I just want to wish my best wishes to the car manufacturer i.e. Hyundai and its partner in Pakistan Dewan Farooque Motors Ltd..
After four years: I still have this car and the things which I have done with this little wonder is simply marvellous. Its still going strong and this cars engine still sounds like a new car engine. Although, I maintained with uttermost zeal and effort and took utmost care while maintianing my Santro.
I wrote this review to give first-hand knowledge to the consumers here in Pakistan who are lured and looted by the so-called models by Suzuki which are of cheap quality but very expensive for your pocked.
After seeing so many hits to my review, almost 4550 and its still growing, I decided to send my warm wishes to all who have read my review and appreciated it by reading and rating.
Thanks to everyone. I will try to live upto the expectation and will keep the momentum going.
Hyundai Santro Club was launched by Dewan Farooque Motors Ltd. in Pakistan in October 2002. After visiting the nearest showroom in Islamabad, we(me and my wife) decided to buy the Santro Club. In 1000cc category, its really a little wonder. Like its predecessor, the Santro Plus, it has all the ingredients with a new look, design and aerodynamism and with a fuel economy of 14-15 kmpl in the city and 17-18 kmpl on a highway, what other thing you want in a 1000cc segment?
One thing that bothers me is that people here in Pakistan are buying Suzuki Alto (1000cc) and Suzuki Cultus (also 1000cc) without even bothering to realize that Pak Suzuki Motors Co. have brought obsolete models into Pakistan which have no value for money. Unlike Santro Club, which has a new shape and new concept (EFi engine), Alto and Cultus both have old engine technologies (corborators or how do you spell?) and they are charging a whopping Rs. 500, 000 for Alto and around 600, 000 for Cultus. For that matter Club is available for Rs. 499, 000/-.
Now that I have the Santro Club 1.0 EFi, I can better describe the pros and cons of having or not having this car.
The Engine
I don’t know about the technicalities, but one thing for sure is definitely Club’s plus point is that its engine is designed for extreme conditions and performs brilliantly within the city drive or on the highway. It’s really noiseless and drive is elegant with a small body. The car is easy to manoeuvre on busy roads with a slightest of steering turn, although it doesn’t have power steering.
The Interior
Club’s interior is designed with a maximum of perfection and taking every detail into account. The windshield is so wide and angular that it gives you a wide view of the road. It’s roomy in front but a bit of uncomfortable for rear as the leg space is too little for back passengers. The a/c is so powerful that we have to switch it off every now and then to get warmer. Because of extreme weathers here in Islamabad, Pakistan, the a/c is a must for every car on the road, and to have a car like Santro Club, you are in heaven. I have tested it’s a/c in 47 oC temperature and it worked remarkably well.
The Exterior
It is aerodynamic, yes, it is. I mean its well designed.
Overall Rating: Eight out of Ten points for this car, I held two points because there are few things which should have there in the car like the rear seatbelts, rear headrests, power windows, rear spoiler and last but not least alloy rims, but I think for the price tag of Rs. 499, 000/- and as compared to it competitors i.e. the Alto’s and Cultus’s, its ok because for this price Suzuki is giving you nothing, believe me. HAPPY AND SAFE DRIVING.