Large
hatches is what would best describe this group of cars.
However, unlike the small cars and mid-sized saloons,
which hardly have a style character that can differentiate
one from the other, these super minis (at least two from
the lot) have a certain appeal to them that distinguishes
one from the other.
The bunch in question offers a good mix of conventional
and contemporary styling, though all of it European in
make-up. While the Fiat Palio and the Opel Corsa Sail
have been here for a considerable amount to time and have
therefore lost sheen of sorts, the Hyundai Getz and Ford
Fusion have recently entered the burgeoning auto market
here, and have a sense of freshness to their designs.
It’s the Ford Fusion though, which sports the most
contemporary and quirky design amongst this lot. The car
has been subjected to severe criticism by the international
press in the past though, questioning the practicality
of the design. The design however commands a second look,
which with all the clutter in the Indian market, would
translate into better recall for the car. And possibly
better sales? Ford sure would be hoping so, as the company
is looking at it as a numbers model.
The car in fact can easily be mistaken for an SUV, thanks
to its tallish blunt front end, a thick A-pillar, muscular
wheel arches, and aggressive bodylines. It’s the
rear three-fourths really where the Fusion’s design
really stands out. Contemporary it might be when seen
in the small car context, but this particular angle reminds
you of the Nissan X-Trail of sorts thanks to the tallish
tail lamps.
Stylish, yes. Fashionable, yes. Oddball? Hmmm… maybe
for some, may not be for others.
Moving over to the more conventional designs, it’s
the Corsa Sail that is certainly the most staid. The design
has been on our roads for years. First it was the Corsa
saloon and then the Swing, which had identical front-end
looks. The Sail too has nothing inspiring about its design
and borrows identical styling at the front. Being a hatchback
however lends it a very compact look, which makes it a
noticeably better looker than the other two body styles
of the Corsa.
Does not compare well with the competition here and is
certainly the most dated of the lot.
Though not equally dated, but dated nevertheless is the
design of the Fiat Palio. The car was given a face-lift
almost three years back, and has now started to look retiring,
especially with the onslaught of the new breed of competition.
There is good news for Palio lovers though, as a revamped
version of Fiat India’s flagship model is expected
to hit our shores soon. Till then the car buyer will have
to live with the current set of design elements, which
we must add are not bad really. The car has a handsome
front which can be attributed to the jewel effect clear
lens headlamps besides the small neat grille, decently
shaped bumpers and two flowing creases on the hood. The
rear too is inline with the overall design of the car
lending the Palio a neat overall look.
Design not completely old yet, but getting there real
quick.
That brings us to the Hyundai Getz. And not only is the
Getz one of the better looking cars in the country, it
holds similar honours in Europe. The design of the car
is characterised by edges rather than rounded contours
starting from the big rectangular headlamps down to the
crease than stems from the top outside corner of the headlamp
and runs across the length of the car. The crease carries
on to the rear as well blending nicely with Matiz styled
tail lamps. The rooflines only amplify the edgy design.
Giving further European character to this Hyundai offering
are the wheel arches. Couple that to 14” alloys available
with the top of the line GLS variant, and the car’s
looks graduate a few notches upwards.
Our winner in the styling segment, thanks to a design
brief that’s edgy yet beautiful.
Interior-wise, it’s the Getz again that does well
to take the top slot, with Fusion coming in a close second.
Where the Getz scores, is the high quality of plastic
parts and the complete fit and finish treatment extended
to the car. In fact the car could pass off as a more expensive
offering on this aspect alone. The edgy design brief continues
on the inside with the car offering good space which the
measurements reveal, could put a few larger mid-sized
sedans to shame.
The Ford Fusion, on the onset offers great space and fabulous
ergonomics. For the latter, the flawless seating-steering
arrangement which can be adjusted in almost every way
the driver may possibly like, coupled to a very thoughtfully
placed gear lever elevates the Fusion to a completely
different sphere. The quality though not as great as the
Getz, is good nevertheless.
The Palio outscores the Corsa Sail here as well thanks
to better quality and build of the interiors. It also
offers better space both for storage and seating. The
Corsa meanwhile has negligible space in the glove box
and drab interiors do not help matters at all.
|
