system and enhanced front power windows and rear big door pockets. This is the only car with two interior lights, one of them for the boot.

With the launch of the new WagonR, Maruti aims to consolidate its position at the top of the market and also reinforces its commitment to consistently provide its customers with class leading products.

Tata Indica
Tata’s home grown product gave Indians what they wanted, a big car in the price of a small one. They entered the car market in 1998 by launching Indica Earlier this model had some flaws and was notorious for breaking down, until Tata launched an improved one. Now it comes with new and fresher face and slightly updated interiors.

Tata Indica gives a good mileage compared to other cars of same segment. This 5-speed manual comes with 1.4L and 1.2L engine. The fuel economy figures average of 11 to 12 kmph in city limits and 17 to 16 kmph in highways. Indica virtues a good ride, roomy cabin and economy remain as well.

Hyundai Santro Xing-
Hyundai motor limited launched its hatch ‘Santro’ in 1999, in the re-bagged version of Hyundai Motors. Taking on market leader Maruti 800 and WagonR, Santro is India’s most popular ‘B’ segment car. The Santro was revamped in 2003 and was renamed as’ Xing’.

This model has good responsive engine, body control and good steering. The engine provides the power of 62bhp and gives the fuel efficiency of 11kpl and 16kpl in city limits and highway respectively. It comes with 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic. The interiors are supported with good, comfortable seating and great driving position. Three spoke power steering wheel with central locking and front power windows.
Driving the Santro is as natural a feeling as you can get. You can find everything essential a car needs. The only odd bits here are bumpy rear seat drive and inconvenient-to-reach rear power window switches and their slider controls for the air-con. It is regarded as the most driver-friendly car.

Hyundai Getz Prime

Hyundai Motors India Ltd (HMIL), the third largest car manufacturer in the country and the largest exporter of cars from India, has launched its new premium hatchback 'Getz Prime.' The Getz Prime looks pretty much like a curvaceously redesigned Getz, but more modern and will compete with Maruti Swift and Chevrolet UV-

The engine capacity comes in 1.3L with 82bhp, 1.1L with 66bhp and 1.5L with 108bhp. This 5-speed manual speed comes with the fuel efficiency of 12/15 kpl in city/highway. It is one of the most spacious cars in its segment. The generous headroom lets even the tallest to sit straight. The tilt steering ensures easy maneuvering with optimal effort and a comfortable driving position as per convenience. The base 1.1-litre Getz Prime is available in two trims-GLE and GVS. The 1.3 Getz Prime is also available in two trims-GLS and GLX and the all new 1.5L diesel engine is available with the GVS and CRDi variant.


Maruti Swift

Suzuki’s position as the world leader in manufacturing compact cars is well known. With this popularity, the company put together great brains from India – 21 engineers and designers to create a unique model. ‘Swift’ was created with Japanese technology and European styling. It is an attractive upgrade for small car owners. Clever pricing makes it fantastic value for money. It is highly desirable, fun to drive and very cool… these are he best way to define Swift. The engine available is 1.3L, 87 bhp1.3L 75 bhp diesel with the fuel economy figure of 11/13 kmph (city/highway).

The cabin is well designed and controls are well laid out which gives the interior a classy look. Well-designed instrument cluster with digital trip meter and tachometer provides precise information to the driver and the three-spoke power steering ensures precise handling. Swift comes with 5-speed manual transmission with cable-shift mechanism.

Chevrolet Optra SR-V
The Optra has everything that appeals to Indians: smart styling, a handsome, spacious interior, plenty of goodies and refinement and a knockout price-tag. The Chevrolet Optra is a dream on wheels. The general Motor, India launched the Chevrolet Optra SRV with the India’s first premium sports back. The Chevy Optra SRV is a five door hatchback built on the Optra platform, sharing the same wheelbase, width and overall height with its larger sibling. It’s a stylish car with youthful appeal, combines contemporary Italian design with well appointed accommodations. The car is designed for Indian markets, while also continues to be sold globally.

The 1.6L engine produces the power of 100bhp with the fuel efficiency of 15kpl and 20 kmph in the city limits and high way respectively. The 5-speed manual regulated the power of the wheel. Comfortable seats for driver and co-driver with height adjustable feature ensure comfort in city and on long drives.

Ford Fusion
The Ford fusion has been the recipient of warm reviews and is a top contender in the ‘mid size family car’ segment. In fact, it is not the kind of car that blends into the quiet obscurity but rather commands a second look with its aggressive stance and angular profile.

The Fusion is a very unconventional mix of a hatchback, SUV & MPV, with chunky styling, a high up driving position, good space and an innovative interior. Available engines are 1.6L In-line 4, 101 bhp 1.4L TDCi In-line 4, 67 bhp with the fuel efficiency of 9 /15 kmph city/highway. The interior comes with a class seating of 60:40 split folding-up rear cushion seats provide utmost comfort. The tilt adjustable steering wheel ensures a balance and supple ride.

Chevy Spark
GM launched Chevrolet Spark in India as a come-back vehicle to the long forgotten Matiz. GM is trying to grab a 10 percent share of the rapidly growing automobile market in India by 2010. Chevrolet Spark will be produced at GM’s Halol factory near Baroda. GM hopes to take on the might of Maruti and Hyundai with the cheeky spark. The first thing strikes when you enter spark is the unconventional layout inside. Gracefully designed, clear and easy to read instrument panel provides clear information to driver. And the flexible seating options with spacious head and leg room make the drive comfortable. It is also e Equipped with state-of-the-art music system for quality entertainment.

The steering wheels offer a good response with three spoke power wheel. This Chevy has five variants. Looks are subjective but the cheeky Spark is easily the best looking small hatch today. This comes with the engine capacity of 1.0L –TEC In-line 4 with 63bhp power. The fuel efficiency is 12kpl in the city limits and 17kpl in highway. This sturdy, handsome and solid looks gives ‘Spark’ an edge in the market.

Hyundai i10

Finally the Korean auto major came up with Hyundai i10 to bridge the gap between the Getz Prime and Santro Xing. Compact cars being the India’s favorite, they have chosen the right place to launch it. It’s a compact car with a five-seat, five-door, 3.56m long and 1.59m wide, with wheels pushed out to the corners to maximize interior space. The basic trim level includes air-conditioning, electric front windows, central locking, tinted glass, body-colored bumpers and an integrated six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo.

Doors are quite big; making entry quite easy is equipped with body-colored door handles and power door locks. A total of five doors in the i10 include a large hatchback door in the back. The 5-speed manual transmission comes with the engine capacity of 1.1L iRDE In-line 4 and power of 66bhp. It’s perhaps not for Hyundai big car lovers, but certainly for those who would not mind compromising on quality yet want an inexpensive car.