Honda Brio : Competition Check!

Published August 31, 2011
Views : 49462
3 min read

It's finally here and from the looks of it, it was definitely worth the wait. Honda's new small car has us drooling and how. Looking totally rad with its dinky dimensions and the almost all glass tail gate, the Brio looks like nothing else in its segment. Under that perky hood is the same 1.2 litre i-VTEC unit from the Jazz albeit in slightly detuned form which is sure to make this little Honda a fun little car. However, the competition is strongest in this segment and the Brio will have to take on a lot of established players. We take a look at what the Brio is up against

Toyota Etios Liva

User friendly, reliable, with a trusted badge and most importantly, affordable. That’s what the Toyota Etios is all about. If its makers have cut corners while creating the car, it is in places where it doesn’t show, or hinder the car’s daily use capabilities. The Liva also offers everything one could ask for from a small car making it a lot of car for the price it comes at. The Toyota Etios Liva promises to not only live up to its suffix but also to the ‘breaking the mould’ theme in many more aspects. While the Etios Liva may not seem overly revolutionary at first glance, over time it will truly prove to be just so.

Hyundai i10

The little Hyundai has been around since 2008 and has been a top seller for the Korean giant since then and not without a reason. Available in the 1.1 and the brilliant 1.2 litre kappa engine, the recently upgraded i10 makes for an extremely sensible buy. Hyundai quality is right up there with the best and so is the technology which has won rave reviews the world over and this backed by Hyundai’s efficient and reliable service, the i10 really is a no brainer.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz

While most questions will be about the Liva vs the class leading Maruti Suzuki Swift, let us not forget that Suzuki’s exemplary and all-new 1.2-litre K12M petrol engine made its debut with the Ritz. The engine is revvy, responsive, exciting and fuel efficient. The mileage figures are good too. The Ritz is responsive and frugal almost throughout the rev range, and seldom feels out of breath. Interiors are more than decent but could have been better. Then there is the quirky styling which has a total love it or hate it touch to it.

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Ford Figo

The last big success story in the Indian hatch market has been the Ford Figo. At the heart of its success lie a few very smart factors, like very ingenious repackaging of a strong, proven chassis, non-controversial design, phenomenal space, interestingly placed feature-variant combination – and price. The 1.4-litre Duratorq powered diesel variant is definitely the better car of the two, but the petrol is not bad either.

But if you are the kind who kind who likes spirited driving then the Figo leaves a little to be desired. And it’s the same when it comes to the quality of the interiors. However as an overall package the Figo makes for an extremely good buy.

Chevrolet Beat

The Chevrolet Beat (Read : First Drive) came in as a fresh breath of air as far as the design was concerned. But there’s more like the great interior design and exciting engine characteristics. The 1.2 litre engine is an extremely peppy performer and is sure to plaster a smile on ones face when driven enthusiastically. And now there is also the 1.0 litre diesel which not only offers decent go but is also makes it one of the most efficient engine its class. And all this at a price which makes the Beat an absolute steal.