Dzire defined loudly the typical Indian craving for a sedan. Four years ago, Dzire

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became the first car for many families and for others it was their first sedan — it had replaced the Esteem from oh-so-reliable Maruti as the cheapest, value for money long car. In its new avatar, Dzire has been cut to size taking customers for a compromised ride, as there is no reduction in price despite reduction in length. However, there’s detailed refreshment done inside the car and the interiors are up market like that of Japanese rival Honda.

Times have changed and the picture of auto industry is clear. Clear the fog and see the reality: Carmakers are now loo­king at profits. Cust­omers are not going to get what they want at affordable prices anymore. Dzire is going to be an example for all carmakers. It seems that so-mebody has just pushed hard at Dzire’s back with a hard-pressing de­vice.

The new Dzire’s showroom prices are expected to start around Rs 4.94 lakh — which is the price of the not-so-new-but-long Dzire — with the top end diesel costing about Rs 8 lakh on road plus taxes. Look at the entry-level sedan (below Rs 5 lakh) gamut now: There’s nothing long left as our very own long-as-you-like Contessa. First, it was Tata’s Indigo that was cut short to avail lower taxes but still turns out to be the cheapest sedan in India at about Rs 4.2 lakh. Hyundai’s Accent (Rs 4.99 lakh) is running on the road since many years without any investment — look at other Hyundai fluidic cars like Verna that are going curvy with age. Etios’ (Rs 4.96 lakh) interiors will not amuse even a video gamer.

Cut to the good part: Dzire drives as smooth as a dime, turns swiftly, brakes elegantly and returns more kilometres to the buck. Dzire diesel’s on-road mileage improves marginally at 19 kmpl, petrol returns 12. The new automatic variant consistently returns over 10 kmpl. This is the first time an automatic variant is joining the Swift/Dzire family.

However, the petrol automatic transmission is available in four-speed mode but only comes in the middle variant. That means no airbags: Not a safe option if you want to gift to your wife or son/daughter who just walked into driving age. The new Dzire steering has been made lighter and thinner and tries to achieve a glamorous look with beige treatment, but fails to provide the joy of the earlier black and meaty simple Swift steering. But the alloys on the top variant are impressive.

Dzire takes away the accolades with the highly acclaimed 1.3 litre diesel engine tuned to efficiency. At the Buddh International Circuit, Dzire turned smoothly and didn’t make a fuss in third gear at 100 kmph. Top speed of the petrol automatic reached 153 kmph, while the diesel went beyond that on the longest stretch of the lap.

The seats are much more comfortable, rear space looks marginally more in height but the focus has remained more on the front seats to make it a driver’s car. The knob to un­lock the do­or se­ems to be shabbily fitted. The mu­sic system is groovy with its little, neat knobs.

The digital me­tres are much more adva­nced showing you the mileage, time and fuel left. The dashboard looks classy and here again there is an uncanny res­emblance to the Honda City. All-round visibility fr­om the car is apt and neat. The new Dzire profile resembles Swift a bit; but, overall, is sporty and sharp.

The new Dzire could easily be one of the most comfy cars for city, accomodating your family and dog with ease, but if you want length, ask your dealer for the older Dzire.

(The journalist was invited to Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida to test the new Dzire)

saahilanant@mydigitalfc.com