The scenic, boulder-strewn seaside village of Mahabalipuram was the backdrop for a firsthand experience of Sunny, Nissan’s premium sedan for India. Home to cave temples, sculptures and monolithic carvings, Mahabalipuram stands testament to the architectural excellence of the Pallava dynasty. Like the sculptures of Mahabalipuram, the Sunny catches the eye with well-sculpted exterior; every line is carved to perfection.

Attractive and sleek, featuring Nissan’s signature grille and jewel-like headlamps, the Sunny displays a pronounced high running beltline that slopes from the headlamps, with the roof inclined elegantly to the rear, giving it the appeal of a coupé. Out back, the trunk offers a healthy 490 litres of luggage room but doesn’t look bulky at all. Thanks to the flowing lines and tail lamps that sweep back into the rear fender, you might even mistake it for the luxury model Teana at a quick glance.

Inside, the Sunny’s USP is space, especially in the backseat. You can cross your

Read it -- Tata Vista. The Indica badge at the car’s rear has shrunk. So has its Indica-ness. The car’s first major makeover in three years is Tata’s clear attempt to get deep into the premium hatchback segment and make it a popular choice among those who hesitate to proudly say, ‘I drive a Tata Indica’.

Styling

The new Vista shares its front fascia with its elder sibling Manza. The chrome grille and larger triple barreled head lamps make its face more belligerent – and upmarket. The chrome lines that extend to the C-Pillar don’t go all the way to the rear. Instead, there’s a mirror-polished black garnishing below the rear windshield; a chrome variant of the same would have looked better there.

The interior is where the new Vista makes the real difference. Available in four trims, the car offers integrated six-speaker music system with steering-mounted audio controls, USB support and Bluetooth connectivity on all but the base variant. Steering-mounted controls on the lower variants –

You probably think a mid-life makeover of the Tata Aria isn't worth your time. You might be making a hasty judgment there. The Tata Aria 4x2 is not just another makeover. It extends the range to new segments and redefines several benchmarks by slashing prices by a whopping Rs. 1.3 lakh. If that isn’t incentive enough, take it on a drive to find out whether Aria 4X2 will be a game changer for Tata.

No better place than Pune for a test drive -- with a wide variety of driving conditions spanning across the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, idyllic hill stations a stone’s throw away, most indisciplined city traffic and off-roading prospects within the city limits, thanks to roads that have forgotten even the smell of tarmac.

Styling

The angular, wrap-around dual-barrel headlamp with projector beam and the signature Tata grille that we saw on Vista and Manza give Aria an aggressive look. Step in, oh sorry, walk-in (Passengers can simply walk into the Aria, rather than having to climb up