Bench marking

Hi, in that budget total 4 cars available in present market.

1. Ford EcoSport
2. Renaults Duster
3. Tata Harrier
4. Tata Nexon

1. Ford EcoSport:

Engine

Mechanically the new Ford EcoSport continues to be powered by the existing 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost continues to be offered in the EcoSport S trim as well. The EcoSport range is available with a five-speed or a six-speed manual transmission along with a six-speed automatic transmission option in the petrol version

Exterior

The updated EcoSport gets automatic HID headlamps, daytime running lights, electrochromic mirror and rain sensing wipers. The vehicle also gets distinctive highlights like dark inserts on the headlamp cluster and a prominent black treatment to the fog lamp bezel. Additionally, it gets 17-inch alloy wheels, and a dark theme throughout the exterior, which includes black-painted front grille and rear-view mirrors; dual-tone bonnet and decals on doors.

Interior

Except for the entry level variant, all other variants get a touchscreen-based infotainment system with embedded navigation. The Thunder Edition abundant use of cognac accents across multiple surfaces – from front seats to door inserts as well as centre console and instrument panel. The variant further gets a nine-inch floating touchscreen system with embedded navigation.

Good Things

Striking looks especially in the S guise

Feature-rich cabin with decent ergonomics

Sporty drivability in terms of steering and body control

1. Renault Duster

Engine

The new Renault Duster AWD uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel motor that develops 108bhp and 245Nm. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The oil burner has some diesel clatter at start-up but settles to a relatively quiet idle. However, you do hear a slight thrum at all times. Off the mark, the motor offers punchy performance. It pulls cleanly and the meat of the power is available in the mid-range. There\'s enough torque lower down the rev range, which helps in overtaking vehicles in city limits. This is also aided, in no small feat, by the short-geared transmission, although, the first gear feels pointless in the city. And the engine has good highway manners as well. A slight dab on the accelerator is enough to dart the SUV ahead.

Exterior

we look at mid-SUVs, what with its macho looks, bulbous styling and immense road presence. It was always an imposing SUV, and the updated styling further elevates its presence. A larger chunk of the design overhaul has happened at the front. The fascia now features a new three-slat chrome radiator grille, a redesigned bumper with updated fog lamp clusters, and a reworked scuff plate. The headlights, although retain the shape, get revised internals with projector units and the much-needed LED DRLs. That said, Renault should have offered LED headlights to keep-up with the competition.

Interior

The Duster has changed the perception of how the interiors, too, are redone on the new Renault Duster. The dashboard has been tweaked a bit and the chunky D-cut steering wheel feels nice to hold. Renault has done away with the top storage slot, which was quite handy to stow loose cash and other items. Instead, you now get a cooled glove box at the top as well, which replaces the recessed dashboard area on the older model. Then there\'s the redone central console with a piano black surround and square AC vents. The seven-inch touchscreen system finally gets support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That said, the placement of certain features could have been better. For instance, the display and AC controls are placed lower, which requires the driver to look away from the road to operate its functions. Further, the window control enclosure constantly fiddles with your right leg, and the steering-column-mounted audio controls aren\'t placed at the most ideal location. All of this might take some time to get used to.

Good Things

Unparalleled ride quality and the option of 4x4

Frugal motor with a large fuel tank means long-range

Spacious cabin with 475-litre of boot

Tata Harrier

Engine:

The 2.0-litre Multijet is a noisy engine to begin with, but there\'s pronounced drivetrain line lash every time one goes on or off the throttle. This was common in the older ladder-on-frame, rear wheel driven SUVs. But, the Harrier is a front wheel driven, modern monocoque. And at its price point, mechanical isolation from the occupants is a necessity, not a bonus. The engine and wind noise inside the cabin too, could have been lower.

Exterior

Take Tata Motors\' attractive design philosophy - Impact 2.0 in this case. Skin it over a capable and modern Land Rover platform - the Discovery Sport. Then, power it with Fiat\'s proven Multijet engine - that\'s the one housed under the hood of the Jeep Compass. And, what you have ultimately is a potent concoction called the Tata Harrier.Why potent? Well, we will get to that in a bit. But, what you need to know right now is that the Harrier will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta at the lower end, and the Jeep Compass at the very top.

Interior

The Harrier is a spacious car, which is obvious from the moment you open its doors. There\'s ample shoulder room both front and back. There\'s more than adequate head room for a six-footer even at the rear. And, the leg room all round is fantastic as well.We liked the seats too. The one\'s at the front are large, cushy and well-bolstered, and the one for the driver can also be adjusted for height.The boot though, at 425 litres isn\'t all that big. But, without any intrusions to speak of, it\'s easy to load and pack it to the gills. Additionally, the rear seats get a 60:40 split. And, these fold flat as well which increases the luggage carrying flexibility and utility that the Harrier offers. The loading lip height, meanwhile, at around 750mm, isn\'t too high.

Good Things

It is a looker.

Supreme ride comfort.

Spacious and premium interiors

Tata Nexon

Engine

Tata Nexon which also comes with a 1.2 litre, 3-Cylinder turbo-petrol motor.

Exterior

Look straight into the Nexon’s eyes, and you’ll get a hint of Tata’s ‘Impact’ design. The front grille’s top line extends into the headlamps, and onto the side. That’s the ‘humanity line’ in Tata lingo. The Nexon’s design is, however, more aggressive than its siblings. The elements that add to the bold front look are pulled back projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, high-set fog lamps, a large front air intake and flared wheel arches.

Interior

The Nexon’s interior has three prominent layers. The upper portion is finished in dark grey plastic, and its quality is on par with its peers. The middle layer gets an aluminium finish, and it looks particularly upmarket. The thickness and solidity of this layer throughout the cabin makes you feel like you’re sitting inside a more premium car. The third and the lowermost layer is a plastic of greyish shade of beige. This plastic is hard to touch, and the fit and finish levels aren’t too high either. For instance, the glovebox requires more than one attempt to shut, and the fit on the lower portion of the doors is questionable, especially around the door pockets. These two are probably the only touch points where fit and finish feels compromised. Otherwise, Tata has managed to do a good job of ensuring satisfactory quality levels at contact points

Good Things

It is a looker.

Supreme ride comfort.

Spacious and premium interiors

Conclusion

Ford ecosport has It is automatic It has sunroof It has touch screen entertainment system Very powerful Very comfortable A good family car Totally filled with features Stylish design Filled with safety features Very easy to drive and remain in control Very good built quality.