Tata Motors has just launched the Zest and now its time to
do the next best thing which is obviously to compare it with its rivals. Now we
are getting a lot of questions regarding which is the better buy, The Zest or well
the segment Champ that is the Maruti Swift Dzire. So then here’s a short
comparison between these two compact sedans.
Now the styling is a completely subjective issue but you
have to say both of they do not have quite match the complete Sedan look which
is like the Amaze and even the Accent have. Still it seems Tata Motors have
done a much better job to integrating the boot then what Maruti had done. One
of the biggest problem with Swift Dzire have always been its styling, it just doesn’t
look like a proper Sedan when you view it from the back but when it come to
over all styling, Tata Motors has done a pretty good job here. Head Lamps with
LED’s DRLS, Lot of Chromes plus those lines definitely gives the car lot of
presence and we think this is pleasant looking car. The Swift Dzire, well it’s
been around for some times now and its styling has become aged now. Still its
face lifted will be coming soon which will change it. So then overall when it
comes to styling, the Zest wins the battle.
Step inside and you will be surprised by seeing the Tata
Zest cabin and you may say it is a pleasant surprise as this one is the best
cabin ever designed by Tata Motors. The design look and feel is definitely very
good and now you have to say that it is now the class’s best. What we really
liked was the steering wheel, the clean dials plus the center console but what
was the major surprise is the quality which is far better than the previously
Manza. On to the Dzire and it is one of the strongest point of this car and we
think the interior looks much better than the exterior. The quality is good and
design is clean and well laid out which is the strength of this car. So then,
when it comes to interior, it is definitely a close battle and you have to say
on design and space terms both of them have even chance. Now space at the rear
both of them are pretty good but for seating 3, the Zest has much more spacious
cabin than even the Swift Dzire even the boot of the Zest is slightly bigger
than the Swift Dzire but both can’t match the space of the boot with Honda
Amaze and even Hyundai Accent.
When it comes to features, it is clearly advantage Tata
Zest, it completely blows away the Swift Dzire. First of all, the main talking
point here is the Harmon infotainment system which is one of the major
highlights of this car but along with this you will get a Bluetooth, climate control,
parking sensors, auto headlamps plus even voice commands. I think this all just
not present in the Maruti Swift Dzire which has got basic feature like auto AC
but what is good thing is that both them having ABS and airbags. So then overall
when it comes to features, it is major advantage for the Tata Zest.
When it come to engine options, Tata Zest is available with
a 1.2 L Riverton Petrol delivering 89 BHP and 1.3 L Diesel delivering 2 power
outputs of 74 BHP and 89 BHP. The Zest diesel also has the AMT Gear box while
the petrol has 5 speed manual gear box. The Swift Dzire 1.2 L Petrol and ever
popular 1.3 L Diesel engine while the petrol delivers 85 BHP and Diesel
delivers 74 BHP of power. The petrol has also an option of 4 speed automatic
while the diesel comes only with 5 Speed Manual gear box. When it comes to fuel
efficiency Dzire is slightly more fuel efficient than the Zest but when it
comes to driving and dynamics the Zest really impressed us with it smooth turbo
petrol. You will like the smooth power delivery and general lag free nature of
the engine. The Dzire well its also quite fun to drive, we like the diesel engine
lot. Both also have similar ride and handling characteristics.
Price of the Zest starts with Rs. 4.64 lakhs while the Dzire
start with Rs. 4.85 Lakhs which ultimately sieze the deal. You see the Zest is
cheaper, better looking and better equipped than the Maruti Swift Dzire which
means also the fact that Zest has and advantage of being a Diesel Automatic.
Yes you could say that the Dzire has an advantage of massive Maruti sales
network but that is just not enough. So then it seems the Zest job well done by
Tata Motors and if you are shopping for a compact Sedan , you should give Zest a serious look.
