2013 Tata Vista D90 review, test drive and video

Tata plonks a more powerful diesel motor in the Vista. We find out how good it is.

Published on Jan 28, 2013 08:37:00 PM

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2013 Tata Vista D90 review, test drive and video

You will also like the rather hushed cabin. Even at 140kph, the cabin is quiet, and you can actually have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice. The tweaks to the suspension mean bad roads are dealt with comfortably and almost noiselessly. These improvements and the spacious cabin give the impression of being in a bigger car.

Tata says the handling has improved, and this is true to a certain extent – the D90 does feel safe in the way it handles and high-speed stability is excellent – but it would be pushing things a bit to call it a sporty handler.

Tata has also added new equipment to the Vista D90. In addition to the power windows and electric mirrors, the Vista gets a touchscreen audio system that includes voice-guided navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an input for any possible form of media that you might feel like using (USB, aux-in, SD card and DVD). It’s also got climate control.

The manufacturer has also done a thorough job with the interiors, having upgraded a lot of the plastics, seat materials and even the air-con switches. Of course, close scrutiny will still reveal a few patchy bits – the volume knob on the audio system, for example. And the D90's footwell is still quite cramped with no place to accommodate a dead pedal.

However, the Vista D90 is testament to the fact that Tata has come a long way in improving the interiors of its cars.

The rest of the car remains as is. Good bits like the spaciousness and practicality are intact. The new two-tone dashboard is also nice. The beige lower cabin enhances the feeling of space and the smart (if a bit hard to read) dials lend a touch of sophistication. The boot is quite small

though, a byproduct of Tata maximising passenger space.

At around Rs 6.6 lakh for the ZX+ trim and Rs 6 lakh for the lower-spec VX, the Vista D90 is a whole lakh cheaper than the Fiat Punto 90HP and a lot cheaper than the Hyundai i20 diesel as well. So, while it costs a lot more than what you would normally pay for a Tata hatch, it is much better value than its competition, simply because it’s got a lot more equipment and is a lot more practical.