Q.Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza vs Ford EcoSport Detailed Comparison

According to a report on [URL="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/news/industry/ford-to-spend-rs-200-crore-on-brand-campaign-as-competition-grows/articleshow/52487539.cms"]ET Auto[/URL], Ford India has decided to invest Rs 200 crore on a new brand campaign that highlights their after sales and service quality. The campaign might be the result of Maruti Suzuki’s Brezza stealing the EcoSport’s thunder in terms of sales figures. The new campaign, Ford says, will appeal to new car buyers and increase confidence on Ford products. Under the campaign, Ford will introduce new initiatives at its dealerships and service centres to support on-ground delivery and straighten customer relations. Ford has also introduced a service price calculator on its website to make after-sales service more transparent. After the launch of the Vitara Brezza, Ford’s top-selling EcoSport is no longer seen in the top 5 UV list. Even the Ford Figo and Figo Aspire have been witnessing sluggish demand that Ford had to halve its production rate of both the models and even shut down production at its Sanand plant for a week in March. Looks like the Brezza is killing other auto makers. Let’s ban it I say!

Maruti has revealed that the waiting period for the Vitara Brezza is likely to go up to 8-9 months. They also said that the majority of the demand is coming for the top-end variants ZDi and ZDi+. An aggressive price and the decision to sell it through the traditional showroom instead of the NEXA outlets might have a part to play in this. Maruti has 1920 traditional outlets - close to the number of Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda and Tata dealerships combined. Now that’s impressive. NEXA, in comparison, only has 120 outlets in 70 cities. Source - [URL="http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/uv/maruti-suzuki-vitara-brezza-waiting-period-to-increase-to-8-9-months-bookings-cross-70k/52506048"]ET Auto[/URL]

Vitara Brezza bookings cross 55,000. And, say hello to a 6 + month waiting period! Imagine the pile of cash Maruti Suzuki is sitting on. 55,000 x 21,000= 115,50,00,000 rupees. :eek:

[USER="2453"]vinodkalotra[/USER] the petrol variant of the Vitara Brezza is likely to be launched during Diwali. It will come with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine called the Boosterjet. Expect the petrol variant to put out 100+ bhp of power. If you really want a petrol Brezza, then I'd suggest you wait for this version. By the way, the waiting period for the Vitara Brezza has crossed six months. So make sure you put down your order way ahead. We will update you on when the bookings for the petrol variant opens up. Meanwhile have a look at the detailed comparison between the Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi and Maruti Szuki Vitara Brezza 1.3 DDiS 200. Cheers.

A report on ET Auto now says that the bookings for the Vitara Brezza has crossed 55,000 units since launch. So far, Maruti has launched 5,563 units of the compact SUV in March and 7,832 units in April. With such a big demand for the Vitara Brezza, the waiting period for the compact SUV has gone up to six months. The report says Maruti's plant in Gurgaon is working at full steam and can’t handle the increase in bookings for the Brezza but Maruti does plan on increasing production capacity to 1,20,000 units per year soon. That is a significant increase from the initial plan of producing 80,000 units a year. The launch of the Brezza also helped Maruti increase its market share to 50% in the country. The Brezza is likely to keep Maruti’s cash registers ringing even after the festive season when the petrol variant of the Vitara Brezza is launched. The petrol variant, it is expected, will be powered by Suzuki’s 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol engine.

Ford India has launched a special edition Ford EcoSport called the 'Black Edition'. For more details, check out this [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/upcoming-cars-and-bikes/6262-2017-ford-ecosport-to-get-a-facelift?p=9987#post9987"]post[/URL].

[QUOTE=NikilSJ;n9737]So according to [I]MotorOctane.in[/I], Royal Enfield is working on updating the Thunderbird and Classic before an all-new version comes out like I mentioned above. The updated bikes are said to come with 24 to 48 changes and is expected to be launched by the end of the year. The updates are said to include a more powerful headlamp, better clutch and brakes among others and will be sold alongside the current variants. Expect a bump in power for the 350cc and 500cc UCE engines as well. [/QUOTE] [USER="20"]NikilSJ[/USER] I think you posted in the wrong thread.Redo on the appropriate thread.

In its first full month of sales, Maruti Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza has beaten the Ford EcoSport and how. Maruti sold 7,832 units of the Brezza compared to 3,789 units of the EcoSport. That’s double the number of EcoSports sold. The Vitara Brezza even came close to the [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/4962-hyundai-creta-worth-the-premium"]Hyundai Creta’s[/URL] sales figures for the same month. Hyundai sold a total of 7,900 Creta’s in April. [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/714-mahindra-tuv300-specifications-first-look"]Mahindra’s TUV300[/URL] recorded a dismal sales figure of 1,928 units.

[USER="20"]NikilSJ[/USER] Minor quality issues like this on the Brezza may potentially plague customers. Even though it's not my car, this bothers me! I have no idea how the insects got into the rear light. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9250[/ATTACH]

[I][B]Variants and Pricing[/B][/I] The Brezza comes with a total of just 2 airbags (EcoSport Titanium+ has 6 airbags) and an additional colour scheme in the top-spec ZDI+. The base LDI model gets all the basic features such as AC, Power Steering, Central Locking and front power windows and an integrated bluetooth multimedia system. VDi is the next variant and it comes with the addition of rear power windows and the option of rear parking sensors. Both these variants are also offered with ABS and driver airbag - they are called the LDi (O) & VDi (O) respectively. In addition to all the above, the ZDi get the driver height adjustment, parking sensors and mood lighting. The ZDi also gets electric folding and adjusting OVRM's. The ZDI+ is the top of the line variant and gets Apple CarPlay along with some other cool bells and whistles. It has Rain-Sensing Wipers, Auto-Headlamps, Chilled Glove Box, GPS Navigation, Cruise Control and a front armrest with storage. You also have the option to choose a Dual-Tone paint job by paying Rs. 14,000 extra. The car is only available in the diesel avatar and is priced between Rs. 6.99 lakh - 9.68 lakh. [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/cars-in-india/6171-maruti-suzuki-vitara-brezza-launched?p=6231#post6231"]Click Here[/URL] for the full spec sheet. [B][I]Key Competitors[/I][/B] The introductory prices of the [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/cars-in-india/6171-maruti-suzuki-vitara-brezza-launched"]Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza[/URL] are quite aggressive and competitive, so much so that Ford was forced to reduce the prices of the EcoSport by more than 10% soon after the launch. As far as the compact SUV segment goes, it is a much more refined package than the [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/714-mahindra-tuv300-specifications-first-look"]Mahindra TUV300[/URL] but not quite there with the Ford EcoSport. The Brezza comes with a wide rear seat which is better than the EcoSport and a intuitive infotainment system which has integrated GPS which is better than the little two-color screen in the Ford. The new [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/7537-mahindra-nuvosport-launched-at-rs-7-35-lakh"]Mahindra Nuvosport[/URL] can also be considered competition but given that it is more or less the Quanto only, it does not stand a chance against these new-age urban fighters. If you are considering buying a premium hatchback, you will definitely consider the Brezza as well. As compared to the[URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews/Volkswagen/Polo"] Volkswagen Polo[/URL], [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/3464-maruti-baleno-road-test-and-review-surprise-package"]Maruti Baleno[/URL], [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/maruti-suzuki-scross-first-drive-review/22371/"]Maruti S Cross[/URL] and [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/tata-bolt-quadrajet-xt-review/21308/"]Tata Bolt[/URL], it offers a lot more features and rear-seat comfort along with the added advantage of the boot. The only hatch which challenges the level of equipment in the Brezza is the [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/hyundai-elite-i20-review/19433/"]Hyundai i20 [/URL](Elite and Active), but looses out due to dull driving experience of the latter. Other cars that would come in the same price-bracket would be the odd-segment of sub-4m sedans. Only for the lack of an AMT variant, you may consider the [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/maruti-suzuki-swift-dzire-amt-diesel-first-drive-review/24827/"]Maruti Swift Dzire AMT[/URL]. It is a much easier car to navigate through the city traffic and is extremely efficient too. The upcoming Volkswagen Ameo could be a good alternative given the tech that is comes with. [B]WHAT WE THINK [/B] The Maruti Suzuki Brezza would be the ideal compact SUV for the family man looking for usable space, good mileage, comfortable ride, cheap spares and a good re-sale. However, we are not in the 90's when Maruti was everything and very recently things have changed. Soon after the Brezza launch, Ford announced the change in price for the EcoSport which makes it bang for the buck! The re-sale value of the EcoSport is on the higher side anyways and the added features really make it a steal. The drive on the EcoSport is much more involving, it has the better engine and greater refinement levels. It also boasts of 6 airbags along with 'Emergency Assist' (that actually works!) which make it one of the safer cars under 10 lakhs. Ford also boasts of cheaper spare parts as compared to Maruti. Having said that, if you will use the rear to seat 3 people regularly, then consider the Brezza. For all other purposes, the EcoSport will be a good companion and will keep you smiling for a long time.

[SIZE=14px][U][B]Safety and Features: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza[/B][/U] Maruti Suzuki is offering the Vitara Brezza with driver's airbags as standard. The ZDI and ZDI+ variant gets driver's as well as front passenger airbags as standard in addition to ABS and EBD. However, dual airbags, ABS and EBD can be had as part of an options pack for the LDi and VDi trim. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9088[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The ZDI+ variant we drove came with two standard airbgs. However, the Ford EcoSport trumped it with 6 airbags as standard on the top-end Titanium trim [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9089[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The Brezza comes with cruise control [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9090[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The Vitara Brezza has the option of customising the backlight of the instrument cluster. A total of five options, the colours include - White, Orange, Yellow, Blue and Red. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9091[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The ZDI and ZDI+ trim comes with a reverse camera as well. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9092[/ATTACH][/B][/U] Sensors on the windshield for the auto headlamps and wiper function. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9106[/ATTACH][/B][/U] From the inside, the IRVM looks like it's been attached offset. But the black band you see is actually the sensors for the auto headlamp and wipers. Do note that the Vitara Brezza even on the top-end trim doesn't come with auto-dimming IRVMs. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9107[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The stalks for the auto headlamp function. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9093[/ATTACH][/B][/U] A closer look at the stalks for the auto wipers. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9094[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The Aux-in and USB port and 220V charger sits under the HVAC system. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9095[/ATTACH][/B][/U] A 220V charger can even be found in the boot. The lamp on the boot can be turned off as well. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9096[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The Brezza's door pockets are usable. The bottle holder can hold a one-litre bottle easily... [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9097[/ATTACH][/B][/U] ...so can the ones at the rear door. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9098[/ATTACH][/B][/U] There's a hook attached to the parcel tray where you can strap the boot floor on to it to access the spare tyre. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9099[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The spare tyre is shod on steel wheels instead of alloys. The tool kit is placed right above the spare wheel. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9100[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The sunglass holder and cabin light assembly is the same as the ones on the Ciaz and the S-Cross. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9101[/ATTACH][/B][/U] The front passenger's sun visor gets a vanity mirror with a lamp as well. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9102[/ATTACH][/B][/U] A neat coat hanger can be found next to the handle. [U][B][ATTACH=CONFIG]n9103[/ATTACH] The Vitara Brezza has 328 litres of boot space. It is lesser than the Ford EcoSport. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9104[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9105[/ATTACH][/B][/U][/SIZE]

[B]Ford Ecosport: Safety and Features[/B] Ford has really thought this car out, and that is evident in the whole layout. Let's start with the safety features then, shall we? Ford has always emphasized on safety in its cars. Ecosport gets segment first 6 airbags on offer in the Titanium+ variant. Front driver and passenger airbags as seen in the picture below. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9026[/ATTACH] Side and curtain airbags make sure the occupants are adequately protected in the event of a crash. Notice the absence of grab handles. This is because in the Ecosport the curtain airbags mounted to roof line, unlike in the B-pillar in many other cars. Ecosport also gets ABS and cruise control in this top of the line Titanium+ variant. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9027[/ATTACH] Now to the convenience part. Request sensors on both front doors. This means to unlock the car, you just press on these if you have the key in your pocket. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8999[/ATTACH] Rear view mirrors have this partition for the blind spot mirror, where the outside part shows the widest angle. Helpful, but confusing at times. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9000[/ATTACH] Spare tyre with alloys, will make it easier for rotation. Held by two nuts. Apart from visual appeal, will protect you from tailgaters :p [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9001[/ATTACH] Electric release button placed underneath the silver handle opens the tailgate now. Much more easier to operate, but a pain to explain at various security checks(where they try to open the boot). [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9002[/ATTACH] Reverse light on bumper on the left and on the right is the rear fog light. Notice the rear parking sensors and the tow hook. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9003[/ATTACH] The infotainment system incorporates an MID and Ford's My Sync voice recognition system. The dash looks cluttered, thanks to the number of buttons! The central lock/unlock button is placed here. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9004[/ATTACH] The MID is small(difficult to red on the move) and looks outdated in the age of touch interface system, like in the case of Vitara Brezza. And the lack of navigation is a huge let-down. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9005[/ATTACH] Auto climate control. The rotary controls are easy to use on the move. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9017[/ATTACH] Steering mounted audio and telephony controls. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9007[/ATTACH] Auto-headlamps, guide lights(LED park lights), fog lamps and DRLs provides better day and night illumination. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9008[/ATTACH] Ford Ecosport scores high on practicality, plenty of storage spaces. Two cup and one bottle holder, and a place to keep other small knick-knacks in between the front seats. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9006[/ATTACH] Aux/USB connectors and a 12V charging point on lower part of the central console. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9010[/ATTACH] Split glove box of which the lower part is cooled. Notice the rotary knob to control the air-flow. The top part is fit for small items like your wallets or a packet of chips. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9009[/ATTACH] Under seat storage space, only for the co-passenger though! Comes in handy when you want to hide some stuff :p [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9011[/ATTACH] Rear doors gets one liter bottle holders, and padding for your hands. Only problem is the panels are not aligned, so your hands won't be comfortable over long journeys. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9012[/ATTACH] Only the driver gets an armrest, strange, isn't it? Notice the rotary lumbar support adjust, for the driver's seat again! No rear a/c vents, neither does Vitara Brezza :( [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9013[/ATTACH] Sun glass holder and individual lights for front passengers. Notice the mic for Bluetooth telephony. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9014[/ATTACH] Vanity mirror and light with an on/off button.Quality of plastics are good for this segment, trumps Vitara Brezza! [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9015[/ATTACH] Cabin light at the back, good for people who wants to read on the move, without disturbing the driver. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9016[/ATTACH] Rear split folding rear seats have multiple folding options that open up a large load area. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9018[/ATTACH] Wide opening tailgate, but a pain to open in tight spaces. Ecosport gets a rear parcel tray, notice those rubber stoppers to hold the parcel tray from vibrating and the scooped out tailgate to hold more luggage. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9019[/ATTACH] Hazard triangle neatly placed in the boot floor. Spare tyre is mounted to the tailgate. Surprisingly, that has not freed up any extra space under the boot floor. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9020[/ATTACH] Boot light and a few hooks provided to keep your shopping bags in place. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9021[/ATTACH] Overall, the Ecosport comes across as a very practical car in terms of safety equipment and features on offer. Minor niggles like outdated infotainment system, absence of armrests for the co-passenger and rear seat occupants is a let-down. But, not definitely an deal-breaker.

[B]Ford Ecosport: Performance, Ride and Handling[/B] [B][U]Performance:-[/U][/B] We had the updated 1.5 litre TDCi diesel Ecosport with us. It now puts out a strong 98.9bhp of maximum power at 3750rpm. The peak torque output stands at 209Nm@1750-3250rpm. So, is it enough to propel a vehicle that weighs 1290 kilograms? Yes, is the answer. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9028[/ATTACH] The engine update ensures that the Ecosport has a wider power band across the rev-range and power delivery feels more linear than before. This is good news for city driving, one no longer need continuous shifts to stay in the power band. The 5-speed manual gearbox is slick and has this great mechanical feel to it, something that is missing in the Maruti Suzukis. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9029[/ATTACH] But, to the downside, the engine is not quick to rev and even when you push it hard it does not have that surge of power that you get from the Vitara Brezza’s DDiS 200 litre engine. Why? In spite of having nine more horses under the hood, the Ecosport is heavier than the Vitara Brezza by about 95 kilograms. The favourable power-to-weight ratio lets Vitara Brezza race from 0-60 and to 100 kmph faster than the more powerful Ecosport. A shame, isn’t it? But heavier kerb weight makes the Ecosport planted and inspires confidence on the highways, something that the Vitara Brezza lacks. Having said that, the Ecosport no way felt under powered for highway runs either. You just need to shift down a gear to execute those quick overtaking exercises. You can comfortably cruise along at 100kmph with the rpm meter reading 2200. And stretch it to 125kmph, and rpm settles down at 2500-2700. But this doesn’t necessarily mean better fuel efficiency, I was surprised to see the average economy figure of 15.4 km per litre after a 500 kilometre highway run in the night. Ford claims 22.7 kmpl, just for your information. The engine refinement is good, vibrations are well controlled even at idle. The NVH levels inside is impressive, you barely hear the engine inside. Ford has managed to filter out almost all of the wind and tyre noise inside, definitely the benchmark in its segment. There is some body roll, but not the amount that would hamper your driving feel. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9030[/ATTACH] [B][U]Ride and Handling:- [/U][/B] Ride and Handling is always being Ford’s strong point. EcoSport is no different. The suspension setup is tuned well for Indian conditions. When you ride it around for a bit, you instantly figure out that, even with the stiffness in its springs, Ford have achieved a perfect balance between ride and handling. You can cover bad patches of road without getting thrown around, and is not that hard to give you back aches. But it hits you hard when you encounter a large speed-breaker or a pothole at high speeds, a Renault Duster felt more composed in varied conditions. But, the upside to all this, the car handles brilliantly while cornering and during those high speed runs. Ecosport felt planted with those 205 section tyres, providing ample grip. The steering is direct and weighs up nicely once you gather momentum. You get descent feedback from this unit, and you get a feeling of being directly connected to the wheels. Some may find it a bit hard for low speed manoeuvring, or while parking. Yes, definitely it not as light as say a Vitara Brezza or a Hyundai Creta, but you will get used to it in no time. For someone like me, who has a Mahindra Thar at home, I had no issues :) [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9051[/ATTACH] Overall, if you love driving, and ride and handling are your priorities, the car you are looking for is the Ford Ecosport. That sense of being connected to your car is what the Ecosport provides and is what the Vitara Brezza lacks in my opinion.

[SIZE=14px][U][B]Performance and Handling- Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza[/B][/U] [B]Engine & Transmission[/B] The Maruti Brezza is currently offered with only the DDiS 200 motor. This is essentially the same 1.3l Multijet engine by Fiat which is used in most of the cars from the Maruti stable inlcuding the Swift, Ritz, Baleno, S-Cross, Ciaz etc. It is alos used by Tata and Premier in some models. This engine is 1,248 cc, four-cylinder diesel engine that is in the 89 bhp tune available at 4000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at a low 1750 rpm. This diesel is a tried and tested unit and pulls quite linearly. Having said that, the sound insulation inside the car could have been much better, especially at higher speeds.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8994[/ATTACH]Notice the slim NVH cover and different coloring under the bonnet. There is no underbody cover or guard, and the engine is exposed from below. In fact, you can glance through the engine down to the road below, as there's quite a bit of space around the engine bay.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8995[/ATTACH]We had the Brezza in the top-spec ZDI+ trim, with the optional dual tone exteriors. Getting inside the car is a no-brainer - just let the keys be in your pocket, while the sensor on the door detects the key and the car is unlocked.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][B]Driving Dynamic[/B] Once inside the cabin, the seating position is great and you get a commanding view of the road which is quite confident inspiring. The driver seat has enough adjust-ability to accomadate even the shortest of drivers. The engine can be switched on by depressing the clutch and simultaneously pushing the neat 'Start/Stop' button located towards the left of the steering wheel. [IMG]http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/filedata/fetch?id=8945&d=1461822629&type=full[/IMG]As the engine comes to life, the tin-like feel of the Brezza starts to come into play. On a cold start, I could very well hear the clatter and gruff diesel noise through the cabin, which are a direct result of the extremely thin body panels it has. Similar traits were seen on the ultra-lightweight Maruti Baleno when we were driving it earlier last month.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8996[/ATTACH]Okay, the first thing you notice as you start driving this car is the fact that the clutch is extremely light, with just the right amount of weight to give you the feel.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]As you get off the line and start accelerating, the first thing to notice is the lack of punch in the first gear. Although torque is available from 1750 rpm, you don't feel it until it reaches the 3500 rpm mark. It does get better as you go through the gears. As we know, this engine is a very versatile engine, it feels much better in the Brezza as compared to he Ciaz Diesel but not as nippy as the Swift due to added weight. The Brezza's sweet spot is above 2000 rpm where there is a good surge of torque making overtakes not so hard. The electronic power steering is not dull and gives decent feedback of the wheel performance. It is extremely light at slow speeds which makes the Brezza a breeze in city traffic. The steering progressively becomes more weighted as the speeds are increased. Unlike some other compact-SUVs, there is little body roll, this makes highway lane changing easy. The Vitara Brezza gets front discs which have more than enough bite to come to a stop from triple-digit speeds. I experienced this first hand as I was driving on a 2 lane, slightly curvy road near Sohna, Haryana and sudden brakes were applied by a Tata Ace in front of me. As I slammed the brakes, the car came to a stop few meters before the vehicle in front, and to my surprise the ABS wasn't triggered also. This, to me, worked as yard-scale and I can now say for sure that it can safely take more without compromising on passenger safety [B]Ride Quality[/B] The Vitara Brezza comes with the standard suspension setup found on most 2WD cars - McPherson struts in the front and torsion beam in the rear. However, the struts do not interfere with the space in the boot at all. Ride quality is comfortable, with a dash of stiffness. The main reason for that slight stiffness is to reduce body roll. It does not do a great job of absorbing sudden bumps, but compensates with a great planted feel at higher speeds. If you try and throw this car around a corner, you will be pleasantly suprised by the level of grip the tires have to offer. Our test vehicle was a ZDI+ and hence came with 215-section tires which offered tremendous grip. Also, there is minimal body roll which makes for a pleasant drive. The rear seat is not a happy place to be though. We had [USER="20"]NikilSJ[/USER] constantly whining about how his back hurts while he was sitting there. As this "Compact" SUV is less than 4m, the rear comfort is compromised greatly. The seats are flat and under thigh support is completely absent. Over a long journey at high speeds, the ride becomes choppy as well. [IMG]http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/filedata/fetch?id=8858&d=1461665968&type=full[/IMG] [B]Fuel efficiency[/B] At 1170 kgs, it is one of the lightest sub-4m SUVs out there. This translates into a great power to weight ratio, along with class leading economy figures. Maruti does knows their target customers well, efficiency is one of the top priorities of any buyer in this segment. Of the 70 km that I drove the car, 40-odd kms were what we call 'enthusiastic driving'.The Brezza managed to return a handsome [B]14.6 kmpl[/B] during this run. The last 30 kms I did a short fuel-efficiency run and was more than surprised when the display read [B]'20.2 kmpl'[/B]. So overall, I managed an average of about [B]16-17 kmpl[/B] in this melting heat, with light traffic and 3 adults in the car. Quite splendid.[/SIZE]

While the EcoSport's interior looks better than the Vitara Brezza's on many levels, there are some issues that may steal buyers away from it. Some of those issues include the lack of a touchscreen, cramped rear seats and small glasshouse area which makes you feel claustrophobic while sitting at the rear. Here's a couple of pictures of the EcoSport's interiors showing the good bits and the bad. The quality of plastics and fit and finish of the EcoSport's dashboard is way better than the Vitara Brezza's. However, the busy centre console can be a source of distraction and the lack of a touchscreen could be a deal-breaker for some. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9189[/ATTACH] The steering wheels looks good and feels chunky to hold. The shorter diameter gives it a very sporty feel as well. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9190[/ATTACH] Just one set of buttons to control Sync and volume functions and to skip tracks. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9191[/ATTACH] The instrument cluster with the hooded bins look good. The speedo and the tacho are clear and legible. The blue backlit needles look great in the night too... [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9192[/ATTACH] ...but the MID screen is too small and the dot matrix like display looks like it's been lifted off a car from the 90s. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9193[/ATTACH] The infotainment screen for the 'Sync from Microsoft' too small and looks like its from a car from a decade ago. However, the addition of Emergency Assist feature is a boon especially in our conditions where more people die in road-related accidents than anything else. If the Sync system detects you've crashed your vehicle, it immediately dials 108 for assistance. However, this function works only if you have paired your phone with the car. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9194[/ATTACH] A closer look at the centre console. The dial pad on the right gives it a very cluttered look. It almost feels like Ford has lifted these buttons off an old Nokia phone :p. Howver, the silver surround for the centre console looks classy and I prefer this to the Piano Black effect used on most cars these days. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9195[/ATTACH] The HVAC controls feel good to use with a nice reassuring click every time you turn the knobs. The top-end EcoSport gets automatic climate control, a boon in our conditions. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9196[/ATTACH] This bit of plastic just ahead of the gear lever looks low rent. Ford could have used this space better by providing a small cubbyhole for coins and keys. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9197[/ATTACH] The short and stubby gearlever is a joy to use. It slots in perfectly and the throws are short too. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9198[/ATTACH] No auto-fold function for the ORVMs but they are adjustable electrically. Also note the tweeter just behind the door handles. The Ford EcoSport in this trim comes with a six-speaker system that includes two tweeters. [B]This is one of the best music systems I've experienced in a car under Rs 15 lakh. Period.[/B] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9199[/ATTACH] The rotary knob for the headlights and park lamps. The Titanium-spec EcoSport comes with auto headlamps. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9200[/ATTACH] Keyless entry and go on Titanium+ spec. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9201[/ATTACH] The EcoSport also gets auto-dimming IRVMs which the Brezza does not get even in the ZDI+ trim. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9202[/ATTACH] The sunglass holder on the EcoSport is much better built than on the Brezza... [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9203[/ATTACH] ...but it is shallower. It'll easily take in an Aviator but you will struggle to fit in a Wayfarer :p [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9204[/ATTACH] The front co-passenger gets a sun-visor mounted vanity mirror with a lamp as well. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9205[/ATTACH] The glovebox is split into two and is cooled as well. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9214[/ATTACH] A 12V charging point, Aux-in and USB port can be found just behind the gearlever and before the handbrake. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9206[/ATTACH] A closer look at the side AC vents. The shape of the air con vents make it hard to direct airflow where you want to. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9207[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9208[/ATTACH] The power window controls on the EcoSport are quite tough and durable. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9209[/ATTACH] The Titanium+ spec comes with curtain airbags as well. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9210[/ATTACH] The side airbags are built into the front seats. This means you can't put aftermarket seat covers. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9211[/ATTACH] The facelifted EcoSport comes with scuff plates for the two front doors. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9212[/ATTACH] This cubbyhole on the right side of the steering wheel... [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9215[/ATTACH] ...also houses the OBD port. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9216[/ATTACH] Two cupholders for the driver and the front passenger and a large bottle holder for passengers sitting at the rear. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9217[/ATTACH] Armrest attached to the driver's seat. Front co-passenger does not get an armrest. The rotary knob on the seat is to adjust lumbar support. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9218[/ATTACH] Manual controls for seat adjustment. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9219[/ATTACH] The view out of the driver's seat. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9221[/ATTACH] The view out the back is restricted thanks to those thick C-Pillars and small window. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9222[/ATTACH] Rear seatback can be adjusted in five different ways. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9223[/ATTACH] [USER="42"]CorsaVeloce[/USER]'s driving position - Seats all the way back and set to its lowest point. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9224[/ATTACH] [USER="42"]CorsaVeloce[/USER] sitting in my driving position. Seat set in the middle and seat height all the way up. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9225[/ATTACH] [USER="42"]CorsaVeloce[/USER] shows how much legroom is available at the rear when the seats are set to my position... [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9226[/ATTACH] ...and how much it reduces when it is set to his position. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9227[/ATTACH] The second 12V charger is placed on the right side of the rear seat. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9228[/ATTACH]

[U][B][SIZE=14px]Design: Ford EcoSport[/SIZE][/B][/U] [SIZE=14px]The Ford EcoSport has been around for sometime now but the overall design of the car is still quite appealing even though it has the tendency to split opinions everywhere it goes. The facelifted version of the EcoSport now comes with all new LED DRLs housed within the fog lamp enclosure along with LED guide lights. At the rear, the exposed spare wheel still remains but the keen eyed among you will notice that the request sensor for the tailgate is missing. That’s because Ford has housed it inside the rear handle now. All the other deign elements are the same as before. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9034[/ATTACH] The EcoSport employs Ford's Kinetic Design philosophy. The EcoSport, though on sale for quite some time now, still has the ability to divide opinion. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9035[/ATTACH] The EcoSport measure 3999mm in length although the spare wheel extends the length further. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9040[/ATTACH] Spare wheel mounted on the tailgate gives the EcoSport a very butch look. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9041[/ATTACH] The front headlamps now get a pilot lamp or guide light housed inside the cluster. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9036[/ATTACH] The gaping grille at the front gets chrome surrounds. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9037[/ATTACH] The Ford badge sits proud at the front. It could have been a size bigger I feel. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9038[/ATTACH] Fog lamp housing gets chrome surrounds. The daytime running lights are built into the fog lamps now. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9039[/ATTACH] The ORVMs get integrated turn indicators. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9042[/ATTACH] A closer look at the 16-inch alloy wheels of the EcoSport. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9043[/ATTACH] The EcoSport uses 205/60 16-inch tyres. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9044[/ATTACH] The EcoSport badge at the tailgate. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9045[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9046[/ATTACH] High mounted stop light on the EcoSport [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9047[/ATTACH] A closer look the windshield washers for the rear screen. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9048[/ATTACH] The windshield washers for the front windscreen are mounted on the bonnet and not hidden unlike on the Brezza. If you have face any nuisance from monkeys at your home or workplace, then be assured that these will go missing in a couple of days :p [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9049[/ATTACH] If you are parked on the side of the road, loading luggage into the EcoSport is a risky affair thanks the tailgate mounted on the left. You will also need a lot of space to open the boot completely. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9050[/ATTACH][/SIZE]

The Vitara Brezza gets two cupholders placed next to the handbrake lever. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9067[/ATTACH] The centre armrest is wide enough for both the driver and the front passenger. It has a small storage bin underneath too. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9068[/ATTACH] The centre armrest can be extended for reach as well. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9069[/ATTACH] A tow hook behind the driver's seat can carry weights of up to 3kg. Good for carrying your shopping and stuff. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9070[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9071[/ATTACH] The Vitara Brezza gets height adjustable seatbelts for front passenger. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9072[/ATTACH] The stalks for the trip meter and colour settings for the instrument cluster feels flimsy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9073[/ATTACH] A closer look at the stalks to switch the colour scheme for the instrument cluster. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9074[/ATTACH] The HVAC controls are the same as the ones on the Ciaz and S-Cross [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9075[/ATTACH] The gearknob feels nice to hold and the leather cover feels tough and won't tear off easily. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9076[/ATTACH] The Brezza comes with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters which are placed on the front doors. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9077[/ATTACH] The plastic quality is good and it gets a textured pattern. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9078[/ATTACH] The glovebox on top is cooled. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9079[/ATTACH] A closer look at the knob that controls airflow. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9080[/ATTACH] The glovebox below is large enough to store all essential papers related to the vehicle. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9081[/ATTACH] The driver's front side visor gets a neat strap to hold all your toll tickets and bills. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n9082[/ATTACH] More Brezza Pictures To Come..

[U][SIZE=14px][B]Design[/B][/SIZE][/U] [SIZE=14px]The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is the first ever Maruti product to be developed entirely in India for the world. Maruti’s chief engineer C V Raman headed the project. At the time of launch, he said that the biggest challenge of the project was getting the proportions right, especially for a SUV-crazy market like ours. Like I mentioned before, the Vitara Brezza is based on Suzuki’s C-Platform that also underpins the S-Cross and the larger Vitara SUV that is sold abroad. The challenge for C V Raman and his team was to keep the overall length of the car under 4 metres (to qualify for excise exemptions), a tough task considering the C-Platform’s wheelbase measures in at 2500mm.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Take a quick glance at the Brezza and you realise the engineers have got it spot-on. The Brezza has a nice silhouette and a very SUV-like stance. It has got very short overhangs to keep the overall length below 4 metres. In my opinion, it seems like Maruti played safe with the design of the Brezza. I remember way back in 2012, when Maruti unveiled the XA Alpha concept at the Auto Expo, thinking that if their compact SUV was going to resemble anything close to the concept, then Maruti would have a winner in its hands. While I was disappointed a lot of design elements from the concept are missing on the final production-spec Brezza, it still is not a bad looker. The Brezza’s design won’t split opinion like how the Ford EcoSport managed to do when it launched.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8830[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Vitara Brezza's front fascia is well proportioned without being overtly aggressive.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8831[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Nothing special at the rear expect for the huge chrome bar with 'Vitara Brezza' etched on it. The exhaust could have been hidden better, this just looks plain ugly to me.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8832[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Brezza looks butch in profile. The ZDI+ comes with dual tone roof. The ZDI and ZDI+ variant can be specced with three unique accessories package that gets you different alloy wheel designs as well as stickers across the car.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8833[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Ample body cladding on the side for those rare off-road drives.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8850[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]A closer look at the headlamp on the ZDI+ variant. The ZDI and ZDI+ variant comes with projector headlamps. But they are not bi-xenon units.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8834[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The LED guide lights (not DRLs) are shaped like a bull's horn. The same pattern can be seen on the tail lights as well.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8849[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The indicator looks like it's been borrowed from a car from the 90s. The black fog lamp surrounds blends well with the grille.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8835[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Note vertically mounted intercooler on the Brezza. The faux sump guard is finished in silver.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8836[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]A closer look at the intercooler.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8837[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The ORVMs are painted black in the ZDI and ZDI+ variant. It also houses the turn indicators. These units look like they've been borrowed from the Swift though.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8838[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]DDiS badging on the front fender give away the fact that you are driving a diesel car.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8839[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The ZDI and ZDI+ variant comes equipped with 215/60 profile tyres and 16-inch wheels.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8840[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Our test car came with Apollo Alnac tyres. Not the best in business, but still quite good for a car like the Brezza. Also note front wheel wells have no sound deadening material while...[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8851[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]...the rear wheel well has a carpet like material. Inspite of this, I could feel a lot of road noise while sitting at the back.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8852[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The tail lamp looks quite bland. Note ZDI+ badging on our test car.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8841[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The 'Maruti Suzuki' badge has remained the same for as far as I can remeber.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8842[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Only bit of flash at the rear. The chrome bar has 'Vitara Brezza' etched on to it. Lower variants get a body coloured lip.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8843[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Exhaust pokes out at the rear. Note single tow hook. Upfront, the Brezza has two tow hooks.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8844[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Standard issue wipers here although ZDI and ZDI+ variant gets rain-sensing wipers.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8854[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Two window washers at the front. Both have three nozzles each and well hidden.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8855[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The radio antenna looks too long and old-school. Note roof rails have a very functional latch in them to attach a rack to hold your luggage. [/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8856[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]High mount stoplights on the Brezza. Our test car had a few scratches on the roof spoiler. Haven't got a clue how it got there.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8845[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]A closer look the the window washer outlet.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8846[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Ugly welds holds the exhaust tip in place.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8847[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Both the front doors come with request sensors for central locking.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8848[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Brezza looks like an out-and-out SUV while the Ford EcoSport looks like a hatchback on stilts (which it actually is!). Somehow, to my eyes though, the Brezza lacks the emotion and wow factor which the EcoSport has in spades. Maruti’s designers may have noticed it and this could probably be the reason why they have given us the contrast roof option on the ZDI+ variant to spice things ups bit. Nonetheless, when we took the Brezza out for a short spin, we could see a lot of people stop on their tracks to take a hard look at the Brezza. We were taken aback by the number of people who approached us and enquired about the price and features of the Brezza. Some even asked us if they could take it for a short spin. One person even came up to me and said the Brezza looks like a poor man’s Mini. Such was the appeal of the Brezza. Personally, I like the fact that Maruti decided to hold back on using chrome all over the car (I presume that most of the Brezza customers will take it to a detailing shop and add chrome everywhere! I still can’t understand this obsession for chrome that our car buyers have).[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]On the inside, the Vitara Brezza is like any other Maruti car. Quality of materials used is quite decent. But what irks me is the fact that there are a lot of carry over parts from other Maruti cars like the Ciaz, S-Cross and Swift inside that it does’t feel special enough. The dashboard is set high to go with the SUV stance. The Vitara Brezza is only available with black interiors. It looks sporty in my opinion. However, there is this big chunk of cheap black plastic around the 7-inch touchscreen system. I feel Maruti should have done a better job in covering up that area using some other material or at the least with a carbon-fibre like sticker as seen on the S-Cross special edition.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8853[/ATTACH] [SIZE=14px]Ingress is easy thanks to the raised height. The steering wheel is adjustable for tilt but not reach unlike the Ford EcoSport which offers both tilt and reach. Heavy seat bolstering will hold you in place while wringing the throttle out of the Brezza. Also note that even the top-end ZDI+ trim doesn't come with leather seats.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8857[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Brezza's front seats lack under thigh support...[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8945[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]...so does the rear seats. The EcoSport's seats fare better in terms of comfort even though space is at a premium.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8946[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Sitting three abreast at the rear is not a problem in the Brezza.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8947[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]There is abundant headroom in the Brezza too.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8948[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Space at the back is better than the Ford EcoSport. But I have some issues with it which I will talk about later.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8858[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Brezza comes with a centre armrest, a good addition considering the EcoSport doesn't have them. Also, the rear feels more airier than the EcoSport thanks to considerably larger glass house.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8859[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The AC vents are standard Maruti units, there is no rotary knob for controlling air flow though. 7-inch SmartPlay ICE unit is touch sensitive and can be used for navigation as well.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8860[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]A closer look at the AC vents. The switch quality of the hazard lamp is a bit of a let down.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8861[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The AC vents on the side get a Piano Black surround.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8867[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]However, rear seat passengers don't get any dedicated AC vents. A shame considering our hot and humid conditions and larger greenhouse compared to the EcoSport.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8862[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The steering wheel is the same as other Maruti cars like the S-Cross, Ciaz and Swift. Maruti could have used a newer or better unit on the Brezza considering the amount of cars they are going to sell.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8863[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The right stalk of the steering wheel houses the 'Cruise Control' buttons...[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8864[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]...while the left stalk has controls for the infotainment system. Pull type buttons for bluetooth telephone controls are standard on ZDI and ZDI+ variant.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8865[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The instrument cluster is sqaured off and quite attractive. The needles are finished in white, The colour of the dials can be changed as well. More on that later.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8866[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Engine Start-Stop button is available only on the ZDI and ZDI+ variant. Also note power fold mirror switches and button for Park Assist.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8868[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The power window switches are the same as the first-generation Swift. Why do you do this Maruti, why?[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8869[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The door handles are finsihed in chrome but feel cheap to tug at.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8870[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Too many grey areas on the door pad. Faux aluminium panel doesn't help in lifting cabin ambience.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8871[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]Thin and cheap quality plastics bend if you press too hard.[/SIZE] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8872[/ATTACH]

[SIZE=14px][B]Ford Ecosport: Does it still pack a punch?[/B] Why are “compact SUVs” so popular in India? The Ford EcoSport is the one car which got this segment really going in India since its launch in 2013 and received a mid-life update recently. We, at the Zigwheels forum, got our hands on one and here is what we think of it.[/SIZE] [SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n8801[/ATTACH][/SIZE] [SIZE=14px]The Ecosport diesel gets a 1.5-litre engine, producing 98.9bhp @3750rpm and 205Nm@1750-3250rpm. You get a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.5 litre motor that produces 110.4bhp@6300rpm and 140Nm@4400rpm of peak torque. The other motor is the award winning 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine that puts out 123.24bhp@6000rpm and 170Nm@1400-4500rpm of max torque. Ford has slashed prices of the EcoSport recently and it now retails from Rs 6.7-9.8 lakh rupees in India. [U][B]What you will like:-[/B][/U][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=14px]Compact dimension, apt for city driving conditions[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Ground clearance of an SUV[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Sharp steering, agility and excellent body control.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Punchy engine, power band spread across the rev-range.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Good build quality, fit and finish.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Well balanced suspension setup, a boon for Indian roads[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Received a major price revision after the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza’s launch[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Range of engines - The EcoSport also comes with a 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine and a 1.5-litre petrol engine.[/SIZE] [/LIST] [SIZE=14px][U][B]What you will not like:-[/B][/U][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=14px]Low-end lag, mainly because of the heavier kerb weight[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Cramped rear bench, fit for two only.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Significantly heavier than its rival (Vitara Brezza)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Wide opening boot door, pain to open in tight spaces[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Central display screen is small and looks outdated and no navigation on offer[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Ergonomic issues with placement of switches and cluttered central console[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Thick A and C-Pillar hamper all round visibility[/SIZE] [/LIST] [SIZE=14px][B][U]Standout Features:-[/U][/B][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=14px]Ford’s my sync unit which incorporates voice recognition command system[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Segment first six airbags on offer[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Five alloys wheels[/SIZE] [/LIST] [SIZE=14px][U][B]Who should buy this:-[/B][/U][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=14px]Somebody looking for a premium hatch/sedan.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Families who needs a large boot but not satisfied with a sedan.[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Somebody who needs an compact SUV for city usage[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=14px]Somebody who loves to drive, and for those occasional mild off-road adventure[/SIZE] [/LIST] [SIZE=14px]Ford launched the EcoSport in India in 2013, in to a fairly uncharted segment called the compact SUV. Premier and Mahindra had tried their luck with the Rio and Quanto, but both models met with very limited success. People were still warming up to the idea of a compact SUV. The term SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) till then was associated with gigantic cars like the Mahindra Scorpio or the Ford Endeavour. Many were skeptical with what a compact SUV’s capabilities would be, in traversing the varied Indian terrains, given the fact that these vehicle came without a proper four wheel drive system. But, all it take to change the Indian car buyer's mindset, it turns out, was one good product in that segment. The Ford EcoSport did the same in its time and still continues to sell in good numbers. What followed was an onslaught of compact SUVs in the Indian market by different automakers. The Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra TUV300 and the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has managed to capture a significant market share with this compact SUV segment. So, after the Vitara Brezza onslaught, does Ford Ecosport still retain the segment benchmark status, and most important factor, is it still great value for money? Let's find out in this comparison review.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14px][U][B]Can the Vitara Brezza give the EcoSport a run for its money?[/B][/U][/SIZE] Maruti Suzuki’s latest compact SUV, the Vitara Brezza, was undoubtedly the most awaited car for 2016. The hype created before it’s unveil, the attention it garnered at the 2016 Auto Expo and the record bookings for the compact SUV even before it was available for a test drive at most showrooms across the country is enough proof for the above said statement. But is it worth all the hype and the introductory price starting at [B]Rs 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)[/B] all the way up to [B]Rs 9.68 lakh[/B]? [USER="6"]Roshun[/USER], [USER="42"]CorsaVeloce[/USER], [USER="21"]JijoMalayil[/USER], [USER="18"]MotuSid[/USER] and I recently had the opportunity to put the Brezza through its paces and also pit it against its closest rival and pioneer of sorts - the Ford EcoSport. Here’s what we found. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8794[/ATTACH] The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is powered by the tried and tested [B]DDiS 200 turbo-diesel motor[/B] (sourced from Fiat) that puts out [B]90PS of power and a strong 200Nm of torque[/B]. Launched right after the now very popular [URL="http://www.zigwheels.com/forum/posts/3464-maruti-baleno-road-test-and-review-surprise-package"]Baleno[/URL], you might think the Brezza is based on the same platform. But that’s not the case here as the Brezza is based on Suzuki’s C-Platform that also underpins the larger Vitara SUV and S-Cross crossover. [U][B]What you’ll like about the Vitara Brezza[/B][/U] [LIST] [*]The design - clean and proportionate styling though a bit safe in my opinion, dual-tone paint scheme on ZDI+ variant looks sweet [*]A compact SUV at the right price point - Rs 6.99-9.68 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi) [*]Ground clearance of 198mm [*]1.3-litre DDiS 200 motor is quick with less pronounced turbo lag compared to other cars that uses the same mill [*]Fuel efficient - Maruti claims a class leading figure of 24.3 km/l [*]Safety - Maruti is offering all variants of the Brezza with driver airbag. ABS and EBD is an option even on the lowest trim [*]Features - Cruise Control, SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, Auto headlamps and wipers (ZDI+), projector headlamps and LED guide lights and a reversing camera. [*]Maruti’s excellent after-sales service [/LIST] [U][B]What you won’t like about the Vitara Brezza[/B][/U] [LIST] [*]No petrol engine or automatic gearbox on offer. The 1-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine is still sometime away. [*]Interior quality not good as competition but still good for a Maruti [*]DDiS 200 turbo-diesel motor feels dead below 2000rpm [*]At 328 litres, the boot is quite small compared to its competition but the layout makes it usable [*]Misses out on features that even the cheaper to buy Baleno gets (bi-xenons, telescopic steering, auto-dimming IRVM, leather-wrapped steering wheel, etc;) [*]Waiting period has already risen to 6 months [*]Ldi and Vdi trim a bit basic. Only the ZDi and ZDi+ variant makes any sense buying if you need all the equipment [/LIST] [U][B]Who should buy the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza[/B][/U] [LIST] [*]Someone looking for a crossover/compact SUV [*]An alternative to the Ford EcoSport or Mahindra TUV300 [*]Looking for a very planted car for long highway drives with family [/LIST] Here's a spec comparison of the Vitara Brezza, EcoSport and TUV300 [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8795[/ATTACH]