When it’s time to choose a sedan in 7-8 lakh range there are many to pick but very few top my list. I want a sedan with good looks, reliability, speed, decent average, good service back up and thrill factor. Oops also feel good factor to which I’m entitled to after I spend 8 laks of hard earned money.
My choices are:
1.SX4 Zxi: Muscular looks, Aggressive stance, High ground clearance, ABS, Air Bags, Auto temp Control thrown in at a sensible price. Good engine and Maruti service back up.
2.Honda City: A neat sedan with refinement, but lacks character and makes me feel a bit too old by it’s conservative styling. Nothing personal against ones who like it’s looks or swear by it, but for me it looks more like a washing machine from outer space. Sorely miss the VTEC here.
3.Verna Diesel: A very neat machine mechanically and killer engine, but nervy handling and soap box design is a major let down. I’m not too happy to pay so much for a car built by Hyundai as a shelter to their blazing diesel unit. Too many variants!
4.LoganDiesel: A very tempting deal at lower price indeed but somehow lacks finesse so a bit low on my preference list. Can’t beat what Marinara offers in terms of service and spares cost. A strong recommendation for folks who are shuttling between tarmac expressways and potholed rural lanes.
*Some non sedans also do tempt me
1.Chevrolet SRV**: with option pack: A very good looking hatch back with decent features and proven base of Optra. Not so great engine and nothing to write about fuel consumption figures. A nice drive and extreme chick magnet esp in blue. Oozes sex appeal, pricey affair. Should be far more sensibly priced.
2. Scorpio: CRDE engine is enough to put your money on a Scorp. Good features, fine built and purposeful. Loads of power, Gut wrenching torque for off road and highway sprinter. Real rugged workhorse but also rides like one. read bumpy.
My observations of SX4 are:
Very stable and rock solid when cornering. Due to high stance sometimes passengers might feel a bit tired in curvy roads.
1.6 engine could have been a bit more peppy, not to conclude it isn’t fast. This engine is fast but lacks the punch what old Baleno had. Sometimes I miss the rush of power what a VTEC or a Baleno can throw at you, but this engine is far more refined so this is different story.
Fuel average is 9-10 kmpl city bumper to bumper and 13-16kmpl in highway. Both these figures are with AC and brisk driving.
Going fast is a breeze and stretches with ease on highways. Have personally seen 170 kmph on the speedo with not much of strain on car or driver or passengers.
Ground clearance on Zxi is a major advantage when navigating bad roads. Ride is a bit stiff at low speed but far better when you push it harder on gas. Ride is excellent at high speed.
16" alloys with 205 radials is key advantage in handling and ride quality.
What Maruti can do is plonk a nice diesel and this turns into a one of the best sedans as it has the looks, handing, features and reliability. SX4 is not too famous for it’s infamous economy but I guess for a 1.6 with huge tyres is pretty decent.
If diesel was on offer where performance and economy on par with what Swift offers it would capture the diesel sedan market too!.
For now my choice narrows down to SX4 due to it’s overall features which is excellent VFM, spares and service is never an issue with Maruti. Lo I’m heading for a Maruti dealer now to get my Silver SX4 Zxi.