The Indica writes the rules here. The doors open wide and the high seats means you slide into them rather than sink in. With the firm cushion providing adequate under-thigh and lower back support, the car is a much more comfortable place to be in. The Palio, on the other hand, is more cramped and less airy.
The Indica’s rear seats are wider and provide slightly more legroom than the Italian hatch. But negatives on the car include the high steering wheel and the position of the pedals, which tire you out after a long stint at the wheel. The high positioning of the dashboard sill won’t go down well with vertically-challenged drivers.
The Indica’s drab interiors have been livened up with touches of hide — the steering wheel and gear knob are leather-wrapped. But slightly skewed ergonomics, like the power window switch low down on the centre console and the distracting glare of that blue air-con switch light, especially at night, spoil the final tally.
The Palio’s interior, while being a perfectly acceptable arrangement, has begun to look dated. The faux wood finish on the centre console, and around the air-con vents makes the word garish come to mind. The dashboard plastics aren’t too great either and the cubbyhole above the dashboard is surely the consequence of an afterthought.
The good part is the quality switchgear, which has a very positive feel about it. The steering wheel is chunky and feels good to grip and those Veglia dials are lovely to glance at, especially
at night.
The Palio’s front seats adjust for only reach and rake, and a comfortable driving position will elude an average-sized driver. Again, the rear seats are not as comfortable as the Indica’s and there is just about enough room to fit three adults. The huge boot of the Palio, which is considerably more than the Indica’s, fetches it a few brownie points, though.