Sep 06, 2008 07:50 PM
9220 Views
I have taken two test drives of Maruti SX4 ZXI and I havent gone ga-ga over this car.
My context: My previous car was a Toyota RAV4 2007 2.4L 4x4 with 3rd row seat option package. I used to live in the US earlier.
My requirements - A spacious, comfortable sedan/SUV for a a family size of 4 adults+ 2 kids. Need to have safety features - absolutely essential. Need boot space since I plan to go on long highway drives, outstation drives. Reliability and build quality are very important for me and along with good service coverage(since I will use it outside cities too). And definitely need to have a value for money car. I just cant get over the fact that cars in India are horribly overpriced - guess due to the duty structure. I mean I got my RAV4 for$24, 500 out the door(ie equivalent to on-road price in India, in US we dont include insurance in car price)
What I like - Value for money, safety features! One of the first Indian cars that has a semblance of safety features - ABS with EBD, Airbags, Tubeless Tires, stiff chassis. Engine immobilizer with keyless enty. Electric outside rear view mirrors(unlike most Indians, I prefer using both side wing mirrors), rear defogger(very useful in Mumbai monsoons), fog lamps(again, Mumbai monsoons and highway drives)
In-dash CD+ MP3 player - No need to get my car's electronics compromised by installing after-market ICE. I am not an audiophile and am comfortable with stock entertainment system.
Again my context was my RAV4 - there was no compromise on safety or features in that car, though mine was a so-called base model. The base model will beat any Indian car today in safety, and features.
The seating position in SUV like with a tall stance, and you clearly tower over other sedans. Driver's seat is height adjustable - a very good feature for comfortable driving position.
However, the A pillar is a blind spot when sharp turning. Not a good driving view when turning.
Power - not punchy, but adequate. Does not compare to Hyundai verna diesel(havent tested Verna petrol). Engine is not too refined. In one of the TD cars, the clutch was hard(same with Verna TD).
Gearbox - Not bad. Gear shifting could have been smoother. First gear was a little difficult to engage.
Looks - Subjective. But is not sleek like a sedan, neither macho as an SUV. Side profile is odd to me. Neither here not there.
What I dislike: Horrible fit and finish. Totally inconsistent trim gaps. And this I saw in not just the test drive car, but cars in the showroom and on SX4s on road and also in Swift. A case in point is the external window rubber beading. It simply does not sit flush with window frame. Roof moulding is again not flush at places and protrudes out of door frame beadings. Plastics are cheap. Feels downmarket. The rear seat center hump is uncomfortable for an Adult seat. It seems to be a car for at most 4 adults and a kid? Tunnel in floor makes it uncomfortable for middle seat passenger.
What could be improved: If Maruti wants to start making'luxury' cars then it needs to pay more attention to fit, finish and trim quality. It is bad and inconsistent. Does not have a luxury feeling at all. Needs to fix the rear seat center hump. It is uncomfortable. And thinkof adding traction control, Tire pressure monitor and cruise control options.
Engine needs to undergo more refinement and should be tuned for more torque.
