So many days, I was planning to share my review to help other users. Mostly this will be for those who try to think little different to make different decision than going by the normal public opinions.
4 years, back I did the same mistake. I had a second hand Matiz and I just started to drive cars before 6 months and wanted to upgrade for a new car. Almost in every family there are more experienced people available for advise, Be it cooking, cleaning or driving. Same was with my family. Maruti was the only option and I was too naive to analyses and evaluate anything on automobiles. Explored several options over net, test drives and and finalized on Maruti Estilo. By that time I came to know about Swift and the new generation of diesel engines. I almost finalized and then driven by public opinion, did not go for it. I regret it today as well not because my Estilo was not good but It was after all Swift Diesel.
After 50K done, petrol being costly and my driving becomes more frequent on highways and most important, my increased fondness towards car made me think for a change. As you are now aware that petrol was not an option so need to search for a good diesel car.
My requirements were clear. A large hatchback, No Sedan, Diesel, Tough car with good power and above all the superb stability on high speed. I started taking test drives and researching over the net. team bhp site was most useful to help me reach to the conclusion.
I took test rides for polo, punto and figo. Swift, I was driving occasionally as my family is Maruti lovers. They started thinking that I am doing research but then at the end I will land on swift. But more and more I explored during research and with few test rides and experience sharing with couple of friends having fiesta driven for few years, I finally decided for Figo titanium diesel.
Let me describe my experience with Figo after finishing 10000 kms which I believe is reasonable running for initial evaluation.
1) Buying experience: I would rather say that they did not sell it but I bought it. Just like you doing research, I did the same and gathered reasonably better knowledge than an average sales Guy. I did not bargain for much discount and got a USB cable free. They delivered the car on promised day with couple of hours of delay which is Ok . Later at the time of service also they were reasonable. They dont provide pick up and drop which I miss as I used to get it from Maruti earlier. But those cant be deciding factor when you go for 6.5 lac car.
2) Space and comfort:
Good inside, wider with good leg space even on rear seat. Rear windows are airy, much opposed to Swift and Beat. Rear passengers can get good view outside and enjoy the journey. Music system is good with lot of features, better sound, quality buttons, Bluetooth, speed sensitive audio etc etc. Luggage space is largest in this segment of car. I have practically filled it completely and trust me it takes more than what you assume. For extra ordinary high bumps, you need be careful to avoid hitting them.
3) Power: On paper few BHP less than competitors but I never felt it. Neither in city, nor on highways. One discomfort is, you cannot run it on high gears on slower speed, some time engine will just stop if RMP goes very low. Need to keep engine around 1000 RPM at min. But it gives a good power at low speed as well and you never feel that turbo lag.
4) Stability and suspension.: I will cover the power here as well. Let me describe my experience with some figures. At the speed of 100, you never realize that its 100. Till 140 car is stable like anything. You can comfortably talk with other passenger while driving at 140. Overtaking at 140 is amazing, you never run out of power. After 140, car is stable but you feel little less control below steering at that speed but till 160, it is still manageable. At that speed, engine shows little less than 4K RMP. this engine cuts power automatically for now allowing to go beyond it and damage anything hence I did not try but I think it can be pushed little more.
Regarding overtaking, I can say that sedans larger than 2.0 Ltr can be tough to overtake when both driving fast but all the normal swifts, Desires, SX4, Vernas, i20s, innovas, scorpios and even Mitsubishi out lander can be taken on. They can hardly match combination of power and stability of this car. Few of you may feel this is litter more said but if I compare the experience; I drove Sx4 at 160 for quite a time but the concentration required is immense as car literally flies at that speed and its difficult to maintain the same high speed for longer period. The same is not with figo due to weight and better suspension. So far only a Jetta 2.0 and Mercedes E class was unreachable when both try to maintain speed superiority, rest can be easily beaten with combination of power, stability and overall control. Please note, if its only power and there is open road for infinite KMs without traffic, situation is different and all above cars can be winner but this is India and indian traffic.
5) Some of the silent features and general comparisons:
Driving and steering control is amazing, you spot the place on road and you can move your wheel there.
I used to get some sound, noises in doors and part in my zen after 2000 kms of service or long trip, In figo, fit and finish is superb. No noise, no loose parts.
When you close the car, it automatically opens air vents for heat circulation. My brother’s swift has glass broken on 3rd day after a day long parking in summer of Delhi. This avoids car from being pressure cooker.
Remote is programmable. with some combinations, you can program it to open driver’s door or all the doors. For example, I can program to open single door on key press and I can open all doors if I press keys 3 times in row. Its good when you know that you are driving alone for most of the time.
6) Fuel Efficiency: Its 15 in city and on highway it comes to 18. All the time AC on, even in parking some time when children are with me. Also with high speed driving, I can expect 20 or 22. But yes many people get 20 on highway with driving at normal speed 100-110. I still want to enjoy my ride for another 10 k and then I may think of economic driving. Another way to put it, no matter I try to control, with the driving pleasure with this car, I just cant resist.
Now coming to the title. There are may cousins, bother in law and friends loyal to Maruti. Nothing offensive to Maruti, but once they drive, they are fan of it. Its another matter that they still try to prove swift over that with all dealership and service, network argument. But at at this amount, when I am with my car 99% of time I am driving. who cares if there are only 2 service station or Figo servicemen does not know some marketing politeness. I care about that 99% not the 1% and yes, I wasn’t wrong when I decided to go for FIGO. so far 3 friends have changed the decisions after driving it, if you want to be the one, don’t go for those 5 KM test drive in city. check out and borrow it from a friend and push it on a free highway. its FIGO and only Figo.
Note: I am too tired to go check spelling and grammar of the above in this small window, please forgive as there must be lots of stupid mistakes.