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The Tata Indica was designed at IDEA, Italy and looks quite attractive. The clear-lens treatment to the headlamps which follow a triangular theme and the vertically stacked tail lamps give the Indica a stately being. From the style point of view, the grossly under-tyred look spoils the overall stance of the car. The doors open wide and allow for walk-in ingress. Once inside, the cabin will floor you with the amount of space it offers and the seats are quite comfortable. The high-set dashboard spoils the experience since short drivers will find it limits their visibility. The plastic quality is nothing to talk about.
There are many engines to choose from. The 1.4l petrol engine is a refined and torquey mill that endows the Indica with impressive performance. Revised gearing has resulted in marginally better mileage figures but it is still not satisfactory. The 1.4l diesel makes 53bhp and is aimed primarily at mileage. Do not ask for much from this engine, for it will not deliver. There is a turbo version which is rated at 68bhp that performs well, although there is slight turbo lag. Fuel efficiency figures are also quite good. The gearbox on all the versions is quite bad with the shift quality feeling vague and imprecise. Spirited driving is something that the Indica dislikes. Ride is quite good but the handling not so. The steering feels vague but the stability is top notch.
The Indica offers a lot of space and comfort for a relatively small amount of money. The engines will take care of your wallet, but do not expect a scorching drive. The brakes are quite potent but have a tendency to lock up easily. And the gearshift is quite bad too. Still, at the price, Indica is quite a good VFM proposition.
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