Entry/Mid size Sedan - Go for Tata Zest

Dear Buyer, I change my car every few years (not high end expensive cars) out of my love for cars and doing this since several years. Driven all sorts of cards from Ambassador, Fiat Premier Padmini in 90's to 800, Omni, Cielo, Maruti 1000, Esteem, Gypsy, Sumo, Santro, Ikon, I20, Verna, Zen, Beat and now a Tata Zest. I wasnt much inclined to own a TATA after once having driven a Sumo. I am generally not impressed with the tatamotors brand when this competes with the Hondas, VWs, Chevys and Toyotas. Not much impressed with Suzuki either notwithstanding its ASS network across India.

But this was a turnaround. I test drove Aspire, Dzire, Amaze, Xcent and Zest. For this price, if they give something extra something else would be taken away. Mileage with underpower, Bootspace with passenger space, features or power and if most of the things are there, it is an apt taxi feeling.

Now straight to the point - Tata Zest gives you most and above all - impresses to be a drivers' car. Its a feeling of a Verna Fluidic inside, better than Sunny on a driving experience. The control and weight is amazing. If height and steering is adjusted to your comfort, you feel the control of a high end car.

Exterior Proof that the TATA impression is eating into your impression over the looks. Cover the logo and its comparable to any european car. The front gives the impression of power. The back is Okay but cant help if the designers are forcing themselves into 4 meters. The car looks good.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Seats are extremely comfortable. I have a lower back issue and the car bucket seats are awesome. There are some limitations - no space for big bottles, wallet, magazines etc. Features are standard as in other cars and Harman Kardon is good.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine is powerful. With turbo in petrol is zooms. This car is real power and compare it with 1.6 litre engines. Economy is not like Suzuki for sure. I got a 14 in eco mode in city, 18 in high way. But the engine is still new and its before its first service. Note, I have a full efficient handling type of driving with least braking, maximum roll before speed breakers and signals, gear change is lowest feasible RPM and very soft touch of accelarator. Gear box is good like the Chevys and the Ford.

Ride Quality & Handling Awesome, no doubt. Go the the ghats and you'll realize the piece Tata motors has made. Go 120 KMPH and there is not a bit of shiver. The car is in control. The steering is silky yet commands. Take sharp bends and the car holds them like butter. This is the best part. Perhaps, it was this than anything else which bowls me over. Its a wow in handling to a driver.

Final Words Go for TATA ZEST. I met the ASS and these guys are really improved. They want to make a point. It seems they have used some experience from their European facilities of Jaguar and Rover.

Areas of improvement Dear Tatamotors - Where is the space for my wallet, bottles etc? I need to make it up with accessories. Why not add a handrest for the back seat if not the driver? Eco mode underpowers the vehicle like anything - do you really need this mode? Once you drive in ECO and then in CITY, the latter gives an impression of low mileage, although its not true. Sport is like a takeoff from the road but the mileage bar goes down. Who is racing? CITY is sufficiently powerful. Please ask your dealership to know clear advantages of Zest in the segment. I knew more than them. Ask them to learn by heart the difference in models. Otherwise they were good with service.

Handling, comfort, ControlPracticality on Bottle, wallet or sundry space