Linea vs SX4 [test drives only]. Review on Fiat Linea

We were so excited about the Linea with its nice looks, good pricing and rear AC blowers that we were seriously let down when we took the test drive! It should get an award for biggest gap between what's on paper vs. reality...

Disclaimer:

This is NOT an ownership/comprehensive review or a long term road test in case it was not clear enough in the title!

Its purely based on back seat test drives which is what most of us have to do before we buy a car.

Ownership reviews are very useful when you have finalised your particular choice and are close to 'pulling the trigger' to buy it.

Since we had already test driven the SX4, lets do a head to head comparision:

Round 1: Price

Linea wins this one vs SX4. Petrol is from Rs. 6.9 - 8.1 L on-road in Mumbai for Individuals. While SX4 is Rs. 8.1 - 9.9 L on-road. So that's a difference of Rs. 1-2 L which is quite big [12 - 17%]. If your budget is under Rs 8 L, Linea is the way to go - however if you can stretch it to 9 L, then SX4 is better.

Winner = Linea

Score: Linea 1 ; SX4 0

Round 2: Diesel option

Sx4 is only available in petrol. End of story...

Winner = Linea

Score: Linea2 ; SX4 0

Round 3: Rear Seat comfort

This was the big shocker - Linea has straight backs instead of more contoured like the SX4. On pot-holed roads, the SX4 has a far superior rear seat ride - no contest. Linea has no lumbar [lower back] support at the rear. Head room for someone above 6 foot is about the same in both cars.

Winner = SX4

Score: Linea2 ; SX4 1

Round 4: Rear AC

Linea has it on the top end model but SX4 does not at all which is very useful for rear passengers but Indigo XL has even better rear vents since they can also be angled sideways for more effective cooling where its needed. The Linea vents can only move up/down and only cool the middle passenger.

Unlike the XL, the fan speed on the rear blower is NOT adjustable in the Linea.

Winner = Linea

Score: Linea3 ; SX4 1

Round 5: Ground clearance

Very important during monsoon and when crossing big speed breakers [or axle breakers depending on your car]. Linea is less than SX4.

Winner = SX4

Score: Linea3 ; SX4 2

Round 6: Dealer Network

Can't beat Maruti in service or number of authorised service centres [ASC] in India. Not even Tata!

Winner = SX4

Score: Linea3 ; SX4 3

Round 7: Cost of spares / maintainence

Maruti always wins this one. Winner = SX4

Score: Linea3 ; SX4 4

Round 8: Automatic transmission option

Linea does not have it and they should as an option. Period.

Winner = SX4

Score: Linea3 ; SX4 5

Round 9: Overall Looks / Design

Suzuki can't beat the Italians for style. Ever.

Winner = Linea

Score: Linea4 ; SX4 5

Round 10: Resale Value

Again, Maruti is unbeatable. Winner = SX4

Score: Linea4 ; SX4 6

Round 11: Rear Legroom

SX4 is 10mm more than Linea though Manza is MORE than either. Winner = SX4

Score: Linea4 ; SX4 7

So we have crossed out the Linea in favour of the SX4 [for now, unless Linea launches an auto in which case I'll update this with the front seat perpective also when we redo the test drives for both]. But that's because we don't drive ourselves - else we would go for the automatic in any case. If you notice we've left performance out also since it does not play a major role in our evaluation else the SX4 would win again.

We don't allow our driver to go above 80 km/h since its simply not safe in Mumbai roads so the handling at high speed [e.g., over 100 kph] is not relevant for us [but I'm not implying the SX4 is worse at high speed compusure - simply that we did not need to test that aspect of the cars].

If your budget is below Rs.7-8 L, then you have no choice but to go for the Linea.

But if you need a diesel, you actually have a choice. Remember diesel only breaks-even at over 1,000 miles / month constant usage = 1,600 km. If you drive less, you are actually better off with petrol on a total cost of ownership basis [TCO]. I would still go for the SX4 and add LPG or CNG in the boot to reduce fuel costs if the Linea Diesel is more expensive,

Our enthusiasm for the Linea BEFORE the test drive even had me recommendingit strongly to my parents but they needed a car that was wide enough for 3 adults at the back and ended up paying 25% more for a Corolla Altis after a test drive in the Linea however they also strongly care for resale / depreciation and that too was a major factor not just brand / reputation.

BTW, apologies for the layout of this review, its totally messed up with all the stupid ads inserted even though it looked 'normal' while editing.

I don't own any Maruti or Suzuki stocks/bonds either...