My SX4 purchase is turning out to be a real wise decision! The interiors are really well done. What I like about this car is that there is no compromises for cutting costs... right from the integrated stereo to little things like the motorized mirror adjustments, the powerful map reading lights....everything is well done. All this and they still manage to get the model out at an excellent price. I test drove the Fiesta as well. Although, the fiesta’s handling is really good and better than the SX4, the interiors look compromised to cut costs. The basic Fiesta model does not even have a rear defogger, something that you take for granted.
The SX4’s integrated stereo does a lot to improve the interior look. Gives it a sexy feel. I personally feel that in comparison, stereos in the city and Fiesta and other cars where you need to fit it as a separate piece gives a feeling of the part ’not belonging’ to the car....like a foreign object on the dashboard....totally different from the look and feel of the rest of the dashboard. SX4 does away with that problem.....it looks neat and stylish.
Though not the best, the stereo itself is pretty good. No woofers, but they provide 4 speakers and a couple of tweeters. The real hardcore music blasters may want to change this, but for normal use, this is pretty good.
That the SX4 is spacey is clear. The only issue is that the middle seat in the rear is a problem due to the raised armrest.
The fuel efficiency is turning out to be the surprise factor. The engine being a new one, untested in Indian conditions, I had prepared myself for this some compromise here....but the car is giving me 10 kmpl before the first service (AC on most of the time). Of course it cannot match the Honda City, but I think this is pretty good for a Saloon with a 100 BHP pull.
The handling is pretty easy .....right from the steering to all the controls on the dashboard...even the stereo. Very comfortable inspite of the size. The only problem is the tight gear shift, which seems to be a perennial issue with all Maruti cars. All in all its pretty comfortable handling both in city traffic and when you are zooming!
The powertrain is good...except for the tight gear shift mentioned above. The engine is powerful and a real pleasure. Even in city traffic this is pretty useful...where once you get a bit of space, the car accelerates real fast, leaving the slowly moving vehicles behind in no time!
All in all, I am quite happy. I think its an ideal car for someone looking for a powerful car with all the bells and whistles loaded at a good price. One other factor that weighed in while buying is that you can’t go much wrong with a Maruti.