WagonR
What is the need to buy a WagonR? how different is it from its
sibling like Santro? what difference can it make in my life?..
well if these are the queries that are running about in your
thoughts - then read on..
My evaluation of WagonR is based on my 3 year ownership experience
of WagonR Vxi model 2001.
Positives of WagonR:
- Excellent interior space. If you have small kids, aged up to 9 years-
the space comes handy when the kids stand on his/her feet
and there is no need to duck their head. Pls don’t forget to use seat belts
for the kids while driving fast or driving in highway.
- Looks are subjective. I preferred the sober looks of WagonR much better than the
Santro. The same was the case with my children aged 4 and 7.
- Engine. The 1.1 L engine has adequate power for both city as well as highway driving.
Frugal engine gave 18KMPL on highway trips and 11+ in city with AC on 99% of time.
Engine sound percolates into cabin when driving in speeds above 80 Kmph.
- Electronic Power steering is a boon when parking the car in tight parking spots.
Excellent in city's peak hour crawling traffic. Does not strain your shoulders or arms.
Taking U turn is a breeze.
- Good front seats does not strain your legs on long trips as they have
adequate thigh support and ergonomically designed firm seats. Much better
when compared to Zing's seats.
Has sufficient boot space for a family of 4 to go on short vacations.
Seat can be folded to make a bed - a boon to take rest and stretch your legs
on those short weekend drives.
excellent AC which cools fast and keeps the car cool in peak summer heat.
I have taken this car to several outstation trips on Western ghats and beaches.
It is a pleasure to drive this car in western ghats as adequate power is available
to climb the steep gradients. typical ex. is the drive to ooty from madumallai forest which
has 36 hairpin bends.
- Easy entry and exit in and out of the car is the best option for people who have
problems of back ache or too tall. The head room you get is perhaps unmatched in
the B segment cars.
What I did not like about the car.
a. Boxy looks. But then you buy this car keeping this in mind. However,
by end of 3rd year I became so fed up of the looks that I chose my
next car with sexy looks as one of the top first priority.
b. Due to high centre of gravity - there is a bit of scare while taking
a turn at speeds exceeding 60kmph.
c. Back seats are not comfortable. Only two adults can sit comfortably
Three adults seating is a compromise.
d. B pillar is a obstruction while taking turn and causes blind
spot. Need to stretch your neck to get a clear view of the road.
e. The worst thing about the WagonR is its rubbery and lousy gear
shift! It takes time to get used to its not so perfect gear shift.
Make sure that the gear is locked firm - if not there is a chance
of gear slip and depending on where you are can lead to fatal accidents.
f. Dumb looking side mirrors but functional though, has no feature
of adjusting the same internally and you need to roll down the
windshield to adjust the mirror.
Updated (12-Jan-2006)
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Subject : Brief comparison between WagonR and Santro eRLX:
- Mileage
Till Santro eRLX was released - WagorR Vxi used to give better mileage than Santro.
You can refer to the test drive report between the Santro and WgonR in one of the auto mag (Autocar or Over drive). However, the eRLX tech seems to make a diff favoring Santro to provide better mileage. In fact, I was evaluating Santro eRLX XL1.1 as my second car for city runabout. I did test drive the car and I did not feel happy with the first impression. My heart reaches out for WagonR.
- Is Santro spacious than WagonR :
WagonR is a 4 seater car. The back seat of the WagonR is suitable for 2 full built adults only. Anyting more is a compromise. However, it has sufficient pulling power to carry even 6 people (2F,3B,1Boot) - which I have tested on steep gradients.
Santro has little wider seat at rear but - the ride quality at rear is terrible #$%. WagonR scores top marks in the ride quality, while Santro scores the least.
- Price of Car
Santro has more variants and is cheaper than WagonR. Hyundai always plays the VFM card very well.
- Ride on potholed roads
WagonR is the best. I have driven both these cars on rough terrains - WagonR sails thru very well. Santro's rear seat ride is terrible.
- Power steering
I liked WagonR's EPS for the fact that it never strained the engine and it is very smooth. Since EPS is speed sensitive - it is used only when needed i.e during crawling traffic and while parking.
- Power with AC on.
Both have adequate power. I never faced any problem with AC on during city or highway driving. Ac cools very fast in WagonR. WagonR's AC vents are much sober
looking than roundish vents in Santro - some how I did not like the looks of it. However, the feel of plastics in Santro is better than WagonR.
- Gear Shift
WagonR's worst item is its gear shift! Santro's gear shift is just superb!! No wonder that many prefer Santro for city driving.
- Rear foot room
Rear leg room seems to have got better in the eRLX range. While it is not an issue in WagonR.
- Power windows
No problem in WagonR. I liked the switch control of power windows in Santro. Santro scores here since it has power windows on all 4 windows.
10.Shape & Looks
Very subjective and depends on person to person. My entire family - specially my kids hated the looks of Santro. However, recent facelift of Santro has made it more cute than what it was. WagonR has more sober and straight cut looks.
11.Resale & Maintenance Cost
Santro always had a endge over WagonR in resale value. But then WagonR too gets a neat resale value by virtue of good MUL's after sales service network and cheaper maintenance cost. Maintenance of WagonR was never a problem.
12.Which one is better in long run.
Difficult question indeed. How long is the long run? I took the car with clear objective to sell it after 3 years. Hence the resale value I got was very good. If it is for 5+ years - I would bet on WagonR for its robust engine, build quality. lower maintenance cost and better after sales service.
