[S2!!!]

Maruti Alto K10

What you'll like:
• A much improved Alto K10 at the same price point
• The cheapest automatic car available in India. VXI AMT starts at merely Rs. 3.80 lakhs
• Power-to-weight ratio of 91 BHP/ton makes this one peppy li'l hatchback
• More fuel-efficient than before. AMT variant is also an easy sipper @ 24.07 km/l
• Compliant low speed ride quality. Soft suspension is absorbent
• Convenient city car: Light, agile & easy to drive (especially the AMT variant)
• Driver-side airbag & factory fitted CNG kit available
• Maruti's excellent after-sales service & fuss free ownership experience

What you won't:
• Cramped rear bench. Also, the seatback is very short
• Sensitive steering & nervous handling at speed. Best driven <100 kph
• AMT lacks the refinement & shift-speed of conventional ATs
• VXI (O) trim & airbag unavailable with the AMT. No ABS on any variant
• Questionable structural strength. The car which it's based on (Alto 800) fared poorly in crash tests
• Skinny 155 mm tyres beg for an upgrade
• Flimsy build & economy grade quality. Poor NVH levels as well
• More accomplished WagonR & Celerio are priced not too far away

Link to Official Review

Hyundai Eon

What you'll like:
• Great looking, modern design for 3 lakhs. Makes other budget cars look outdated
• Best-in-class interior quality, fit & finish. Excellent air-conditioner too
• Many segment first features (tilt steering, gear indicator etc.)
• Frugal 3 cylinder petrol engines deliver high fuel efficiency
• Big 215 liter boot has a practical layout
• Hyundai's excellent after-sales service

What you won't:
• 0.8L engine's shaky, vibrating gear lever at all speeds. Overall NVH is unimpressive
• Pricing is too close to other 4 cylinder hatchbacks (including the Santro). Top variants overpriced @ 4 lakh
• 0.8L engine doesn't really impress in any particular area
• Steering is too light & sensitive at highway speeds
• Hyundai's service costs are usually higher than that of the competition

Link to Official Review

Datsun Go

What you'll like:
• Clean, inoffensive styling that will please all & offend none
• The Go is a size bigger than its direct competitors. Evident on the inside & outside
• 1.2L engine results in the segment best torque-to-weight ratios
• Urban ride quality is superior to most other entry level hatchbacks
• Light driving controls & small turning radius make it well suited as a city car
• Large 265 liter boot is very accommodating
• Features such as follow me home headlamps, full MID & speed-sensitive wipers

What you won't:
• Cost cutting is obvious, especially with the interiors
• Too noisy. Overall NVH levels are rather poor
• Datsun is an unknown brand & Nissan's after-sales service is substandard
• No ABS or Airbags offered on any variant. Fared poorly in recent crash tests too
• Awful 155 mm Strada brand Tyres
• The Micra Active is close, especially from an EMI perspective
• Missing essentials (glovebox lid, retractable rear seatbelts, ORVM adjustment stalk, day/night IRVM, proper head-unit)

Link to Official Review

Maruti Alto 800

What you'll like:
• A much improved Alto at the same price point
• F8D engine has excellent driveability & fuel economy. Neat gearshift too
• Comfortable ride quality. Soft suspension is absorbent
• Convenient city car: Light, agile & easy to drive
• Effective air-conditioner
• Driver-side airbag & factory fitted CNG kit available
• Maruti's excellent after-sales service & fuss free ownership experience

What you won't:
• Cramped rear bench. Also, the seatback is very short
• Thin, budget seats offer basic levels of support
• CNG kit for base variant costs a hefty Rs. 75,000 (LXi's CNG kit is a realistic Rs. 57,000)
• Poor outright performance. Mediocre expressway handling. Best driven <100 kph
• Puny 145 mm tyres. An upgrade is highly recommended
• Lacks the design appeal of the Hyundai Eon
• Fared poorly in recent crash tests

Link to Official Review

Hyundai Santro

What you'll like:
• An all-rounded urban hatchback
• Torquey and fuel-efficient engine
• Tall-boy benefits such as easy ingress, extra head-room etc
• High quality interiors
• Excellent Hyundai service

What you won't:
• Outdated. Long in the tooth now
• Lackluster highway performance
• Bumpy ride quality
• Hard compound seats

Chevrolet Spark

What you'll like:
• Cheeky and youthful styling
• Good build quality
• Fuel-efficient engine
• Balanced ride and handling package
• Fun to drive nature

What you won't:
• Feels terribly outdated
• Overpriced for what it offers. Fresher competition is cheaper
• Dull interiors
• Lack of rear bench space
• Inconsistent GM service

Tata Nano Twist

What you'll like:
• Uniquely cute & cool styling. A car that will make you smile
• New Electric Power Steering makes driving and parking a breeze
• Innovative packaging results in spacious interiors for 4 adults. Generous legroom & headroom
• Peppy performance at speeds <80 kph. Engine offers good urban driveability too
• Powerful air-conditioner will chill you to the bone
• Small footprint & tiny turning radius make the Nano a great urban runabout

What you won't:
• Struggles on steep inclines and stop-go hilly conditions with passengers onboard
• Features like front disc brakes and openable rear hatch are missing
• Low cost nature & quality are obvious
• Image of the "cheapest car in India / the world"
• Tiny 80-liter boot
• Tata's after sales service isn't at par with other mass market players

Link to Official Review

[vivekz]

Hey any reason why we have not added Nano to the list? It's close to 3 lacs on road for the Twist version.

Santro and Spark are now discontinued (or to be discontinued). So should be have them as options?

Also can we add something on whether the said car will be your first car or second car. I feel some people buy these cars for their better halves, children or generally for themselves as a cheaper, easier city commute option. Just a suggestion.

[jagzrk]

I have the same opinion as of @Vivekz

Now that its established fact that all hatchbacks under 3 lacs are equally safe (unsafe?). The Nano should also have been compared to all of these hatches. I would pick a Nano anytime given these list of options. Very very vfm (Value for Money).

[GTO]

My pick would be the Eon. It's great looking, feels a lot more substantial than the tinny Alto etc., has awesome interiors, the 1.0L engine is better than the 0.8L characterless powerplant and the boot is decently sized too. Importantly, it's a cheap car that doesn't feel cheap at all. Quality at 3 lakhs that isn't even available on the 7 lakh Toyota Etios.

If I wanted an AT for the city, well, there's not really much of a choice, is there? Would choose the Alto AMT (until the others offer an AT).

Originally Posted by vivekz

Hey any reason why we have not added Nano to the list? It's close to 3 lacs on road for the Twist version.

You bet. Added!

Santro and Spark are now discontinued (or to be discontinued). So should be have them as options?

They're on sale at the time of this thread, hence will remain on the list (no official communication from their makers either). The Santro is still one heck of a city car.

NOTE: The Nano was added afterward. The % figures on the poll will be slightly messed up as it came on the poll after the other cars already had some votes. Vote count will be accurate, % won't.

[S2!!!]

Now that the Tata Nano Twist is added, this is the car I'd choose if I was on a budget of Rs. 4 lakhs. It is a super nimble, tiny little car with light controls. While the others are competitive enough, the feature list on the Nano at the price point is simply unmatchable. Think about it, with an ex-showroom cost of merely Rs. 2.34 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi), it offers you as much of interior space as a WagonR, with equipment levels higher than the top end Datsun Go and driveability of the Alto 800. Plus, you are saving a whopping ~Rs. 80 K over the Alto 800 Vxi (non-ABS).

As a secondary car, mainly for city commuting, it is hard to ignore the Nano Twist (brand perception aside).

If I had to go for an all-rounder car for city + highway commuting, I'd buy a safer pre-owned car instead!

[Jaggu]

Though i like Eon, voted for Spark. It is leagues ahead of all the rest wrt drive comfort and durability. Chevy is reliable and cheap to maintain also has some good maintenance packages. Ride is almost as good as low end sedans.

Eon on the other hand is quite underpowered and very tiny shell.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by S2!!!

Now that the Tata Nano Twist is added, this is the car I'd choose if I was on a budget of Rs. 4 lakhs.

The problem with the Nano is that it ages too quickly. On Tuesday night, I'd taken my brother's company maintained one-hand driven yellow Nano for a spin around town.

It's 4 years old but felt terrible. With the use of such cheap components, it feels acceptable when new, but awful once the odometer crosses a certain level. In comparison, my cousin's 50,000 km Santro felt so nice & tight!

Tata's wear & tear rate is much faster than others. Seen it first-hand with my Indigo too. The Tata Indigo remains the only car our family has sold within 4 years of ownership and less than 40,000 kms on the odo.

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by GTO

Tata's wear & tear rate is much faster than others. Seen it first-hand with my Indigo too. The Tata Indigo remains the only car our family has sold within 4 years of ownership and less than 40,000 kms on the odo.

But isn't Tata been improving with every passing year? I guess the newer lot of cars from there stable are a tad better in terms of durability than the older cousins.

[extreme_torque]

Given that none of these cars are safe, I would simply go with the Datsun Go. Roomy, larger fuel efficient engine, mature ride quality and has got the biggest boot rivaling premium hatchbacks.
The Eon looks too cheeky to be taken seriously.

[anand.shankar]

If I am looking for a Secondary Car, then NANO will be my choice.

If its gonna be the Primary Car, then I would pick the Datsun Go, which is the biggest in the list.

[Mr.ASG]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

Given that none of these cars are safe,

I think you should spare Santro from it. Yes all these cars offer below average safety to occupants & when we pick the safest car from it, It will undoubtedly be Hyundai Santro. Little Santro even weights 85 kg more than Datson GO.

[vivekz]

I would look at the options in two ways.

If one of these has to be my only car, I would simply choose the Eon. The interior quality is miles ahead of competition and in general there is a feel good factor with the car. Although I found the looks to be quirky initially, it kind of has grown on me and it does look nice in some shades. I have not driven the 1.0 litre version but it does seem to be adequate for city going by reviews.

The semantics would be different if I was looking at a second car. In that case, I would go for the Nano. Its VFM, nippy and cheap to maintain (compared to most others). I find the car sufficient for most city runs and space is not too bad. Plus it makes up for the lack of feel-good factor by having a "cheerful- quotient".

Originally Posted by GTO

The problem with the Nano is that it ages too quickly.

Tata's wear & tear rate is much faster than others. Seen it first-hand with my Indigo too.

I agree to wear and tear part. In my experience that even Altos don't age well interior wise. Hope the new "Awesome" Nanos age better.

I have a soft corner for Spark. It is a really competent car and for me the best all-rounder. There is only one problem - GM. They have done everything they could to ensure no one desires this car.

[AlphaLamb]

From the comments that have been posted up till now, I feel a lot of it points to members whose perspective was from a secondary car point of view.

As member "vivekz" pointed out, this poll should also probably reflect the nature of use (primary/secondary) or maybe the poll should be restricted to choosing the car from a either a primary or secondary car role selection.

From my perspective as a primary car, the selection would be the Alto K10, better power, better mileage, reliability (fuss free ownership) and a touch of freshness from the design/look perspective.

[.anshuman]

For this budget, i'd pick none. I suggest- stretch the budget and get atleast a Celerio/Wagon R/i10. Alto K10(Scary Handling and Weak Structure) and Datsun(Terrible Build and Awful Safety Rating in NCAP) are sure shot safety compromises, i won't put my money in either of these.

If i have to pick one, My vote goes for Hyundai Eon.

Originally Posted by GTO

The problem with the Nano is that it ages too quickly.

Not only this car ages so fast, it's also a fast depreciating car. A decade old Alto/Santro retains more resale value, cannot expect the same for Nano. My Sister's 4 old Nano sells for as much as a 12 year old Fiat Palio!

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

For this budget, i'd pick none. I suggest- stretch the budget and get atleast a Celerio/Wagon R/i10. Alto K10(Scary Handling and Weak Structure) and Datsun(Terrible Build and Awful Safety Rating in NCAP) are sure shot safety compromises, i won't put my money in either of these.

If i have to pick one, My vote goes for Hyundai Eon.

I agree on both counts. WagonR over any of the above cars is a much better bet.

However, I'll pick the Eon from the list above.