Honda Brio

Features: The new face gave the Brio a more mature look. While it may not have suited everyone’s taste, the Brio did stand out from the crowd. The compact dimensions of the Brio came in handy while driving within city limits. The glass hatch at the rear continued to be a standout feature. The drab-looking dashboard of the older version had been swapped for a much better-looking setup that is in line with the Amaze’s cabin. The quality and fit-finish, however, were a notch below the 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Hyundai Grand i10. The all-black theme with dull silver and carbon-fibre textured accents added a hint of sportiness to the overall package. The ergonomics were spot on and everything from the new digital air-conditioning controls to the knobs and switches for the audio system was well within reach. Other features included a new instrument cluster, power windows all around, seat-height adjust and tilt-steering.

Engine: The Honda Brio was powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine which produces 88PS of power and 109Nm of torque. There were two transmission options to choose from - a 5-speed manual or an old-school 5-speed torque converter. If it’s peppy performance you were after, you'd stick to the manual ‘box. Claimed fuel efficiency stood at 16.5kmpl for the auto and 18.5kmpl for the manual.

Rivals: Hyundai Grand i10: The mid-sized hatchback from Hyundai has been given a refresh to keep up with the Ignis. The Hyundai Grand i10 offers a premium interior feel, efficient but peppy diesel engine, fun to drive characteristics and class-leading interior space without burning a hole in your pocket. Maruti WagonR: Maruti’s tallboy is as practical as little hatches get. While it doesn’t have a diesel engine to offer, the petrol engine is known to be peppy, refined and economical. Like the Tiago, the WagonR offers the convenience of an AMT paired with its petrol engine. Maruti Celerio: The Celerio was the first car to kick off the AMT revolution in India. The recipe is similar to that of the Tiago - compact dimensions, efficient and reliable engines and a whole lot of efficiency. It doesn’t have the zing of the Tiago, but is a no non-sense hatchback. Nissan Micra Active: Among the most successful models globally, the Micra brings a polished recipe to India. Compact proportions, zippy engines and just about enough creature comforts to not let you whine. It is beginning to show its age, though. Maruti Ignis: It may be quirky, but it’s super fun. It’s got space, is comfortable and is the only one in the segment to offer an automatic transmission paired with a petrol and a diesel engine. It’s not the most affordable, but it’s definitely the most unique.Mahindra KUV100: Mahindra’s SUV-like hatchback turns quite a few heads. Its funky design, fuel-efficient diesel engine and high equipment levels make it a compelling buy, while things like higher engine noise and excessive body roll make it less desirable.Ford Figo: Among the most value for money hatchbacks you can buy right now. Figo aces the core essentials of features, space and efficiency. Did we mention the diesel is super fun to drive?