India is a country where entry-level hatchbacks rule and the ones on this list basically guide the market and the choices of customers who go out to purchase these vehicles. All these cars represent the boom and prosperity within this segment and all of them have much to offer to their discerning buyer and contribute a major chunk to the growth of the industry.
We pit these city-cars to see what makes them the pick in India’s famous entry-hatchback fray by showing you what to expect out of them so that you can decide which car you end up buying with your money. No matter which car you choose, you will enjoy hassle-free ownership and countless miles of trouble-free motoring.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10
Maruti Suzuki’s Alto is the prominent leader in this category as far as the best-selling car in India is concerned and the K10 is the latest Alto. This is a care which has made Maruti most of it’s fortunes in the country it’s light and nimble dynamics plus the frugality of it’s motor makes it very popular among the masses looking for a affordable and hassle-free runabout.
Datsun Go
This built-to-a-cost hatchback from the Datsun stable has garnered some good interest in the country for it’s rugged reliability, economical engine and good interior space. It has the biggest capacity engine in this comparo at 1.2-litres. The Go is a car which gives you a big-car feel at the cost of a small hatchback and we in India love that concept.
Hyundai Eon
Ever since it’s launch in India in 2011, it’s attracted a good chunk of audience for it’s cute yet sharp design elements. It’s unmistakably Hyundai and that along with the good service network and a decent cabin and a versatile engine has made it a popular choice in the segment.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
With it’s characteristic tall-boy design and a peppy 3-cylinder K-series engine, this car has been making good loads of money for the company and is an all-time favourite for your typical small Indian family who want a decent yet not very expensive mode of personal transportation.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is the smallest car the company sells in India and has recently undergone a facelift to make it more appealing. The car doesn’t quite sell as well as the others in this bunch, but is not a bad product. It’s tiny engine offers up good performance (for urban use) and is quite a frugal sipper as well. The interiors aren’t all the roomy, though.
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Specifications |
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 (Vxi) | Datsun Go (T) | Hyundai Eon Magna+ | Maruti Suzuki Wagon R (Vxi) | Chevrolet Spark (LT) |
|
Engine Displacement (cc) |
998cc 3-cylinder all aluminium K10B | 1, 198cc 3-cylinder DOHC 12-valves | 998cc 3-cylind 12-valve Kappa | 998cc 3-cylinder all aluminium K10B |
995cc 4-cylinder BSIV compliant |
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Max. Power (PS) |
68 PS @ 6200 rpm | 68 PS @ 5000 rpm | 69 PS @ 6200 rpm | 68 PS @ 6200 rpm |
61.2 PS @ 5400 rpm |
| Max. Torque (Nm) | 90 Nm @ 3500 rpm | 104 Nm @ 4000 rpm | 93 Nm @ 3500 rpm | 90 Nm @ 3500 rpm |
86.8 Nm @ 4200 rpm |
|
No. of Gears |
5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |||||
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Length x Width x Height x Wheelbase (mm) |
3620 x 1495 x 1460 x 2360 | 3785 x 1635 x 1485 x 2450 | 3515 x 1500 x 1510 x 2380 | 3599 x 1495 x 1700 x 2400 | 3495 x 1495 x 1518 x 2345 |
|
Kerb Weight (kg) |
765 | 925 | 690 | 885 | 840 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 160 | 170 | 170 | 165 |
170 |
| Min. Turning Radius (metres) | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 |
4.5 |
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Boot Space (litres) |
117 | 265 | 215 | 180 |
170 |
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Fuel Capacity (litres) |
35 | 35 | 32 | 35 |
38 |
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Price (ex-showroom) |
3.30 lakhs | 3.8 lakhs | 4.04 lakhs | 4.36 lakhs |
4.05 lakhs |
Our Observations:
All the entry-level hatchbacks in this group do their job and do it quite well. But then each of these cars possess something that the other doesn’t. Looking through the specs sheet, it is clear that the Hyundai Eon Magna+ pack more horses (1 more) than the Datsun Go which actually has a larger capacity engine at 1.2-litres. But then again, you’ll notice that the Go’s engine produces more torque (104 Nm, 14 more than the Eon). However, since the Eon is lighter than the Datsun, it is also slightly more economical. To which the Go makes a comeback with more interior space and a bigger boot.
The Alto K10 is India’s best-selling car and packs the same engine with similar figures as that found in the Wagon R. As the Wagon R is slightly heavier, it’s not as frugal as the former. The Wagon R does have more interior space and comes slightly better equipped than the Alto. Also, the Alto has the smallest boot in this group, at a microscopic 117-litres. The Chevrolet Spark on the other hand has the least powerful engine and is the second-most expensive. But it is the only 4-cylinder car in here and has the shortest turning-radius.