Jul 21, 2013 09:17 PM
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Three generations of Wagon-R have been deployed in the Indian market over the last decade and yet the car has more to offer, albeit better – even today!
The Wagon-R has been one of most successful hatchback car in the Indian market from the Maruti stable. Recent numbers have eaten into Zen Estilo’s sales in high volumes. After driving this car for some days, I would like to cite upon my observations.
My Ride
I am used to driving a Zen MPFI over the last 8 years and till today I have nothing to complain about except for the 1000 CC engine which strains when being pushed to the limits and the low GC.
The CAAAR
The car is spacious – needless to say good legroom and brilliant headroom. The tall boy design has its advantages and disadvantages also. Maruti has spruced up the design specifications by including chromes, stylish headlamps and a much revamped premium interior. Car looks futuristic from the front, although the rear is a bit edgy (completely my vision - no offense). Interior décor is spot on – no cost cutting is visible unlike Toyota Liva. The seat and headrest offers good support for long drives – perfectly no back pain. The dash lighting is fantastic at night and is tune with the gen-x aura.
Performance
This is typically where the car has failed to impress me big time. The older version of the Wagon R was a breeze to drive, pickup was much better. The new K-series engine can be more fuel efficient but lacks the torque needed for the perfect city drive. A let down for the ones who want to breeze ahead and find the right spot in the city traffic amidst the other cars. The 1000 CC engine otherwise is a fun to drive – daily office commute, short weekend drives with family punched with good mileage is the best the car can offer.
The gearshift is sleek and fits easily into the slot– typical Maruti type. Steering response is spot on – parking in tight spots is easy. Although at high speeds steering feels a little numb. Body roll is evident when grazing corners and can be fearful at high speeds. At 3 digit figures the car stays aligned to the road, beyond that distinct vibrations are visible. Air con is a chiller, but puts strain on the engine when fully loaded. Ground Clearance is awesome for such a small car – advantage of the tall boy design. I have taken the car on bad patches of road and over numerous speed bumps. The suspension is quite good and absorbs bumps easily.
My Advice
Prospective buyers who are ready to shell out 4-5 Lacs for a hatchback can go for this car, without any doubt. Just a no-brainer simple car – low on maintenance, ready to graze miles.
Competitors at a glance
Maruti Zen Estilo, Honda Brio, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Beat, Nissan Micra, Tata Indica
~Somjeet~
