‘Value delivered for the price asked’, and the best proposition works as win-win equation especially with the Indians whose mentality in buying cars is still a bit more of that past era. Certainly, with the new generation Indians, those value proportions are seeing a brisk change in the scenario. However, referring to that old Indian perception now to work out the best five launches of 2014 that served well the buyers’ attribute, read to sneak what made carmaker to go with those products for achieving the fair ratio from the heap of competition.
Maruti Alto K10 AMT
The cheapest automatic car in India, that’s what the Maruti has gained by rolling out Alto K10 with the AMT gearbox. For the price of Rs 3.80 lakh ex-showroom Delhi the model has also gained new cabin and some makeovers on the outer. The level of features and equipment isn’t high for bowing down to the price tag. But its small yet free revving engine makes up for those losses, and even the compact nature helps it to squeeze into tight corners and makes the way out easily from the snarling traffic jams, which now has gotten better with the AMT!
Tata Zest
Yet another option for the automatic buyers, but this is a one of its kind in the segment. Tata Motors has launched the compact sedan Zest with the AMT gearbox in the “diesel” trim which no other car in this segment offers so. Costing Rs 6.99 lakh, the Zest diesel AMT offers a better choice to the buyers. Best of fuel-efficiency and the drivability both are pocketed here in the pocket within a reachable price tag. However, the stock models of Zest with the manual transmission too are impressive, and can bring blockbuster sales for the makers like Tata who had lost its own charm in the recent past.
Hyundai Xcent
Hyundai’s style of delivering the maximum features even with the lowest price tag, Xcent stands on that claim of the carmaker. As turned up late to the party, some of its competitor managed to mark the bigger footprint in the segment. Priced between Rs 4.76 and 7.29 lakh for the petrol variants, and Rs 5.65 – 7.47 lakh for the diesel trims (all prices ex-showroom Delhi) the Grand i10 – with a slapped boot – sedan is a right choice for the buyers who prefers to go with the Hyundai for the family car.
Maruti Ciaz
Maruti’s effort for the mass segment buyers had got slightly upmarket on the class, but not in the price instead. Ciaz is a venture of the carmaker into the sedan segment, which earlier was occupied by SX4 and Baleno, for catering that pricey perception of the buyers. The price band of Rs 4.76 – 7.29 lakh in the petrol and Rs 5.65 – 7.47 for diesel (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi) makes it a competitive product in the market with almost Rs 1 lakh cheaper in top-end against the competitor.
New-Gen Mahindra Scorpio
The bread and butter of Mahindra had got better with the time. Drivability and aesthetics, both sees the refinement. Almost a fully-fledged makeover including the new chassis, the SUV still poses to be that same. New suspensions, brand new gearbox, are to talk of under its skin, whereas the cabin comes more precise with the flab being chopped down and a very sleek space planted with modern gimmicks surfaced. Rolled-down in the showroom from prices between Rs 8.40 and 13.05 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), our always favourite option of 4x4s is the best buy which offers all-terrain capability of a true off-roader without being harnessed on the comfort part.
