Tata Indica Vista (2011) ZX Quadrajet BS4 - Performance Review

Very little has changed mechanically in the new Tata Vista. It still gets the same engine options – a 1.4-litre Tata turbo-diesel engine for BS3 cities (TDi in Tata-speak), a 1.3-litre Multijet diesel (Quadrajet), a 1.2-litre-65PS petrol (Safire 65) and a 1.4-litre-90PS petrol (Safire 90). The car we sampled was a Vista Quadrajet ZX, meaning we had the Fiat sourced 1.3-litre Multijet engine under the hood, that puts out 75 PS or power and 190 Nm of torque. Typical to the 1.3 Multijet, this motor has very little punch under 2,000 revs. While this translates into a smooth power delivery while trotting through bumper-to-bumper traffic, it also means that you may need to downshift while making overtaking manoeuvres, unless you want to wait for the turbo to spool up.

On open stretches of the road, overtaking a truck or a bus isn’t a big deal as the turbo is dialled in from 1,750 revs. Like the similar-engined Swift though, the Vista too has a sudden jerk close to 2,000 revs when turbo kicks in and therefore, you need to plan the overtaking moves in advance to avoid a sudden surge of power surprising you. On the highways, the Quadrajet mill can cruise at 120 kmph at a comfortable 2,500 revs. Keep it in the 2,500 to 3,500 rev range (under 2,000 revs in the city) and the diesel engine will return you a fuel economy of close of 20 kmpl on the highway and around 17 kmpl in the city.

Within the city, the Vista has always been a brilliant car to drive. While all the engines in the options list have their own characteristics, most of them have decent low end power for tackling urban traffic. The steering feels light at lower speeds and is well-weighted when cruising on higher numbers. The Vista’s steering wheel returns better feedback than the older model’s rather dead steering. It isn’t as direct as the new Swift’s steering though. 

The new Vista gets re-tuned suspension as well. While a comfortable ride was always the Vista’s trump card, it did suffer from tremendous body roll and lack of grip. While the body roll is still an integral part of the Vista’s handling characteristics, it isn’t as unnerving as before. The Goodyear tyres complement the suspension by providing phenomenal grip and very little squealing. We pushed the Vista hard around corners in half-wet conditions and there was no hint of sliding or loss of control even once. Under hard braking too, the tyres hold their grip rather well and can bring the car to a standstill from 80 kmph in under 2.6 seconds and 35 metres. We would like to see more manufactures shift to these tyres than the MRF ZVTVs that the new Swift was shod with.  

Conclusion

With every passing upgrade, the Vista feels better and more mature. With the new upgrade, it not only looks smarter, but acts a smart alternative to other hatchbacks as well. With its engineering and aesthetic improvements, it aims at combining the features, comfort and space of a sedan while offering the convenience of a small car with respect to congested urban environs and tight parking spots. 

With four engine options and four trim levels to choose from, the new Vista also offers a wide array of variants to suit your particular needs. With its competitive pricing and a strong dealer/service network, the new Vista is definitely a strong contender in the evergreen hatchback competition in India. Simply put, don’t look at the Manza as a feature-rich Vista with a boot, instead, look at new Vista as a feature-rich Manza without the boot... 

Also Read:

Tata Indica Vista Design Review

Tata Indica Vista User Experience Review