The best car in <6 lakh segment

I had been going through all user reviews posted in this site about Indigo. I am also a proud owner of Indigo LX TDI (new version) - cosmic blue. Crossed 4000KM mark recently in this car. I should admit that there is no other vehicle available in indian market which could at least be compared to when you look at the offering viz a viz the owning cost. I dont think any other company than TATA Motors can provide you with a Turbo charged engine powered sedan with all these luxuries and space at 5.5 Lakhs. Now let me come into the feature/component wise review.

Engine: The TDi engine inside is a wonder - i should say - with a great WOW factor in it when you corss the 1800-2000 rpm mark. Its just an amazing feeling once you rev past 2000rpm. But the engine sound while first start of the day and igniting after prolonged parking (more than 24 hours) makes the neighbours to jolt for a moment with its grumble. Moreover the Turbo's precondition to idle for 1 min before first move is another nuisance factor to the owner. But anyway to gain something you need to lose something - In this case the gain is owning this piece of marvelous car

Steering: Eventhough the steering is Rack & Pinion with power assistance, the unavailability of auto cut off may be a bit (a very low probability) risky at very high speeds. I had experienced an instance of steering getting locked while trying for a sudden manuvoure at a speed of 110kmph. Eventhough the vehicle recovered quickly and no exigencies occured, i am not sure the consequence if it was an relatively inexperienced driver. So be a bit extra cautious at higher speeds. Also if TATA motors could have made adjustable steering coulumns it would have been a great boon during long drives.

Interiors: The vehicle is fitted with beige interiors which i think gives a luxurious look as well as maintains cabin temperature to an extend. But the quality and finish could have been a bit more better. The legroom and headroom is obviously - as in any other TATA vehicle - is great and rear seat travellers will experience an elegance and comfort of a saloon. Also the ettra features of spot reading lamps for all 4 seats makes you feel as if travelling in a really luxurious saloon. The upholstery quality is OK (fitting for the money you pay for this vehicle). I had bought part leather seat covers which when put on gives a royal & luxurious look and comfort.

Seats: The back support for front seats are good but the underthigh support in rear seats could have been a little more better. Also at least this variant (LX) should be fitted with adjustable head rest for rear seats which would have added to the comfort proposition of the vehicle.

Looks: TATA vehicles were known for not being paid necessary attention to enhancement of looks. But i think the company has started realising the need of thier attention into the look aspects of the vehicles and hence this facelift version of Indigo. The new LX has a great looks also with the whole body coloured with 98% body colour and the touch of black can be seen only on the base of the ORVMs and the area surounding the fog lamps and number plates. The looks has been enhanced by the chrome strips in the ORVMs ahich at first glance gives the look of side indicators. The rubrails in this model is also body coloured with chrome strip running through it which adds to the looks. But keeping the looks factor apart, the company coould have provided with bumper corner rub rails after taking into consideration the poor corner visibility of the vehicle by the driver. The steep descent of the front design makes the job of the first time drivers a bit hard while taking turns and negotiating city traffic thus making this vehicle prone to scratches on its corners. This would have saved the owners' money in terms of replacing/reapiring/repainting bumpers often.

Overall: The vehicle is a fitting reply to all international giants who dare think indian engineers/manufacturers can't deliver quality goods. The vehicle has a great deal of factors which can make any owner of the vehicle be proud about. The engineers of TATA motors have paid enough attention to the overall aspects of the car within the budgets, barring a few minute details such as the bonnet opening lever (which is very soft - mine has broken within 10 pulls), door beadings etc.

Personal experience: My personal experience with the vehicle has been fantastic barring the initial hickups i had. I think i should explain a few of them also, without which i think this review will not be complete. The door alignment was not proper - the left rear door was a bit protruding from the vehicle body level, side rub rails were loose, rear seat lock got damaged within 3 unlocks etc. These i consider as minor as most of them got rectified by the dealer free of cost eventhough some of them was due to improper handling. But i should say that the vehicle in itself is a wonder since the owner needs to pay only 5.5 laks to own it and we cannot expect everything to be perfect when you are paying just this sum to own a >4 meter sedan with all these features like 4 power windows, power steering, dual headlamps, rear defrogger, intermittent wipers with delay control etc etc.

Service: No let me come to the show dampner of TATA motors. All the excellent efforts put in by the engineers of this Co is ruined by the serivice quality of the dealers all around the country. They dont treat you like customers with dignity and most of the parts - if it is for free replacement - is said as unavailable by the dealers for weeks. Eventhough the Co has put in place some excellent efforts to enhance service quality like customer rating of the service executive etc, i strongly feel that the its high time for the company to tighten its grips on the dealers and service stations taking into conideration the repeated complaints by

Interior space, fuel economy, overall value for moneyEngine sound, overall finish