Tata Manza Diesel VX

The Tata Manza Diesel VX is a sedan that was introduced as a successor to the Indigo, aiming to offer a more contemporary and stylish alternative. It features the Fiat 1.3L MJD engine, known for its reliability and fuel efficiency, paired with a smooth-shifting manual gearbox. The car is praised for its spacious interiors, including generous legroom and an enormous boot space that surpasses many of its competitors. The ride quality is comfortable, and the raised seating provides good visibility. However, the build quality and paint finish are areas of concern, with reports of niggling issues and a lack of consistency in quality control. The Manza also comes with several convenient features such as electronic mirror adjustment, automatic climate control, and a well-designed dashboard. Despite its discontinuation, the Manza remains a viable option for those seeking a spacious and fuel-efficient sedan, provided they are prepared to address the potential build quality issues.

The Tata Manza Diesel VX is a mixed bag, offering several compelling features but also some significant drawbacks. On the positive side, it boasts the reliable Fiat 1.3L MJD engine and a smooth-shifting gearbox, which provide excellent fuel efficiency and a spirited drive. The interior space is generous, with ample legroom, enormous boot space, and a comfortable ride. However, the build quality and paint finish are areas where the Manza falls short, with many owners reporting niggling issues and a lack of quality control from the production line. If you are willing to compromise on build quality, the Manza offers great value for money, especially considering its fuel efficiency, spacious interiors, and robust engine.

Tata Motors officially stopped the production and sale of the Tata Manza sedan in December 2015. The car was removed from the companys lineup due to poor market reception, despite being a modified version of the Tata Indigo with several facelifts. I think this decision was inevitable given the cars association with taxi services, which affected its appeal as a personal vehicle.

The Tata Manza Diesel VX comes equipped with a 1.3 litre 16-valve DOHC Quadrajet engine, producing 90 bhp of power and 200 Nm of torque. It also features Electronic Throttle Control and well-calculated gear ratios, resulting in a mileage of up to 21.2 kmpl. I think the engine performance and mileage make it a decent option for those looking for a fuel-efficient sedan.

The Tata Manza Diesel VX includes several high-end features such as GPS navigation, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and electronic brake-force distribution. These features were part of the cars effort to stand out in its segment. I believe these additions were positive steps, but they werent enough to overcome the cars overall market perception.

In 2013, Tata Motors announced a significant price reduction for the Tata Manza diesel variants, with the VX model seeing a price cut from Rs. 7.55 lakhs to Rs. 7.19 lakhs. This move was aimed at making the car more competitive in the lower C segment. I believe this price correction was a necessary step to attract more buyers, but it ultimately didnt change the cars fortunes.

As part of its efforts to boost sales, Tata Motors also introduced a buy-back scheme for the Manza, allowing buyers to sell the car back to the manufacturer after three years for 60% of the new car’s selling price. I think this was a creative approach, but it didnt seem to have a significant impact on the cars sales.

The Tata Manza Diesel VX was priced competitively in its time, with ex-showroom prices starting around Rs. 6.24 lakh to Rs. 7.68 lakh, depending on the variant and location. On-road prices would typically be higher, including additional costs such as registration, insurance, and other local taxes, which could push the total to around Rs. 7.5 lakh to Rs. 9 lakh. While the prices are attractive, its crucial to consider the long-term costs, including maintenance and potential repairs due to the build quality issues. Despite its discontinuation, if youre considering a used Manza, prices will be significantly lower, reflecting its age and market conditions.

The Tata Manza Diesel VX offers impressive fuel efficiency, with an ARAI-certified mileage of 21.12 kmpl. In real-world conditions, owners have reported mileage figures ranging from 18.5 kmpl in city driving to over 25 kmpl on highways, especially when maintaining a constant RPM and moderate speeds. This makes the Manza an excellent choice for those concerned about running costs and fuel efficiency.