For those who don?t take too much pride in being with the absolute entry level cars, the mid-level hatchbacks offer a good option. Better looking, more contemporary in terms of gadgets and equipment and generally better made cars, they offer good value for money and definitely are cooler cars to live with. Maruti Suzuki A-Star The A-Star faces some stiff competition from the Hyundai i10, which in fact is selling better numbers than the A-Star right now. The latest-gen Suzuki Alto however had to be our pick for its feisty manners combined with its easy-sipping fuel efficiency. Conceptualised and styled by Maruti's designers in India, the Suzuki A-Star may be the next Alto for the rest of the world, but in India it is the spiritual successor to the Zen - small, light, peppy and extremely good looking! The A-Star was the first model to bear Suzuki's new K series petrol engine - powerful and frugal at the same time. This big-eyed small car has found lots of admirers already thanks to its cute looks coupled with that Maruti badge. Its lively, fresh and young interiors may lack on the space front with a rather unusable boot that fills up with nothing more than just your grocery bags, but all that gets overlooked once you're strapped in and driving around. The A-Star is by far one of the best handling hatchbacks we've seen and the joy that driving one brings definitely makes this the best mid-level hatch in the country. Test Drive - Maruti Suzuki A-Star >> |