Planned to buy a 2nd car for my family last year and skipped the thought several times thinking it’s too early for my 40k KM run classic Alto (2008 model) to be ignored. Alto always gave me a sense of lack of space when I was on the highway with a few suitcases and also a lack of power with the AC on. And after I got the CNG kit installed the problem got worst. So for long I was planning to go for a sedan (entry segment).
In Dec last year there were news going rounds of car companies planning to hike prices (which I know is just a marketing strategy) however I finally made up my mind to buy one soon. My decision wasn’t bad as Hyundai and some other car makers upshifted the prices of its best selling models... Verna itself got 7K costlier.
So in Jan 2013 I reviewed all review websites (not to miss MS as well) and finally got stuck between Dzire, SX4 and Verna (im aware that they all our diff segments but finance was not an issue for me I just needed a spacious carI Wanted to wait for Honda Amaze but I knew it would be long enough to wait for the reviews and performance indexes. I had pre-planned for a White colored Diesel car this time )
Went in to check on these models at nearest showrooms and found below:
SX4 has a long hood and heavily unfit for a slim person like me
Dezire had a waiting period of 3 months or an option to shell out a several thousand bucks for instant delivery (corruption is everywhere!)
White Verna was available with a few dealers across Delhi easily.
So didn’t waste much time on deciding on the Make and Model. Negotiated with dealers who had availability, and banks who had good contacts who could offer best pricing. Finally one of my colleague got me a good deal (Thanks to his Auto Financer Bro) and we got our White Fluidic Verna 1.6 CRDi soon after.
PROS:
Have driven it around 7K KM so far (as I still enjoy my Alto on random drives) and have cherished every feature of this car !!
With 1.6 CRDi engine this is sure a beast. It’s best both at high speeds (have driven it @ 160kmph on Delhi-Jaipur highway) and slower smooth rides.
With ABS, EBD, Auto climate control, Rear defogger, Fog lamps, Tilt steering adjuster, Rear Parking Sensors With Camera and much more you can enjoy every bit of your drive.
The best part is the rever camera. I was always too scared to back up a sedan as you feel helpless to know what’s behind. It’s given me the ease of reversing the car anywhere now.
I also like the digital instrument cluster which can give you every bit of detailon your avg speed, and can enhance your driving habits. The eco mode also assist you to drive in the correct gear always to save on fuel.
I just visited my hometown Dehradun last month and with AC on the highway it gave me a economy of 20kmpl which I believe is ok for a this segment.
The in-built music system supports USB and iPods. Bluetooth helps me drive safe without bothering to pick the handset while driving if I receive a call and give audio streaming from my mobile. Technology is sure easing our lives but making us lazy :) Lolz!
CONS:
The shockers are too sensitive and give you a ’thud’ on high speeds even in the smallest pothole.
Ground clearance is slightly less and you need to be careful on big speedbreakers. But after a few hours of drive you get to know the tricks to handle it :)
OVERALL:
A must buy for a speed+comfort lovers... Haven’t experienced the paid services yet so can’t review the spare parts pricing etc. yet but I pray it’s pocket friendlu as I reviewed before I bought this speed monster.