Apr 23, 2009 07:34 AM
6540 Views
I have been driving an i10 1.2 kappa for a few months now and its my pride and joy. This is my first car and I dont think I could have picked a better one. So here's my take on this car:
Build, Comfort and Space inside: I guess everyone agrees on this point that it feels like a bigger car. Theres lots of leg room and even tall people fit in comfortably behind the wheel. The headroom is pretty generous too. Boot space is also adequate. The air conditioner is very effective and cools the car quickly, even in the rear.
The car's looks are a matter of individual taste. I liked it- nothing radical in its looks. The build quality is better than any other car though. The car feels sturdy, and the doors close with a satisfying thud, not the tinny sound that comes from other cars. The best car in this aspect would be the swift, and the i10 comes pretty close.
The interiors are great! from inside, the car feels far more expensive and the interiors match midsize cars in quality. however, the beige does tend to get a little dirty, and can reflect in the windshield. but that's only a minor discomfort.
Any rating is comparative to other cars in its class, so if you compare the i10 to the Wagon R or zen estilo or the a star, the i10 is in a league of its own. Three people fit in comfortably in the back seat, with enough leg room even if the front seats are pushed back to the maximum extent. That is an achievement in any small car. Indian families are large, and so you need to have a car that can fit in five generously built passengers and all the luggage that needs to be carried to the railway station! I compared the car to the A-Star, which felt even smaller than a maruti 800! the Wagon R comes close to the i10 in space and comfort, but the back seats are uncomfortable and three adult passengers would find it difficult to fit in the back.
Performance: Superlative!!! I have only driven whining underpowered maruti cars before this, and the i10 has been a whole new experience. The engine is very silent and the gear shift is smooth. When the car is idling, I often forget that the engine is actually running. The cabin feels absolutely insulated from any engine noise. No vibrations, rattling etc that you associate with a maruti. The kappa engine is very refined. The car feels sturdy and has this squat, stable posture, which would give inexperienced drivers a feeling of confidence. The power steering is great.
Fuel economy: Not so sure. During the first couple of months, I got a mileage of around 13 kmpl without the ac. But its improved a bit since then and I am now getting 14 kmpl with the ac turned on occasionally. I am not sure what other cars give, but the point to consider is that the i10 has a higher engine capacity than other small cars, which would mean higher fuel consumption. I also have a feeling its a heavier car than the others. performance and mileage don't really go hand in hand, do they? plus, fuel consumption depends to a large part on how well you drive, so the better the driver, the lower the fuel consumption.
Overall:The car is great value for money. you get a bigger car for the price of a small car. the i10 is bs-4 compliant, which means its also gentle on the environment (important in the days of global warming :-) ) I have only driven maruti cars before this, and initially I was a little hesitant to step away from the reliability of maruti's service. but hyundai's dealers and service quality is just as good as maruti's, so I have faced no problems. This is an ideal car for an urban indian family.
