[anjan_c2007]

These days apart from the car makes and their respective models, there are variants galore waiting to be selected either at the showroom or through the 360 degrees view and constant surfing for features and specifications at the manufacturer's website. Even glib talking by the marketing and sales personnel at the showroom impress many buyers, some of these personnel posing as expert automobile engineers.

For instance as a case study the variant choices offered by Tata for its Harrier are many from the XE to the XZA and the dark edition and so on.

Autocar India review dated March 16, 2020 currently posted on the Tata Motors website:-

The Harrier 2020 is available in five variants, that start with XE at just 13.69 lakh, ex-showroom. There's no touchscreen on this version, but you do get dual airbags, ESP (now standard) and projector headlamps with dual-function DRLs that work as turn indicators. The most affordable automatic version the XMA starts at 16.25 lakh, which is an attractive price. You get a touchscreen on the XMA, driving modes, as well as electrically adjusted mirrors. The top-of-the-line XZ+ (manual) and XZA+ (automatic) trims cost Rs 18.75 and 19.99 lakh respectively. Kit includes the aforementioned big rain-sensing and anti-pinch panoramic sunroof, six-way adjustable powered seat and diamond-cut wheels. Terrain Response Modes, an excellent JBL sub-woofer-equipped audio system and six airbags are part of the package too, but also come on the XZ and XZA variants. Dual-tone versions of the new Harrier are quite affordable, with only a Rs 10,000-15,000 increase in price – and this is true of the popular Dark Edition as well. Features missing on the Harrier (especially considering other SUVs in this class) are connected tech, cooled seats and wireless charging, among some others. And, given the Harrier's price, it isn't unreasonable to expect an electronic parking brake. The thrust lever-like handbrake has been carried forward and remains fiddly to use.

For instance Hyundai for its range does not make available dual horns for its base variants. These come as OE only in their top variant. Fog lights too play truant and are not available for base variants of many car makers. Mahindra is one car maker that supplies dual horn in the base +1 variant of its personal car range. Fog lights too are standard for the base + 1 Mahindra personal cars.

Safety too comes at a premium. The higher the variant the more the airbags. The six airbag norm is yet to kick-in. ABS and EBD too would be OE only for the top variants.

Many prefer the base variant and go for aftermarket bells and whistles to adorn their car. Though some bells and whistles cannot be fitted aftermarket and are the best only as OE. Many other buyers prefer the mid-level variants, while some more prefer the top variants as their choice. Audio systems offered as OE plays an important role as choice for many audiophiles. The OE audio system offered cannot be replicated as an aftermarket accessory. Though some car makers mess up with the audio devices that buyers also avoid preferring aftermarket ones.

It will be worthwhile to know as to what influences your final choice through your vote. Some bells and whistles offered that some feel essential are not cool as aftermarket fitments. Factory fitted are the best according to many.

[harshbhat]

Yes, these days it's variants galore and the price increases are substantial between variants as if you're buying a entirely different price segment car. However, these add-ons make substantial difference in the experience of the car. My opinion is aftermarket accessories are no match to factory fitted accessories. I recently bought Kia Seltos GTX Plus DCT, which is top variant. Features like ventilated seats, heads up display, Bose sound system, 360 camera with Hawkeye clubbed with 1.4 T-GDI engine with DCT transmission makes the experience truly a segment above than the base variant let's say HTE or HTK. Though the car looks similar from outside, entire experience is different for the owner on a day to day basis.
It also depends on feature spread between variants to chose which one to go for depending on individual preferences. Nowadays, people prefer several luxury features over biggest car that they can afford and hence we see cars like i20 getting turbo engine with DCT transmission and good music system etc.

[V.Narayan]

Better a top variant C than a base line D and so on.

My preference always is to go for the top variant of what I can afford.

Features available today in top variant C & D category cars could not be found in an E class Mercedes of 20 years ago. As customers we are spoilt like never before. :-)

[Turbohead]

Honestly, tinkering after market is a strict no no. The fit and finish that comes with factory installed accessories have spoilt me.

TBH, with safety features becoming more mainstream in all the variants, going for the top variant has become more of a want than a need.However, the feel good factor that comes with a fully loaded car is always welcome and very enticing however unnecessary it might be objectively speaking.

Since most mandatory features are coming in the lower versions(we're paying for it with inflated price tags), I will never push my budget to have the top most variant if it is above my budget.

Case in point- Harrier. It even comes with a panoramic sunroof in the mid variants because the customer demands it thanks to the ambience it brings (however big a liability it may be).

In all probability, I'm the minority, even on T-BHP!- I give huge importance to the drive, feel, build quality, comfort and space over gadgets and feature lists and thus pick up a variant of a car I'm satisfied with having the required features in my budget.

Didn't vote as no relevant option exists for me.

[BlackPearl]

My requirement has been very specific for the last decade or more. I try to go for the variant that has 4WD and the least amount of gizmos. Before that, it was base variant (without compromising on engine specs) with aftermarket improvements.

[sugam]

For me, it was the brand value that helped me decide the variant.

It was 2017 and I was deciding between the Hexa XTA and Innova 2.8 G AT.

My heart said Hexa, while the mind said otherwise - Logic being that it was going to be my very first own car purchase, and I did not want to bet 18 big ones on a Tata.

The Innova, while it made sense to my mind, was too boring and bland for my taste. It didn't even come with an audio system and steering-mounted controls at the time.

Finally went for the Hexa XE that was recently launched in Arizona Blue. Back in 2017, even the base variant was pretty decently equipped with a Harman system and sunshades for rear windows - you get the picture. Got the car for a shade under 13L on road, and I haven't been happier since. Puts a smile on my face each time I climb into it.

P.S. - I was a Safari fan boy and had gone to buy the Storme. The sales person suggested I take a look at the Hexa, which is essentially better equipped compared to the Safari.

[ajayc123]

I spend most of my energy 80-90% in figuring out the brand and model (safety, powertrain, basic ergonomics, reliability, A.S.S aspects), and shortlist a couple of options in the target budget +/- 25%. Would involve a lot of TBHP research, and discussions with extended family and friends.

Once the initial shortlisting is done, I would start involving my immediate family (these guys are too busy and don't have the patience to match my rigour) in finalizing the choice of final brand/model. If all options are rejected, then start over again.

Once model is agreed then the focus shifts to colour and variant. I will let them choose the colour, and only hold veto rights in case of a strong concern on a colour.

During the variant selection, I would avoid the question "Why not?" but rather focus on the question "Why?" and brainstorm with my family members about the value those delta features would offer and the ones that are "faaltu" features. Outcome is a decision of the variant.

In the past, such exercise has yielded mid variants.

[lonetraveller89]

Why isn't one of the most important factors listed as an option? The price differerence between each variant. I believe that at the end of the day, most buyers go for a variant that they feel is VFM to them.

[speedmiester]

Simple rule, opt for the top variant as often they are the ones with most safety features in any lineup. This is good for cars under 40L. The safety point becomes moot once you enter the luxury segment.

[d-g-p]

If you are safety conscious you wouldn't get all safety features except for in the Top model that too mostly in the AT version (Nisaan Kicks 1.3 Turbo is an exception where MT model has significantly more features than AT). It has now become difficult to find a top model variant without sunroof if you hate this feature.
Those who are okay with barebone features and safety, it is easy to make a choice according to budget and segment choice. Trouble is when you are looking at the top half of a model in respective segment.
Give me a non sunroof model with best active and passive safety possible along with essential features by todays standard for a price range.

[sunikkat]

My first preference would be the one with powerful engine option - so if only top end has a more powerful engine, by default I will go for top variant. But if all variants have same engine, I am okay to compromise and go for mid variant based on what it offers.

[RaghuVis]

Slightly off-topic but very much relevant to why variant distribution in India is a mess.

Let me highlight a major goof-up that most OEM's do. which is not using common sense when making variant list. Let me share one example.

Let us Take KIA
Seltos 1.4L DCT is 18.2L ex-showroom
Carnival Prestige 6 STR is 29.9 L ex-showroom.

This means the base variant of carnival is 11.7L more expensive than Seltos top end.
But this version of Seltos has below features that are not present in the Carnival.
1) TPMS
2) Hill Descent Control
3) leather-wrapped steering wheel
4) Ventilated seats
5) Rain-sensing wipers
6) Wireless charger
7) GPS Navigation system

This is the case with many OEM's. They want to keep lots of variants for cars in every segment that they forget to give value to customers who buy bigger and more expensive cars.

Always makes me wonder. what is the thought process of these OEMs.

[locusjag]

For me, it's been about avoiding unnecessary gizmos and Add-ons.

Gizmos I avoid in versions - Mostly it's stuff related to Touch screens and Android/Apple car stuff
Add-ons I avoid - Sun/moon roofs, Heated/Cooled seats, dual-tone black-topped versions (as if India isn't hot enough already!) etc.

Typically, I end up selecting a version that's 1 or 2 levels below the so-called "top-end version".

[libranof1987]

The one with the most safety features, and AT. That's the logic I've followed on all my purchases in the recent past.

What's unfortunate is: most manufacturers trim the top variant in a way you are forced to buy a whole lot of tech you wouldn't choose by choice (sunroof, auto headlamps / wipers, leather seats) just for the full set of airbags and safety features. The incremental cost of ensuring you have all the safety features has sadly been deliberately high, and comes with compulsorily buy many more comfort / convenience features.

[AYP]

For me, the budget plays the most important role. If I have the budget, I'll always go for the highest variant.

I'll settle for a mid variant only if there is either a restriction on budget or if within my budget(or by slightly increasing my budget), I might be able to buy a mid variant of the next segment. But even that depends on a case to case basis. For e.g. if given a choice between the Creta SX(O) diesel and the Hector Smart diesel, I'll take the Hector over the Creta for the powerful 2.0 diesel vs the 1.5 in the Hyundai. However, I'd rather buy a Sonet GTX+ vs the Seltos HTK.

The absolute base variant is something I'd avoid even if it means limiting yourself to a lower segment(higher segments are an exception since the cars in these segments come with a decently specced base variants). But I can imagine going for a base Tiago XE and then adding accessories from the showroom or outside than settling for a Kwid or an S-Presso.

Hence, it is a combination of budget, the specific set of cars in consideration, the segment(s) being considered and the engine specifications.