1st Ford Fiesta 1.6
Price: Rs 7.48 lakh Power: 100bhp
0-100kph: 12.80secs Kpl: 10.61

Developed by an international team of 150 engineers, the Fiesta is Ford’s most serious attempt to secure a permanent place in the Indian automotive scene. The effort to ‘get it right’ is clearly visible in the Fiesta and it is difficult not to be impressed by its overall performance and packaging. It is the best car here and given its attractive pricing, one has to say “Fiesta ne kiya Fida.”

2nd Honda City ZX
Price: Rs 7.56 lakh Power: 76bhp
0-100kph: 15.05secs Kpl: 9.97

This popular midsizer is back from a visit to the Honda beauty shop, and now sports a more balanced profile and somewhat smarter styling. But it’s yet not the prettiest maiden around and neither is it exciting. It does all it’s asked to and also has bagfuls of equipment set in well finished and spacious interiors. In fact it’s got the best rear seat here, but it’s not quite up to the challenge of the Fiesta.

3rd Hyundai Accent 1.6
Price: Rs 6.56 lakh Power: 100bhp
0-100kph: 12.41secs Kpl: 10.82

This old lady has greyed gracefully and inspite its dated design continues to sell in impressive numbers. It also has a very willing 16-valve heart, that is always eager to race and get into the redline. It is the lightest and most nimble of the lot and great fun to drive, but loses out in handling, ride and refinement. And its interiors are so basic and devoid of equipment that it loses out in creature comforts.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 SXi
The Ford Fiesta was launched just recently and is the newest player here. The development work done by the engineers is clearly apparent and the brief they were given is also quite obvious. Design a car for a developing country like India and make it-modern and good looking – but with conservative styling; give it lots of interior space, especially in the rear without making it too big; let the engine respond quickly and deliver power smoothly, but not at the cost of fuel economy; ensure it is strong and rugged and let the emphasis be more on drivability than sporty performance. And ensure that the overall package gives customers more for their money. And once we have such a car, our marketing guys will get a Bollywood star to endorse it and entice buyers to go ‘Fida’ over it.

Formal wear
Smoothly flowing lines, smartly cut steel, wide chrome-rimmed grille, a high but elegant stance, balanced proportions and a clean profile with an emphasis on refined but simple styling. And to impart some dynamism and strength to the overall look, add muscular wheel arches on the side and finally throw in some glowing jewellery in the form of quad headlamps with integrated turn indicators, fog lamps with chrome ring surrounds and smartly shaped tail-lamps.

The designers of the Fiesta have taken the ‘no-risk approach’ and kept the design simple and elegant. With their safe approach to styling they have made sure that the looks will not offend anyone. But then, they don’t get you all excited either.

Inside story
The interior is better finished than some of Ford’s other products and is adorned with many pleasing features. There is good legroom, shoulder room, and headroom in both the back and front. The well shaped front seats are more comfortable and supportive than those in either the City or Accent.

The good-looking steering wheel feels nice and is just the right size. There are many cavities to keep your goodies and there is even a covered vanity mirror on the driver’s side sunshade, a feature unique to the Fiesta. Another nice touch is the cup holder on the console that slides back to hold one more. The reading lights at the rear are also neat looking and very useful. All instruments are easy to read and operate but look much better when lit up.
There is a ‘distance to empty’ indicator above the odometer, but unfortunately it keeps changing its mind. One moment it’s promising to go a particular distance; next it’s giving a much lower figure. Very erratic and most irritating. Another unconventional and stupid thing is the bonnet release located low on the left.

On the move
Start the Fiesta and the engine gives the body a good shake before firing to life. This is the only perceptible vibration that is not dampened by the ETC or electronic throttle control which eliminates almost all engine harshness and driveline jerk. The low levels of NVH, fast response, smooth power delivery, precise gearshift, predictable handling and steering, assured braking and comfortable ride, all make the Fiesta a dynamically well sorted out car. It’s good in traffic and even when the speeds climb, it does not lose its composure. In fact it is the most stable and confidence inspiring of the three, and also comes with the option of ABS.

The ride is on the firmer side but absorbs and neutralises all undulations and bumps quite impressively. And the fuel economy is also quite good. The only grouses are that the steering lacks feel and does not communicate a lot.
While the short gearing is good for driveability, at times it also has you hunting for a higher gear. The gear shifter is also a little too long and when you select reverse, there is no proper feedback of engagement. Apart from this, there is not much else that one
can fault with the Fiesta.

Honda City ZX Gxi
The present City was introduced about two years back and a new face-lifted version has just hit the roads. Just in time to meet the challenge of the Fiesta. The City is a big seller and to prevent the coming of the Fiesta changing that, Honda has just given it some beauty treatment and brought out new variants, including a VTEC version. But we have not compared it here, as it is a lot more expensive and neither have we looked at the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) version, because the others have no such option.

Made up, but not enough
Let’s be honest, the City's never been good looking. The corny proportions and profile, and an identity crisis of what it actually wanted to be, resulted in it being a vehicle with modern styling, but ordinary looks. Honda obviously recognized this and sent it to the beauty parlour for some cosmetic surgery.

Thanks to the extended tail lamps that now run on to the boot lid, and the narrower bumper with a centre slot and lower groove, the rear end of the City looks shorter and more proportionate. The front end has also had a facial, with the bonnet being raised and its bulge emphasized. The grille is larger now and the bumper has also been under the surgeon's scalpel. All this has helped improve the City's looks, but it’s never going to win any beauty contest. And the front quarter glass, which is obviously there because the A-pillar is so sharply raked, continues to look stupid and downright ugly. And the thick A-pillar of course obstructs vision.

Touch and feel
Soothing colours, soft-feel fabrics, well finished plastics, all fitted together nicely, make the inside of the City a nice place to be. All instruments and switches are logically placed and require no effort to operate. There is a lot of storage space, including two glove boxes. And the rear seat comfort and space remain a highlight. The City easily wins the battle for best rear seat comfort and also scores well in driving position and seating comfort at the front. In fact it does so well, that there is very little to choose between it and the Fiesta, in these areas.

Coil and spring
The City did not just visit the beauty shop. It also went to a gym, where it worked on its feet and joints. A new
stabilizer bar, thicker springs, stiffer dampers, and better bump stops, have improved its ability to absorb bumps and ride over undulations. The 1.5 i-DSI (dual & sequential ignition) engine has been slightly remapped for smoother acceleration and quicker response. But its lack of horses in comparison to the other two, shows up immediately. It is the slowest of the lot and the engine lacks the urgency and desire to rev that one has come to expect of Honda power plants. It also tends to get a little boomy at the top end of the rev range.

The gearshift is light and quite precise, but the steering offers no feel and disconnects you completely from the road. The brake pedal is again reluctant to communicate and is devoid of feel in the initial application stage.
If you ignore the lack of feedback and continue to push down, the brakes bite happily, and slow the City down effect-ively. But one has to be careful and modulate the levels of happiness, because they can induce the brakes to lock up. And unlike on the other two, ABS is not available even as an option.

But all the work on the suspension has definitely improved the ride quality, which is much more compliant now. The City also wanders around less at high speeds and feels much more stable. But it is yet not in the class of the Fiesta and nor is it an inspiring car to drive. And to our surprise, the City's figures in the fuel tests, were not much better than the other two. So what does that tell you? A masala mix of all the right ingredients may make a successful car, but in the City’s case it also happens to be a boring one.

Hyundai Accent 1.6 GLS
The Accent has been one of Hyundai India’s most successful products and is the oldest of the lot here. It is due for a replacement. And though one is expected soon, it continues to do well in the market place, and it's because of this that we thought of revisiting it. And its bigger engined 1.6 version, also falls right in the comparo price range.

Ageing, but gracefully
The Accent looks much younger than it actually is, and that is a tribute to its designers. It does not have that modern, contemporary look, but it remains a sleek looking car with a long sloping front that is adorned by a wide grille and smiling face. The clean and strong lines and well-balanced proportions, along with the slightly sporty profile, make this a nice looking old lady.

Dares to lay bare
Open the doors and even before you get in, it becomes apparent that this lady’s cabin is bare of any riches. The plastics are well finished, the switches and instruments are all ergonomically
placed, but the design is a generation old. It looks drab and very unexciting and the equipment levels are just as
limited and outdated.

On the inside the Accent basically resembles a budget-car and so vast and great is the difference between it and the other two, that they end up looking much more plush and luxurious, than they actually are. The Accent may offer similar space, but there is no comparison with the other two, who resemble well-decked up brides, while the Accent is actually a widow who is shod of all adornments. It is the clear loser here.

She’s got the drive
Oh yes, the Accent does. Its DOHC, 16-valve engine is one that clearly enjoys grabbing your attention by revving fast and running hard. It’s a rev happy engine that is raspy intially but gets rough as the upper ends of the rev range are explored. But no one can call it a party pooper. It is light on it's feet, quick to respond and always eager to put a smile on your face. And is clearly the fastest of the three maidens we are dating, sorry testing here.

The controls, be they the accelerator, steering, brakes, clutch, gear shifter, are all light and effortless to use. But both the powertrain and drivetrain are too talkative, with the transmission whine and clink, being extremely upsetting. At low speeds and in the cut and thrust of our chaotic urban traffic, the Accent is fast and agile and can easily be maneuvered and pushed into the narrowest of gaps, in the blink of an eye. But as the speeds rise, the same responsive controls begin to feel extremely light and over-assisted. They involve you in everything and keep demanding your attention. As the speeds rise the nimble behaviour gives way to nervousness. The Accent gets frisky and twitchy and requires constant inputs and corrections from the driver. And if he or she is not up to the job of pushing it hard, this demanding taskmaster is not very forgiving. It does not have the stability of the other two and also exhibits very prominent torque steer, which not only lightens the steering further, but also causes the front end to push wide, making it a handful if you are powering out of corners. And when you want to slow things down, the brakes exhibit a tendency to lock up. Fortunately, ABS is available as an option (our test car did not come with it), and one must definitely opt for it. When you have a car than excites and challenges you to take it to the limit, and then gets all frisky and nervous, assured and lock free braking is a must. Not just for
your peace of mind, but also safety.

The Accent is the maiden that invites you to take a ‘walk down the wild side.’ It definitely gives you the thrills and to its credit also returns good fuel economy. But in terms of high-speed stability, refinement, ride comfort,
interior quality and equipment, it is way behind the other two. But it has a very nice folding armrest on the driver’s seat, which is something the other two don't have.

The final judgement
The Fiesta's just set new standard in this segment and is the clear winner.

This has been one of the easiest contests. In fact, it was no contest. That's how much better the Fiesta is. It is the most refined, nicest looking, best equipped, and dynamically superior and stable maiden here. It’s not only a willing performer, it’s also well mannered and has an interior that hosts you in comfort. And it comes home at an attractive cost. The Fiesta has everything to be the perfect partner and it wins this contest hands down.

But life is not just about being sensible. It’s also about fun. And if that’s what you are looking for, the Accent is your maiden. She is exciting but demanding, fast but frisky, involving but tiring, and responsive but rough. The Accent may not make a good wife, but can surely be that thrilling mistress you want to spend the weekends with.

So, where does that leave the City? Quite frankly, neither here nor there. It does most things well, but the Fiesta just does them better. And it’s the most boring of the lot. The Fiesta is the practical choice, and the Accent's the one to play with. So the City may just as well be the sister in law, who when the wife is away, one may just want to try for a change.