Q.Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka : Eon vs Kwid vs Alto 800

[FONT=arial][SIZE=12px]It is of my opinion that most of us stand upon the middle class pedestal in the hierarchy system and are out on a constant quest for the perfect car at the best available price to meet our basic and day to day requirements.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1255[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1256[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial]Maruti Alto for years has been ruling this particular segment making it the highest selling car in the country. On the other hand Hyundai Eon has been around from some and has managed to make a space for itself. The car which prompted me to undertake this comparison was the promising new entrant Renault Kwid.[/FONT] [CENTER][FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][IMG]http://images2.cardekho.com/images/roadTestimages/userimages/252/Hyundai.jpg[/IMG].[/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][IMG]http://images.cardekho.com/images/expert-review/Hyundai-Eon/image-10.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=arial]Renault seems to have understood the importance of this segment, by just looking the effort they have put into this little car. Kwid's design is striking, offers some segment-first features, loads of cabin space, class leading fuel economy and a price that undercuts its rivals.[/FONT] [FONT=arial]Comparing the dimensions the Kwid has the longest and widest among the two, and comes with a massive boot of 300 litres. The ground clearance too stands at 180 mm and will be helpful on Indian roads.[/FONT] [TABLE="border: 0, cellpadding: 0, cellspacing: 0"] [TR] [TD="width: 445, bgcolor: #0083cc, colspan: 4"][FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][COLOR=#ffffff][B]Dimensions[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 114, bgcolor: #ffffff"] [/TD] [TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Renault Kwid[/B][/TD] [TD="width: 123, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Maruti Alto 800[/B][/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Hyundai Eon[/B][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 114, bgcolor: #cccccc"]Length[/TD] [TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #cccccc"]3679mm[/TD] [TD="width: 123, bgcolor: #cccccc"]3395mm[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #cccccc"]3495mm[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 114, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]Width[/TD] [TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]1579mm[/TD] [TD="width: 123, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]1490mm[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]1550mm[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 114, bgcolor: #cccccc"]Boot volume[/TD] [TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #cccccc"]300 litres[/TD] [TD="width: 123, bgcolor: #cccccc"]177 litres[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #cccccc"]215 litres[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 114, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]Ground clearance[/TD] [TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]180mm[/TD] [TD="width: 123, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]160mm[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]170mm[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="border: 0, cellpadding: 0, cellspacing: 0"] [TR] [TD="width: 444, bgcolor: #0083cc, colspan: 4"][COLOR=#ffffff][SIZE=12px][B]Engine specifications[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #ffffff"] [/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Renault Kwid[/B][/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Maruti Alto 800[/B][/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #ffffff"][B]Hyundai Eon[/B][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #cccccc"]Displacement[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #cccccc"]799cc[/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #cccccc"]796cc[/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #cccccc"]814cc[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]No. of cylinders[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]3[/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]3[/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #cccccc"]Power[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #cccccc"]53.2bhp[/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #cccccc"]47bhp[/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #cccccc"]54bhp[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]Torque[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]7.3kgm[/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]7.03kgm[/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #aaaaaa"]7.6kgm[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 104, bgcolor: #cccccc"]Gearbox[/TD] [TD="width: 108, bgcolor: #cccccc"]5-speed manual[/TD] [TD="width: 125, bgcolor: #cccccc"]5-speed manual[/TD] [TD="width: 107, bgcolor: #cccccc"]5-speed manual[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Comparing the power plants all of the three gets 800 cc units with roughly the same power and torque outputs, while the Maruti Alto 800's unit puts out the lowest output at 47 bhp. [/FONT][FONT=arial][SIZE=12px]Styling is subjective but, most buyers will instantly identify Kwid's design as more up-market and fresh. Those tall boy design with ample [/SIZE]ground[SIZE=12px] clearance, duster inspired raised front end that is bold and in your face appearance is a new in this segment. Crisp waist line and large windows and a beautifully sculpted boot lid with its nice looking compact tail-lamps complete the package really well. I will go on to say it s the best looking entry level small car around.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER][FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][IMG]http://images2.cardekho.com/images/carNewsimages/userimages/15906/Renault.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [CENTER][FONT=arial][SIZE=12px][IMG]http://images.cardekho.com/images/carNewsimages/carnews/Renault%20KWID/Renault_KWID_04.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Alto 800 looks bland in comparison, it more utilitarian than out there to please anybody. While the Eon looked fresh when it came a few years ago, but have started to feel its age in front of the Kwid. Eon looks really cramped from the outside and the abundance of lines on the design make it a mis-match [/FONT][FONT=arial]for a car of this small dimension.[/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1260[/ATTACH][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=9px]Renault Kwid[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1259[/ATTACH][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=9px][FONT=arial]Hyundai Eon[/FONT][/SIZE] Moving on to the interiors, Alto 800 has the least interesting cabin, said before its utilitarian as in the outside and Maruti Suzuki have started to take their customers for granted, which they might pay a heavy price for. The Eon however has a interesting cabin with some neat design touches and is a nice place to be in. The Kwid really scores well on this front, the neatly designed central console, all- digital instrument cluster, chunky steering unit and the sense of space prevails overall inside the cabin. The Kwid offers the most legroom at the rear and you can immediately spot the difference compared to the other two.[/FONT] [CENTER][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][IMG]http://images.gaadi.com/car_alb/resize_600x400/Maruti_Alto_800_int_6803.jpg[/IMG][/FONT][/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=9px]Maruti Suzuki Alto 800[/SIZE] There are however cost-cutting measures evident in the Kwid like the single wiper, centrally-mounted power window switches and three bolts that hold the wheels together and the non-retractable rear seat belts.[/FONT] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Moving to features the the kwid has a segment-first feature in form of a seven inch touch-screen media interface with four speakers and navigation in its top-end RXZ variant which is a welcome feature. All digital instrument cluster in Kwid is also new to this segment and looks smart. Driver side airbags is optional on the top end variant of the Kwid and ABS is not even offered as a option, that's a sad thing. Key-less entry is also offered in the RXZ variant.[/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1258[/ATTACH][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=9px]Renault Kwid[/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=#212121][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Hyundai Eon comes with Airbags standard in its Sportz variant. Tilt adjustable steering and a basic two-speaker audio system with USB and Aux compatibility is offered too. The Alto 800 offers a driver side airbag as an paid option.[/FONT][/COLOR] Now moving on to the million dollar question we Indians are obsessed about, kitna mileage dethi hai?[COLOR=#212121][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=12px]Among all 800 cc petrol units which is mated to a five speed manual gearbox, the Kwid leads the list with a ARAI claimed mileage figure of 25km/l making it the most fuel efficient car in its segment. Alto follows suit with a claimed figure of 22.7 km/l and Eon at 21.1 km/l. The Kwid manages to [/SIZE][SIZE=12px]achieve[/SIZE] this by this body weight light at just 660 kg compared to 725 kg as in its rivals.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#212121][SIZE=12px]Now the most important part, the price factor and you guessed it right. Given how important a car this is to Renault, at prices starting from 2.56-3.56 lacs Kwid manages to undercut the both its rivals considerably which makes it [/SIZE][/COLOR][COLOR=#212121][SIZE=12px]excellent[/SIZE][/COLOR][COLOR=#212121][SIZE=12px] value-for-money.[/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=#212121][B]Renault Kwid[/B] -2.56 - 3.53 lakhs [B]Maruti Suzuki Alto 800[/B] - 2.92 -3.47 lakhs [B]Hyundai Eon[/B] -3.14 - 4.13 lakhs [/COLOR] [COLOR=#212121][SIZE=12px]The only thing stopping the Kwid from becoming a run-away hit is the relatively limited dealership network of Renault in India, 253 dealers compared to the 1500 that Maruti Suzuki has across the country. With a majority of the buyers in this segment coming from rural India, Renault should [/SIZE]aggressively[SIZE=12px] expand its presence across India.[/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=#212121]But that said, the Kwid is the best package among the three, and the response of 25000 bookings in a month of its launch says just that. Will Kwid just eat away into the sales of its rivals or manage to expand the segment? Let's wait and see.[/COLOR]