From Tata Harrier to Honda City, more car buyers opting for high-end models

One dealer said that the fact of experiencing the look, feel, and handling of the top model was clearly a factor in the final choice

A month ago, when Mumbai-based Kunal Patil, 39, was looking to upgrade from his five-year-old Wagon R to an SUV (sports utility vehicle), he was very clear that no matter which brand he chose, he wanted to go for the top-end trim in the line-ups he had seen in showrooms. 

A fortnight ago, he took the plunge, booking the XZ variant of Tata Motors’ new Harrier. “I did not want to compromise in any way, be it safety or creature comforts. I was anyways getting it financed so I didn’t mind stretching the budget,” said Patil, a media firm executive.