The sub-four metre sedan segment is probably the quickest developing one currently, in India, and this is because of two reasons – taxation rules and purchaser hobby. And why is this so? nicely because this segment has cars, which offer the center ground between a hatchback and a complete-fledged sedan and this is why almost each car manufacturer is jumping in this bandwagon; thinking about its capacity. Volkswagen is the brand new of the lot, however it is overdue into the section, so it’s got time to do its homework. We got our arms on the Ford Figo Aspire and the new Honda Amaze to figure out how Volkswagen’s Ameo fares.
appears
All 3 automobiles have inherited the circle of relatives appearance and so that you can see glimpses of their siblings in them. The Figo Aspire comes with the equal Aston Martin-ish front grille, while the Amaze borrows its appearance from the town sedan and the Ameo appears more like the Polo from the front. however, at the end of the day, it boils right down to who has put in maximum efforts, to make it appearance not like a hatch with a boot or a compressed model of a sedan.
The benchmark in phrases of looks, we’re informed, for the Ameo became the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Hyundai Xcent; and sure, the Ameo seems a lot better than both; however it’s the Amaze and Figo Aspire that look very proportionate. even though, within the standard seems branch, you’ll ought to solution just one query; which one would you supply a 2d appearance to? and that is when the answer is a simple one – the Figo Aspire.
Ford has no longer simplest managed to get the proportions proper, but has also have given the sub-4 metre sedan a completely unique appearance, which makes it attractive. The the front grille provides its dash of charm, while the lines on either side don’t appearance overdone. what’s also now not overdone is the usage of chrome and common, it appears quite precise. The Ameo is a close 2nd, because, nicely, we like the way the Polo looks and so yes, it’s inherited the good appears.
Cabin space
The brief given to the designers of the Ameo changed into to make a limousine, that’s beneath 4 metres and that they’ve tried their exceptional, however the space inside is just like that of the Polo and the rear seat does get a piece cramped for 6 footers like me. The wheelbase is the same as the Polo and even though you get a better below thigh aid than the Figo Aspire and the Amaze, the Ameo would not sense as spacious.
The Amaze meets a similar destiny and that is as it’s were given the lowest wheelbase of them all. In truth, the parent is the bottom inside the section. The Figo Aspire is the maximum spacious of the lot and that’s no longer handiest as it has the longest wheelbase, but due to the fact you sit better too. it is taller than the alternative . there may be a very good quantity of head room and area too, on the rear seat, for three adults. What about the boot space then? With 400 litres of boot area, the Amaze is the clear winner, accompanied by way of the Figo Aspire with 359 litres and the Ameo with 330 litres.
capabilities
Now, Volkswagen might have no longer been the the front runner in the preceding two departments, but it is the lengthy function list, together with section first features, that make it stand out, while as compared to the Figo Aspire and the Amaze. The Ameo comes with features, like cruise manage, automated rain sensing wipers, and even anti-pinch power windows. It also gets a rear AC vent and even a front centre armrest, but that is most effective to be had at the pinnacle-quit Highline variant. both the Aspire and the Amaze get not one of the above.
The Aspire grabs some factors for the SYNC technology; but Honda has caught to the basics, with the Amaze and the ordinary suspects like a Radio, USB, Aux-In and Bluetooth is all it gets. on the protection front, the Ameo leads the way again, with dual the front airbags and ABS to be had as a part of standard gadget. The Aspire comes with twin airbags, as popular, but gets six airbags and ABS within the top-quit variation. within the Amaze, but, they’re a part of elective gadget. at the same time as ABS with EBD is offered as popular, on the diesel version, the Amaze petrol does not proportion such luck. The Ameo then wins hands down in this showdown.
Powertrain
The Ameo is presently available in only the 1.2-litre petrol engine and it’s good enough for 73bhp, but, the Amaze and Aspire are to be had in each petrol and diesel. We can not examine the performance of the 3 due to the fact the Amaze and Figo Aspire we introduced had diesel powertrains but we’ve got pushed the petrol siblings earlier and both have the 1.2-litre, 4 cylinder pot, whereas the Ameo receives most effective 3 cylinders. even though the Ameo won’t feel as aggressive as the other , the steerage experience on this one is sportier because VW has gone in for the flat-bottomed one and the brakes have a terrific chunk too.
The suspension setup on the Amaze is stiffer than the Aspire, while on the Ameo it feels pretty much proper. using via potholes, you at once notice how stable the Ameo is and it’s only inside the Amaze that you get thrown around a bit and that’s entirely because of the stiffer suspension setup. The Ameo, though is a piece under powered and has to play seize up with the other . Volkswagen has promised that the diesel might be rocket and we can’t wait to look it release in Diwali this 12 months.
fee
Volkswagen has made amends to all the ones, who tell them that their automobiles are overpriced. The Ameo undercuts all its opponents (if you do not forget ex-showroom Mumbai fees); however the Aspire is the best one that comes close to beating its price, in case you keep in mind the ex-showroom Delhi charge. The Ameo comes at a beginning rate of five.24 lakh, going proper up to 7.05 lakh. The Aspire is cheaper by using 3000 and it starts at five.21 lakh going proper as much as 7.38 lakh, whilst the Amaze expenses anywhere among five.35 to 7.25 lakh (all charges ex-showroom Delhi).
It always comes down to the fee of the auto and this time round Volkswagen has hit the nail on the head and that they’ve sponsored this up with a robust product and a bucket complete of capabilities. it is the engine, but that may be a bit of a dampener and that is in which matters will trade, once the diesel powertrain is available in. at the moment although, as an normal bundle the Figo Aspire affords a strong case for itself and is in reality a automobile really worth recommending. Honda too has executed a terrific process with the facelift of the Amaze, but has it completed enough? nicely, thinking about what VW has added to the table, with the Ameo, there may be plenty of catching up to do for the organisation.