One year with Xing. Review on Hyundai Santro Xing

Its now one year I am driving a Santro Xing. Let me share my experience of the one year and 13,000 kms.

Why I chose this car?

I would say purely by its looks. The original Santro was indeed a ‘beast’ by looks as some media called it. (What happened to the beauty is history.) Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I know it - and in my eyes, a more beautiful small car is yet to come.. Yes the Suzuki Swift (provided Maruti engineers do not make any alterations. They have a special knack of de-beautifying things – remember the bumpers of the new Zen)

I did some home works at that time. I first thought of Zen, but every body had that. The 800cc Alto was gasping in lack of power and the other model was as priced as a Wagon R or Santro. Then Wagon R, my two friends had that and they were strongly recommending the car. But I did not like the boxy look. Moreover in technical considerations also Santro was a bit ahead. Of course it had a smaller bit EMS but that didn’t matter ‘cause there were not tons of data to be crunched. (Simple logic – if your family is just 4 membered, you just need a car and not a 14 seater van.)

I did a test drive and chose my car.

As it is now- problems

I am completely happy with the car. A few problems I noted as;

1- The car is a little bumpy. Especially in rough roads. The service engineers say it is the inevitable penalty for the tall boy design. The center of gravity goes up and so on…and in their minds – don’t expect more for 3.5 lakhs man!

2- The door closure is little bit hard. Many times have to reopen and swing it hard. Here they say it is because of the air inside the car get compressed and…..When some body starts to talk ‘science’ I keep aside my logics and listen, because I respect scientists.

3- The position of the cigarette lighter is un ergonomic. In the first week it self, it got damaged as my knees frequently jammed it. Or careless me?

Only this much, and about positive points?

Everything else.

Its excellent handling, powerful engine(sorry not exhilarating), the sunshine headlamps, coolest A/c, most ergonomic controls, smooth power steering and excellent milage I get around 15+km/lt on standard drive and 19+km/lt on long dist highway drive. I do not drive above 70km/hr unless I am in dire hurry. I use premium grade petrol only, whenever possible. (Availability is a problem)

One of our friends at MS wanted to know on when I shift gears.

When to shift gears

I shift gear when the engine asks me to do so! I listen to it and it tells. Is it not so? After all is it possible to put limits with speeds and rpms? They may coincide with the ranges- that’s all. We take food when we are hungry, and not when we find that our blood glucose level had fallen below some specified value. That level may make you hungry – that I agree.

I LOVE MY XING!!