I’ve recently purchased a Ritz VXi and I compared it with the Chevy BEAT. I must say in advance that this review does not come after test driving the BEAT.
The Chevy beats the Ritz prima facie, if we go merely by the feature comparisons on chevy’s site. So please depend on a better comparison before your final call.
The BEAT is priced less by about 20, 000 rupees even for the best version compared to the Ritz VXi. If you are price conscious, that is the biggest plus with the BEAT. Moreover, the Ritz does not have the good-to-haves like the Sunglass holder, tyre-pressure monitor or the rear reading lamp. The rear power windows come in the highest version in BEAT(which is lesser priced than the VXi).
The Ritz gear shift is very well arranged. The device is placed extremely conveniently. By merely stretching the arm from the top of the shift, the driver can literally access the dash board.(They call this the waterfall console). A tray under the co-driver’s seat compensates for the rear parcel tray. There is also some space above the dash that could be used for holding your license, other handy documents, spectacles, cigar box et al. The Ritz comes in a color I love: The grey. BEAT does not offer me that color. I do not know about the BEAT’s boot but the Ritz has an enormous space on its back. The rear seats in the Ritz are not equally partitioned so if you have a toddler and two rear passengers, stretch out the 40% seat and get him to sleep on while the bigger part of the rear seat can comfortably seat two.
If not for these differences, the power, mileage(Ritz claims 17.7 but it is common knowledge that whoever trusted these numbers under Normal test conditions has always been disappointed. I think both of them will peter down to 16.5 or less). Let us restrict to the petrol version comparisons here. Ritz diesel claims 22 KMPL.
All said and done, Maruti is on the Indian roads since a long time and Suzuki’s cars are known to have better technology. Moreover, The Service network, Spare part availability and localization percentage all do matter. 4 or 5 years behind the steering wheel will be sufficient to tell one that it is not merely sufficient to factor the initial cost. Expenses that need to be incurred later(and influenced by the above factors) also need be considered part of the investment.
My vote will be with the Ritz if I am incurring the expenditure. If somebody else can pay for your experiments, go for the kill. Ask for a Fabia/Jazz.