Benchmarking

Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii is a married man who lives in Bangalore which is a highly crowded city. His Family comprises five members including his wife, five-year-old boy, his father, and his mother. He visits his native place Madurai which is 500kms away from Bangalore once in a month. Also, he will be using his car to commute to his office. His budget falls between 8 to 10 lakhs on road. Please suggest to him with options so that he will buy a good car for his family.

Note: Pughazhyendhii is fond of big cars

According to this case study,

• Mr.D.S. Pughazhyendhii needs a car whic is safe, mileage efficient, spacious and moreover it needs to be affordable.
• keeping these factors in mind the most suitable type will be an SUV. Because it is more spacious compared to other hatchbacks and sedans and also it have more ground clearance so it will be suitable for most terrains.
• Most suitable one are TATA NEXON, FORD ECOSPORT, HYUNDAI VENUE, MARUTI VITARA BREZZA.

1. TATA NEXON

Tata Motors today proudly announced another feat achieved by its much loved compact SUV, the Tata Nexon. The car has established a new benchmark in terms of car safety in India as it has been awarded with a full 5-star adult safety rating by Global NCAP, an internationally renowned safety accreditation body.The Nexon’s structural integrity and overall safety has been evaluated in Global NCAP crash test. The car has been tested for both front and side impacts. The combined evaluation of both the tests by Global NCAP have resulted in a full 5-stars rating, the highest adult occupant safety score of (16.06/17.00) amongst all the models tested across the Indian market. Nexon has also achieved an impressive 3-star rating for Child occupant safety. With this achievement, the Nexon is the first and only car in India to receive this rating.Fully designed, engineered and made in India, this achievement puts India on the global map and is a precursor to Tata Motors’ active role in advancing vehicle safety technologies. This has been possible by state-of-the-art digital simulation techniques and numerous safety related tests, leveraging the Company’s decades of experience.

Tata has equipped the Nexon with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (120PS/170Nm) and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel (110PS/260Nm), each paired with a standard 6-speed MT and an optional 6-speed AMT.The Nexon retails from Rs 7.55 lakh to Rs 13.90 lakh (ex-showroom)

SPECIFICATIONS

The mileage of Nexon Petrol ranges between 16.35 kmpl - 17.57 kmpl and the mileage of Nexon Diesel ranges between 21.19 kmpl - 22.07 kmpl.

ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES :-

• Roll-over Mitigation
• Hydraulic Brake Assist
• Electric Brake Pre-fill
• Multi-drive Modes: ECO / CITY / SPORT
• Umbrella Holder in Front Doors
• Live Vehicle Diagnostics
• Vehicle Live Location Track & Set geo-fence
• Valet Mode

CRASH TEST REPORT :-

Tata’s little crossover was the first Indian vehicle ever to score a 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash test, for adult occupancy, which was quite an impressive feat back in the day. The Nexon also managed to score a 3-star rating for child occupant safety.

PROS :-

• It has 5 star safety rating from global NCAP
• Safe car with solid built quality.
• Impressive ride quality
• Spacious bootspace
• Easy to drive with good handling.

CONS :-

• Uninspiring bottom-end engine performance.
• Mediocre fuel efficiency

2. FORD ECOSPORT

Ford EcoSport is one of the most exciting 5-seater SUVs in India. Available in seven petrol versions and eight diesel variants, it is also one of the most popular SUVs that you will find. A glance at Ford EcoSport prices reveals that it is one of the most economical as well. Hence, Ford EcoSport is a defining SUV in many ways. One of the essential features of Ford EcoSport is the 1.5-litre Ecoboost engine. Of all Ford EcoSport variants, two have automatic transmission system whereas the remaining vehicles run on 6-speed manual gears.
Though Ford EcoSport has a body of an SUV, it is a crossover model because this SUV body sits on the chassis of a sedan. It is a muscular vehicle capable of cruising over rough terrain because of its high Ford EcoSport ground clearance. Ford EcoSport is an ideal vehicle for families that go on long trips. The salient feature of this vehicle is that it comes with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel similar to what many SUVs in India provide.

The Ford EcoSport has 1 Diesel Engine and 1 Petrol Engine on offer. The Diesel engine is 1498 cc while the Petrol engine is 1496 cc . It is available with Manual & Automatic transmission.Depending upon the variant and fuel type the EcoSport has a mileage of 14.7 to 21.7 kmpl . The EcoSport is a 5 seater 3 cylinder car and has length of 3998, width of 1765 and a wheelbase of 2519.Ford EcoSport price in India varies between INR 7.83 to 11.89 lakh.

SPECIFICATIONS

ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES :-

• Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock.

CRASH TEST REPORT :-

The India-spec Ford EcoSport hasn’t been crash-tested by Global NCAP yet, so its safety rating is unavailable at the moment. That said, Euro NCAP had tested the vehicle back in 2013, and as the underpinnings are still the same, that safety score is still valid. The Euro-spec model managed to score a 4-star safety rating overall. In 2018, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, USA) had given the vehicle a 4-star overall safety rating. We shall reserve our final judgement until the Indian model gets tested.

PROS :-

• The overall built quality of the Ford Ecosport is impressive and the car feels extremely solid.
• Powerful and Responsive Engines.
• The overall suspension setup of the Ford Ecosport makes it a great car for high-speed driving. The stability on triple-digit speeds is commendable and the car does not loose its composure when pushed hard.
• The new Ecosport gets a number of safety features such as six airbags, ESP, TCS, HSA, ABS, EBD, etc which makes it a pretty safe car in case of a crash or during emergency situations. The solid build quality too adds on to the overall safety of the vehicle.

CONS :-

• The Ecosport is no longer a VFM product. The facelift model misses out on many essential features like a front-seat lumbar adjustment.
• The Ecosport was first launched in the year 2013 and since then, there have been no major updates made to the product. The vehicle is still based on the same platform and gets the same basic architecture. However, it is worth noting that the brand may launch the next-gen Ecosport is a couple of years.
• Stiff Suspension Setup.
• The second row of the vehicle is not so spacious and may not accommodate three grown-up adults with ease. The rear seat is best suited for two adults and a small child.
• Thick A-Pillar Causes Blind Spot.

3.HYUNDAI VENUE

A new 1.0-litre Kappa T-GDI petrol engine that delivers 120 PS and 172 Nm of torque is sure to excite those who wish for more power behind the wheels. This engine is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) that has been developed in-house. The ever so reliable 1.2-litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine of Hyundai is also available with Venue. This motor makes 83 PS and 115 Nm of torque and comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Also, there is the 1.4-litre U2 CRDi diesel engine that is available with Hyundai i20 and Hyundai Verna. This mill churns out 90 PS and 220 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The new compact SUV looks stunning, to say the least. With features like dark chrome front grille, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, projector fog lamps, LED tail lamps with a crystal effect, roof rails, shark finn antenna and diamond cut alloy wheels, Venue is sure to gain a lot of fans. Also, dual tone exterior colours, chrome finish outside door handles and wheel air curtain add to the overall sportiness.

• Hyundai Venue is available in the price range of Rs 6.50 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and Rs 11.10 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
• Hyundai BlueLink technology in Venue comes with 33 features, out of which 10 are exclusively for India.

SPECIFICATIONS

ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES :-

• Curtain Airbag
• Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
• Inside Rear View Mirror with Telematics switches (SOS,aRSA & Blue Link)
• Headlamp Escort Function
• Rear Defogger with Timer

CRASH TEST REPORT :-

Hyundai Venue has also not been tested in its India-spec avatar. Its US-spec version, however, has received brilliant safety scores. It was awarded the “Top Safety Pick” title by IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, USA). The Australia-spec model, however, scored a 4-star safety rating for adult as well as child occupants in ANCAP. We’ll have to wait for Global NCAP’s crash test results to know how the India-spec model will stack up against the competitors.

PROS :-

• The VENUE comes with the design and proportions of a proper SUV. It's also one of the most attractive offerings in this segment.

• Hyundai has an array of powerful and efficient engines on offer with the Venue - A frugal 1.2-litre petrol engine, a powerful 1.0-litre turbo petrol, and for the diesel lovers, a capable 1.5-litre oil burner.

• The Venue is loaded with smart features like the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay & Android auto, Bluelink connected car tech, air purifier, wireless charging, sunroof, and 60:40 split rear seat, among others.

• The Venue is also backed by Hyundai's strong after-sales support. The SUV also comes with 3 years / Unlimited Km warranty, along with 3 years of Road Side Assistance (RSA) service.

CONS :-

• The styling of the Venue might not attract those looking for a bold, flashy SUV with a lot of chrome accents.

• While features packed, the cabin space inside the Venue is not the best, especially at the rear. It's a 4-seater SUV at best and taller occupants might not be very comfortable on long journeys.

• No automatic diesel option on offer. All other subcompact SUVs with a diesel engine come with automatic options, either an AMT or in the case of the Sonet, a proper torque converter.

• The Venue is not the best handling car out there; the steering is a bit light and lacks some feedback.

• The Bluelink technology is smart, but the system comes with an embedded sim, thus its usage and functionality depend highly on the signal strength. Also, while using the Bluelink app via your smartphone, you notice that it's not the quickest setup.

4.MARUTI VITARA BREZZA

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has been one of the best-selling compact SUV’s in the Indian market since its launch—it has topped the monthly sales charts ever since its launch. The rugged looks and the SUV proportions seem to have worked with the buyers.Maruti Suzuki introduced four variants of the Brezza namely LXi, VXi, ZXi and Zxi-plus. All the four variants are available with a manual transmission but only the top three variants are available with the automatic transmission.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza is offered only with a single K15B petrol engine option. The engine is capable of producing 103hp at 6,000rpm and a peak torque output of 138nm at 4.400 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic. The manufacturer is claiming a mileage of 17.03kmpl for the manual variant and 18.76kmpl for the automatic variant. Below is the list of all the variants and their ex-showroom prices.Standard features include keyless entry system, electrically adjustable ORVM, projector headlamps and led tail lamps. Safety features offered are ABS with EBD, high-speed alert system, dual airbags, seat belt reminders and front seat belt pre-tensioners. There are also rear parking sensors with an infographic display to assist the driver in parking the SUV.

SPECIFICATIONS

Advance Safety Features :-

• Suzuki TECT BodyDual Horn
• Reverse Parking Sensor with Infographic Display
• Pedal Release System

CRASH TEST REPORT :-

Maruti Brezza was first introduced in the Indian market back in 2016, and except for the change in powertrain, the vehicle has remained largely unvaried, save for some aesthetic updates. The Vitara Brezza is the only vehicle in the Maruti’s arsenal to have scored a 4-star safety rating (for adult occupants) in Global NCAP crash tests. In the child occupant safety area, the vehicle is a little lacking though, with just a 2-star rating.

PROS :-

• The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has a conventional SUV design giving it a bold stance as well as a great road presence. The overall aesthetics are underlined by the chrome grille, LED projector headlights, LED DRLs, diamond cut alloys, roof rails and more.
• The SUV comes equipped with features like SmartPlay Studio 2.0 touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and navigation. Other key features are automatic climate control, push start-stop button, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and cruise control.
• The Vitara Brezza comes equipped with dual front airbags, Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, parking sensors and seatbelt reminder making it one of the safest SUVs in its segment. In fact, it has already received a four-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test.
• The Vitara Brezza is powered by the company's tried and tested 1.5-litre K15B four-cylinder petrol motor. It is tuned to offer a peppy 103 bhp and 138 Nm of peak torque.

CONS :-

• While the Vitara Brezza comes loaded with several features, there's no sunroof on offer. In fact, most of its rivals in the segment get one.
• The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza also misses out on connected car tech. We think this is a big miss, considering there's a big demand for the same.
• No diesel engine on offer. Most of its rivals get a diesel engine offering an option for customers to choose a powertrain as per their needs.
• The 4-speed torque converter on the Vitara Brezza is outdated now and feels a bit sluggish. A slicker, more engaging gearbox would have been an attractive deal here.

CONCLUSION

After compairing these suv's I would like to suggest TATA NEXON;

• After the comparison of these four suv's TATA NEXON provides more safety standards.First Indian vehicle ever to score a 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash test and also have 3 star rating in child occupancy.
• Anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution in all 4 wheels with hydraulic assistance aids emergency braking. Advanced sensors with rear camera feed assist driver in reverse parking and height adjustable front seatbelts plus ISOFIX child restraint system at the rear present for all-around safety.

• The car comes with an advanced infotainment system with next-gen smartphone connectivity. Voice recognition technology is there through which you can access navigation, phone calls, music with just one button. Eight speaker system is in place to give good music experience. Voice-based warnings for car functions ensures the driver is driving safely.

• The diesel variant comes with 1.5L Revotorq engine with turbocharged power output of 100 PS and 260 Nm of Torque. Petrol variant comes with 1.2L Revotron engine with power output of 110 PS and 170 Nm of torque. Multi-drive modes -Eco, City and Sport- gives efficient performance.
• The Nexon is a proper five-seater and it is the widest of the lot. The Nexon offers good enough space for the rear passengers. There is more than sufficient shoulder room.
• There is something or the other that can be pointed on the ride and handling aspects of the suv is the ride is the most subtle of the lot and even the handling is good enough.
• Affordable price with elegant look and likable to the people which fond of big cars.