Honda Civic

The Honda Civic may not be as automatic a choice as it once was due to improved competition, but its variety of configurations, high fuel economy and ease of ownership keep it among the best compact sedans and coupes.
Pros

Comfortable and composed ride; good fuel economy; spacious interior; wide variety of engines available; available coupe body style.
Cons

Finicky sound system controls for most models; coupe's cramped backseat; hybrid's small trunk.
What's New for 2015

For 2015, the Honda Civic gains a new SE trim level. Offered only in sedan form, the Civic SE slots in between the LX and EX sedans.

Ford Mustang

TECH SPECS
Base price: $30,349; $54,949 as tested (GT Premium)
Engine: 5.0-litre DOHC, 32V V-8
Drive: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 15.2 city; 9.3 highway
Alternatives: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

RATINGS
Looks: It looks good, in a tough, purposeful way, even with the top up. Differences from the coupe go beyond just the roof; a revised “muscle line” on the rear body-side, and recontoured trunk lid, give it a more linear appearance than the tin-top.
Interior: The range of at-the-wheel adjustment is less than optimal, and the cockpit design favours form over function, yet without appearing especially rich in fit finish. But it can accommodate four mid-size adults.

Technology: Mechanically, it’s the most sophisticated Mustang, yet still preserves that traditional pony-car persona. Adaptive speed control is a pricey $1,600 option on the test car, likewise the $2,000 for a package that includes an audio upgrade, memory seats and blind-spot monitoring. On-board IT includes most features and capabilities you’d expect, interfaced through the little-loved SYNC with MyFord Touch.

Performance: One of the smaller V-8s among its peers, the 5.0 is more a revver than a torque-monster so you need to row the gears to extract the best from it. Handling is on the fun side of competent, but lacks the taut balance and precision of the coupe. It’s no coincidence that the hard-core Performance Pack chassis set-up is not even available on the squishier-bodied convertible.
Cargo: The trunk is 19 per cent
roomier than on the old car and Ford claims its 323-litre volume (12 per cent more than Camaro convertible) can accommodate two large golf bags, even with the available premium audio subwoofer. Unlike in some European convertibles, cargo volume is unaffected by whether the top is up or down.

Fiat AVVENTURA

First unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo, the new Avventura is a compact crossover model from Fiat India. It is based on the Punto platform and shares majority of its underpinnings and interior with the former. It is the Italian automaker’s entry into the now trending hatchback-based compact crossover segment which has been getting a lot of attention from Indian buyers lately. Other players in this segment at the moment include the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross.

Chevrolet Camaro 2015

Since its introduction in 2009, the fifth-generation Camaro has been the most popular sport coupe on the road. Its stellar performance and refined looks have been a cornerstone of the Chevrolet lineup for years, and 2015 is no different.
To celebrate the success of Camaro, chevy is introducing a Commemorative Edition that features much of the best that Camaro has offered over the years. Available in five exterior colors, and an exclusive Adrenaline Red interior, this special edition is equipped with a host of performance accessories, including a new 20-inch wheel design with high-performance summer-only tires†, ZL1 spoiler, and body-colored accessory front splitter and available hood insert, to name a few. Special Commemorative Edition badging tops off this impressive package

Hyundai Accent 2015

With handsome styling, above-average performance and solid build quality, the 2015 Hyundai Accent represents a strong choice for a small sedan or hatchback in the subcompact car class.Strong acceleration; comfortable and quiet ride; spacious cabin has an upscale ambience; long warranty.

Real-world fuel economy falls short of EPA estimates; no rearview camera or parking sensors available.

The 2015 Hyundai Accent gets a newly styled grille, headlights and taillights, along with some changes to standard and optional equipment. Last year's SE hatchback has been renamed the Sport.

Mahindra Verito Vibe

The Mahindra Verito Vibe has been launched in India at a price of between Rs. 5.68 - 6.55 lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you'll like:

• Robust build that has proven its reliability with the Logan / Verito

• Lots of interior space. Wide cabin easily seats 3 adults on the rear bench

• The frugal 1.5L Renault K9K engine has excellent driveability on tap

• A comfortable and balanced ride that soaks up bumps with ease

• Mahindra's low cost of ownership

What you won't:

• Boxy and dated design has been made more awkward at the rear

• Low on horsepower when compared to competitors, even hatchbacks

• Bare basic interior design and quality. Questionable ergonomics too

• Heavy steering means maneuvering in the city takes significant effort

• Deep penetration in the taxi segment makes personal buyers flinch

Renault Lodgy 2015

The Renault Lodgy has been launched in India at a price of between Rs. 8.19 - 11.79 Lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you’ll like:

• An all-rounded & practical 7 seater MPV. 3rd seat row is usable too
• Priced between the Ertiga & Innova. Top variant is ~Rs. 4 lakh cheaper than the Toyota
• Robust, abuse-friendly build & construction
• 109 BHP diesel is fast, refined & fuel-efficient. 84 BHP variant has superb driveability
• Outstanding ride quality. Comfortable over any kind of road
• Car-like to drive. Balanced handling and dynamics
• Features: Touchscreen ICE, cruise control, navigation, adjustable lumbar support etc.
• Boot space of 207 - 1,861 liters. Innumerable passenger : cargo combinations possible

What you won’t:

• Limited 2nd row legroom. This seat lacks the fore & aft adjustment of its competitors
• 109 BHP diesel suffers from turbo-lag below 1,800 rpm
• Boxy, unappealing styling (especially the rear end)
• Low 3rd-row seat means you sit with your knees pointing upward
• 185/65 R15 tyres are too small for a people carrier. Same tyre size as the Swift!
• Renault's service network isn't a patch on that of Maruti or Toyota
• Owners of the mechanically-identical Duster have reported the occasional niggles

Nissan Juke 2015

The Juke puts the “fun” in “funky,” making it perfect for those who want a spry and speedy little runabout that also stands out in traffic. It’s powered by a 188-hp 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional. Sadly, a CVT is the only available transmission, which takes some joy out of driving. On the plus side, its light and informative steering makes it easy to fling around back-country curves or to jockey for position on a crowded interstate.

Toyota Corolla

If car shopping were computer software, the Corolla could be the default setting: It has the space, power, and features to meet most people’s needs, but is bland and uninspired. That’s the downside. On the positive side of the equation, it has the Toyota reputation for reliability. As a result, it brings a premium, despite not engaging the driver as do some of its competitors. Still, it remains a bestseller. If you’re more interested in the destination than the journey, the Corolla is for you.

Honda’s future in India hinges on the all-new Brio.
The carmaker has put its heart and soul into what is easily the most important model for it in India.
But is Honda’s first crack at the budget-end of the hatchback market good enough to take it to the top?

What’s evident immediately is that the Brio has a futuristic look.
The lines are fresh, the stance is aggressive, the detailing is sporty and the car has a compactness to it.
Yes, it does take a while to get your head around the Brio, especially the rear, but there’s plenty to like straight off the bat, especially details like the pitched-forward stance, the short overhangs and the tightly stretched skin for a taut, dynamic look.

What dampens the look, however, is the glass-only hatch at the rear – this takes away from the premium feel of the car.
The tiny clear lens tail-lamps aren’t too attractive either, and there is no rear wiper.
But a bigger oversight is the lack of a demister, which can cause visibility issues when driving in the rain.
The Brio looks visually smaller than some of its rivals, and this could be a handicap for Honda.
But what’s clearly evident on this car is Honda’s brilliant packaging.
It has concentrated on making the best use of its short 2345mm wheelbase.

Since fuel economy and performance are important, the Brio is pretty light, tipping the scales at only 925kg.
It’s low weight has helped it achieve class-best fuel economy of 18.4kpl (company claimed).
But this is not at the cost of rigidity, as plenty of high-strength steel and reinforcements in key areas have been used.
What isn’t really new on the Brio is the 88bhp 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine, which has been borrowed from the Jazz.

Climb into the Brio and the first thing you notice is just how big it is on the inside.
While the cabin isn’t as spacious as the Jazz or the Vista, it’s wider than a Swift in the front.
The big windscreen lends a very airy feel, and getting in and out of the front seats is terrific.
There is plenty of legroom at the back, and the rear seat is pretty substantial and comfortable.
However, sitting three abreast is pretty tight and can only be comfortable over short distances.
The dashboard, with its two-piece and offset centre console, is unusual and has a spartan feel to it.
Equipment levels aren’t very generous either.

However, Honda’s soft-touch steering wheel looks very upmarket, as do the instrument panel and hooded dials.
The chrome rings around the air-con vents add a bit of class and most of the switchgear feels solid and good to operate.
There’s plenty of storage too.

But there are signs of cost-cutting.
There is no driver’s seat height adjust, no rear parcel tray, no CD player and the rear power window switches look a generation old.
The boot too is quite small, but again, Honda has carved out every millimetre of the Brio’s limited luggage area and you can squeeze in more bags than you thought possible.
The Brio does have one unique safety feature, the i-SRS airbag, which features an intelligent system to control airbag deployment and pressure.

The Brio is the fastest, strongest performer in its class. There’s a noticeable spike in power around 4500rpm and it enjoys being wrung hard all the way to the 6500rpm redline. This is also the only car in its class that’s quick enough to duck under the 13-second barrier to 100kph.
However, the 1.2 i-VTEC lacks low-end grunt.
But that doesn’t stop the Brio from outgunning most of the other hatchbacks when accelerating in any gear.

The Brio is best enjoyed when using the light, accurate gearshift to keep the engine on the boil.
The engine is smooth, but it does tend to get a bit vocal at higher engine speeds and it doesn’t feel as refined as the Swift’s K-series motor.
Honda has also included a unique feature on this car.
An ‘ECO’ indicator lights up on the dash every time the car senses you are driving in an economical manner.

The Brio’s power steering is a revelation for an electrical unit.
It is light and easy to twirl at low speeds, but surprisingly well weighted and pretty direct.
You get good feedback through corners and there’s a nice, linear way in which the steering weights up.
What’s surprising is that it rides quite comfortably – the suspension is quite absorbent and silent at low speeds.
The short wheelbase, however, does mean it tends to get a bit choppy over uneven surfaces and the ride isn’t as consistent or flat as that of some rivals.

So does the Brio have what it takes to go head-to-head against the best, and hope to win? Yes, it does.
It is spacious, comfortable, looks good, has a fabulous engine and should deliver class-matching fuel economy.
Yes, a more upmarket dash would have gone a long way, it could do with a few more essential features, and a little more boot space would have been welcome.
The starting price of brio is 3.99 lakhs and is very less in this segment.