When Toyota Etios is completely made for India and priced aggressively starting from Rs 4.96 lakh, you can’t expect the real character of a Toyota car from it. Hyundai Verna, on the other hand, has been there for a while now as one of the most admired cars in the segment. Now, it’s gone under the knife and come out with a dynamic and futuristic design. With prices starting from Rs 6.99 lakh, Verna is a champion in terms of killer looks and the Hyundai reliability.
Ford, too, is on a complete makeover mode to come out with a desi image in India. The immense success of the Figo hatchback last year was a boon for the company, yet the poor resale value and high maintenance of the sedans forced Ford to phase out the Ikon and introduce the global Fiesta in India. With prices starting from Rs 8.23 lakhs, the Fiesta sports a kinetic design and intuitive, aesthetic interiors.
Just like the Micra plunged into the overcrowded B segment last year, a swarming C segment welcomes the Nissan Sunny, too. In the first look, the Sunny resembles a downsized Teana and that’s great. Although Nissan claims the Sunny is not a Micra sedan, there are many cues on the dashboard to object that claim. The company is confident on the back of Micra’s success, however, they need to price it strategically to win the competition.
Renault is making a new beginning in India as well. The Logan failed to lure customers and got the complete ‘taxi image’ instantly. Logan has given the company a good learning about the Indian market and customers and the resultant product is the Fluence. Priced at Rs12.99 lakh, the Fluence offers a combination of style, practicality and engineering. However, will it be able to compete with the likes of Chevy Cruze, Honda Civic and Toyota Altis? Let’s wait and watch.
