May 01, 2008 02:33 PM
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With the launch of the Swift Dzire, Maruti has definitely set the cat among the pigeons in the lower A3 segment. Till now this segment was populated by mundane cars like the Indigo and Logan. To say that the Dzire will be a best seller is a safe bet. But what impact would it actually have on the lower A3. How much further would it move the goalposts.
Well, to find out I visited the nearest Maruti showroom.
The Dzire I saw parked in the showroom was a ZDI variant in a dark shade of blue that looked really handsome.
The styling is definitely more striking and contemporary if compared to the Indigo - Logan brigade. The rear end especially with it’s “pinched bootlid”(that’s what the sales guy said) and chrome embellishments etc. give the car it’s premium look.
In comparison the Logan with its slab-sided(cost- cutting) surfaces looks horribly outdated. All straight lines and almost devoid of curves(it even has a flat front windshield!) The Logan looks like a car from the eighties era. The safely styled Indigo too is quite pleasing to look at.
The insides of the car had me pleasantly surprised. Maruti has gone a long way in equipping the car with all the bells and whistles in its kitty and hence is leagues ahead of the competition.
The in dash CD player with controls on the steering wheel(whoa!), climate control etc. the list is impressive.
The twin tone interiors lighten up things inside and add to that feeling of luxury.
Three passengers at the rear could mean a snug fit for the Dzire which is not as wide as the Logan. But it comes equipped with a flip down centre armrest that adds to the premium feeling. The logan on the other hand is quite utilitarian in this regard with it’s wide flat bench rear seat but is blessed with loads of space. The Indigo is the only car among the three which has a 60:40 rear seat split which helps in increasing lugging capacity.
Later I went for a test drive and was pleasantly surprised to know that the addition of the boot had done very little to dent the sporty performance and efficiency of the excellent Swift diesel engine. In terms of cubic capacity it is the smallest engine among the trio but has the highest power and torque output. This translates into a peppy and sporty drive on the road. The Logan too is an able performer and has good in-gear acceleration. Indigo is the least refined with poor NVH characteristics.
ABS and EBD works perfectly, and along with airbags make the Dzire a very safe car to live with. Ride and handling is very sporty because of the fantastic steering of the Dzire. I found the rear suspension slightly softer than the Swift too. Over a rough patch the Logan does have a slight edge in the comfort area when compared to the Dzire. But personally I liked the slightly harder setting in the Maruti.
Well, striking looks, feature loaded, killer pricing and brand Maruti make the Dzire a formidable rival. The Dzire is definitely in a league of its own here.
