Dream come true for the middle class buyer

Exterior: Cute Egg shaped styling, and a happy face, will make you smile everyday. Kids will look and exclaim 'Nano Caaarrrr!,'. It makes a style statement wherever you take it. Yes! People notice this car and will keep looking, Adults and kids alike. The styling may be a bit too unconventional for some people. Can you live with a fixed Rear hatch, Access dicky by folding rear seats and Open the bonnet to fill petrol? I've got used to it.  Nano has Powerful Head and Fog Lights. Tight turning radius, easy 2 make U-Turns and park. 2012 version has lots of new colours on offer.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort):  Show me any other car, that has Nano's small footprint, with the massive interior space, at this price range. And I will change my name. Six footers can stretch their feet, and sit one behind the other, without knees and heads scraping. Completely beats M800, Alto, Santro, i10 and Eon, in interior space. However, lacks sideways space. But 4 tall/hefty people can sit comfortably. Interiors and seats are better than old Nano. No glove box. Plastic quality is acceptable. Accessing the engine bay and refitting back the spare tyre is a pain.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox: Good acceleration, Even with 4 passengers and A/C on, it doesn't feel laboured, due to light 615 kg weight. Handling is predictable & direct. Done 300 kms and get around 17-18 kmpl in city traffic, with occasional use of A/C. Expected to improve after the first service. Need 2 frequently shift gears in traffic. Clutch is a bit sensitive and needs getting used to. Gearshift quality is about ok, but needs a firm push sometimes. Engine noise on the outside, at idle, may be a turn-off for some.

Ride Quality & Handling: Steering is heavy when still. Feels light and very direct on the move. With Independent suspension, ride quality has improved. On very bad roads, it tends to bounce around. Need to drive slowly here.

Final Words: If you spend most of your driving life in the city and rarely on highways. If the EMI/Down-payment of larger cars, gives you shivers. Nano can make your life much easier. Forget the Image factor. End of the day, YOU will Drive/Maintain/Pay the EMI/Fuel bills. Buy what suits your needs, not what other's will think or comment.

Areas of improvement: 1) Gearshift quality. 2) Accessing the Engine-bay and spare tyre is a pain. 3) Miss the glove box. 4) A/C knobs and levers could be made of stronger plastic. 5) Need disk brakes on front wheels. 6) Make the rear hatch openable.

Space, Zippy Performance, Ease of driving, Affordable, Economical and CuteAccessing the engine bay and Stepney is a pain, Engine noise at idle