[07CR]

Of the current cars MGs Astor and even Hector are something which are without any obvious signs of cost cutting. Kudos to them for this.

In past cars, until very recently the Ecosport S variant stood out brilliantly. All illuminated buttons, both front door request sensor, full size spare alloy wheel, map lights along with central light and a rear cabin light, illuminated glove box etc.

Hyundai Kia are next group which pays attention to minute details like

1) Upon using the washer, if your AC is off, it blows cool air for couple of mins. Not sure if this is intentional or the washer valve is placed too close to the blower or something, but I like this.

2) I was driving with my AC off. Temperature had risen a bit, and the climate control was set at 23 and in AUTO mode. This caused the fan to be in full swing (speed 5 or 6) and was making typical high speed fan noise. I received a call, the moment I picked it up, the fan noise and speed dropped a bit until my call duration. The moment I disconnected, the fan speed and noise increased again. Great touch IMO.

However, Hyundai Kia also mess up with cost cutting like request sensor on only driver door and smaller size spare wheel. Good that they atleast started offering illuminated power window buttons with the Verna and Seltos facelift.

[MyLife_MyCar]

I beg to differ with popular opinions about Astor and XUV7OO.

I was drooling at both the cars when they were launched. Hawkeye LED headlamps, Arrow head LED tail lamps, Panoramic sunroof, Sequential turn indicators, rain sensing wipers, Day-Night IRVM etc.

Wait, what? No auto dimming IRVM in cars costing ~20L?

So, I still have to struggle with flipping the IRVM everytime cars blind me with their high beams from behind?

Sorry, I'll put my money elsewhere. I'd even prefer having auto dimming ORVMs for driving on our roads.

[kronos596]

Originally Posted by josetom89

I think Jeep Compass Sport is worth a mention. When I purchased it, ex showroom was 18.69 with On road @ 22.5. There is an obvious lack of features being the base model but whatever available is of good quality. I couldn't observe any cost cutting during my 3 years of ownership. It is still running on it's original wiper blades which is a first for me considering all the vehicles I have owned till date.

I second this. The Sport Petrol MT at 16.99L and Diesel MT at 18.69L were terrific value for money at the time of facelift launch in 2021. I recall when I checked out the Sport variant, it felt way more premium than top models of cars a segment below. My only gripe with Compass is the lack of 6 airbags as standard at current prices, else I would have had a Longitude(O) standing in my garage right now.

[itsashishsharma]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

The Indian market has seen some really well-engineered cars for relatively cheap money. Examples are the Palio, first gen VW/Skoda products, the S-Cross, the Punto, the final gen Fiesta, the Yaris, the Jazz etc.

So what cars on sale today have that polished feel-good factor and depth of engineering while still being relatively affordable (sub 20L)?

I have owned two of the cars mentioned in that list - the Palio and the last gen (mark 6) Fiesta. I have also owned a Baleno (the original Baleno) which I would like to add in the above list. About the Palio - though only the first gen Octavia could match the highway manners the Palio offered back in the day, it wasn't really as well engineered or a quality product. It had its share of niggles and maintaining it was a task especially with Fiat's infamous A.S.S. But man it had rode well. That hydraulic steering, I can still feel the smooth and precise handling.
About the Fiesta - I bought it in 2015, it is a Titanium (top end variant) 1.5 TDCi. It has absolutely no cost cutting. It came with those high end (flat type) wiper blades from factory. It had rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps. ABS, two airbags, height adjustable driver seats, it had everything. There was no sunroof or touchscreen music systems which I liked as I had no use of a sunroof and I hated touchscreen systems (though no complaints with the iDrive system in my 3er, I want physical buttons). All this, in Bangalore (costliest city to buy a car) for just 12.50L INR.
Downside of all this, I see no worthy replacements of it today. For below 20L, I can imagine owning a Skoda Kushaq for that 1.0 TSi + Torque Converter combination but it has a fair share of cost cutting evident. An MG Astor may have no cost cutting but it scores low mechanically plus its not a driver's car (not that it was asked, just sharing my pain).

[SmartCat]

General observation:

If a manufacturer has given high quality interiors, there might be engineering compromises (eg: lower crash safety rating or poor short/long term part reliability or lower car longevity). These engineering compromises are mostly invisible.

If a manufacturer has used below average quality interior bits, the money might have gone into building a solidly engineered car (eg: higher crash safety rating or good short/long term reliability or you get a car that does not feel its age even after 10+ years etc).

But if you want the above positives but none of the negatives, you will be paying a higher price.

Ergo, there are no free lunches.

[rpunwani]

Originally Posted by carsirdar

If I were to invest my money, I would have opted for the Ford EcoSport again, but unfortunately, it has been discontinued now.

Originally Posted by 07CR

In past cars, until very recently the Ecosport S variant stood out brilliantly. All illuminated buttons, both front door request sensor, full size spare alloy wheel, map lights along with central light and a rear cabin light, illuminated glove box etc.

I totally agree. The Ford EcoSport 2018 1.5 Petrol Titanium+ AT came loaded with features that many cars in the next higher segment did not have. In addition, the Dragon 1.5L engine with the TC gearbox is a hoot to drive. The nearly 6 years of ownership has been pure bliss !

[84.monsoon]

I would add the Mahindra Thar. When it was launched the LX top end was 13.75 lakhs ex-showroom (now 16.93 lakhs) for my Diesel AT with Hard top. Sure, there are some cheap bits here and there but overall, the interior is a pleasant place to be in and everything is rugged and hard-wearing. I have not heard a single rattle in all these 2.5 years, the whole car is very solidly put together. Yes some bits are missing compared to mainstream cars like leather wrapped steering or push button start, but in a hard core off-roader which can also be a daily driver, these are not much missed. The seat fabric is good to look at, the plastics are hard but not cheap and scratchy and doors have a solidity that is reassuring. The hardtop is robust and leak proof and the switchgear is tactile and solid. One of the 4 AC vents is the only thing that has broken and I got it replaced with a Benz-style ones aftermarket that also come with ambient lighting.

[karthikg87]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

If you read the reviews for these cars, they always had the longest "small but significant things" section. For instance, this quote is from the Yaris' review.

I almost bought one in 2019 as I liked everything about the car except the engine . Overall quality was top notch. The electric driver's seat was a lift from Fortuner. I felt the quality was closer to Corolla Altis than Honda City.

It will be a while before VFM market like ours matures and us start appreciating these kind of things.

[GeeTee TSI]

I feel the general opinions tilt towards interior quality and materials whereas cost cutting are evident in drivetrain choices, suspensions, NVH etc. Objectively speaking, the whole package must be considered to give a verdict on a model.

However it's quite enlightening to see the models being nominated in conjunction with market acceptance and sales statistics.

[nerdonwheels]

I would definitely go with the Verna.

Recently test drove the Turbo DCT gear box combo and found the interior materials, comfort, space, NVH, suspension and features as a wholesome package for the price tag its being offered.

Owning the last iteration of polo TSI, I find the current 2.0 VW cars to be a level below in terms of the quality of the material used.

[JediKnight]

Mahindra Marazzo: Superb NVH and sound insulation. Full wheel cladding. Double door seals plus more. Great build quality and tight shut lines. Understated yet mature and elegant interior styling. Overall the car has a nice heavy and damped feeling to it.

In contrast my other car the 4th Gen Honda city. Just drive it on a concrete road and you will realize Honda has no sound insulation on the floor or the wheel wells. The way the suspension rebounds when compressed betrays Honda probably uses the cheapest dampers they could find. Not to mention the super thin outer skin which a 5 year kid can dent with a kick.

[revsperminute]

The Astor seems to be a favourite on this thread. My experience was quite different. The car has no telescopic steering adjustment and none of the mirrors are auto dimming. This is the top trim I’m talking about. Glaring omissions; the way I see it.

[punto_]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

The Indian market has seen some really well-engineered cars for relatively cheap money. Examples are the Palio, first gen VW/Skoda products, the S-Cross, the Punto, the final gen Fiesta, the Yaris, the Jazz etc. (sub 20L)?

Having owned Punto D for 10 years and Abarth for little over a year, i can definitely say they were very good. ESP the abarth was amazing machine.

Picked Slavia and it’s a mixed bag. I don’t understand why some of the corners were cut, it’s too silly I feel. If only they had no rattles within 3 months and good AC it would have been perfect.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by SmartCat

But if you want the above positives but none of the negatives, you will be paying a higher price.

Ergo, there are no free lunches.

Spot on.

Originally Posted by SmartCat

If a manufacturer seems to have given high quality interiors, there might be engineering compromises (eg: safety, relatively lower part reliability, average ride, steering & handling). These engineering compromises are mostly invisible.

Best example would be Hyundai. I remember sitting inside the 1st gen i20 and getting that international market car quality feel that one couldn't feel in most Indian market cars unless crossing 15 lakhs (in the early 2010s).

But long term reliability image of Hyundais were never good on the street, with most saying that except for something like Santro, Hyundais were good only till 100k kms. Add to that the old infamous boat like handling reputation. Ofcourse, Hyundai abandoning owners who bought their premium cars (parts availability, service) and their crash test records didn't help the reputation.

Originally Posted by SmartCat

If a manufacturer seems to have offered low quality bits and build, the money might have gone into building a solidly engineered car (eg: safety, high quality parts for long term reliability, excellent ride, steering and handling etc).

I dare say the Etios (shameless owners bias) would come under this. Average interior plastic quality, pathetic sound deadening, bare features, thin body panels, wafer thin useless bumpers and by large Toyota's most extensive cost cutting experiments since the late 90s(IMHO) were all done on the Etios.

But below all that, it is such a fundamentally strong vehicle, that it is hard to find fault with. Well controlled handling at limits, sharp brakes, flat ride on the highway, short travel clutch, easy to work on, average service costs that struggle to cross the Rs.5-6k mark, high quality mechanicals that don't surprise you by wearing out or breaking without warning. Add to that a surprise 4 star GNCAP rating in 2016 was the cherry on top.

[Thilak29]

First gen Brio (with most parts sourced from Japan/Thailand)
Current Jeep Compass

These two cars are good examples from my experience where there were no cost cutting and parts are of top-notch quality.