Beginning: 2010 Dec - took delivery from Tejaswi Motors, Madhapur
Had alloys fitted, music system provided was ok, head unit from Blaupunkt, the speakers were not of "audiophile" quality - cracked at heavy bass and high treble. So got them replaced with JBL and Infinity. Fitted a reverse parking camera assisted system, a set of LED lamps in the front bumper - and yes, a neat rear spoiler with LEDs.
The car is solid, period. Undercarriage is sturdy, ride is comfortable, there is a sense of solidity once you are inside. Large spacious cabin, enough leg room, with my model the tilt steering and height adjustable driver seat was a big plus.
This car was a big improvement from the then Indigo sedans and I was glad I had made a "value for money" purchase.
Very few breakdowns in the last 14 years due to mechanical or engine malfunction. Absolutely no major ones. Yes, there were times when the battery aged and ran out, few minor driving accidents from my side - hit a stone while coasting down the Nandi Hills, Bangalore, but the car is so stable that you don't notice the damage till you come out.
The improvement areas: Need to power up the engine, at 1.6 tons GVW, a mere 89.7 BHP is frugal - and you can see the rev counter rising once you are past 120 km/h, and not enough power to run faster. Don't push it beyond 140 km/h, the car is not built to handle such high speeds and feels unbalanced. The best cruising speed is around 100-110 km/h, and you can drive on for hours in a toll highway - the car will take it.
Did a few long trips - Hyd- Bangalore- Mysore-Ooty - about 2000 kms in year 2011. Covered the 56 hairpin bends to reach Ooty and the car rolls just a little - nothing that can't be handled.
Drove from Hyderabad to Kolkata and back - 3 times in 2022-23, - with halts at Vizag and Puri - the car weathered 6 lane highways and dirt tracks with equal aplomb. Still good for long rides.
Still happy with it - yesterday crossed 1, 30, 000 km, the engine is as good as ever - avg. city mileage is 16.1 km/l with 50% AC on time, last long trip from Hyderabad to Kolkata(2024) in 3 days.
Avg speed was 70-80 km/h, 100-110 km/h on toll highways, 50 km/h on state roads, no issues.
Repeated the same trip for pooja reasons again to Trimbak in 2018 and the car performed as usual. No issues.
Right now, avg. servicing/maintenance cost per year has been under 20k till date.
Fresh denting/spray painting done, some upgrade on the interiors, new car seats, etc. Original Blaupunkt music system replaced with Maxx touchscreen system with built in Android Auto, rear speakers replaced, rest still functioning beautifully, all electricals are fine, and well maintained to run fine.
Only major overhaul - gear box needed to be repaired - spent 50k, and this was the first major overhaul outside of road accidents.
Pickup as good as ever, city and highway mileage still holds, 16 km/l and 22 km/l respectively, changed registration from Telangana RTO to West Bengal - and plan to maintain and keep it as long as the engine works fine.
Next update after 1, 50, 000 Lakh km servicing with cost details.
-> There is no other diesel sedan in this category still being manufactured in India - so will hold on to this as long as possible.
