Zen and the art of Car Making . Review on Maruti Suzuki Zen - Petrol

Zen is truly a driver's car. Not that only professional drivers enjoy it, but if you enjoy driving, going places through winding roads, and negotiating sharp turns, more so, if you are alone or just two of you, no other car makes you feel as good as a Zen. The car is not too small like an 800 or alto, nor it is too big like an Icon, Lancer etc. It is just the perfect size for a spirited driver, to wrap you in safe and cozy environment, yet do not make you feel like a choffer or a bus driver carrying lot of passengers. I tried many cars, but nothing matches the zen in the sheer driving pleasure a car gives.

Rhetoric aside, The zen has a low slung stance, and jelly bean design, which means that its centre of gravity is near the centre of the car, and it is very difficult to throw a zen out of control even at the highest speeds and sharpest turns possible on the car. The car is very aerodynamic and hence darts through the upwind effortlessly, with out losing balance. The one litre rev happy engine is powerful enough to pull five people with A/C on without much compromise on the speed and acceleration. Fuel economy is the best in its class, and maintenance costs will keep even the most thrifty men happy. The steering (in non-power steering models) is effortless and the gear shifting is very slick.

The only negative side I feel is the larger turning radius. It require more space to take a full turn, than even bigger cars. Another flip side is less space for luggage. The car, as mentioned in the very beginning is for a spirited traveller or a frequent commuter. If you want a car that can take a big family for a weekend picnic, or bring your friends from Railway Station with all their baggage, better look elsewhere, like the Tata Indigo, Fiat Palio, Uno etc which offer lots of space for bodies and the bags.