Stunning features at this price

 

Tata Indigo Manza is one stunning car, For this size and features that it provides, I don’t think there is any other car in sub 10 lakh segment – including likes of Verna, SX4. And from size angle, maybe even Honda city, I am surprised to see why Dzire would sell more than this car - the only consistent reply which I have got is after sales service of Tata - which seems to have improved recently. But that doesnt justify why such car should be 2nd ranked behind Dzire! IMO its pure idiotic to buy dzire over manza.

How I wish Tata’s would have dropped “Indigo” from the name tag. That would surely have helped the popularity of the car, plus it would have been right thing to do – the reason being, there is nothing similar between Indigo and Manza!

For starters, the engine and gear box in Manza are not the regular TDI ones which are fitted in Tata indica and indigo. This is the much better engine from Fiat – the same engine that powers Fiat Linea – albeit much better tuned.

When I planned to buy a car, I had planned for a budget of 5.5 to 6.5 L. Also, my driving being limited to weekends, intention was clearly set on Petrol car. Key to decision was budget and space – being a “tall” family, the space – both in front and rear seats was of very high importance.

That started a journey of multiple test drives and evaluation across various parameters. To begin with – in my budget, there was a range of hatchbacks and amoung sedans it was Logan, Swift Dzire, various Indigos and Manza.

Initially, I tried few hatchbacks. Found range of issues in those cars – though these may be good ones for some. Punto has absolutely no space in rear. Ford figo looks beautiful, has excellent boot space but has low ground clearance, which is not ideal for kaccha roads in India. Swift dzire looks big from outside but cramped inside. Polo and i20 are probably best of lot but on expensive side. Anyway – I had narrowed down on Polo and i20 from hatchbacks.

One of my friends indicated that at same budget, I can go for a sedan as well. That is when I started looking for sedan in same price range. The first test drive was swift dzire. It’s a good peppy car, but space is rear is awfully cramped. The test drive was with my full family – 2 kids, wife and mother getting into the rear seat – and they were very very uncomfortable. The AC cooling compounded the misery – though I feel that was one of problem of the test car. The engine was peppy, and drive was good – but the rear seating space was a real issue. Plus, lookwise the boot is not well integrated with the regular swift. Maruti seems to have done quick work of attaching the boot to swift, and there is a bit oddity in shape. I had tried Verna as well – and it has the same issue of rear seating.

Next was Manza. Well, the first drive and it was evident that this was the car for me. Blaunkpunkt music system with 6 speakers, Bluetooth connectivity(tested the same), the tilt steering etc – and all these features in base version. I tested the ABS version(Saffire Auro ABS), and slamming on brakes while speeding at 80km/hr was absolutely no problem. Coming to rear space – you need to sit in to believe it! With front seat in fully back position, I took the rear seat. Being 6 ft tall, my legs touch the front seat in most cars – including Honda City – but here – there was a space of 2 inches! The recline angle of rear seat is just awesome – gives complete comfort. The engine has been tuned for higher power than swift and was quite peppy as well. The AC cooled the entire cabin in under 1 minute – that was in heat of early June.

Overall the experience in Manza was quite stunning. I read most of the reviews on net, and only issue that was listed was the interior quality. Well, I seriously did not find any major issue – maybe that is personal choice.

Got the car from Hem Motors in Satara delivered in 2 weeks from booking. The overall experience with the dealer was quite pleasant. Overall cost of car was 6.2lakhs for ABS version. Did not go for Airbags, as had read reviews that those can seriously damage the people in front seats – and is quite risky for kids. 

Have logged some 500Kms so far – and experience is fantastic. Mileage is around 10, which will go up post 1^st or 2^nd servicing.

 

FE - 15kmph, drive quality, comfortShd have dropped "Indigo" from name - it is way different!