New Mahindra Verito · 2013. 2. 16. · New Mahindra Verito D6 List price Rs 7.14 lakh The Verito gets a refreshed front end and a new tail. The cabin has been reworked and it’s

New Mahindra Verito D6

List price Rs 7.14 lakhThe Verito gets a refreshed front end and a new tail. The cabin has been reworked and it’s more user-friendly. Its efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine returns unchanged.

Maruti Swift Dzire ZDi

List price Rs 7.09 lakhIt loses out on its predecessor’s huge boot, and rear seat space is also tight. However, its efficient diesel engine and fun-to-drive character make it very appealing.

Tata Indigo Manza Quadrajet Elan

List price Rs 7.83 lakhThe Manza stays true to Tata’s ‘more car per car’ ethos. It uses a more powerful version of the Swift’s diesel engine, is well equipped and very spacious.

Toyota Etios D-4D VXD

List price Rs 7.99 lakhWith an efficient diesel engine, a spacious cabin and comfy seats, the Etios is a strong contender. It doesn’t feel special enough for the price, though.

test centre Mahindra Verito vs Maruti swift Dzire vs tata Indigo Manza vs toyota etios DIesel saloons

54 september 2012 whatcar? www.whatcarindia.com whatcar? september 2012 55www.whatcarindia.com

Cabin Cruisers Photography Somdatta Nhawkar

Mahindra has thoroughly updated its spacious Verito. But is it enough to make it leapfrog stiff competition like the Maruti Dzire, Toyota Etios and Tata Manza? We were in for a surprise.


The Dzire is the fastest car of this lot but power delivery is spiky.

Test figures | Weather conditions Fine

Acceleration50-80kph through the gears

4.97sec

The Verito engine’s flexibility makes it suited to city and highway duties.


Acceleration50-80kph through the gears 6.08sec

Toyota’s Etios feels the peppiest in town but it isn’t a great highway cruiser.



5.69sec

Throttle responses are delayed at low RPMs but performance after that is good.



4.89sec

The Verito has the best low-speed ride and high-speed stability is very good.

Maruti Dzire buyers can expect a slightly bouncy ride at highway speeds.

The Manza has a pliant low-speed ride but only average high-speed manners.

High-speed stability is an Etios strength; but ride feels jiggly at low speeds.

What’s new?THERE waS a time when the lower end of the diesel saloon segment was filled with nothing more than the most rudimentary of saloons. Crude, very basic and sparsely equipped, these cars could accomplish very little. Rarely managing to put a smile on the faces of their owners, these did nothing more than fulfil basic transportation needs. The segment today, however, has been transformed. armed with the latest engines, these cars are

quite competent in their own right, their lack of premium image notwithstanding.

Most of the original cars have either been thoroughly updated or replaced entirely. The most recent update is of the Mahindra Verito (earlier sold as the Renault Logan). always seen by buyers as a bit too basic and dull, the makeover both inside and out gives the saloon a much-needed image boost. In contrast, the new, shortened Maruti Swift Dzire has always been in the limelight since launch earlier this year. Sure,

pricing is competitive, but is the Dzire good enough to make you ignore the fact that you also get a lot less car? The Toyota Etios, on the other hand, offers space and comfort aplenty. However, it isn’t free of its own share of compromises, and also happens to be the most expensive car in this quartet. The Tata Manza is not all that cheap either, but gone are the days when Tata’s cars competed on price alone. The massive Manza is a genuinely well-rounded car that at times feels twice as

large as its competitors here. with so many capable

options to choose from, which one of these spacious and comfortable diesel cars should you buy?

PerformanceVerito Dzire Manza Etios wITH 65bHp fRoM its 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Mahindra Verito is the least powerful of this lot. but in real-world driving, you won’t have any reason for complaint.

That’s because the engine responds promptly and the power comes in quickly. This helps tremendously in city driving, where you can close small gaps in traffic without any delay. adding to the Verito’s city-friendliness is its smooth-shifting gearbox and light enough (but long-travel) clutch. It also has sufficient pulling power to make it an able mile-muncher.

Drive the Dzire after a spin in the Verito and you can’t help but notice the difference in how their engines deliver power. In the Maruti, fiat’s 1.3-litre motor feels a tad weak at lower engine speeds, but once past 2000rpm it just takes off. while that makes it fun, you need to keep the engine on the boil to allow effortless overtaking on the highway. However, the sudden surge in power means the Dzire isn’t the best to drive within city limits, where speeds vary with traffic. For its part, the precise gearbox is very nice to use, though a lighter clutch would have helped make the Dzire easier to live with.

However, a heavy clutch is a bigger bother on the Etios and can get really tiring to operate over prolonged periods in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Gearshifts, though, are very nice and the engine-gearbox combo works well to make the Etios feel quite peppy in town. There’s a good spread of power, but the 1.4-litre engine is at its best between 2000-3500rpm. The Etios’ motor does feels out of its comfort zone at highway speeds, where you need to work the gearbox to maintain steady progress.

No such trouble with the Indigo Manza, which offers good punch in the mid-range. Interestingly, the Manza shares its engine with the Swift Dzire. The 1.3-litre diesel engine is supplied by fiat, though it is tuned differently and has a bigger turbo in the Tata. So where the Dzire has 74bhp, in the Manza the engine produces a healthier 89bhp, making it the most powerful car here. This helps

sTurningcircle10.6m

Mahindra Verito D6

Verito’s steering is quite heavy at parking speeds but is direct and reassuring

sTurningcircle9.6m

Maruti Swift Dzire ZDi

The Dzire’s steering is always well weighted and contributes to the fun factor

sTurningcircle10.2m


Its got the heaviest steering and feels quite lazy around bends

sTurningcircle9.8m

Toyota Etios VXD

The light steering is a boon in the city but feels vague at speed


*est

imat

ed

Small rear windows reduce the feeling of space in the back.

Central air-con vents do not close fully which can get irritating.

The Dzire’s 316-litre boot is a full size down on its competitors.

Flip-out cupholder in front of air-con vent helps keeps drinks cool.

Clear dials look classy and are very easy to read at all times.

Top-end Swift Dzire ZDi gets automatic climate control.

Lift-type door handles look cheap and feel quite flimsy too.

No steering adjustment even on the top-end D6 variant.

Roof rails serve no purpose but are there to give a macho look.

Power window switches have been moved from the dash to the doors.

Headrest for middle seat passenger is a nice safety touch.

Digital screen relays a host of info including distance to empty.

Centre consoleRedesigned centre console is clutter-free and looks neat

VisibilityLow dash gives an excellent view ahead

Front and rear seatsLoads of space but the flat seats lack support

Modern dashboardWell thought-out dash looks contemporary and rich

Fit and finishPlastic quality is good and fit and finish is consistent

Front and rear seatFront seats are supportive, rear is a bit tight on space

Mahindra Verito D6 Maruti Swift Dzire ZDi

when ambling along in traffic, but put your throttle foot down and you’ll have to wait for the engine to rev to 2500rpm to really pick up the pace. The Manza’s gearbox is not all that precise to use and the clutch is on the heavy side too.

In case you are wondering about performance, the Dzire is easily the fastest accelerating car here, not only from 0-100kph, but also through the gears. a look at the performance figures also reveals the Verito to be the slowest to 100kph and in the fourth-gear 40-100kph slog. However, these numbers fail to convey the Verito engine’s remarkable flexibility. The Verito’s motor also scores for refinement, being the quietest at all engine speeds. The Manza and Dzire may share their engine, but the Tata’s better sound insulation makes it seem the quieter of the two. In comparison to the other cars here, the Etios’ engine is not only the loudest, but also sounds the most coarse.

Ride and HandlingVerito Dzire Manza Etios THE VERITo aLREaDy had a fantastic ride, but Mahindra has managed to tweak the suspension to make it better still. Low-speed ride quality sees a further improvement and the way the Verito simply glides over potholes is really remarkable. High-speed stability remains impressive and even broken patches of tarmac are dispatched without much fuss or movement from the car. The suspension also goes about its job extremely quietly, further cocooning occupants from the happenings outside.

anyone who has been in a Swift hatchback will immediately be familiar with the suspension on the Dzire. It does a good job of shielding you against bumps, but can’t filter sharper edges sufficiently. As speeds rise,

there is a fair amount of vertical movement, though it’s never to the point of being uncomfortable. In contrast, the Etios feels the most composed at highway speeds. Its stiffly sprung suspension means body movements are well contained and stability at speed is really good. as a corollary, the Etios also feels a bit jiggly over poorly paved roads. Sadly, you can always hear the suspension hardware

at work and this is once again down to the Etios’ insufficient sound insulation.

If there’s any car here that can come close to the Verito for overall ride, it’s the Manza. Its long-travel suspension soaks up potholes with ease. It’s really only the odd sharp edge that seems to work its way up to the cabin. However, the Manza’s soft setup doesn’t feel all that nice when you pick up speed. There’s plenty of

vertical movement and at times you have to scale back the pace on less-than-perfect surfaces. The Manza also isn’t what you would classify as a sporty car. It feels a bit too large to drive enthusiastically and the steering also feels lazy. Some may even find the steering slightly heavy to operate at parking speeds.

The Verito’s steering also calls for some effort at low speeds, but it does feel quite

direct and nice to use as you go faster. In fact, the Verito is surprisingly comfortable around bends and, on the whole, its dynamics feel unusually well sorted for a Mahindra. In comparison, the Etios delivers a pretty disconnected driving experience. That’s got a lot to do with its steering, which remains fairly light at all times and robs you of confidence at speed. The lightness is a boon

at city speeds though. There are, however, a few turns too many from lock-to-lock, which results in a fair bit of wheel-twirling when, say, executing a U-turn.

The Dzire also comes with a light steering, but the good thing is that it weighs up quite nicely with speed and gives a great feeling of control at all times. Couple this with the Dzire’s entertaining dynamics and you get a car that is just at

home on twisty roads as it is on arrow-straight highways. This is the sportiest car of this lot and is genuinely great fun to drive.

What are they like inside?Verito Dzire Manza Etios LEaVE aSIDE wHaT Mahindra has done to the

Verito’s exterior styling, because the biggest changes are inside the cabin. The seat fabric is different, the dual-tone plastics are new and the dashboard is significantly restyled as well. The ergonomics are far better now, with Mahindra having repositioned the power window switches from the centre console to dedicated pods on each of the doors. The centre console itself gets a faux-carbon-fibre finish and chrome-ringed aC controls. Some plastics are a bit creaky and there are cheap looking bits, but all in all the Verito’s cabin looks a lot better than before, and overall quality sees a step up too.

Given the Etios’ rather nondescript exterior, its interiors are quite unconventional. The instruments are placed in the centre of the dashboard and this does take some getting used to. also unique are the vertically-stacked aC vents that do a great job of channelling cool air through the large cabin. The chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel also looks more sports car than sensible family car. However, for all its uniqueness, the Etios’ interior does nothing to pamper you. There are many low-rent bits in the cabin, like the flimsy sun visors and tacky cable-type headlight adjuster, and the quality of many plastics is downright disappointing. we also can’t get our heads around why Toyota has finished the gear knob and seats in such a bright shade of red.

Likewise, the Indigo Manza in the top Elan trim featured here comes with its cabin finished in unusual burgundy and beige colours. The brushed-gold trim on the centre console and doors looks quite ‘disco’ too. but one thing’s for sure – this is Tata’s best saloon yet. fit and finish is quite consistent, and the padded top portion of the dash and door pads feels nice too. The dashboard is simply styled and neat, but we would



Narrow footwell leaves little space to rest your left foot.

The dials are too small and get obstructed by the steering wheel.

The door pockets are quite small and can only hold a few papers.

Lumbar adjust helps fine-tune back bolstering for front seats.

Bluetooth system can sync and store upto five phones.

Rear seat centre armrest is well positioned,features cupholders.

Soft-touch plasticsDashboard top and door pads get padded plastics

Dash designDashboard looks more functional than stylish

Front and rear seatsSeats are comfy enough and space is simply superb


have like chunkier controls for the air conditioner and a larger display on the audio system. Even the speedometer and tachometer dials are a size too small.

In that light, the Dzire’s cabin gets the basics right. Its classy instruments are always legible, all controls are in easy reach, and fit and finish is easily the best here. Its smart dashboard is very well designed and there is little to fault it for. The front seats also offer good support but it’s when you move to the rear seat that the Dzire’s biggest weakness comes out; space is limited. Legroom is just about decent and the cabin’s insufficient width makes sitting three abreast quite a squeeze. The small rear windows further reduce the feeling of space inside the cabin.

Compared to the Dzire, the Verito not only has the airier cabin, but also has enough space to host three adults in the rear seat. However, despite the new, softer seats, the backrest is a bit hard and the lack of contours marks it down on comfort. The front seats are flat as well, but they are still quite comfy. for sheer comfort though, the Etios’ is near the top of its game. Its cabin is really spacious, the deceptively thin single-piece front seats are supportive and the large rear seat allows for a very comfortable seating posture. pity it doesn’t come with adjustable headrests like the other cars here.

where the Etios’ cabin is large, the Manza’s cabin is larger still, and it feels very comfortable. The Manza is the only car here to offer lumbar adjustment for the front seats, but the seat-back feels a bit hard to begin with. Rear seat comfort is great and thigh support in particular is really good, but the backrest is a tad too reclined, which could be an issue.

In terms of space for small items, the Etios and Dzire are quite generous, with bottle-holders in each of the doors;

although the Toyota has the advantage of a massive cooled glovebox as well. The Verito and Manza come with large gloveboxes too, but their door pockets can’t hold much.

as you’d have guessed, the Dzire offers the least boot space, and it is only just about enough for a weekend trip’s luggage. The Verito and Manza can easily accommodate large suitcases, though it is

the Etios that will swallow the most luggage.

Will they break the bank?Verito Dzire Manza Etios THE NEw MaHINDRa Verito diesel is available in three variants, with prices ranging from Rs 6.25 lakh for the base

D2 version to Rs 7.14 lakh for the D6 model featured here. The Verito D6 comes equipped with alloy wheels, keyless entry, a CD player with aux and USb inputs and electrically-adjustable wing mirrors. However, a tilt-adjustable steering column, steering-mounted controls for the audio system, and even driver’s seat height adjustment are absent, even on the top-

test centre DIesel saloons


test centre DIesel saloons


There is no electric adjustment for the external rearview mirrors.

Red gear knob looks a bit too flashy and out of place in the Etios.

Some bits like the headlight level adjuster look downright cheap.

Unique air-con vent layout helps cool the rear of the cabin quickly.

13-litre glove compartment is massive and can be cooled too.

Windscreen gets only a single wiper but it’s very effective.

Hard plastics Hard grey plastics make cabin look downmarket

InstrumentsCentrally-mounted dials give the dash a unique look

Front and rear seatSeats offer excellent support and space is great

Toyota Etios VXD

end variant. on the safety front, the Verito D6 comes with abS with EbD, but only comes with a single airbag for the driver.

The Swift Dzire diesel comes in three variants, with the range-topping ZDi priced at Rs 7.09 lakh. This variant gets steering-mounted audio controls, keyless entry, a CD player with aux and USb, alloy wheels and also electronic

climate control – something not offered on any other car here. It makes sense to extend your budget to buy the ZDi because it is the only variant that gets anti-lock brakes and airbags for the driver and front passenger.

Similarly, you’ll be best off with the top-end Tata Indigo Manza Elan that costs Rs 7.83 lakh. It is expensive, but comes with dual airbags, anti-

lock brakes and electronic brake distribution (EbD). This variant is also the only car here to feature a bluetooth-ready audio player that can pair upto five phones at the same time. The rest of the kit includes a CD player with aux and USb and steering-mounted audio controls.

of the four cars in this comparison, the Toyota Etios is the most expensive here.

prices start at Rs 6.56 lakh for the base GD variant, but the good thing is that even this model can be specified with driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes for Rs 45,000 more. we have featured the top VXD variant (Rs 7.99 lakh) that gets a CD player with aux and USb capability, steering-mounted audio controls, alloy wheels and keyless entry. but forego the VXD’s side skirts and steering-mounted audio controls, and you can save yourself some money by going for the middle VD variant that costs Rs 7.53 lakh.

when talking fuel economy, it’s an even battle between the Verito, Dzire and Etios. In city driving, the Dzire delivers 14.6kpl, which compares well with the Verito’s 13.6kpl and Etios’ 14.2kpl. out on the highway too, the Dzire is the most fuel efficient, with an outstanding figure of 19.8kpl to the Verito’s 19.3kpl and the Etios’ 19kpl. The Manza trails this trio for fuel efficiency. Within the city you can expect around 11.6kpl, while the figure will improve to 17.1kpl while cruising on the highway, which still isn’t too bad considering how large it is.

Maruti has the widest sales and service network in the country, which gives you the most peace of mind. Tata and Mahindra have a large footprint too and Toyota is present in major cities and towns. of note is the standard warranty period for the Etios which, at three years/1,00,000km, is indicative of the trust that Toyota has in the build quality of its cars. Mahindra offers a standard warranty of two years/50,000km with the Verito, with the option of extending the warranty to four years/1,00,000km. The Dzire comes with a two years/40,000km warranty as standard, while the Manza comes with a less generous two years/20,000km warranty.

stats, sPecs anD ratInGs

Mahindra Verito D6For Refinement, value, ride, willing engineAgainst Lacks some features Verdict A well-rounded and sensible family car that is easy on the pocket too

oUr VerDIct

The Verito makes the most senseThe Dzire lacks space, the Manza is dull and the Etios is pricey for what you get

TRUE To ITS name, the Maruti Swift Dzire is a car you really want to buy.

It’s great fun to drive, has a very fuel-efficient engine and also comes with a modern and well-finished cabin. The fact that it is the most affordable car here only makes it more desirable. but factor in the average rear seat space and the absence of a proper boot, and the Dzire loses out as a practical car for the family. and how is it different

from a regular Swift?If it’s space you want, the

Manza is the car for you. It is massive on the inside, bigger than some cars from a class above and really comfortable too. However, it isn’t very involving to drive and you also have to contend with some slow responses in city driving. but the bigger problem is that, well built as the Manza is, Tata’s products still have some catching up to do in terms of long-term durability.

Toyotas have a reputation for reliability, so the Etios promises a stress-free

ownership experience. It is really spacious, has the best seats and also boasts the best high-speed ride. Its steering won’t win fans among enthusiasts, but its lightness makes it ideal for typical city usage. but for all its strengths, the Etios has its share of weaknesses too. The biggest of which is the fact that it doesn’t feel special enough either inside or out. and that’s a shame because it is the most expensive car here.

That brings us to the Verito, which is our winner. Its engine is really flexible and feels

suited to both city and highway use. and as before, ride quality remains the Verito’s strength. with the update, Mahindra has also addressed many of the Verito’s major issues. The spruced-up cabin may still not be plush, but the ambience (and ergonomics) are far better than before. The updates have also served to alleviate the Verito’s image, which further helps make it the better family car. It genuinely combines practicality and affordability into one complete package.

Tata Indigo Manza Quadrajet ElanFor Enormous space, good low-speed rideAgainst Long-term durabilityVerdict Very practical and spacious, but not as well engineered

Toyota Etios VXDFor Seat comfort, spaceAgainst Noisy engine, visible cost-cuttingVerdict Competent but expensive diesel saloon but has its share of faults

Maruti Dzire ZDiFor Plush cabin, fun to driveAgainst Limited rear seat space, small boot Verdict Easily the most desirable car but isn’t practical enough

1st 2nd

4th3rd



Turningcircle

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Mahindra Verito D6 List price Rs 7.14 lakhs

Measurements Figures in bold are best in test | Dimensions in cm

EconomyEconomy 16.45kpl overallTank 50 litresRange 823km

Buying detailshttp://mahindraverito.com

Engine and performanceSize 1390cc, 4 cylindersPeak power 65bhp at 4000rpmPeak torque 16.31kgm at 2000rpm

WHATCAR? Test Figures Weather conditions Fine

Acceleration 50-80kph through the gears

20-80kph in 3rd gear12.61sec

40-100kph in 4th gear16.87sec

Braking 80-0kph

Turningcircle

174

427.7

space510 litres

10.6m

6.08sec

33.07m

RATINGSFrom the driver’s seat Space & practicality Equipment Performance Ride and handling Refinement Buying & owning Quality & reliability Safety & security

VERDICT

Maruti Swift Dzire ZDi List price Rs 7.09 lakhs



Buying detailswww.marutidzire.com






Braking 80-0kph

169.5

399.5

space316 litres

9.6m

4.97sec

26.87m


VERDICT

Toyota Etios VXD List price Rs 7.99 lakhs



Buying detailshttp://www.toyotaetios.in

Engine and performanceSize 1364cc, 4 cylindersPeak power 68bhp at 3800rpmPeak torque 17.33kgm at 1800- 2400rpm





Braking 80-0kph

Turningcircle

space595 litres

9.8m

5.69sec

26.07m


VERDICT

Tata Indigo Manza Quadrajet Elan List price Rs 7.83 lakhs



Buying detailswww.cars.tatamotors.com/manza






Braking 80-0kph

441.3

space460 litres

10.2m

4.89sec

27m


VERDICT

97

160

97

64-8260-8092

154

71

56 97144

139 141

166

7264-8860-83

98 91

1557259135

126130 137138

170

170

15610659

77

97 81

74-9159-78106

188 178

8588

70-94

98

62-85

426.5

151

70

100155

63

169.5

142140*e

stim

ated

74

Documents

New Mahindra Verito · 2013. 2. 16. · New Mahindra Verito D6 List price Rs 7.14 lakh The Verito gets a refreshed front end and a new tail. The cabin has been reworked and it’s