Drive: High-end hatches reviewed

Barring the boot, a hatchback is a sedan in many aspects. Yet, people obsess with the three-box design, for it spells prestige and luxury (the three boxes refer to the first ‘box’ where the engine is, the second where passengers sit and the third where the boot is).

But increasing congestion in cities has meant more people buying hatchbacks than ever before because of their better manoeuvrability. Rather than go for the three-boxer, they’re going for the B+ stuff - or the so-called premium hatches.

So we decided this week to look at four of the priciest hatchbacks available, review their value propositions and help you to decide:

Design
There isn’t much to be spoken about the designs of these hatchbacks, as each carries its own charm. The Fiat Grande Punto, for instance, looks drop-dead gorgeous. The Swift and Pulse, on the other hand, have a muscular stance, while the Skoda Fabia is all about subtle and elegant, and very European, design.

Interiors
Considering the compulsions of the segment, it will be a surprise if the interiors of all cars in this segment don’t please. Good ergonomic, decent fit and finish and quality plastic have become sine qua non in this segment.

The 90 HP Punto has a soft-touch dash, while the new Swift comes off as refreshing. The Renault Pulse, on the hand, has indelible Micra connect, while the Fabia maintains its sophistication all through.

Since these hatchbacks cost the equivalent of a low-end three-box, they also come embellished with sedan-like features.

The Pulse gets the additional push-start button, electrically folding mirrors and keyless entry, while the Fabia misses out on audio controls on the steering wheel. Blue & Me on the Grande Punto remains the worth-a-mention feature.

As for seating, the front rows are large and supporting, comfortable on long journeys. The second row, however, isn’t as fab, and most don’t offer much thigh support. Boot space is decent on all, with the Swift having the smallest.

Performance
Good performance and lower running costs give oil burners an upper hand over the petrol motors. Diesel engines carry deep reserves of torque, which cannot be matched by petrol variants. Apart from the price differential, this is another reason why diesel is becoming the fuel choice in the B+ segment.

The previous generation Swift had earned notoriety with its diesel engine. Though it was highly refined with low NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels and sufficient torque, there was a noticeable turbo lag - or the time the engine took to shift from cruising to rapid acceleration.

The R&D team of Maruti Suzuki has rectified that in the current-generation Swift. The low-end pull is cleaner, making the engine more driveable than the outgoing version. The NVH levels and refinement is way superior too. Crank the engine and it springs to life without hesitation. Driving in bumper-to-bumper city traffic and overtaking isn’t difficult at all. The gear shifts are also positive and the engagement process is smooth.

On paper, the Grande Punto’s 90HP has the most powerful mill of the quartet. It is the same multijet engine that finds its way under the Swift’s hood, except for the addition of a variable geometry turbo, which bumps up the power by 15 horses. Same engines mean similar refinement and cranking. The turbo in the 90HP whirls at a lower rpm producing more thrust. The low-range kick and the throttle response make driving easier in the crawling city traffic. Different gearing means a difference in acceleration from the Swift. Shifts aren’t very slick due to their rubbery nature. One may not find the extra power in the city, but it is the highway where the Punto is uno.

The K9K is another engine gaining popularity in the Indian car scene. This oil burner also propels Renault’s smallest offering - the Pulse. None of the compared machines in this lot comes anywhere close to the smoothness, refinement and frugalness offered by this mill. Power delivery is linear just like a petrol car with no sign of latency from the turbocharger. Overtaking with the Pulse is just a right-foot tap away. Gearing is spot-on too. However, the rubbery shifts are a let-down in such a well-engineered powertrain.

After the recent facelift, the Skoda Fabia’s engine is downsized to 1.2-litre common rail from their conventional 1.4-litre. The NVH level isn’t the best in the category, as there is a lot of diesel clatter on cold starts. Within the city, the turbo lag is evident on this 1.2-litre mill and one has to downshift to make those quick overtaking manoeuvres.  Once out on the open road, the Fabia shines like a true star and doesn’t run out of steam. The gearbox is beautifully crafted, the cogs easily slot themselves even with the slightest of efforts.

Ride and handling
Despite the better performance of diesel engines, fuel efficiency and composed ride quality remain the primary preference of the customers. The ride suppleness on the four hatchbacks is exceptionally good as the suspension does a terrific job of soaking up road shocks and undulations. These hatchbacks crash into potholes with a muted thud. Ride throughout is mostly smooth and doesn’t feel unsettled or nervous at higher speeds.  

Barring the Pulse, the rest have a suspension tweaked for better handling ability, designed to bear the thrust of bigger and powerful engines than the current ones. Chuck them around a hairpin bend, and you shall be surprised by the balance of the chassis. The handling prowess is such that one can’t easily lose control, unless something stupid is done.

Endnote
This comparo was about how the cars are, considering they are among the costliest hatches there, nosing into the sedan territory. Each one offers a great value proposition. So which one would you want to buy?

Specsheet
Fiat Grande Punto 90HP
Price: Rs7.21 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Kitna deti hai?: 20.5 kmpl Arai test
Fuel tank: 45 Litres
Full tank good for:  Over 600 km
Engine:  1248 cc
Power: 93PS@4000
Torque: 209Nm@2000
Suspension: Good for family of five: Yes
Dimensions in feet: Length/Width/Height: 13.08 x 5.53 x 4.94

Specsheet
Skoda Fabia
Price:Rs7.25 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Kitna deti hai?:
Arai numbers on mileage: 20.86 kmpl
Fuel tank: 45 litres
Full tank good for:  Over 600 km
Engine: 1199cc
Power 75bhp@4200
Torque 180Nm@2000
Suspension: Good
for family of five: Yes
Dimensions in feet: Length/Width/Height:
13.12 x 5.38 x 4.99

Specsheet
Renault Pulse
Price: Rs6.63lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
Kitna deti hai?: 23.08 kmpl Arai test
Fuel tank: 41 litres
Full tank good for: Over 550 km
Engine: 1461cc
Power 64PS@4000
Torque 160Nm@2000
Suspension: Good for
family of five: Yes
Dimensions in feet: Length/Width/Height:
12.4 x 5.46 x 5.00