Tata Motors has launched the Tata Zest sedan in India at a price of between Rs 4.64-6.99 lakhs. The Zest is born at a time when the Indian car scene is dominated by the Japanese and Korean automakers. Let us drive the new Zest and find out whether the new car is at par with the big brands here in terms of quality, performance, reliability and refinement.

Zest is built on the X1 platform and it borrows certain styling cues from its predecessors. Although it falls in the sub four metre category and qualifies for lower excise duty, it is the widest and tallest sedan among its competitors. It also gets a high ground clearance and a prominent shoulder crease unlike normal sedans. Zest has a relatively longer hood with a chrome finished signature grille and parabolic headlamp cluster. The trapezoidal air dam is flanked by fog lamps lined with LED day-time running lights. The exterior fit and finish and overall build quality is just perfect. Zest is available in buzz blue, venetian red, sky grey, dune beige, platinum silver and pristine white colours.

The wide doors open to an airy and spacious cabin. The seats are comfortable with enough headroom and legroom and adjustable headrests,even though armrests are missing. The compact sedan provides a 390 litre boot space and there are few small storage spaces inside the cabin as well.  Day time running lights, touch screen, advanced audio system, power sockets, AC unit, cup and bottle holders, storage compartments, smart voice recognition, smart phone integration, AUX-in, USB, Blue-tooth and steering mounted audio controls are some of the features worth mentioning. An electric power steering with speed sensitivity and active return function and features like dual path suspension, parking sensors, ABS and EBD ensures a smoothand safe ride.

Tata Zest will have the option of both petrol and diesel engines under its hood. The Zest diesel will also come with the option of an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).The diesel version of Tata Zest will be fitted with 1.3 litre quadrajet diesel engine whereas the petrol version will be powered by a new 1.2 litre Revoltron turbocharged engine. Both the engines will be mated with a five speed automated manual transmission. The diesel version is offering a mileage of 23 to 25 kmpl whereas the petrol version possibly will deliver a mileage of 18 to 20 kmpl. The Zest can be driven in three modes – cruise, economy and sports. The suspension absorbs all any bumps and the car happily glides over any type of terrain. The front disc brakes and rear drum brakes have adequate stopping power.

Tata Zest is sure to drive long with its capturing looks and amazing features.

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