Starry, starry flight

Introduction Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? Introduction Janis Joplin sang about a Mercedes-Benz two days before she died. It wasn’t her last wish, but she did pass over the Porsches for the Merc. For many in India, the three-pointed star is as alluring as the real...

May 20, 2024

Maruti Suzuki A-star vs Alto vs Swift vs Wagon R

Overview The family line up: The A-star is the newest followed by the Swift, Alto and Wagon R So, you have decided to buy a Maruti Suzuki small car. But, which one is best suited as an everyday runabout in the sea of models available? The car, for starters, has...

May 20, 2024

Fiat Linea vs Skoda Fabia vs Toyota Innova

OverviewThe big and small of Things Rs 10 lakh gives you a lot of choice. Here's an odd selection of vehicles that fit this budget. But, which offers the most bang for the buck? Does an expensive small car really makes sense? Or is buying a behemoth the more sensible...

May 20, 2024

Small Wonder

Page 1 Nano has cute looks and contemporary styling. Good paint quality and exterior finish. With the unveiling of the much awaited small car from Tata earlier this evening, the Nano has had more hype and attention from the world media than any other Indian carmaker in the past. When...

May 20, 2024

Hyundai Sonata Transform vs Skoda Laura vs VW Jetta

Overview Czeching out the Transform. Hyundai has named the latest incarnation of the Sonata, Transform. But it doesn't look like it's transformed much. AUTO BILD INDIA pits it against the competition. The Hyundai Sonata you see on these pages is a refurbished one. And if we hadn’t mentioned it, chances...

May 20, 2024

Gentleman thug

Introduction Buy this car if you've already acquired an oil well and a trailer truck. We're saving up for that oil well. Introduction Have you ever had your beliefs proven wrong? Not petty beliefs like the one that tells you the grass is always greener on the neighbour’s lawn, but...

May 20, 2024

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat

Overview Czech finesse vs German excellence Does the more modern Skoda Superb match up to the technical prowess of its more illustrious German sibling? The Superb has very little competition in its price range which we witnessed with the Superb petrol, as it was easily able to outdo the Honda...

May 20, 2024

Wolf in wolf’s clothing

Introduction If it's attention you want, the A4 it is. The children in my neighborhood didn’t like me until a short while ago. You see, we fight for space, just like any species in an ecosystem. I am the ‘uncle’ who brings a lot of different cars home and needs...

May 20, 2024

Maruti's grown-up hatchback

Maruti's grown-up hatchback The Ritz's design ensures you get more than a glance on the road. Maruti knows how to make and market a small car. They’ve got something for everyone’s tastes. Want the world’s cheapest car, bar the Nano? They’ve got it. Want one of the most fuel-efficient diesels...

May 20, 2024

Dial M for mud-plugging

Introduction The M-Class caters to the customer looking for a SUV with a three-pointed star. “Go to the address mentioned on the slip, we have an account there,” said Mr. Thomas of Mercedes-Benz while handing over the M-Class. “We always fill up our cars and hand them over to the...

May 20, 2024

Super(b)lative

Introduction Superlatives are something we reserve for things that exceed our expectations. Things that pleasantly shock us, and make us go “I want one of those”. We certainly thought that when we saw the first images of the new Superb, and that feeling was reinforced when we stepped inside it....

May 20, 2024

Honda Civic vs Skoda Laura vs Toyota Corolla Altis vs VW Jetta

Overview The fourth front You have bought a house and stacked it with entertainment and comfort gear your wife would allow. It’s now time to take the first step towards automotive luxury. And with the new Skoda Laura in petrol guise, you have four choices. When you were younger, single...

May 20, 2024

Playing a different tune

First impression Honda Siel Cars India has built up a reputation for building cars that people want. They began with the City, and moved on to the Accord and then the Civic. They’ve set their sights on bigger numbers now, which means they’ve got only one way to go: smaller...

May 20, 2024

Our first long-termer has gone back!

Long term test report Volkswagen let us have a Jetta for a fuel-efficiency run, and it ended up spending two months with us. In that time, MH02 BJ 1153 did everything from high-speed runs from Mumbai to the VW factory in Chakan to standing in one place for an entire...

May 20, 2024

Making a Grand(e) entry

First impression Fiat’s been around a while – we know that. They make brilliant cars – we’ve found that out time and again. They still haven’t cracked the code for India yet, but they’re certainly making a big effort now. Fiat India Automobiles Limited has had a new lease of...

May 20, 2024