It?s seems like it is the season of new launches in the C2-segment. In the mid-size sedan segment, majority of the manufacturers are using ?facelift? as a tool to give a decent push to sales. Recently, Nissan also took the opportunity of the favorable season and launched the facelifted Sunny sedan, the ‘Caaar’. The updated version was showcased way back at 2014 Auto Expo in February. It was launched at a competitive price of INR 6.99 lakhs and INR 7.99 lakhs for the base petrol and diesel respectively. A couple of weeks ago Ford also launched the facelift Fiesta. Both Sunny and Fiesta are struggling in the market bracing impact from Honda City and Hyundai Verna, eating up their large chunk of sales. We have made a quick comparo to know what?s new they are offering to their prospective buyers.
The Exteriors
Starting with the front, Nissan Sunny has been drastically changed. It now sports an elongated chromed grille with a pair of new boomerang shaped headlights inspired from Teana. The front bumper is also revised which integrates single slat lower air dam and round fog lamps. The side profile shows no sign of changes but does get a new pair of alloys. The rear portion portrays subtle changes with a new boot-lid embellished in chrome and the bumper showing a dual-tone shade. The overall length of the ?caaar? is 4425mm, longer than Fiesta?s 4320mm, so expect some extra rear legroom.
Similarly, Fiesta was also showcased at the Auto Expo this year. Fiesta gets a fresh face from outside that depicts company?s new ‘Kinetic 2.0’ design philosophy. The front fa?ade is more mature now with Aston Martin styled grille framework and new swept back headlamp cluster and revised bumper. The side profile boasts of new set of twin-five-spoke 15 inch alloys. While the rear section is now extended as compared to the previous version with new taillight cluster showing LED effect and tweaked bumpers.
The Interiors
Nissan Sunny carries a number of changes inside. The central console is replaced with an upmarket piano black finishing that lift the ambiance inside. The steering wheel of the new Sunny comes with a leather wrap and is inherited from its sibling Terrano. The central console gets swanky with a new 5.1inch infotainment panel that offers USB/Bluetooth/Aux-In/CD playback along with providing display for the rear parking camera. The sedan brings the same comfort level which includes AC with auto climate control, leather upholstery, rear AC vents, push engine start/stop button, smart key-less entry, etc. In terms of safety, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist and driver side airbags comes as standard features in the car, while the top end variants offers co-passenger airbag with side airbags as an optional safety feature.
Ford has treated the new Fiesta with minor changes in terms of fit and finish. The new glossy Piano Black finishing makes the dash and the door handles more lavish. It also gets blue lightning scheme for the instrument panel shared from the EcoSport. The major overhaul comes in the form of company?s SYNC infotainment system that includes Applink connectivity and Emergency Assistance first introduced in EcoSport. The Applink synchronizes with your smartphone for various operations inside the car, while the Emergency assistance is a welcome feature that calls emergency helpline automatically in case of any mishap. It does not get rear AC blowers like Nissan Sunny but does offer other goodies like AC with automatic climate control, engine push start/stop switch, rear parking sensors and also automatic headlights and wipers. The standard Safety features includes ABS and EBD with driver airbag, while the top end models getting dual front airbags.
Engine and Power
Both the cars are mechanically unchanged. Starting from Sunny, the sedan gets the same 1.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 98bhp and max torque of 134Nm, while the diesel variant sports the prominent 1.5L K9K engine that belts out 85bhp and 200Nm of max torque. In terms of mileage, both petrol and diesel variants are slightly economical than the outdated model returning 17kmpl and 22kmpl respectively.
The 2014 Fiesta only comes only in sole 1.5L diesel engine variant in the market. The engine which incorporates turbo-charging technology generates 90bhp on tap and the torque rated at 205Nm. Fiesta wins the mileage race with the new model offering ARAI certified mileage of 25.1kmpl, second to Honda City in the C-segment.
Pricing and Verdict
Petrol powered Sunny starts at INR 6.99 lakh, while the top variant is priced at INR 8.91 lakh. Diesel model’s base variant starts at INR 7.99 lakh, while the top-of-the- line comes at a price tag of INR 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi)
Fiesta?s base variant starts at INR 7.69 lakh, while the top model is tagged at INR 9.92 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
It’s tough to choose between the two as its all about ones desire and preferences. However, our personal choice would be Fiesta but nevertheless, Sunny catches it soon.
