I’ve just about started driving and I plan on buying a new car. I would like a premium diesel hatchback, for a 35 km daily commute. The car should offer good ride and handling abilities, great features and also driving pleasure. What would you suggest?
Vijay, via email
If you are looking for a car that is great fun to drive, has a good set of features and is pretty adept in the ride and handling department, you will find no better car than the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In the new avatar, it not only does everything you are looking for, but it's even better built and has more space than before. Sure, it does have a rather long waiting period currently, but if you don’t want to make a compromise, the Swift should not leave you disappointed.
Fiesta time
Pankaj, via email
The Ford Fiesta probably has the best driving dynamics of the lot. The 90 bhp diesel engine doesn't make it particularly quick, but it is great fun to push hard, especially around corners, and the grip levels are quite good too. It also has good high-speed stability and the ride quality is particularly impressive. It is a bit pricey, though we think for your kind of use, it may just be what the doctor ordered.
Hatch you
Suresh Kumar, Thiruvananthapuram
If you are looking for a good city car that's great at manoeuvrability, comfort and has minimum running costs, then the Honda Brio is your ideal car. It has decent space, is very easy to drive and the controls are light. The 1.2-litre petrol motor is peppy and efficient too, and generally given Honda’s cost of maintenance, expect it to be inexpensive on that front too. The Brio should serve you well!
Any automotive question?
Ask us at srinivas.krishnan@bsmail.in