We normally associate Toyota with premium cars, but, for the first time, the world’s largest car maker has developed a low-cost car like the Etios. This is probably the most affordable sedan in its entire global line-up, creating a benchmark of sorts in affordability. Obviously, one would not expect a Corolla for Rs 7 lakh. Having said that, the Etios has to live up to Toyota’s standard and also elbow out Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, who have been masters of cost-effective cars in India. Maruti Suzuki’s Dzire and Tata Motors’ Manza are currently the most popular models in this category and so they make for the obvious choice to be pitted against the Toyota, the new challenger. To be honest, none of these three will bowl you over with its design. The Maruti looks better as a hatchback, but the sedan’s three-box design does not have a natural flow and looks as if the boot has been added as an afterthought.

Power, security and luxury are foremost among the things that successful people around the world desire. Obviously, they don’t come cheap, but then who cares about the price in this segment of cars? The top three most popular luxosedans happen to be from the same nation that produced Boris Becker and, like the tennis star, they are athletic, agile and champions of the game. Another reason for their popularity is that they never fail to ignite grudging admiration in others. These are the flagship models and probably the world’s best cars as the manufacturers make it a point to offer the best of every automobile aspect possible with oodles of luxury, safety, performance, comfort and technology. For Mercedes it is the S-Class, BMW have the 7 Series and Audi the A8. The above mentioned luxury saloon are available in the long-wheelbase version in India, so that the Bears and Bulls, tycoons and dignitaries flock the swanky German car showrooms in the metropolises to own a more lavish personal transport than their counterparts in other countries. All of the cars mentioned above live up to these expectations and would not disappoint their owner. But, of course, there are distinctions and that’s exactly the purpose of this article.

Volkswagen Polo is a smart car with a perfect balance. Its 1.2-litre oil burner is a gem of an engine be it on drives within the city or on the highways. However, the 1.2-litre petrol Polo lacks the peppiness expected of a petrol engine. It seems that Volkswagen understood this lacuna and have now offered the Polo with a 1.6-litre petrol motor option. This new variant has been priced at Rs 7.13 lakh (OTR, Pune), which is Rs 38,000 more than the Highline 1.2-litre petrol. This extra money gets you an engine which, if you so desire, can transform the petrol Polo into an enthusiast’s car. The 1,598-cc petrol engine is a direct lift from the VW Vento that produces 30 PS and 43 Nm more than the 1.2-litre petrol variant.

As Maruti Suzuki venture into the as yet unexplored luxury car segment with the Kizashi, the designers seem to have taken inspiration from an athlete in motion, to give the sedan the sporty look, rather than that of a run-of-the-mill saloon. The Kizashi’s three-dimensional curved bonnet lines make for a strong presence while giving the impression of forward motion. The headlamps with their elliptical rings add to the muscular look of the car, aided and abetted by the mesh-design front grille. The taut shoulder lines run from the nose to the tail, giving the car a dynamic and sporty stance from the side and, at the same time, making it look elegant.

What things come to your consideration when you make a purchase on a new car? Some might say its quality, some might say its safety.Take a campaign set for the Tesla Model S. Peter Rawlinson, Tesla Vice President, commits to convince the Americans before launching more serious advertisment to persuade them to make a purchase. It is one of his effort to convince the audiece at North American International Auto Show by putting the Model S’ bare aluminum part and the steel bumper on a clear display. He believes consumers’ perception on car safety will be crucial to determine the survival of any automakers in the tight market today.

Priced at $57,000, this four-electric sedan proposes body shell which is claimed to be the lightest of its kind, but guaranteed to be the safest. It is necessary to confirm its safety first regarding the number of accident occurence in 2009 throughout the United States, bringing letal end to more than 12,000 people due to either its side impact or rollover crashes.

Consumer Reports released a report on consumers priority when purchasing a car. Safety is ranked in first place, chosen by 65 percent of consumers to be the ultimate of purchase consideration factor. Fifty-seven percent of consumers rate quality as first consideration, placing this quality factor second. The winners are BMW 5-Series, Cadillac CTS and Subaru Legacy, rated to be the safest cars on the market today.
Behind the Numbers

Insurance Institute of Highway Safety selected some vehicles which were awarded to be the Top Safety Picks for 2011. Crossovers, SUVs and pick-up trucks were then excluded from the list. We then scored cars using categories that IIHS pronounces to be significant in reducing crash risk. The selected model should exhibit good score in crash tests of front, side, rear, and rollover. The winners are cars that can prove to go through that selection.

A 40-mph frontal offset crash is applied for front assessment. Slow-motion film analysis is utilized to measure the restraint system. Side assessment is performed by striking a barrier speeding at 31 mph to the side of vehicle. To measure the strength of roof, a metal plate is pressed against the roof at 0.2 inches per second. Good score will appear if the roof may bear a force of four times its weight before five inches of crush are visible.

Rear test simulates a vehicle is stuck from behind at 20 mph. This test involves a dummy to assess neck pressure when collision happens.

Some publishes on crash test conducted by IIHS or others have given significant pressure to automakers to develop their crash score. When the first crush test was published by IIHS in 2009, there were only one-third of the SUVs that deserved good rating on roof test. The score is getting better for overall SUVs nowadays. Now vehicles are equipped with standardized head and airbags to help them pass the test.
Small and Safe?

Regarding crush test, you may wonder how a tiny car such as Smart Fortwo or Ford’s Fiesta may pass the test. Or, how can those tiny cars survive when struck against vehicle weighing in twice? Those two cars pass the federal safety standards indeed.

Bigger dimension suggests better protection when you unexpectedly involve in a crush.
The list then is dominated by big sedan such as the Buick LaCrosse and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Chevy Cruze is the smallest vehicle on the list sold on $16,275.

Mostly due to consumer perception on safety, small cars will hold a tough competition in American car market, even if they pass federal standard on safety. Dieter Zetsche of Daimler predicted that small car won’t make any hit in the U.S. Marketplace.

Fortunately, many small cars are equipped with effective safety features utilizing advances technology. They feature excellent braking and urgent situation handling system to help any driver avoid a crush.
The winner must stand out tests of get struck from 60 mph and handling tests demanding steering around some obstacles at high velocity. The list comes up with popular brand such as the Ford Mustang GT, Mini Cooper S as well as Lotus Elise in that list.