Skoda's OCTAVIA is back with a bang !!

The Skoda's flagship model Octavia which was discontinued in 2010 is now back again to rule the D-segment ! The new Octavia is a size bigger than the last generation model and will compete with the likes of Volkswagen's Jetta , Hyundai's Elantra which is the current segment leader , Chevy Cruze and Toyota Altis.

The New generation Octavia is based upon an all-new MQB platform , The car in india is being offered with more powerful engine options one of them giving a whopping 177 Bhp !!
Ofcourse there's the exhaustive features list which includes a massive sunroof , a powered drivers seat with memory , 6-cd changer system , bluetooth , parking sensors, dual-zone climate control , keyless entry, Led daytime running lamps, HID and what not. wheww ! And also theres the practicality of the boot opening both like a hatch and sedan !
The Octavia is being offered with 3 engine options that is the 1.4L TSI  (PETROL ) , 1.8L TSI (PETROL ) And the 2.0 L TDI (DIESEL ,also available in automatic) . The different variant includes Active ,Ambition , Elegance .
The 1.8TSI is only available in the Top-end elegance trim , the 1.4TSI is only available with the base and mid variants that is Active and Ambition. also in the 2.0TDI The elegance trim is available with option of manual or automatic gearbox.
The prices for the different models -

Active
1.4 TSI- 13.95 LACKS
2.0 TDI DIESEL  15.55 LACKS

Ambition
1.4 TSI - 14.95LACKS
2.0TDI- 16.55LACKS (MANUAL) , 17.55 (AUTOMATIC)

Elegance
1.8 TSI - 18.25 LACKS
2.0 TDI- 19.45 LACKS (AUTOMATIC)

The OCTAVIA is a very competent car and would be the new D-segment leader with over 1000 bookings already done in the first month of launch
Skoda now just needs to improve its after-sales network and servicing :)

The Comparo ! Amaze versus Etios .

Honda's Amaze and Toyota'S Etios  comes into the picture when you think of the entry level sedan segment but which is the best among them ?? ! Here's a detailed review and comparo of the two of them !!

Starting with the latest from the Honda stable

Honda AMAZE .

With the Honda Amaze , Honda launched its first ever diesel engine in India the 1.5 I-DTEC , This car is nothing but a sedan version of the Honda's Brio but with superb practicality and a spacious cabin this car has been a hit , selling around 10,000 units per month.

Honda's Amaze comes with 2 engine options : 1.2 litre petrol engine (I-VTEC) and the 1.5 diesel engine ( I-DTEC)  The honda amaze is available in around 6 variants the most value for money being the S variant ofcourse as it gets almost all the features which the the top-end VX has got but however in the current traffic scenario getting a car with airbags and Abs is a must hence if the budget permits its best to go for VX 

Now talking about the interiors, The Amaze retaining the same dashboard as the Brio which is simple and easy to use , and ofcourse there's the Honda's Qaulity of materials however some important features which are missing is a CD-player (you get a USB/AUX UNIT ), No climate control but electrically folding mirrors is a segment first. 

The cabin is very spacious and the knee room is also good being a sedan version of small hatch.

Amaze is Value for money and reliable choice and will make your hearts amazed !!! :)

Toyota Etios 

The Toyota Etios is the first ever budget car from Toyota, I  would say the first car from Toyota to be priced under 10L , 

The etios has 2 engine variants the 1.5petrol and 1.4 diesel 

The Etios however lacks the appeal and the evident cost cutting by Toyota has made this car rather a flop in the segment , 

The Car even though having a practical spacious cabin , inside it lacks a premium feel and cheap bits all around , the centre mounted instrument cluster is not everyone's taste and and the overall design of the car is all plain jane and dated , the rear of the car is really a heartbreaker. Dont know what the designers at Toyota were thinking while designing it. 

Etios being a VFM has failed to impress and ofcourse you dont buy a car just because Toyota is known for its reliability !!

The Verdict 

The Honda's Amaze is clear winner and is the car to buy in the segment.

Other car worth considering is Fiat Linea classic ( budget model of Linea)

Hyundai GRAND i10 !

Grand i10 is the latest launch from the Hyundai's stable !! The Grand i10 is not basically a replacement of the older i10 with older i10 still in production though the company has stopped the top variants of the i10, 

Now this car has been placed between the very small space between the older i10 and the i20.

The Hyundai Grand i10 has many of the features which cars of higher segments have , This car is based on  a new platform and ofcourse the fluidic culture is there ! The Grand i10 even bein a hatch has a rear ac vent , a 1GB on board memory music system , a keyless start and go and lots more and also an automatic variant available.

This car comes with both a 1.2 litre petrol engine and a 1.1litre diesel engine and with mileage of 18kmpl and 22kmpl respectively ( ARAI tested , may vary in city conditions ) and with prices starting from just 4.23 lacks base petrol and going upto 6.5 lacks for top end diesel ( ex-showroom delhi ) this car is value for money product and is already a hit in its segment with sales being a whopping 11,500 units per month and growing

So if you are in the market for a hatch which is easy to drive in the city and is feature loaded its grand i10 to go for :)