Which variant should you buy?

As automotive journalists with real-world experience behind the wheels of different vehicles, people often ask us our views on the ‘best car in the market,’ and understandably so, considering there are so many options to choose from now. But before freezing on a single car, most buyers decide on a certain budget. Adding to the confusion is the blurry line that divides each segment and their overlapping pricing. The top-end trim of an entry-level hatch is priced in more or less the same range as the base variant of a mid-level hatchback. For instance the top-of-the-line variant of the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is priced just a little higher than the Celerio. Or, for that matter, the certain models of the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Elite i20 that are priced very closely.

Before you put your finger on which car to buy, it is best to choose the segment. To bring you this story we spent a substantial amount of time studying cars of different manufacturers from varied segments and their prices. Sipping endless cups of coffee, we pored through brochures and dealer manuals, and went into the nitty-gritty of a host of model variants and the features they offer. And our final takeaway is that a top-of-the-line car that comes fully loaded with all the bells and whistles is a better buy as opposed to buying the base variant of a segment higher. If you are wondering why, here are the reasons...

More Features: It’s simple; if you buy the top-end trim of an entry-level hatch as opposed to a mid-level hatch, it is the former that will come better equipped with features. And the case is similar across brands and most segments. Take for instance the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 and the Hyundai Grand i10. The top-of-the-line trims of both these offerings are better equipped than their larger siblings, the Celerio and the Elite i20 respectively. Here’s a table for your reference:

In the case of the Grand i10, yes, you do pay an extra sum of Rs 50,000 but it ends up being more value for money with the kind of features it has on offer.

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2.)    Safer: Features aside, what really works in the favour of buying a higher variant is safety. These trim levels come pretty loaded in terms of safety features as you can get for that price. Further to the example we used above, the Alto K10 VXi comes with a driver airbag while the Celerio LXi gets no airbags. While the Grand i10 Asta (O) and the Elite i20 Era both come with front two airbags, the base variant of the Elite i20 misses out on ABS.

3.)    Almost as much space: Although cars from a segment above may look bigger in terms of proportions, the inside might tell a different story. Keeping in mind that the manufacturer shares the same platform across different models there isn’t much of a difference in their wheelbase, thereby the leg and knee room remain more or less the same.

4.)    Engines and Efficiency: Even though manufacturers give different names to their models, underneath the hood they often share the same engine. The Alto K10 sports the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit that also works force on the Celerio. Similarly, the Grand i10 and the Elite i20 share the same powerplant too. Moreover, keeping in mind that these cars have the same workhorse, there isn’t a massive difference in their efficiency either.

Bearing all of the above points in mind, purchasing a higher variant of a lower model seems like a more practical decision as opposed to a lower variant of a segment above. With the Alto K10 and the Grand i10 as instance, you get a load of additional convenience and safety features for your benefit. And despite that there isn’t quite a substantial difference in price.

Note: For the sake of this study, we have compared cars from the same manufacturer. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.