I have had my Fiat Palio Multijet SD for 3.5 years now and have crossed 44000kms on the odometer. It is still going strong, I still enjoy driving it each time, and I will keep this car until it becomes scrap or I move out of Bangalore to a place where Tata servicing is poor.
I read all the reviews on all the sites before deciding on this car, and it is true when they say that sitting inside this car gives a feeling of reliability. This car is good for the city but is better for the highway. Every December we make a Bangalore-Goa drive, and for the rest of the year we make frequent weekend getaway trips. Driving on the highway is sheer pleasure, and overtaking in the city is solid and reassuring. I do not have to worry if the seats are full and the boot space is crowded with luggage. I do not have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of the highway because the fuel tank capacity is huge(more than most hatchbacks). Drive at 160 km/h and you won’t even know it until you look at the speedometer.
I am not a car junkie. I bought the Palio soon after I learned to drive, so this is my first car. I don’t know the mechanics of the car - earlier I would give to Tata for servicing, now I give to a local guy near my house. All said and done, this car is reliable. Here are some more points.
Good points:
Stable riding on the highway, high speed, overtakes other vehicles easily and confidently, no body roll during turns.
Good shock absorbers, car takes a beating during the bad roads but provides sturdy ride inside.
Ergonomic seats, hard but provide good support for the spine during long drives.
Misc: Diesel, so cheap; high ground clearance; back seat space good for three people easily; sufficient boot space; 47 litre fuel tank is a boon for long drives.
Mileage: City - 15kmpl, Highway - 21kmpl, AC on about 60% of the time.
Bad points:
Wide turning radius, but you’ll get used to it easily.
Interior plushness is not like luxury cars, but that doesn’t matter to me at all.
Good driving tips:
Drive like a diesel, not petrol. Gradual acceleration and deceleration. Patient driving. Constancy over speed.
Engine braking, use combination of gears and brakes to brake.
Use clutch only for changing gears. Don’t keep clutch pressed while braking.
Gear up at RPM 2000 and gear down at RPM 1000. Change gears smoothly.
Service regularly. Fill fuel when at reserve and always full tank, so it is easy to measure mileage. Fill nitrogen in tyres, 32, every 3-4 months.