Ertiga, Enjoy and Innova go head-to-head

The multi-purpose vehicle segment has seen some serious activity in the past one year. Maruti Suzuki fired the first salvo with the launch of the Ertiga. General Motors India joined the party by introducing the Chevrolet Enjoy. The Ertiga promptly became Enjoy's direct rival. But to add a twist in the tale, we already had the king of the MPV segment, the Toyota Innova.

Three great vehicles... how do they stack up against one another?

Styling:

Everyone will agree that MPVs are not too pleasing to the eyes as they are less about design, more about being practical.

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The Enjoy, thus, certainly will not bring any joy at a beauty pageant. The design borders on the boring - it looks like a courier van. But it works in Enjoy's favour as this allows a lot of space inside.

The pronounced V on the bonnet, the smart wraparound headlamps, nose chrome and lower front honeycomb grille are the most the Enjoy can boast about when it comes to looks. We also noticed that you need to bang the doors to ensure they are safely shut.

The Innova's sloping roof makes it look more like a soccer mom's set of wheels than a commercial vehicle. With the nose and front bumper resembling the Corolla, it is a smart-looking MPV.

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The Ertiga, on its part, appears more like a stretched Ritz, which is a good thing as it then becomes a personal car rather than a taxi parked in your driveway. The swept-back headlamps give it the most aggressive look among the trio.

Comfort and space

As both Enjoy and Ertiga are built on a monocoque base, the absence of the ladder frame allows more space for the passengers. The Enjoy's boxy shape gives its interiors an airy feel, which is complemented by its larger windshield. The seats are comfortable and provide a decent driving position. The second and third rows are extremely roomy.

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In the higher-end models, the middle row comes with cushy captain seats which provide great thigh support and are adjustable. The only glitch is that these seats don't fold down so one has to squeeze past them to get to the third row. This last row is also deprived of air conditioning vents as in the Ertiga.

The beige-black interiors are conservative, the plastics average, and the inconsistent panel gaps, disappointing. The single-DIN music system is a pale shadow of the factory-fitted double-DIN systems in the other two MPVs. We also missed the steering-mounted audio controls.

Despite being the shortest in over-all length, Maruti's vehicle is cleverly designed not to cramp passengers. Even the third row surprised us with its ample space. The seats are soft but accommodating.

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The Ertiga's Swift-ish interiors and dashboard give it a youthful look, though sitting three people in the second row is at best a snug fit. The Innova is not only the biggest MPV, but also has the lushest interiors. The dashboard is eye-catching with its 6-inch touch-screen DVD-display audio system.

The previous generation Camry's steering wheel and wooden panels add to the premium feel. The driving position is commanding and the captain seats in the second row, available in the top variant, have always been the best in class. Being a big car, it comes equipped with a parking camera.

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Engine power

Both the Enjoy and Ertiga are powered by Fiat's 1.3-litre multi-jet diesel engine but this is where the similarity ends. The Enjoy is a rear-wheel drive MPV and so has better traction than the Ertiga.

Compared to the Maruti, the turbo lag is negligible in lower speeds. But on the highway, the Ertiga is better as it has more horsepower and torque. GM needs to improve the Enjoy's NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels as once the rpm inches towards the 200 mark, the rattle and hum are distinct. Though its gear lever is loopy, the gear ratios are perfect for city driving.

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The Innova comes with a powerful 102PS, fuel-efficient 2.5-litre diesel engine. It has the best torque and power balance for both city and highway driving.

And the winner is...

All three are spacious MPVs in their own right and can ferry 7-8 passengers. The Enjoy is built at a cut-throat price and, unfortunately, it shows. But it is easy to manoeuvre in the city, and the rear-parking sensor is a wise addition.

If you want an affordable MPV, then there is none cheaper than the Enjoy. If you are status conscious and want a pompous ride, then the Innova is your calling. I would personally opt for this Toyota machine. But you need to shell out some serious cash for it.

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The most practical choice is the Ertiga. It has all the features of an MPV but drives like a car and should someone ask you, "Kitna deti hai?", you can smile happily. And do we even need mention the Maruti service network?

Ertiga

Engine: 1248cc, diesel

Power: 90 PS @4000 rpm

Torque: 200 Nm @1750 rpm

Ground clearance: 2740mm

Ground clearance: 185mm

Price: Rs 7.39-8.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Innova

Engine: 2494cc, diesel

Power: 102 PS @ 3600 rpm

Torque: 200 Nm @ 1400 rpm

Ground clearance: 176 mm

Wheel Base: 2750 mm

Price: Rs 9.77-14.42 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

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Enjoy

Engine: 1248cc, diesel

Power: 77.5 PS @ 4000 rpm

Torque: 188 Nm @ 1750 rpm

Wheel Base: 2720 mm

Ground clearance: 161mm

Price: Rs 6.69-7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)