The sporty lines, sleek build and well proportioned body make this car a real on screen scorcher The interiors too were a delight to be in. Well crafted, impressive fit and finish and a plethora of gizmos and gadgets made the Verna stand out from its counterparts. Hyundai obviously did their homework well and realized that by pampering the Indian customer they can surely win hearts and from the numbers that the Verna has clocked, I can safely add that Hyundai hit the jackpot.

While the looks and the package were impressive, I found the automatic Verna lacking in the performance department. As highlighted in my earlier reports, the four speed automatic box was a real let down, especially since the 1.6 litre petrol begs to be driven and the automatic box just doesn't do that engine any justice. The archaic gearbox also resulted in taking away from the mileage factor. While the Verna has witnessed success in its manual trim versions, the automatic isn't as popular just because of the fact that the mileage that it offers, no matter how hard you try to keep the ECO light on, results in uninspiring figures ranging between 8.5-9.8 kilometers to the litre, which is unacceptable for a car in this segment. The Verna is best bought in manual trim and that would be my recommendation to buyers.


As far as ride and handling are concerned, the Verna comes fitted with a rather soft suspension set up. While this offers great in city comfort, it totally takes away from the handling department and the Verna can be rather nervous around corners. The soft suspension also shows its ugly side when you try and drive around with a full load of passengers on board. The added weight of 5 adults on board results in lowering the ride height of the vehicle drastically and speed breakers and undulations in the road all become hazards that result in loud noises from the underbody that make you cringe.


My experience with the Verna ended on a down note as I had to deal with the total failure of the keyless entry system. I finally had to resort to using the key to open and lock the doors, which was a real downer. While I feel that this electronic failure is a one off situation and I most probably had received a 'Monday' car, Hyundai should ensure that the electronics are up to the mark for these gizmos feel great when they work, but are a real pain if they fail.


The Verna is potentially a great package overall, and I do sincerely hope that Hyundai looks at addressing the few elements that take away certain characteristics of the car, for this vehicle could achieve a cult status as being a rather hot, sporty sedan provided these elements are sorted out. Despite some of its shortcomings, the Verna is a car that I will still recommend to those who are looking for a no nonsense stylish sedan that offers reasonable comfort and the ease of driving thanks to the automatic box.

To sum it up in a nutshell, the Fiat Linea is a spacious family car that rewards you with its space and fuel efficiency, while maintaining decent levels of performance as well.

In terms of drivability, Skoda has looked into every matter that would make it all the more easy to drive in the city or on the highway. The cornering capabilities of the car, even at high speeds is exceptionally good.

However, the downside was that the rear was a bit cramped and with the seat belts at the rear digging into the neck, sitting at the back was a little painful. Overall, it is a really good looker and a complete driver's car. If you know that you would be driving for miles, the Laura can get you through with ease. As for the diesel engine, it is responsive, efficient and has a negligible turbo lag with the design bit not being compromised on the inside or outside.

The Ritz was built to be a comfy city slicker and it does the job pretty well. The Ritz is not a lively handler like the Swift but it is more affordable than the Swift which makes it extremely good value for money.

With most positives, the only bit we dint like was the stiff ride quality and its not so pretty looks. Once you get over that, this little Bimmer is nothing but sheer delight.

It's powerful, nippy, quiet and comfortable. There is enough space for people and luggage. It's easy to drive and park in the city. The Jazz can also handle a little bit of enthusiastic driving if you are in the mood, only if Honda would fit bigger rims onto the car. The silky smooth power plant of the Jazz is one of the best around.

The huge glass area is easy to see out of. The cabin is very quiet and NVH levels are very low. All in all it is a quality product. The perception about the Honda Jazz in general is that it is an expensive car. It is only when you experience the Jazz do you understand the justification of its hefty price tag. Quality comes at a price, which is why the price of the Jazz is justified.