Comparo of Altis AT and Civic AT based on TD Just like the thread starter here, I too did a back to back TD of both Civic AT and Altis AT models.
I had driven the manual Civic early last year when I was trying to buy a new car. However opted for Verna due to $ reasons. Now I am thinking about the 10-15 lacs segment once again. Not very keen on the current European models (Skoda,Jetta etc) for now. Fiat Linea and AHC, yes I might give a try when they come.
I dont think I need to give much gyan about my Civic AT TD as its already discussed widely here and owned by many members. I will just mention the aspects I noted in comparison between Civic and Altis. Honda Civic 1.8V AT vs Toyota Corolla Altis GLV (AT)- Good quality finish of interiors with dark shades and excellent exterior for HC. Not very impressed with the TCA interior finish and the ligher shades. Wood finish is an eye sore. Exteriors of TCA is much better than the staid old Corolla design. Still I like the overall design and stance of HC better.
- NVH levels of TCA seems better than HC
- Steering of TCA is much lighter than HC
- Seating position and view of TCA is better than HC
- 4 speed AT of TCA may be a drawback. However the overall engine dynamics and car sturdiness has improves over older Corolla model.
- The S mode in TCA provides a sequential shift option similar to HC paddle shift. Also in TCA the S mode is completely manual and doesnt autoshift like that of HC. This may help improve the FE a bit, unlike HC, though not sure.
- Engine roar of HC while revving is missing in TCA. Also speeds above 160 kmph (I tried in Nice road) seems to happen pretty slow in TCA, even though handling seems to be decent.
- HC seems to be more capable of higher speeds than TCA.
- The current mileage and average mileage displays in the MID of TCA looks more like an eye wash. Most of the time showning some ridiculous figures (ranging from 3.5 kmpl to 99 kmpl for current FE and average FE seems to be "fixed" at 9kmpl). Maybe these figures make some sense on longer drives. HC does not have these features, though I would have liked it to have atleast the "distance to empty" feature.
- Back seat of TCA is more comfortable though the ride is a bit stiff. Now TCA also comes with an "almost flat" floor for the back seaters. Quite a lot of cubby holes in TCA compared to HC. Quite a few additional features in TCA, though not sure how many of them are really useful. Sun screen on rear window, auto levelling headlights, headlight washer, hidden windscreen washers, etc. HID is a good feature though.
- Regarding the OEM ICE system, TCA seems to be having a very average quality one. I tried with FM, Audio CD and MP3 CDs. The salesman was not sure of the make of the HU and speakers. However it was clearly lacking in comparison to Alpine system in HC.
I think the following are the takeaways from the TDs I had. - TCA has better FE and HC. (apparently)
- TCA is more passenger oriented than HC.
- Conversely HC is more driver oriented than TCA.
- HC interior is better than TCA.
- Exterior, design-wise I like HC more.
- TCA has more features (HID, cruise control, headlamp washer, rear sunscreen, driver seat power adjustment etc).
- TCA has better seating, comfort and NVH
- TCA has better GC than HC
- TCA is cheaper to HC by about 16k (15.56 vs 15.72 lacs) on road in Bangalore
Salesman of HC was more knowledgeable than TCA. TCA guy had no idea how to operate cruise control, what 99.9 kmpl on MID means etc. He kept telling about the GC, comfort factors and world wide reputation of Toyota.
Overall, TCA seems to be better VFM and practical. My brain goes to TCA and heart goes to HC. Hope Linea and AHC will share other organs.
Last edited by appuchan : 13th September 2008 at 19:25.
|