Toyota launched the Axio model for a remarkable strategic reason. Toyota has been increasing the size of its traditional Corolla model to meet international market demand but it had to keep the size same for the domestic market to remain as “small size passenger vehicles” so that the buyers can avoid additional taxes. So they built a new model called “Axio” only for Japanese market which doesn’t exceed 4.7m length, 1.7m width, and 2m height dimension.
The eleventh generation Toyota Corolla (E160), more commonly known in Bangladesh as Toyota Axio is sold in Japan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. Larger and substantially different Toyota Corolla (E170) is offered for international market. The E160 is based on Toyota B platform whereas the E170 is based on the New MC platform.

What we like and dislike?
We like : Ease of use, fuel economy, reliable engine, ample cabin space.
We dislike : Lack of instruments and modern technology.

Trims and Variants
The Axio had three trims available – base trim X, G trim at the middle and Luxel trim with top specs. In September 2019, the EX trim was announced replacing the X trim to focus more on business users. "Toyota Safety Sense", smart entry and start system are now standard with four color variations and two engine variations - 1.5 liter petrol and 1.5 liter hybrid versions.

Exterior
The Axio has received a facelift in 2019 with a much more conservative and simpler exterior design, xenon headlights and LED backlights. The redesigned Axio perhaps is much better looking than the earlier version.

Interior
The interior is similarly simple, logical and user friendly. Perhaps it is a bit too simple with an infotainment screen, air conditioning control, a steering wheel, and a speedometer dominating the dashboard and missing out on latest tech savvy innovations or even a tachometer.

Considering to the dimensions of the car, the Axio provides ample space in the cabin. The wheelbase helped to leave enough headroom and legroom both in front and rear seats. The large glass area allows more light into the cabin and gives it an airy fresh feel.

Drive and Performance
The Axio shares the same 1.5 liter 1NZ-FE engine Toyota Fielder, Premio, Allion etc. and capable of generating 110 max power at 6000 rpm and 140 Nm of Torque. Both the engine and the CVT engine are very reliable and deliver excellent fuel economy of 15 Km/L on average.

The demand for subcompact SUV is increasing these days and Honda HR-V or Vezel is a popular choice in this category. More utility than sports, and more economic than driving experience compared to some of the other options in this segment, Vezel is favorite to many for city drives and relaxed highway cruises.

What we like and dislike?
We like : - Folding rear seat, ample cargo space, fuel-efficiency, all-wheel drive (optional), improved infotainment system (optional).
We dislike : - Lethargic acceleration, rough ride handling on bumpy track, cheaper cabin material.

In its 2019 edition, Honda Vezel is redesigned with new headlights, bumper, grille and wheels while its electric steering and transmission system have also been improved. The base trim is still with CD player, radio and sound system but an updated 7 inches touchscreen infotainment system comes up as standard with higher variants. Honda Sensing, Honda’s safety features package which includes automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control is now standard for EX, EX-L and Touring trims but not for LX or Sport.

Alongside the improved infotainment system, second row seats and cargo space are the strongest suits of Vezel. Vezel offers the more cargo space than its rivals with the second row seats which can be folded to create length and width whereas the bottoms can be flipped to lower and create more height.

Considering the price vs features, mid-range EX trim offers the best value for money as it offers keyless entry, improved 7 inch infotainment system, rear privacy glass, passenger-side blind-spot camera, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, heated front seats, automatic climate control, power sunroof, Honda Sensing safety package etc. for slightly higher price.

If it is the speed and race that you are looking for, then Vezel may disappoint you with its sluggish, raucous engine. The ride experience on level ground is smooth but it gets rough on bumpy roads. The fuel efficiency is rather good with approximately 24 Km/L in city drives and 30 Km/L on highway.

Honda Vezel comes with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) as standard but an All Wheel Drive (AWD) is also available. There are five trim levels available: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring. The base trim LX includes features like tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, bluetooth, USB port, CD player, 5-inch central display screen, rearview camera, split folding rear seat, 17-inch alloy wheels etc. The Sport trim adds 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, six-speaker sound system, active noise cancellation, leather upholstery for gear shift knob and steering wheel, roof rails, foglights, 18-inch wheels etc. to the base trim.

As mentioned earlier, the EX trim adds keyless entry, rear privacy glass, passenger-side blind-spot camera, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, heated front seats, automatic climate control, power sunroof, Honda Sensing safety package etc. to the Sport trim. The EX-L trim includes an auto dimming rearview mirror and the highest trim Touring offers LED headlights, voice recognition enabled navigation system etc.

Hyundai Tucson is a popular car with its stylish exterior and interior and lots of features; and Hyundai has kept most of its design and features and brought few small changes in its 2019 model.

What we like and dislike?
We like : New infotainment system, Hyundai Auto Link, two engine choices, nicely balanced suspension.
We dislike : - Dual-clutch gearbox still a little clunky in 1.6-litre variants, Voice Recognition doesn't work unless paired with smartphone mirroring, underpowered base engine.

Exterior design was one of best things about Hyundai Tucson; hence they chose to keep it that way and one may miss the styling changes at the first look. The headlights, daytime running lights, grille, wheels with new 17,18 and 19 inches options and backlights are redesigned and the car is now available in three more colors (white, brown, and blue).

It is the cabin where Hyundai made more changes to improve the infotainment system and upholstery. The dashboard is redesigned with wireless phone charging system, USB port, 7.0-inch touchscreen display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but no integrated satellite navigation and an eight-speaker Infinity sound system with subwoofer. Higher grades than the base model offers a high-resolution 8.0-inch display that also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and bundles inbuilt satellite navigation. But unlike some other car manufacturers it doesn’t offer the option of voice command through Bluetooth or WiFi and requires a cable connectivity to pair with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The entry level front-wheel-drive, six-speed automatic, 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 122kW of power and 205Nm of torque and runs 12.6 kilometers per liter of fuel. Key safety features under SmartSense package come standard for all models whereas higher grades like Elite and Highlander includes Autonomous Emergency Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Attention Monitoring etc. as standard feature.

Hyundai has brought down peak torque from 4700 rpm to 4000 rpm to improve engine efficiency of the Tucson 2019. It is not the best among its competitors but better than its previous models. But the engine performs very lethargically and can be very slaggy when you try for a throttle after coming off from the brake pedal and change gears.

The steering ratio has been adjusted, rear assist arms and bushes have been redesigned, and Noise control has been improved to offer a smoother, more refined urban ride.

The 2019 Honda Civic epitomizes compact-car excellence with its mix of practicality and a fun-to-drive personality. The versatile 2019 Civic has a version for everyone; its lineup includes a two.

Overview: The 2019 Honda Civic epitomizes compact-car excellence with its mix of practicality and a fun-to-drive personality. The versatile 2019 Civic has a version for everyone; its lineup includes a two-door coupe as well as a four-door sedan and hatchback. It's available with two excellent four-cylinder engines and either an adroit continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or a slick-shifting six-speed manual. Buyers seeking practicality don't need a crossover, nor do those seeking sportiness need to buy a sports car: the 2019 Honda Civic Sport does both at an affordable price. It's so good, we named it to one of our 10Best Cars along with the Civic Si and the Type R. While the affable compact isn't perfect, it excels everywhere else and ranks near the top of its class.

What's New for 2019?
The 2019 Civic lineup receives a slew of changes that range from mild styling tweaks, new standard features, and spreading the Sport moniker to the coupe and sedan. Perhaps the most underappreciated update is the volume knob and hard buttons that are added to the touchscreen, which was previously a source of frustration. Otherwise, the sedan and coupe have cleaner front-end designs and newly standard driver-assistance equipment. While both body styles are now available in Sport trim, only the hatchback version has the 180-hp four-cylinder with an extra 22 horsepower. Still, the Sport coupe and sedan have the same blacked-out appearance and stiffer suspension tuning. Inside, all Civic models have larger cupholders, redesigned steering-wheel controls, and better sound insulation. New exterior colors include Platinum White Pearl, Lava Pearl, and Tonic Yellow Pearl.

The 2019 Civic lineup spreads three body styles among various models. The multitalented Sport version is our pick, with its dark exterior trimming and sharper handling that help optimize the fun factor. We'd stick with the standard six-speed manual transmission versus the optional CVT. The hatchback version is not only more practical than the sedan and coupe, it also has the more powerful 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and only costs a little extra. Every Sport model includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic climate control, and 18-inch wheels.

The midsize SUV segment is gaining popularity and this 7-seater crossover is perfect choice for average family size than the subcompacts and large SUVs. Mighty yet classy, the Ford Everest Titanium sits in this segment and it is the top-spec trim of Everest.

What we like and dislike?
We like : Refined and classy yet beefy, infotainment, ride comfort, safety features.

We dislike : Expensive, too many meters cluttered in relatively tiny place, some cheap-feeling plastic interior materials, no telescopic steering-wheel.

Features
Standard features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Start Assist, Keyless Entry, rear view camera, rear parking sensors, 'SYNC 3' multimedia (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, active noise cancellation system, Volumetric Burglar Alarm, bluetooth, USB, i-pod, 6-spoke 20-inch rims (optional 18 inch one is also available on demand) etc.

Design and Styling
The exterior styling has a blend of muscle and class while the cabin gives a mixed feeling. The big panoramic sunroof, heated leather seats and large 8 inches touchscreen with 10 speaker sound system brings a luxury look but cheap looking plastic materials used inside the cabin compromises the plushness. Also the graphic lane guidance, tachometer, fuel meter, fuel economy, mileage etc. are clustered in a way that sometimes you may find it difficult to quickly glance a particular meter when needed.

The interior has enough space with comfortable seats. The driver seat has 8-way power adjuster while the second and third row seats have enough head and leg space for a relaxed long drive. The second row seats come with ISOFIX/conventional child-seat attachment points and they split and each seat can recline to make it cozier while the foldable third row seats offer the option to increase cargo area if needed. The cabin zone is equipped with flip-down armrest, 230V power point, dual-zone temperature control individual air vents with separate control, and 7 airbags.

Drive and Performance?
Everest’s softer suspension enhances ride comfort without compromising body control at the corners and it is comfortable to maneuver thanks to the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS). You can expect a nice, smooth ride on and off the road. The noise is quieter than the 3.2L variant, the transmission is pretty smooth, and the fuel economy is quite good at 13 Km/L on average with 7.8 Km/L in city and 18.2 Km/L on highway. The Hill Assist feature helps you to move uphill and the switchable start/stop system increases fuel efficiency.

Safety Features
Ford Everest comes up with strong safety features like blind spot monitoring, all-around proximity sensors, rear-cross traffic alert, rear camera, speed limiter, pre-collision mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, seven full-length airbags etc.