Toyota Etios Liva [2013-2014] vs Tata Indica Vista [2012-2014]

Tata Motors has been expanding its current offerings and at the same time even giving facelift to its existing models. The Pimpri-based automaker launched the Aria 4x2 this month to fill in the price gap between the already existing Safari and the 4x4 version of the Aria. Now, they have facelifted the Vista gets a lot of gadgets from the Manza, giving it sedan-like features.

Whaley has still not gone for its first service (blame it on me for being lazy) but even after doing about 3000 more kms on the odometer the car did not once scream to go to its first service. The first service was due when whaley crossed the 1500 mark but even at 4764 on the odo it still is at its best. A lot happened during this 3000 km run and I learned a lot more about driving in the city. In the midst of all its trips, this ranged from driving down to Pune and then to Valsad (Gujarat) for New Years, whaley became a victim of road rage. The incident happened in Thane and I have still not clearly understood the reason for this. The dent at the rear of the car is a clear indication as to what would have happened if the stone that hit the metal sheet, would have flew in through the glass.

Today most automobile manufacturers in India are focusing on the B+ segment, performance hatchbacks being the latest in the trend. This year we saw Maruti Suzuki introduce the K10 engine in the Alto, which further triggered the sales of the best-selling car in India. Volkswagen and Skoda added a 1.6-litre engine to their hatchbacks to attract the enthusiast; Fiat too brought in the 90bhp variant of their multijet in the Grande Punto. Not to be left with crumbles, Tata Motor aimed for the major share of the pie with the SAFIRE90 Indica Vista.