The best car your money can buy

Welcome to the second part of the most elaborate comparison on cars. This time around we look at the Rs 6-18 lakh category and the rating card remains the same. We have tested, measured and rated nearly every car sold in the market.

If you find some missing, it's because we have only considered BS IV compliant cars. The unique part about this test is that apart from a definitive verdict on the car you should buy, we also tell you about the variants that make the best buys in each price category.  We have drawn an elaborate scorecard for every model and variant available in each category.

The process is simple - we have divided the test into two parts.

The first part has already been published in the previous issue, wherein we considered cars that cost up to Rs 6 lakh (exshowroom) in Delhi.

In this issue, we rate the cars costing Rs 6-18 lakh and divide them into three sets - Rs 6-8 lakh, Rs 8-12 lakh and 12-18 lakh.

For those who like more power at their disposal, the rating looks specifically at utility vehicles (UVs) and sports utility vehicles (SUVs), with the Mighty Movers section listing the best SUV buys.

34 per cent This was the increase in production in the passenger vehicle segment in April-August 2010 compared with the same period last year. The production of passenger cars grew by 34.32 per cent, that of utility vehicles by 22.56 per cent and multi-purpose vehicles by 50.68 per cent in April-August this year over the same period last year.

Evaluation Parameters
The scoresheet considers five criteria to better understand the attributes of a car. Here's what they mean.

BODY: Cars are rated on the basis of the space they offer to the front and backseat passengers, as also on the shoulder, leg and knee room. We also rate them depending on how spacious they feel because of the design, colour (interior) and window area.

The boot of the car and its opening width and height are measured to reveal its utility. Special attention is paid to city and its ability to overtake on the highway. Fuel economy is rated using the same procedure. As for engine characteristics and gearbox, we rate a car's drivetrain on its refinement, noise level and quality of gearshift, along with the choice of ratios.

DRIVE: A car's acceleration, as recorded by our test equipment, is compared with our benchmark figures and points are awarded for each parameter. The same holds true for top speed as well as roll-on times. The latter is, of course, a reflection of a car's driveability in the city and its ability to overtake on the highway. Fuel economy is rated using the same procedure. As for engine characteristics and gearbox, we rate a car's drivetrain on its refinement, noise level and quality of gearshift, along with the choice of ratios.

COMFORT: We rate cars on their ride quality at both slow and high speeds and over bumps and potholes. We also rate them on aspects such as absorption ability, noise and vibration.

The seats and the ease of ingress/egress are equally important comfort parameters. We rate the seats for the support that these offer to the back, side and bottom.

Comfort equipment plays an important role, and as with most things materialistic, the longer the list, the better it is. Handling is not usually considered an attribute of comfort; after all, ride and handling are at the opposite ends of a spectrum. However, a car that handles well does add to comfort.

DYNAMICS: The aspects pertaining to handling are further split in this category. So, while steering response is an integral part of making a car more pleasurable to drive, the rating for this is not limited to feel alone.

We also consider the effort required to steer a car. Directional stability is a car's ability to maintain composure in a straight line at high speeds. In our case, it also includes a car's ability to handle changes in direction with poise.

A quick car is no good if you cannot stop it on time to avoid a collision. To assign points for braking, both the stopping distance as well as the bite and progression that the brakes offer are considered.

COST: It is what finally decides whether the product is worth buying. It doesn't include just the purchase price, but also the resale value of the car and the warranty.

The purchase price of the car is compared with our benchmark to award points. Resale value is also a crucial factor. This is the money you can get at the end of the car's ownership. It essentially depends on two factors-brand and pricing.

As a rule, a car with a good sales record will have a higher resale value, as will a car that is priced lower. Also, some manufacturers have a good resale value no matter what the model. Finally, there's warranty. The longer the period and more the kilometres, the better it is.

If your budget is Rs 6-8 lakh, you'll get the most worth for your money with the Hyundai i20 top-ofthe-line Asta version.With room that rivals that of sedans, the i20 is a comfortable car. It has decent seats and offers a good ride, especially at lower speeds. The Asta (O) trim is one of the best equipped cars in this price bracket. Next is a tie between the i20 D Asta and the diesel-powered Fiesta Zxi. The Fiesta might not be the most spacious sedan in this price category, but it is one of the most efficient. The handling is well-sorted and it manages to minimise bumps/potholes. Its drive controls, such as steering, gear shifter and floor pedals, are proficient. But it is the car's fuel efficiency, along with the warranty, which makes it a great buy. In the fourth place is another Hyundai, the i20 D Magna, followed by another diesel-powered Fiesta, the Exi trim. If you want to look beyond these, you can go for the sixth-placed Skoda Fabia.