Jan 19, 2011 02:59 AM
14708 Views
Recently bought sx4 zxi on 31st dec 2010 after test driving the following cars:-
1] Fiat Linea 1.4 petrol fire( t-jet was not available in my city) - fell in love at first glance but heart broke when drove it on 2nd gear ( feels dead in 2nd gear & thereafter gave a decent punch, felt like riding a horse whom I had to hit hard for some time before she finally decides to run ), truly under-powered.
The 1.4 fire engine is noise at high revs, great ride & handling but poor ground clearance. Sx4 is a much better performer, spacious, silent cabin but ride is hard.
2] Volswagen Vento : great ride & handling, but petrol engine is noise & lacks the punch compared to sx4 .
great cabin quality but was afraid of service. Looks like a Vento with a boot.
Sx4 cabin was more silent, engine was more refined, felt more powerful & service was the best.
3) ford fiesta : easily the best handling car on Indian roads, great ride & punchy engine but looks are not great neither are the interiors. New fiesta was due in 2011 so decided not to go for it. After sales & service is not great.
4) Chevrolet Aveo: great interiors & looks. average performer in engine, ride, handling department.
but main reason I dropped it even after being offered a 50k discount was it is not a safe car, NCAP Rating is 1.5 only ( it has performed poor in NCAP TESTS)
SX4 although is a Maruti still has at least Ncap rating of 4.
5) Hyundai i20 petrol - Though was looking for sedan thought to try the hatchback segment as well.
great look & interiors, great refinement, silent cabin but poor engine, poor in ride & handling, steering gives no feeling, ac is of poor quality.
6) Grande Punto petrol 1.4 - solid build quality, door closes with a thud, performance good & great ride & handling but is let down by drab interiors, space, noise cabin & finally after sales/service.
for above reasons finally I bought Sx4, it has a powerful & refined engine, spacious cabin, average interiors, lot of features.
Okay the ride is not good as Linea neither is it built like Linea but I am not going to fight a war & can live with the stiff suspension of sx4 & finally it is supported by excellent sales & service.
so if you require looks, performance, space, driving pleasure & good after sales service look no further.
