Small Package- Big Surprise

I had just sold my Maruti Swift as it was approaching 1 Lakh kilmetres within 3.5 years. Having driven my previous beauty all over the country (literally- I have driven it from end to end twice, and on several really long road trips), I have a fair idea about the requirements in a car for city driving and highway driving. The Swift is a driver's car all the way through, but leaves a lot to be desired for other occupants of the car, barring those in the front seats. The Maruti Suzuki service experience, needless to say, is wonderful, and I hope to own another Maruti car in the future, especially, if the XA Alpha Concept that they showcased comes into production in the near term

But enough about that. This review is about my next car- a Tata Nano LX 2012 in Papaya Orange. And it surprises many why I chose this car when there are so many options out there. Everyone was asking me "why not an Alto?", "why not an Eon?" etc etc. Let me explain why the Nano.

It's a unique piece of engineering is why, with performance and interior space that will surprise you, especially when you see how small the exterior is and try to judge it. The Tata Nano represents the world's best piece of low-cost engineering, which any other manufacturer will find hard to beat. It's performance is breath-taking, and something you wouldn't expect when you read the engine specs. And it's AC will keep you cold in the hottest summer. Be warned however that it also means that you have to put up with Tata service stations, which is not the most pleasant experience. But let that not take you away from what this car represents

Exterior It's a really small car from the exterior point of view. The papaya orange color is an eye-catcher and it's a matter of opinion whether you like it or hate it. My wife has not accepted it so far, but I believe she will once it grows on her. I believe it suits the personality of the car, which most people I know have agreed with. The LX variant has fog lamps and really powerful headlamps. I always catch people turning to look at the car, and many quite curious about it.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The first thing that hits you when you have four tall people in the car is that it has loads of leg space. This feature alone is enough to endear this car to me (I'm 6' 3" tall). When I took delivery of the car, one of my tall colleagues accompanied me and marvelled at this. The other aspect you'll be amazed by is the AC, which will chill you to the bone in the first setting. Tata should have given it one lower setting. The beige interiors of the LX are nice and airy, and the build + plastics quality is quite good for a car at this price point. Also, it comes with central locking and a remote locking kit you can procure at a very low price

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The engine is a very good performer. It may not leave other more powerful cars behind, but it will keep pace with them in city traffic. The gearbox feels sure, with tall gearing ratios, that minimize the need for gear shifts. The car touches 80 kmph quite easily. So far (pre first service), the car has returned me 16kmpl by way of fuel economy. 

Ride Quality & Handling Sometimes, one feels the need for Power Steering in this car, especially when parking in tight spots. However, one of the explanations I received from the showroom where I bought this car is that it has been left out to avoid people toppling this car in sharp turns, considering that its build is tall and narrow. I have grown to enjoy driving it without the power steering and have become an expert at parking it in tight crowded areas- but people will complain.

The shockers are a bit hard on really big road humps, but that is par for the course in a car at this price point. you don't expect the suspension of a INR 10 Lakh+ car. However, the car will tide over almost anything, since it has a large ground clearance (same as a Mahindra Scorpio as a matter of fact)

Final Words Amazing surprise in a small package. But what I didn't like was the delivery experience. The Tata logo at the back of the car had rust-like marks. This, the sales person explained, was due to removal of the sticker covering it. He had a guy clean it off before me with petrol, which cleared up the spots. It would have been nice not to have to see something like that. Also, the car was a bit dusty from the inside, which should have been cleaned before it came in for delivery. The remote locking system was not working after it was installed. It worked at the showroom, but not after. I took the car to ABS Motors in Gurgaon. However, they kept me waiting endlessly, saying that the electrical guy is busy. So I drove away. This was the part I did not like. I felt like a headless chicken, running around helter-skelter in the service station, looking for the guy who spoke to me first. I never experienced something like this in Maruti. They take time, but the service staff are always answerable

Areas of improvement Tata Motors- please improve service quality if you want me to buy a bigger car from you. Else, I might close my eyes and buy an Innova or an Ertiga for the bigger car I need.

Performance, AC, Interior Space, Fuel Economy, PriceThe Tata Delivery and Service Station Experience