The Indica has become so familiar that most of us fail to notice it. The Turbo is visually identical to the regular Indica V2 which received a face-lift not too long ago. The only difference now is the turbo badge at the rear. The chrome-ringed grille looks smart but some old gripes, however, remain. The Indica’s wheels never completely filled up the wheel well and the V2 Turbo’s flared fenders accentuate the ‘big body on thin legs’ look. Maybe, it really wouldn’t have hurt to factor in fatter rubber, at least on the higher-spec versions.
Build quality, which has improved over the years, is still no match for the Palio D. The V2 Turbo simply doesn’t feel as well put together as the Fiat. Even after a series of upgrades, the quality or the lack of it peeps out from several areas. The uneven and thick rubber bits, the panel gaps especially where the side skirts meet the fenders have sadly become an Indica trademark.
The design otherwise is so well suited for India. The long wheelbase which results in superb passenger space, the wide-opening doors and the compact proportions make the car extremely practical for the one-car family.
Like the V2 Turbo, the Palio Diesel, too, looks no different from its petrol siblings. The Palio, however, has weathered time better and is still one of the best-looking hatches around. Fiat’s build quality remains exemplary, and you get the feeling that you’ve got far more than what you’ve paid for. The true test really comes after 30,000km of driving on Indian roads. The Palio still remains well screwed together while the Indica feels like it has done twice the mileage.