In search of the perfect budget hatchback: Wigo, Fiesta, Grand i10, Mirage and Spark

First of two parts

In a perfect world we’d all be driving a Ferrari California convertible if not cozily seated inside a  chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce. But let’s face it, us average workers aren’t going to be able to afford these cars anytime in the near future.

 

Indeed, what we “want” to drive and what we “need” to drive unfortunately don’t always intersect. Fortunately, there are now cars available in the market that fall within our budget but still have the look and features that won’t make us looking like losers when we are on the road.

 

Times have changed, and a car is as much a fashion accessory and gadget as it is a mode of transportation. This is why last Black Saturday, the Inquirer Motoring team decided to test drive five of the country’s “budget” hatches that for us are perfect rides to drive around the city’s congested roads.

 

These are models that, in our opinion, deliver a good balance between purchase price and operating cost as well as fuel-economy and intangibles like driving enjoyment. They also must be automatic because, trust us, an A/T is a better choice in stop-and-go, low-speed traffic of Metro Manila and other major cities.

 

For this five-car comparison, we will not be asking which is the best subcompact hatch but rather, which is the best all-around car for the average consumer. We’re looking for the one that offers the best value, content, fuel economy, and safety in addition to performance.

 

For starters, here’s a rundown of the vehicle we’ve driven. Indeed, each car had strengths and weaknesses and none completely ran away with the award. There wasn’t a “perfect” car in the bunch, but probably two would be very good choices depending on your priorities.

 

• 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost A/T (P898,000)

 

Some might question us for including the Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost. However, it’s hard to dismiss the fact that the Fiesta is powered by a 123-horsepower turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that is rated to deliver 13-19 kpl fuel efficiency, has an attractive Aston Martin-like grille, a very refined interior appointments, and advanced in-car connectivity system.

 

Could this long list of exciting features enough to overcome its high price tag (this beauty costs P364,000 more than the Wigo and P250,000 more than the Mirage) and the fact that it uses a more expensive type of unleaded gasoline (must be 95 octane and up)?

 

• 2014 Toyota Wigo 1.0G A/T (P534,000)

 

Perhaps the most talked about model in recent weeks was the latest offering from the country’s biggest automotive manufacturer.

 

It’s hard to dismiss the Wigo considering its Toyota nameplate and the fact that it has the lowest price tag among among the five.

 

However, one has to take note that at this price offering, the Wigo ditched the keyless entry feature, employed lots of hard plastic inside (the entertainment system is commendable though), the two head rests of the front seats have no height adjustment feature (which would be a problem if you’re a tall guy), and the rear seat, though spacious and with adequate legroom and headroom, is a folding bench type that does not split 40:60 to increase cargo space.

• 2014 Hyundai Grand i10 1.0S A/T (P588,000)

 

 

During the test drive, this writer was first assigned to take the Grand i10. Unlike other Hyundai models, the Grand i10 has kept the company’s “Fluidic” design concept in check. The lines are straighter and details more crisp.

 

Despite the swept-back headlamps, big hexagonal grille with chunky fog lamps, the hatch looks more reserved.

 

Not expecting anything fancy inside, this writer was surprised to find the Grand i10’s nicely appointed interior. The look and feel of the plastic all round doesn’t feel tacky and the compartments are all laid out well.

 

I also discovered that the Grand i10 is one nice-riding hatchback: A bit firm but absorbs every bump and imperfections with ease. At highway speeds, it feels planted and confident.

• 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback GLS 1.2G A/T (P648,000)

 

Some might object that we included the 1.2-liter Mitsubishi Mirage on this list considering that the other four all run on 1-liter engines. However, the Mirage has been instrumental in making subcompacts hatchbacks very much desirable in the Philippines.

 

First unveiled in August 2012, the Mirage not only won the 2012 Car of the Year-Philippines award but also became the bestselling hatchback in 2013 with 6,191 units sold.

 

The fact that its three-cylinder engine has been rated to deliver 21 kpl fuel efficiency makes it even more deserving to be compared with the other four contenders.

• 2014 Chevrolet Spark 1.0LS A/T (P573,000)

 

Among the five that we’ve tested, the Spark is perhaps the one car that for this writer, came close to achieving the balance that first car buyers seek.

 

The Spark has an expressive exterior design (next only to the Fiesta) that is refreshingly modern. Inside, the Spark displays a simple, clean design with enough chic that helps you overlook the hard plastic surfaces. Noteworthy is the sporty gauges that feature both a traditional speedometer and a digital multifunction display. This adds further visual interest.

 

While the automatic Spark can feel lazy when doing straight line acceleration, it was surprisingly agile around corners given its economy hatch role. Road and wind noise are noticeable, but no more intrusive than the four tested (the Fiesta has the least amount of perceived noise, vibration, and harshness).

 

(Next: the scores and the winners)