Sep 02, 2006 12:54 AM
20110 Views
(Updated Sep 27, 2006 12:34 PM)
The Indian Middle Class is lucky when it comes to deciding which car to buy. In the Rs. 2.5 lac to 4.5 lac budget you have the choice of an 800, Alto, Zen, Omni, Wagon R & Santro. The Wagon R and Santro have emerged as favourites of the Indian Middle Class.
Earlier, Santro Xing seemed to be a good option. However, today the top end version of the Santro doesnt really seem to be a Top-end Car. Hyundai has cut down the prices of the Santro but at the same time they have literally stripped down the car too. Besides all 4 doors power windows and rear windscreen wiper, the top end "XO" has very little to boast about. The earlier top-end version "XS" had fog lamps, rear spolier with LED, better upholstery, full wheel caps and better quality plastic fittings which made the car a good deal.
In comparision to the Santro, the new Wagon R looks aggresive and fresh and sleek. The top-end version "VXI" is really cool. The new interriors have been tastefully done. The new seats, Electronic mirrors, steering wheel and the dashboard give an impression of a luxury car. Overall I guess Wagon R is a better package.
The top end Santro doenot even have an RPM meter (Tachometer). The interiors too look dull, dark and boring. It is really surprizing that a pro-active company like Hyundai failed to realize the impact Maruti could make by launching the New Wagon R. Maruti had earlier proved its edge when it launched the SWIFT against the GETZ. I guess Maruti will give a final blow with the launch of the New ZEN which expected soon.
Anways, what I want to know from you friends especially from those who have purchased a SANTRO in the last 6 months is what motivated them to buy a SANTRO instead of the WAGON R. Do you guys think that Santro has an edge when it comes to zipping around in the city or does it have a better gear-box as compared to the wagon R or is it that most people buy a SANTRO for its looks.
Is the SANTRO ERLX more fuel efficient ? What fuel average can a person expect from a Santro ERLX in mumbai city and on the highways. Ever since the new Wagon R was launched, Santro suddenly started looking like an outdated model. I think its time that the HYUNDAI engineers and designers change the interiors of the Santro and give it a luxury feel.
Friends I want you to provide me with some honest reasons as to why you think santro is a good city vehicle. In my opinion as on today it makes more sense to buy a wagon R for its fresh feel and competitive pricing. The fully loaded VXI costs about 4.30 lacs on road in Mumbai. Similarly the top end (i would'nt call it fully loaded) Santro XO costs the same on road in mumbai. The only additional accessory advantage in Santro XO is that it has all 4 power windows.
I think that the Santro XO should have an RPM meter, double trip meter, rear windscreen spoiler with LED, full wheel caps, leather steering wheel, better quality seat fabric, better dashboard, Rotary Switches for the AC and beige interiors. With all these features the price tag of Rs. 4.30 lacs (on road) in mumbai will seem attractive.
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02-09-2006
Today I checked the Wagon R Vxi in Sai Service as well as Santro Xing XO at Hyundai Motor Plaza. If the interiors of both cars is to be compared then I guess WAGON R is a great deal for the customer but SANTRO is a raw deal. Friends, the interiors of WAGON R Vxi are just too good. I would say that in the small car segment the New WAGON R has the best quality interiors. The biege upholstery along with the 3 spoke steering wheel and dashboard console with silver finished edges are a class apart.
The upholstery of the SANTRO XO is grey-black and the interiors look pale in comparision to the Wagon R. The circular AC vents look neat and cute. The rear seat though seems to be more comfortable than the WAGON R which has an UPRIGHT sitting poistion at the rear. But that gives WAGON R more boot space than the Santro. I think SANTRO should be offered at discount of Rs. 50,000. At a discounted price of half a lac, the Santro is a steal !
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26-09-2006
For the past 8 to 9 days I have driven the wagon R (2004 model) and the Santro ERLX of my friends. I guess the Santro has dull interiors but the engine is more responsive and the gear shifting is precise with a short throw. But I seriously doubt the claim made by Hyundai that ERLX engine is some revolutionary technology. I think some minor rectifications were made to the earlier engine to reduce fuel consumption. In my opinion ERLX engine doesnt not decrease the fuel consumption by even 10 % in mumbai traffic. Hyundai (India) should understand that the Indian Middle Class needs a fuel efficient small car and Hyundai engineers should put all their energy in giving us a fuel efficient Santro (petrol engine) and not just an ERLX eye wash.
You may also visit their website https://hyundai.co.in and you will realise that Hyundai is wasting lacs and lacs of rupees for making Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta their BRAND AMBASSADORS. The educated Indian middle class will not buy a Santro just because SRK or Miss Zinta endorses it. Secondly in the website, there are no comparisions in the technological aspects between the Santro and Wagon R though a provision for the same has been made.
I would rate their website as 3rd grade. It contains no information which will motivate a consumer to buy a santro. Check it out yourself friends and I am sure you will agree with me to some extent when you compare it with https://marutiudyog.com which is very informative. Check the WAGON R section, it contains in-depth information about the vehicle along with many other features.
However my driving opinion about the Wagon R is that it does not have smoooth gears, very much like the maruti 800 and once u are in mumbai traffic shifting gears in a wagon r isn't a user friendly process. Infact, ZEN has a better gear shift. Space management in Wagon R is great. It has a spacious dash-board and ample shelves to accomodate MOBILE PHONES, SUN GLASSES, COINS, SMALL DIARIES and PURSES which is very essential. These features are lacking in the Santro. Once again I would say, Wagon R seems to a better FAMILY CAR than the Santro. The Santro is however easy to drive, thats the only saving grace about it. If you are planning for a new car this season, then just go for the Wagon R, it makes good sense as a family car. Both the cars cost the same. If you get a discount of about Rs.40,000 upwards on the santro then you may think of the Santro to save on the cost.
