Fiesta TDCi Vs Verna VGT. Review on Ford Fiesta TDCI

I own a Santro and a Getz and I am very satisfied with the overall performance and the quality of service I get from KUN Hyundai in Chennai.  Having ownned two Hyundai cars, it is natural to have a soft corner and when I look for an upgrade, I preferred a Hyundai.

As my driving is changing and would be anywhere between 2500 to 3500 kms a month, I wanted to go in for a diesel car.  I had a chance to test drive both Verna VGT CRDI and Fiesta TDCI.  I had ruled out TATA as they are still good truck makers.  I have the following observations and would like to share it with you.

Engine -

Verna VGT has a great engine with excellent pick up (read it as "out of the world"!!).  But that’s like it.  It is very noisy and a lot of vibration creeps into the shell. Fiesta TDCI is a great car to drive, but it is not as aggressive as Verna.  The engine is a lot more refined, docile and very silent.  The noise and vibration levels are so low that I felt it was a petrol engine.  Excellent work by Ford, even though Hyundai personnel claim their engine to be two generations ahead of Ford!!! (I guess two generations on the negative side)

Looks -

Highly subjective, but most of you would agree that Verna’s styling is confusing.  Feels as if the designer had taken a “pee” break half way through designing the car and the guys at Hyundai were so impatient that they picked up the “half-completed” design and made the car.  Fiesta is not a great looking car either.  But I would consider Fiesta to be elegant and decent.  Best part being the head lights.

Interiors –

Both cars come with dual coloured interiors.  I personally preferred the interiors of the Fiesta.  The bright (orangish?) beige interiors of Verna get dirty too fast and make the car look older than it really is.  Plastic quality on both cars is equally bad.  Space is slightly more in Verna than in Fiesta.  Seats (quality and support) in Fiesta are better.  Instrumentation is basic in both cars I drove, but Fiesta offers three versions compared to just one of Verna (I would not consider the optional ABS offered in Verna to be another version)

Ride and Handling –

I did not feel very comfortable driving the Verna (even though I was biased towards Hyundai).  Starting the vehicle gave a feeling as though Chennai was struck by an earthquake and the familiar diesel clatter was very audible.  The pick up was impressive, but I did not feel “safe” while driving the car.  Running the car over (rather into) pot holes had shocks and jolts transferred to the passengers.  This is a great cause of concern for me as these “jerks” would make a person much more tired.  The gear lever is oddly placed and has an odd shape with longer throws.  There were glaring jerks while accelerating the car (after a gear change).  The car did not pull smoothly and gave a feeling as though it was an Indica.  Not a very pleasant experience.

I had the chance to drive the Fiesta almost immediately after the Verna.  The engine starts very smoothly without any vibrations and has a very silent idle and almost no vibrations.  The pick up is nowhere near the Verna, but is not bad either.  I could feel a small lag in acceleration, but after a few minutes I got used to it as the pick up is great once we cross the ~1300 rpm.  The best part of the drive is the way the car handles the pot holes (absorbs almost everything including decently high speed breakers).  It is unruffled by the challenges presented to it by the bad roads of Chennai.  The small gear lever, which is accurately placed, with its short throws enhance driving pleasure.  It is truly a driver’s car with an engine which would satisfy most of our requirements (of course, Verna would be a better car if one has to drag race everyday).  Driving the Fiesta gave a high degree of confidence and I felt very safe.  I was also positively surprised when I slowed the car to 20 kmph in 4th gear without using the clutch.  There was no sign of any jerking of engine or any noise of strain from the engine.  Truly a very pleasant experience.

No prizes for guessing that I was truly impressed by the Fiesta in every aspect even though I started off with a bias towards Hyundai.  Fiesta is a better car when compared to Verna (Diesels only).  But I get worried to decide to buy a Fiesta when I read the horror service stories of Ford and the high maintenance cost.  I am also very happy at the way Ford handled me in their showroom (MPL Ford, Mr. Rajan). The person could answer every question thrown at him, arranged for the test ride almost immediately and had a follow up form filled in.  The guy at Access Hyundai was not interested in selling the car; looks as though complacency has set in at Hyundai showrooms.  I just hope this improvement is shown by Ford in their service sector.

Would update once I have an ownership experience of Fiesta!!!