The big one! With the huge range of cars available on Wednesday, this award salutes the one car that encapsulates all that it takes to be a real player in the Indian market — suitability of purpose, safety, design, fuel efficiency, the fun-to-drive factor and bang for the buyer’s buck.
This year, there were 11 cars in the shortlist. The jury had to decide which one would win between the Ford Fiesta, Honda Brio, Hyundai Eon, Hyundai Verna, Mahindra XUV5oo, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Nissan Sunny, Renault Fluence, Skoda Rapid, Toyota Etios Liva and the Volkswagen Jetta. Not an easy choice, right? But there was one car that ruled them all, and that was the...
MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT
A car which was our COTY in 2006 returned to claim the title again in 2012! That’s a record of sorts. The Swift remains the benchmark in its segment by which all the others are measured. It was the case when there was hardly any competition for it in 2005 and it is the case even now, when there is increased competition in 2011. And for what other reasons did the Swift trounce the rest of the COTY competition? Simply because the new Swift offers virtually everything you can ask for in a car in its segment, be it quality, looks, comfort, space, fuel efficiency and value. But what tilted the scales in its favour was its incredible FTD factor — the fun-to-drive aspect that we are partial to at BSM. Well done, Maruti Suzuki!
| PREVIOUS WINNERS * 2011 Volkswagen Polo * 2010 Maruti Suzuki Ritz * 2009 Honda City * 2008 Hyundai i10 * 2007 Chevrolet Aveo U-VA * 2006 Maruti Suzuki Swift * 2005 Hyundai Getz * 2004 Honda City * 2003 Mahindra Scorpio * 2002 Fiat Palio * 2001 Maruti Suzuki Alto * 2000 Ford Ikon * 1999 Hyundai Santro |