I own a 1999 model fully loaded model of Santro, after 4 years of using this car am I a really satisfied customer... well the answer is yes and no, first let us see what makes me say yes, well it is one of the best cars to drive, it has a good engine, it has a good gearbox with good shift feeling, it has a good headroom and lot of window area to have a clear look around and it also has more space than a Zen all so fine... but then the ride is very bumpy, you happen to drive on a not so good road (well most of our roads are like that is it not?) then you will feel as if you are on a horse, also you can hear almost all of the road noise inside the cabin even with the windows closed and A/C on. Year after year it gets even worse, sounds starts coming from doors, luggage area, dash board etc, noises that are somewhat suppressed by the music (if you have a good music system, which is highly recommended)but again highly irritating. The car is good for the first 2 years or about 30000 kilometers and then all these noise and other thing starts and ofcourse by that time (30000 kms) you should have spent a fortune on petrol (@ an average of 10-12 km/l in city with A/C). The funny part is that this is a city car and it is where it’s main sore point is, the fuel consumption, in highway it gives a respectable average of about 18 km/l but then the ride is very bad, after long dirves you get stiff back or shoulder because of the driving position and so it is economical on the highway but not so comfortable and it is good in city or short trips and then it is not economical.
Will I recommend this car to a friend? the answer is to some extent. The quality is fine, it also has good resale value, but then it is expensive to run (well all other petrol run cars in this catagory with MPFI engine also gives the same consumption figures is it not?) If you are from a middle class family and drive about 500-1000 kms a month then this is a good car and if you drive more than 1000 kms per month you should look for a diesel vehicle because it saves you lot of money in the long run.