Why I like my Chevrolet Beat so much even after 13 yrs: 80000 km update

I haven't driven the benchmark VW Polo (I drove its elder brother Vento), but I would say that the best-handling hatchback I've driven till date has to be the Beat.

BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My car crossed 80,000 km today, and I wanted to put up a short appreciation post for it.

The Chevrolet Beat is truly a once-in-a-lifetime vehicle. Nothing like it existed before it came, and nothing as good as it came after it got discontinued. I am not aware of the later versions but at least the initial versions were truly special.

My car was in perfect condition till an accident that happened in November 2022. There were absolutely zero squeaks in the interiors before the accident. Things were a little different post the accident, as a lot of interior bits needed to be removed. The engine of the car was in perfect condition throughout these years. It never gave up on us (until recently which was all because of my or rather my mechanic's fault). The S-tech motor had a decent grunt and dare I say a strong top end. Fuel efficiency was satisfactory, as it still returns 13+kpl in the city with AC on at all times.

All of this aside, what makes me like the Beat so much? The feel of the car. The Beat makes you feel connected to the car. The lovely lovely hydraulic power steering makes you feel every turn that you take, and the brakes have a good feel. I am failing to express further, but this is one car that really communicates with you. It is a tight handler as well, it takes corners really well. I haven't driven the benchmark Polo till date (I drove its elder brother Vento), but I would say the best handling hatchback I've driven till date has to be the Beat.

Engine refinement is unreal, the gearbox, though rubbery, slots into gears perfectly well, and the interior has held up really well even after 13 years. I have so many positives about this car.

I really miss GM. There was nothing wrong with the company. It was just that at one point, their lineup was outdated and this was combined with a clueless bunch of management people. This was what made GM leave the country. Had GM still been in business, we would've happily bought a car from them again. Heck at one point I even contemplated buying a used Cruze but dropped out only because there weren't good cars within my reach.

I really love this car and would like to touch the 1 lac milestone soon. This is one car that I would like to keep for a lifetime.

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