Compact SUVs are the rage nowadays. At the same time, demand for automatics in India is also on the rise. Put two and two together and you’ll understand why automatic compact SUVs hold so much promise. And the good news is that the choice for diesel compact SUV buyers has just widened with the arrival of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza AMT and the Tata Nexon AMT.
The Vitara Brezza AMT is available in three trims, with prices ranging from Rs 8.54-10.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The arrival of the new Nexon diesel-AMT in XMA trim has resulted in lowering the Tata’s starting price to Rs 8.53 lakh, with the fully-loaded XZA+ (dual-tone) topping the range off with a price tag of Rs 10.59 lakh. In effect, the two rival SUVs are very close on price.
Let’s quickly run through what’s good and what’s bad, and find out which is the model to buy.
How do they compare on performance?
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza's 1.5-litre diesel engine makes 90hp and comes mated to a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The gear shifts are light and, at part throttle, the Brezza feels smooth. However, floor the accelerator and the gearbox takes time to downshift – a pause typical of AMTs. The engine has a strong mid-range and pulls nicely past 2,300rpm, but it does get loud when pushed hard.
The Nexon's diesel engine produces 110hp and is mated to a six-speed AMT. With a light foot on the accelerator, the Nexon isn't as smooth while shifting gears as the Brezza. The three drive modes (Eco, City and Sport) give it a slight advantage but, overall, it’s still a bit more jerky than the Brezza. Also, despite the extra power in the Nexon, it is the Brezza that is faster.
How do they compare on ride and handling?
There’s a slight firmness from the Brezza’s suspension at low speeds. Thankfully, the ride gets better as speeds increase and the Maruti SUV feels nice and planted on highways. The steering is light and often feels disconnected. The brakes, however, provide ample stopping power and work well in emergency braking situations. Also, the tyres offer good grip around the corners and body roll is well controlled.
The Nexon has the clear edge when it comes to ride comfort. The Tata’s suspension setup allows it to go over bad roads without much pitching or vertical movement, and bump absorption is better as well. The Tata’s steering is quick to respond and is nicely weighted at the centre. What also helps is that body roll is at a minimum, making the Nexon feel composed around corners. The brake pedal has a progressive feel and is easy to modulate as well.
What are they like on the inside?
With grey and black being the colours used in the Brezza’s cabin, it feels a bit gloomy. The all-round feel of the cabin isn't premium enough and it looks a bit too bland. The overall ergonomics, however, are decent and there are plenty of storage spaces. You get a good view out, thanks to the position of the seats, and the upright A-pillars give you a proper SUV experience.
The Nexon’s interior is littered with many elements that grab your attention as soon as you step into the cabin. Silver accents, chrome bits and piano-black finishes are used generously on the dashboard. Though there are many nicely finished parts, the fit and finish could have been better in places. Having said that, though you are sat at a height, the seating position isn't as SUV-like as the Brezza.
How do they compare on comfort and practicality?
The Brezza’s front seats are wide and supportive, have a soft base and offer decent under-thigh support as well. However, those seated at the back will find the seatback to be slightly upright. On the positive side, there is good amount of legroom and headroom, and you also get a good view out from the windows – all this makes the Brezza’s rear seat experience slightly nicer than the Nexon's. Also, the Brezza’s boot space, at 328 litres, is decent.
The Nexon’s front seats, too, provide good overall support. Lumbar support is decent too. At the back, however, the seats are placed low and the rising window line limits the view outside. Headroom and legroom are also down on the Brezza. The rear passengers do get an AC blower, which isn't part of the Brezza's feature list. The boot, meanwhile, is larger than the Brezza’s, with a capacity of 350 litres.
How do they compare on features?
The top-end variant of the Brezza is well-equipped. It gets 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink connectivity and also navigation. In terms of safety, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child seat anchors, and reverse parking sensors with camera are part of the package.
The Nexon evenly matches the Brezza in this aspect. In the top-end XZA+ variant, it gets a 6.5-inch floating touchscreen infotainment unit. The eight-speaker system gets Android Auto connectivity (no Apple CarPlay). Other features include 16-inch alloy wheels, a 60:40 split rear seat and projector headlamps with daytime running lamps. Speaking of safety, the Nexon gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD and a reverse parking camera with adaptive guidelines.
Which one should you buy?
The top-end Brezza ZDI+ AMT wears a price tag of Rs 10.49 lakh and this is what you pay for its likeable performance, smoother gearshifts and spacious cabin. On the downside, it does feature a rather dull interior and engine refinement levels aren’t quite up to the mark as well. The Nexon has the edge over the Brezza in terms of ride quality, handling and also its snazzy interiors. However, its cabin quality is inconsistent and the engine, despite being more powerful on paper, lacks punch. The Nexon scores well in most areas, although, the Brezza, with its slightly better AMT tipping the balance, emerges as the more sensible choice.
| Technical specifications | ||
| Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza AMT | Tata Nexon AMT | |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 8.54-10.49 lakh | Rs 8.53-10.59 lakh |
| Engine | 1248cc, 4 cyl, diesel | 1497cc, 4 cyl, diesel |
| Power | 90hp at 4000rpm | 110hp at 3750rpm |
| Torque | 200Nm at 1750rpm | 260Nm at 1500-2750rpm |
| Boot space | 328 litres | 350 litres |
| 0-100kph | 14.45sec | 15.89sec |
from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2LoKN87
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment