Mitsubishi Cedia

The Cedia’s looks are quite distinctive. The two-part grille with sloping fins has an in-yer-face element, primarily due to the Mitsubishi logo sitting in the middle. The crest running in the middle of the bonnet is quite eye-catching and reminds you of the Premier Padmini/Fiat 1100 days. The wraparound headlamps add sporty character to the low-slung Cedia. The tail lamps too are of the clear-lens type and look quite attractive. The interior exudes class and is well-built but the rear seats would’ve been much more comfortable with more under-thigh support. Tall occupants sit with their knees pointing skyward which is uncomfortable. At the front though, the seats are rather brilliant and offer apt comfort and feel snug. The cabin has ample storage options in form of cubbyholes. The air-con works quite well, but the Cedia does not come equipped with climate control, which at its price is quite surprising.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine puts out 115bhp which is far too little compared to its rivals, but this does not mean that the engine is sluggish. The power delivery is uniform all across the rev range and the Cedia gains speed with composure and poise. The motor is quite torquey and you can trundle about all day long in third gear. The handling is quite neutral and strikes a perfect balance with ride quality. The brakes are particularly brilliant and ABS works well in conjunction with EBD that the Cedia comes equipped with.

You cannot go wrong with the Cedia. It performs admirably, is well built and quite striking as a design. It is a well engineered product and suggests quality. The mileage figures are also quite good and that swings the balance in its favour. It is almost as well-equipped as the others in the segment.