India is as crazy about fuel efficiency as it is about Sachin Tendulkar. We want more for less. Value for money applies to everything from a toothbrush to a flight ticket. And everything must be as reliable and dependable as a Nokia and a Nokia 5110, respectively. That explains the popularity and success of the Maruti Suzuki Alto. It’s just so hard to fault, motoring journalistic nitpicking aside, that we’d almost given up. But now, we have a worthy contender in the form of the Hyundai Eon — a car that’s got enough substance to disrupt the Alto’s free run. Does it? I’d be stupid if I gave away the answer in the intro, no?
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My father would pick the Alto K10 over the Eon if his buying decision was based on looks. His reasons would be “It’s a Maruti, it doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard and I don’t want to show off!” And since, like him, I have a fondness for shirts, I’d pick the Alto too. It looks basic, but not old. Yes, it’s got the styling elements of an old washing machine, yet no one would ever, ever, be offended if you parked it in their driveway. It’s simple — the Alto won’t get women excited if you drive past them, but no one’s going to make faces at you for trying too hard either. Safe, in a word.
The Eon, on the other hand, will appeal to people who are neutral and receptive towards all things modern. It’s got slashes and curves on every possible inch of its surface, making its Hyundai family origins loud and clear. In fact, the Eon looks almost identical to the i10, only perhaps less ‘premium’. It is a pleasant looking car, very bright and cheerful, especially in that electric blue shade. The rear is particularly upbeat, with the comma-like tail-lamps and that spoiler with the integrated tail-lamp. All of that plus the tall stance of the car results in the Eon looking not only taller, but a segment larger than the Alto K10. Round one to the Eon, then.
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