Feb 18, 2011 06:35 PM
28768 Views
(Updated Feb 23, 2011 03:57 PM)
I got a SX4-ZXi MT (BSIV) in January 2010. I could have written this review earlier as well but I was willing to be honest with the reader of this review, as a year time is must (3 services) to talk about any car for its performance, mileage, comfort, and other features. SX4 brings lots of good with minimal disappointment.
If I talk about comparison, Hyundai Verna, Tata Indigo, Ford Fiesta etc are far behind from it. I found Honda City IVTec, as the only car, with that SX4 should be compared. Before making this comparison, I would like to discuss few goods and drawbacks of this car.
Let’s go through the Goods first:
Size and Looks (Overall Dimension): No second thought, this car is a ‘Beast on the Road’. Amazing Height, optimized width, and superb length wrapped in a European design. Front and back of this car is having a very dashing smooth look along with nicely designed Head/tail lamps. Smooth curves give a silky look from sides. If you closely observe it front doors, those are having cuts on top right portion that you don’t find in any other car. You can observe this very easily from standing outside when any of the front doors are open. Side view gives a complete feeling from start to end, no sharp edges or vision blocker.10 spoke-large size alloy wheel refine the beauty of this car 10 folds.
Boot Space and ground clearance- **I am not able to find any other car having this much of boot space in this range. You can put 5-6 airbags along with two medium size suitcase/strolleys. Bluntly, no other car in sedan range having ground clearance more than this car. Personal experience, on a bad road where other cars’ under carriage was touching the road, this was going on without any problem.
Safety - **When you drive on a highway with your family and friends, its safety features give you confidence to drive boldly. ABS, Airbags, powerful handbrake, effective seatbelts give you a caring feel and allows you to drive without any fear. (Readers- safety features are only for humans, not for aliens who believe only in rash driving).
Interior- **Very decent and elegant, in classic style with more than required leg space. Illuminated buttons, light color roof, wooden hand rests, cloth covered doors, light cream upholstery, and appropriately wide handrest fitted in passenger seat. Bottle holders in all the doors and a beautiful ashtray for ‘Smoke and Drive’ personalities. You will be glad to see the seating space of all the seats.
Features- **This has been loaded with lots of features like:
Automatic climate control*- that helps driver or passenger sitting at front not to switch on/off AC at a regular interval. Just fix a temperature and leave everything at your car to maintain the desired temperature.
Wall mounted stereo-* Manufacturer has fitted the audio in dashboard, that gives a very composite look and enhance the beauty of dashboard. AUX and USB can be added with the music player, but you have to invest for this.
Steering Mounted Audio Control-* Audio controls on steering helps you not to distract from road to increase/decrease volume or change the mode/song.
Fog Lamps- Yes, this car is loaded with the fog lamps, something very important in winters.
Performance and Maneuvering- **1.6 Ltrs strong engine, personally tested top-speed 149 Km/hr (only once J) with zero vibration, and 15.5 kms/ltr on highway and 12.5 Kms/ltr in city gives this car an edge when loaded with 5 people, considering its size and weight.
Let’s go through the drawbacks*
Audio System-** The highly disappointing item in this car, especially for the audio lovers. In year 2010, manufacturer has fitted audio system launched in mid nineties- this is a basic CD player with a provision of Aux, USB, and FM. But USB will be added only at your cost. Speakers are average in quality, and woofers are entirely missing.
Power Window- **Speed of power window can disappoint. This is not very slow, but slow.
Maneuvering- **Loaded with power steering, but steering requires a bit more power from the driver to take a sharp or U turn.
‘A’ shape column adjacent to front doors- This is called a true vision blocker to see the things in right while taking a right turn.You can miss a bike or person very easily if you are not extra careful taking a right turn, especially.
Let’s go through the wieredness
Both the tail lamps are not in symmetry. One is having a fog lamp and other one is having the backlight. This is bit strange. Not sure, why the manufacturer can't put fog as well as backlight in both the lapms.
Now time to compare SX4 with Honda City. Please refer the attached image.:
I would like to add one final point here. Is this wise to invest 1.5 laks additional to get a car that has a good brand name but low in features and costlier after sale services? Choice is always with the beer holder. J You can drive SX4, 25700 kms with this amount considering the average petrol cost is Rs 70/Ltr in over a period of 2 yrs from today..
During writing this review, I came to know that Honda has called-back more than 50000 cars due to some technical problems. *
