Tata Bolt review, road test

The Zest sub-compact sedan isn’t exactly flying out of showrooms but there’s no doubt it has evoked a positive response in the market and a newfound respect for Tata Motors’ latest breed of cars. And to ride this feel-good swell, Tata Motors quickly launched the Bolt, which is essentially the hatchback iteration of the Zest. Both these models represent a fresh beginning for Tata Motors and though they are not all new, they are certainly the bridge to Tata’s future.

Like with the Zest, the carmaker has spared no effort (and expense) in making the Bolt as good as it can. The stakes are even higher for the Bolt because unlike the relatively uncrowded compact sedan segment, the hatchback segment is the most cut-throat chunk of our market.

On the face of it, things look good for the Bolt. It’s spacious, superbly equipped and quite nice to look at. Prices start at Rs 4.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base petrol XE trim, going up to a rather ambitious Rs 6.99 lakh for the range-topping XT diesel. However, these days, it’s more than just price and the equipment level that determine a car’s success. Customers have become more demanding and discerning, which means the Bolt has to deliver in every area. In this exhaustive road test, we find out if it does.