Both cars play the style card in gusto but with a difference. The Italian car has the freshened up look thanks to Fiat calling on Giorgetto Giugiaro to spruce up the IDeA Institute-penned original. The Palio comes across as a more masculine car thanks to its finely shaped muscles which exude the aura of a well built athlete. The car further sits low down and has a poise which is far more tenuous and aggressive than the Indica which displays its cute smiley looks whose author once again is the IDeA Institute. There is no doubt that the large wheel wells are better filled in on the Palio while the Indica still seems to have its skirts hitched on a tad too high. Check out the exterior surface treatment as also fit and finish and both cars seem near spot on though closer inspection reveals that the Palio could do better.

While the new Indiaca V2 looks the same as the one which came out three years ago, the only way to make this out as the new one is to drive it in-town, on country roads or on the highway. We were happy with the tremendous handling improvement brought about by the various chassis and suspension mods. Steering is more precise and the fun factor has increased immensely.

The Palio has a great chassis and its ride is exemplary, better than the Indica, there being more pliancy in the suspension to absorb road imperfections. Displaying a fairly neutral handling stance with precise steering (with just the right level of assist) is another of its positive traits and this doesn't come at the expense of feel. If lighter pedal pressures are brought in, the driving experience in the Palio would be a dream.