[KPR]

I think you should head to all showrooms TD whichever you like and then at last pick Skoda Rapid .

[NarediAni7518]

Go for the Honda City eyes closed, it’s still one of the best cars I feel you can buy in the sub-15 lakh rupee segment.

[amol4184]

How is our favorite Polo GT not mentioned more? OP's requirements look ripe for Polo 1.0 GT TSI recommendation.
Most user reports clearly put Polo above i20 in driving pleasure. Besides it doesn't look as poser as i20 N-Line.

[amvj]

Originally Posted by NarediAni7518

Go for the Honda City eyes closed, it’s still one of the best cars I feel you can buy in the sub-15 lakh rupee segment.

I don’t think the City is a good handling car. It has puny tyres and it is flighty beyond hundred. It is quite far from enthusiasts car. The only good thing about the city is its smooth rev happy Engine.

Baleno and Baleno RS are not good handlers. The steering would not even self centre on these cars. They also suffer from high speed stability due to very light weight.

I would rather go for Polo or Vento.

[ironager]

Get a VW Polo 1.0 tsi and upgrade the suspension and tyres. All this will cost under 15 lakhs and you will get a really nice handling car in the process.

[car_guy1998]

I would suggest you go for Polo TSI as it is a mod friendly car and get the suspension and tyres replaced. Later, if you want oomph factor, you can get it remapped as well.

My second choice would be i20 N-Line but it will not be close to Polo in terms of performance and build quality.

If sedans, will suggest you the Rapid or Vento if you are keen on it or else, Honda City. If its Honda City, I would suggest you to upgrade the tyres as the stock size is puny.

[fiat_tarun]

The Aspire being a sedan was softened and probably why it could not match the old Figo in the handling department, apart from the awesome hydraulic steering of the OG Figo course.

Of the options listed only the i20 N-Line makes sense but even here you'll have to compromise on the linear power delivery. All reports point to the weak-ish low end before the turbo starts spinning.

Like already suggested above, the Altroz Turbo or diesel sounds like a good fit to your requirements. May not have all the power, but is a great handler and is fun to drive. Do take a test drive.

[sunikkat]

My first suggestion for new cars under 15 lakhs would be a Rapid or Polo. Personally I would go for that eyes closed.
Second would be i20 N Line for the features it offers and better fun to drive among Hyundai’s.

[syednizamudeen]

A Skoda Rapid/ VW Vento TSI MT/AT should fit your bill perfectly. But, your requirements also include NA petrol and fuss free maintenance. The Skoda dealership in my place said 2 months back that they are only selling the Rapids that are in the inventory/demo and the sales person also said they can't also assure the next closest delivery date for a Rapid.

In that case, the Honda City should be the best balance in terms of fuss free maintenance, smooth revving NA motor. Plenty practical with loads of boot space, good in corners and more fuel efficient than the i20 N line too.

City might not be the best in straights above 120 Kmph. I think the Ford and the German siblings does the straight line and corners better.

I20 has practical space inside the cabin and descent boot space thats around 325 litres and a looker car too. The N line should have a stiffer suspension than the standard i20.

We've got an Asta (O) DCT at home and feel it's a good car for the city or short drives. But, I feel a Vento TDI DSG was more comfortable to sit on for 1600 Km in a span of two days than the i20 DCT. The Vento is feels planted than the i20 or the Verna 1.6 crdi thats in our house.

Nothing in this world is prefect. If i20's cabin space is perfect for you and handling is perfect, don't worry about the reliability of Hyundai. i20 N line should be a smart choice for you. If you upgrade the City's tyres and opting V or VX manual. You get more 'car' for the money plus peace of mind.

[buzzy_boy]

Originally Posted by amol4184

How is our favorite Polo GT not mentioned more? OP's requirements look ripe for Polo 1.0 GT TSI recommendation.

The Polo didn't make my shortlist due to two reasons.1) Boot space 2) maintenance costs. While I can sacrifice boot space a little bit, the car should be relatively cheap to run. Here my comparison of Polo to the i20

Polo positives

1. Relatively old/proven mechanicals
2. Following on from #1, spare part prices should benefit from amortization
3. VAG has replaced the troublesome DSG with a reliable AISIN TC

Polo negatives

1. VAG seems to have passed on amortization benefits to spare parts that require regular replacements (filters, oils and other consumables). Out of the ordinary spares still seem expensive
2. Lack of volume and monopoly dealerships would translate to higher labor costs
3. Historically, parts are prone to failures - two of my friends reported steering column problems around 75000 km mark. Not sure how much of it still holds true.

I20 positives

1. More locally sourced parts should translate to better prices overall
2. 2-3 dealerships in my hometown, lower labour costs
3. Sans the DCT, the frequency of serious issues seems relatively lower

I20 negatives

1. Mechanicals are a lot more complicated than the Polo
2. The DCT is a relatively new design. Long term reliability unknown

Eager to hear the Hive minds' views over these points.

[turbowhistle]

From the list, I'd pick i20 N line for the specific purpose. I have owned previous gen i20 and replaced it with Venue 1.0 MT and Venue being a CSUV - isn't as good handler as the i20 ( was running fatter tyres)

Also when you drive the Venue like you stole it, two things will bug you big time - bodyroll and the fuel consumption. There's evident bodyroll and it starts irritating you after a while. Also I never got above 9kmpl even when I was babying the car. It doesn't matter for me as the running will be really less but coming from a Diesel car - it will pinch you.

i20 will give you similar mileage but atleast it will be a better handler and if you don't want to upgrade your suspension/tyres ( like many people do with GT TSI), N line is a perfect factory car for you. That turbo engine is kickass and has a lot of firepower to play around. All the best!

[R_Gowardhan]

Going by your list of requirement and budget, Skoda Rapid fits the bill perfectly:

- Fantastic Handler
- Fun to drive yet efficient 1.0 TSI engine
- Torque Convertor AT option (Reliable & fast)
- Solid build quality inside out
- Big Boot
- Discounts!!

Where the Rapid loses out to the cars on your list:

- No fancy new age gizmos (Wireless Charging, large screen, air purifier, keyless operation, Sunroof etc)
- Stories of notorious Skoda dealers / ASS
- Its a 10+ years old car. If peer pressure bothers you, stay away

The turbo does have a slight lag if you are pottering around in 2nd or 3rd cog but the 6 speed gearbox masks the same pretty well. Do take a test drive for both Manual & Automatic before making a decision. The manual makes more sense if efficiency is on your priority list.

On the service front, I heard from peers that spare prices have been reduced and dispute resolutions are better. Lot of dealer and ASS tie ups have been rejigged as well based on number of complaints for particular dealerships.

[nitkel]

I think you're in a bit of a tight spot if good handling is your primary requirement. I own a Vento 1.2 TSI and have owned the Fiesta petrol before it. Also have an Aspire 1.2 in the family which I have driven extensively. Trust me, after the Aspire even a Vento or Rapid is a step down in terms of handling and a far cry from the old Figo/Fiesta. A polo with it's shorter wheelbase will be a bit better but it still has a dead steering you'll need to be content with. I don't know how good the I20 N-line is so you should check that one out. Still, no current car in it's stock form will give you that old Figo feel of that beautiful hydraulic steering paired with tight handling.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by buzzy_boy

The shortlist

1. Venue 1.0 turbo IMT
2. i20 nline 1.0 turbo IMT
3. Honda City 1.5 Petrol MT
4. Baleno dualjet
5. Verna 1.5 VTVT

Ask

Among those in my shortlist, the i20 nline is the best handler. My question is which one of them is the best among the rest? I have a low bar; I'm satisfied if the vehicle has decent straight line stability, corners reasonably well and doesn't bottom out easily.

Thanks in advance!

I would suggest you add Sonet as well to your shortlist, test drive them all back to back.

One vehicle that is going to surprise you here would be the Verna, provided you get a good stretch of road to drive it. Its short overhangs and stiffer suspension makes it competent on rough roads too, you do give up on space in comparison to City.

[R_Gowardhan]

Originally Posted by nitkel

Still, no current car in it's stock form will give you that old Figo feel of that beautiful hydraulic steering paired with tight handling.

+1 on this

The first Ford I ever drove extensively was a relative's 1997 Ford Escort and I fell in love with the way it's hydraulic steering behaved. That's a feeling no Electronic Power Steering can match howsoever time you spend tuning it.

The Vento & Rapid have very differently tuned suspension and I felt that both the cars handled differently. While Vento felt tuned for comfort, the Rapid is more on the stiffer side. This feeling got confirmed when I read the Team BHP review of the original Skoda Rapid posted in 2011!! Further the 1.2 TSI and the 1.0 TSI are also poles apart.