The Tata indigo was adjudged the "Best Value for Money Car" at the prestigious CNBC Auto Car Auto awards that were announced on 15th January 2003. The panelists comprised of Dilip Chhabria (leading car designer), Naren Kumar (National Rally Champion), Manvendra Singh (leading historian on automobiles in India), Rajeev Khanna (T.V. Anchor), Murad Ali Baig (Auto Analyst), Farhad Bhathena (3 time national rally champion), Hormazd Sorabjee (Editor, Autocar India) and Shapur Kotwal (Associate Editor, Autocar India) –all eminent personalities of the auto world.

The Evaluation Process:
Autocar, India, conducted strenuous road tests using highly sophisticated testing equipment and international procedures. The vehicles had to undergo a 1500 kms. road test under different road conditions. The parameters that determined the performance of the vehicle were identified as: Acceleration, Maximun Speed, Braking, Fuel Consumption (city and highway); Ride and handling; Interior space and comfort: refinement and build quality.
Ernst & Young audited and evaluated the scores for the event.

Autocar India reports that Tata Engineering rewrote the mid- size car pricing rules with the Indigo’s launch in December. Besides being the most economical mid size sedan available, it also has inherent virtues like a very comfortable rear seat, a huge boot, plush interiors and excellent rear suspension and an extremely potent powertrain.
"Tot up the amount of features and equipment Tata has put into its mid-sizer, compare it with rivals and they don’t even come close." – Autocar – February 2003.