I bought a new "Virgin Blue" Zen Estilo for my wife a couple of days ago and I thought I’d add a review at MS, as I haven’t been quite active here for ages.. She loved this Matiz-Wagon R chimera ( or a baby Innova, if you will) at first sight, though I was not as enamored and preferred the Wagon R (same price). I have been driving it for a few days now and here are my first impressions...

Style:
Well, I guess it’s an acquired tast, but most people seem to like the new Zen (though it beats me why they had to call it "Zen" there is very little in common between the Estilo and its peppy predecessor). It really looks like a Matiz from infront and a wagon R from behind) I think it looks less boxy than the wagon, but not as curvy as those TV ads would have you believe!. The headlamps are gorgeous and I like them better than those on my City. Well the name is supposed to mean Style in Spanish!

Space:
Less roomy than a Santro or a Wagon, but much better than an Alto ( and costs 40K more only), bigger boot (if you can call a hatchbacks boot a boot), 3 seater behind, lots of cubby holes. If you are graduating from a M800 or an alto, it’s pretty roomy.. now everything is relative! So if you want space, stick with a Santro, I feel

Convenience:
Pretty good.. the Lxi model I went in for has front power windows, which are very convenient, power steering and a great AC. Also slots for toll booth coins behind the gear shift(nice touch ,that one), a bottle holder in front of the gear, a nifty slide-away cup holder near the ashtray, a mobile slot in each handle, digital odometer.. quite good for an A segment car..

Airconditioning:
Just great,  I am basing this on a hot blazing day too.. I am told it has a special sort of compressor and I feel that their claims are justified.

Gear Shift
Not too good. Not solid, feels flimsy at brake, but it is oK when you begin to drive, I prefer the Santro’s gear shift and it is nowhere near the old Zen’s

Pick up
So.. so.. But then I’ve been spoiled by that Vtec:)...It feels fast, but when you look at the speedo and think 80kph, your always 20 k lower.. no real pick up.. no it is not a Bugatti Veyron...its a 1064 cc wagon engine inside..

Comfort
Nice high seating, more high than the Santo (yes!) and easy to get in and out. My 72 year old Father in law proclaimed it as very easy, and I guess that’s it.. it is a comfortable car. I so find the seats a tad firm, but it is nice and supportive

Roadview:
Superlative: It’s like being in an SUV, high seating and a panoramic view, better than the Santo,Lots of fromt glass area..might heat up the car just like the City

Interiors:
Very good for its class, I really liked the beige plastics and beige steering wheel and in the Vxi you get even more beige! nice seat fabric but pretty tacky mats.. well for 3.5 Lakhs, what did you expect?

Mileage:
I just checked..not too good 12kmpl city driving only, A/c on only 25% of the time..

Verdict:
More stylish, better interiors,  than a Santro
More cramped, less powerful than a Santro too..
Looks better though
Decide what matters most to you!

Purchase Price (INR):	345000
Dealer Name and City:	Am Motors Malapuram
Model Year:	2006