Ritz VXi - The Wondrous machine. Review on Maruti Suzuki RitZ

In my previous review(Review title -'Choosing Ritz') I have put all the reasons of why I chose Ritz. In this review I'm gonna share my all experience of using my car.

As I've already mentioned in previous review that this is my own first car. Earlier there was Maruti Omni in our family and at present we own Honda City, both purchased by my dad. So I have a vast and multi car driving experience of 800cc-40ps(MS Omni), 1200cc-85ps(MS Ritz) and 1500cc-118ps(Honda City). Now a days I drive both cars(Ritz and City) so there may be indirect comparison in my review between these 2(I understand that Ritz never be compared with City as the segment of both is different) but it may bring smile on Ritz owners in some cases. LOOKS: The looks of Ritz may be controversial for some and for some it may not be. But if you ask me then I will say Ritz has got pretty Unique, Fresh, Rejuvenating and Dynamic physique. The rear may be bit awkward but if you wish to feel younger then go for it without hesitating.

CABIN n COMFORT: Here you come to know the importance of MS's'Tallboy' design. MS team has designed this car such way that the person of 6 feet height also, can easily get in and out(One of my friend, who is 6.1 feet tall, always praise my car while sitting in). The cabin is much bigger than the opponents and it feels completely'Airy' from inside b'coz of bigger windows. The Legroom in rear may be bit cramped but due to soft cushioning and good thigh support, one may not bother with it. The roof at front side is so higher that one feels like sitting in SUV. At rear, the roof brought slightly lower to maintain its airo-dynamic behaviour but it is still quiet bigger than the opponents.

The front seats of Ritz are sufficiently wide and posses good lumber and thigh support. I could enjoy non-stop trips of 250 kms(4-4.5 hrs approx.)(Pune to Aurangabad) twice time. I never felt tired in any of these trips. My colleague seated beside me was also happy with it. It might be b'coz of higher sitting position(like sitting on chair). But.But. One could feel mild pain in right knee as I had, but I never bother with it coz I enjoyed my drive. In the rear three people of average build can be accommodated easily.

The dash mounted Gear shaft and Tachometer is located perfectly and those come in range of our respective organs.

The Air Conditioning system is bit disappointment in Ritz. The MS tuned its engine in such way that it produces huge power in terms of Acceleration and Speed but not in terms of cooling. The AC is more powerful than Wagon R, Estilo and Santro but not as much as Swift's.

The beauty of this car is in its smooth ride. Ritz is butter smooth especially at speed after 90 km/hr. Once you cross 90 km/hr you will feel as if you are flying and floating in air. it absolutely doesn't make you feel ups n down of road at high speed b'coz of its high ground clearance. Whereas in case of Honda City, it often slams in such situation. Also Honda City creates more noise of friction of tyres with road at high speed but in Ritz, you listen absolutely no sound other than your music that you play in car. But Honda City moves smoothly over the potholes where Ritz gets bumpy on it. POWER: Aaah! This is the boon. The MS provided 2 options in same engine - The Swift and the Ritz. Both cars have got same engine and so its characteristics. Those who want decent family car, can go for Swift and those dream of car with sporty nature, can own Ritz.

The prime difference between Swift and Ritz is acceleration. I think the Ritz is quickest in this class. It moves from'0' as if Usain Bolt starts the sprint as soon as he hears the bang of gun. Ritz has got most power in its 1st, 2nd and mostly in the 3rd gear. Driving at 4th feels like sitting on'Tortoise'. It grabs that kick again in 5th gear once it crosses 80-90 km/hr and after 100 km/hr it pulls up to 145-150 km/hr quite incredibly. I could touch my car up to 140 km/hr on Pune-Mumbai expressway(and left my bro-in-law's Verna behind who was driving at 120 km/hr) but then I reduced my speed for safety of my wife and her small niece. Here I would like to mention with joy that difference in acceleration of Ritz and City, after 100 km/hr is quite negligible. Several times I managed to stay ahead of Honda City on the highways. But once you reduce the speed, the City will grab you and pass ahead of you rigorously.

I have to drive both cars frequently as we are in service industry and due to that we have to go outta Pune quite lot of times. So I always keep checking the time needed to travel 250 kms by City and same by Ritz. Believe me there are absolutely no difference between time taken by these two. I could reach in Pune from Aurangabad(exact distance 255 kms) in just 3 hours and 45 minutes by both cars.(Both journey was non-stop and started and ended between 8 pm to 2 am and also both cars were running with Full AC).

Driving Ritz in bumper to bumper traffic is fun. B'coz of higher sitting position and lower mounted steering wheel, one can easily turn the car and adjust himself with traffic situation. The power in first three gears reduces the efforts of shifting gears in city traffic. I always succeed in picking up the previous motion from the speed of 5-10 km/hr in 2nd gear only whereas I have to put the Honda City in 1st gear to achieve its last motion(I think this may b  b'coz of City's heavy weight and powerful AC. In both cases there were only 2 people were seated in car with their office bags).

MILEAGE: As I've already mentioned that Ritz is more on sporty side and not purely family car the mileage is slightly lesser than Swift. MS claimed 18.1 kmpl for Swift and 17.7 kmpl for Ritz - on the road I got 14.9 - 15.2 kmpl including both city and highway rides and AC was on all the time. The recent trip of Pune - Aurangabad - Pune(530 kms) gave me magical number i. e. 16.4 kmpl(with AC on all the time). I put regular petrol in my car and not any Speed or Power one. MAINTENANCE: When I purchased my car, it was 1 year and 11 months old and now it is completed another 2 years so now my car is totally 3 years and 11 months old. During this period I never spent a single penny on the stuff other than regular servicing. Since I had purchased my car from Maruti's True Value, I got warranty of 1 year from them.

1) In first servicing after 1000 kms and after 1 month, the regular checks carried out by maruti's team and charges was Nil.

2) 2nd servicing after 5000 kms and after 5 months charged me around 2500 bucks.

3) I paid around 3500 INR at 3rd servicing and the last servicing I have done locally that charged Rs 3500 only. So it is quite economical to maintain this car. Pros: 1) Ritz is Unique and fresh in looks and has sporty nature.

2) Ingress and Egress is easier, Bigger cabin that feels like sitting in SUV.

3) Seats cushioning quite good, seats are wide and has got good lumber and thigh support.

4) It is quickest and acceleration after 100 km/hr is incredible. 5) Butter smooth at speed of 100 km/hr and thereafter.

6) Economical in maintenance.

Cons: 1) AC is less powerful.

2) Car gets sluggish in 4th gear.

3) Mileage is lesser than Swift.

4) Rear design is bit awkward.