I bought this one last Dec, 22-12-2007. Never did I test drive any car-Xing, WagonR, Palio. I was comparing the specs of all these, and found Palio to be Value For Money and just gone for it. But now, I dont repent, rather I say I am very happy owning it.
This is a 1.1 SL Black, and really (atleast I liked the exterior appearance) liked the appearance which was a big pull to opt for it.
I have driven 3000kms now, and atleast a 1700kms have been on Highways (a four lane highway).My over all Fuel efficiency is coming around 15.54kmpl including a 1300kms of city/bad road driving.
The last top up reading shows a FE of 16.6kms (671kms/40.42ltrs). This involved 548kms highway driving. Speeds on highway were between 90-110kms with a journey time of 2hrs for 140kms. AC was on for atleast 30% of the time.
Its really sluggish, so if your criteria is a car that accelerates quick, then this will not be fitting you. Acceleration in city with AC on is really bad, and needs shifting to 2nd gear often. This is where clearly a Xing scores.
Yes, if you are thinking of practicality like-Real 5seater (not for the number of seat belt it has like the virtual/juvenile 5seater alto), Safety, and looking for a comfortable ride particularly considering taking parents around for distant places, this is the car. its good value for money.
On highways, the behaviour of the vehicle is just awesome. Not a single car in this category (UVA or Getz) overtook the Palio. I agree, if provoked, they may easily, but with a rythm of driving, the car responds although slow, but pulls nicely at 90-100km/hr.
One of the earlier reviews, given by a Mumbaiker, says negative about Palio. Could be partially true, but for his circumstance, in intense city traffice with a frequent power demand.
I have driven our another car xing, and found the Xing has a very easy operating accelerator , clutch and brake (less resistance to push the pedals). The gear (most admired part of Santro) was really not impressive and was a feel of vibration with wheel;. Think like the Santro's gear knob too was fastened to the transmission, whereas the Palio's gears were superb. The second good thing of Xing is the visibility of the bonnet corners, and the headroom.
The space too is excellent. WAGON-R is a no-comparison category, best compared with some Sparks', Alto's or even BAJAJ RE AUTO.
Its one of the product other that 800 and Alto, by which Maruti has been over pricing/charging a premium to customers.
Just because the spares are cheap, and easy maintenance, people are going for it, but then it should actually be less priced (as the manufacturing costs go down with increased production), but the Maruti's are simply charging people atleast 30k more on each of those.
Another thing is the BHP figures. 57BHP (at 5250rpm) for Fiat Palio 1.1, whereas Maruti misguides people placing WagonR's 64BHP (at 6200rpm).
The braking is the most important part which people ignore. A vehicle that has excellent Acceleration, but without good braking/control is SUICIDAL.
Here again, Palio's 80-0kms, the distance is much lesser at 33mts compared to 55mtrs of WagonR or even Xing.
I heard from known Automotive Employee circles that Maruti is the no1. paymaster, probably going from the pockets of the customers to whom the premium is charged.
My parents were finding the comfort of journey on bad stretch of road (which they were surprised to know after completion of journey) commuting by Palio when compared to the Xing. For them, Xing's ride was really bumpy, cramped without space, and were fully tiresome. this was a rural Karnataka District road, where we commuted in Palio first, and later after 15days, by Xing.
Xing is a little compromise on safety, Handling, Space and ruggedness. The outweighing factor is the FE(?)
For me, the priority of Space and Ride quality were at the top along with Safety which is why I went for the Palio.
In my view, Palio returns a clear 2kms/ltr lesser FE compared to WagonR or even Xing. but then, the slightly higher FE will provocate me using the car for more frequently.Biggest problem I see with Palio is the current pricing of the spares (particularly the headlamps, bumpers, bonnet etc).
Cost of each headlamp stands at around 7500Rs and same is of the bumper with a couple of hundreds less.
This is the big drawback, but with the launch of 1.3MJD Palio, that would increase the sales figure, cost/component of spare would comedown and would remove this big Negative point which is working against it.
