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| Hyundai's
cabins better than competition in Indian market. |
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A
human finger is richly supplied by nerves and tactile sensory receptors.
It may seem an inconsequential tidbit of information but not to car designers
these days who realise how important it is to create the right tactile
feel inside a car. Providing interiors that look rich and feel nice to
touch greatly increases the perceived value of the car.
Surprisingly it is Hyundai which has understood this game better than
anyone else in India. The cabin quality of both the Santro and Accent
is the best in their class and this is what gives them an edge against
the competition. Maruti finds it difficult to fathom why the Wagon R,
which is superior to the Santro in many areas, cannot make a dent in Santro
sales. You need to step inside for the answer.
The Wagon R’s
problem is that its interiors feel too plasticky and cheap, leaving an impression
that you’re not getting what you’ve paid for. It’s the same
with the Ikon’s insides which use hard-looking plastic for the dashboard
and low-rent trim for the door insides that feel nowhere near as luxurious
as the Accent.
The fact that the Ikon’s performance makes up in more ways is another
matter. It’s the same with Honda, which has given the City tacky interiors
but has got away by providing cars that are great to drive and come with
a badge that is a status symbol in India. Even the Accord’s interiors,
which have a distinct air of luxury, have some nasty bits of plastic like
the flimsy control stalks borrowed from the City, which feel like you’re
breaking a chicken leg when you operate them. In contrast, the Sonata which
is substantially cheaper than the Accord feels a lot more expensive with
its well-appointed and inviting cabin.
Mahindra learned how important interiors are when it launched the Bolero.
The new, richly textured injection-moulded instrument panel and upgraded
trim helped elevate the Bolero’s image to appeal to a more sophisticated
buyer.
The thing about interiors is that they are the only area of a car that you
constantly look at and touch. It’s always nice to have a meaty yet
soft steering wheel to grip, a stubby and slick gear lever to operate, and
buttons that feel well-damped and solid to press. It’s these tactile
qualities or ‘soft’ factors that are usually more important than
an impressive spec sheet.
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August 2001 