Wow what a car. I am sorry to see some negative reviews of this car. Mine was a 2005 model which I sold in 2008 and upgraded to innova and a honda accord coz of growing kids. My family loved this car - very comfy, a suspension crafted for rotten indian roads, great ac and man, . The car gave me an average of 20 km on delhi - lalgarh jattan highway. It gives you a rock solid feel and on the highway its steady at 140 kmph. Though its not peppy - meaning it doesn’t handle like a sports car in pickup, but once you are at higher revs, then it doesn’t need much pedal to stay at 140.i drove this car for 40000 km in 3-4 yrs and the car interiors and exteriors felt like brand new.
Once while returnng from mussouri, there was an accident and I banged into a zen in front who had suddenly braked. Behind me a santro banged in and behind him a matiz rammed in - a total of 3 bangs. I thought my car would be a mess. After 30 secs I decided to get out and examine the damage. I saw and came back inside and sat down quietly. My wife asked after a little while, scared, ’ so how much is the damage’? , fearing the worst. I looked at her and smiled. I told her, ’ I can’t believe it! The zen was bashed in , the santro was having the radiator leaking and the matiz had its front grill and lights out. In our car only the front number plate is slightly cracked!!’
And its way cheap! For 5 lacs you are getting a real beauty. My belief is that all sedans are basically the same, with a few gimmicks thrown in here and there. So whether you are in esteem, accent , accord, city, merc or optra, the space comfort technology engineering aesthetics trimmings , bling factor, snob value are all a matter of relativity.. Go for accent - it gives you a bit of every expensive sedan out there at a fraction of the cost.