I drove the SX4 extensively before posting this review.
I am a car buff and I test almost all the new cars on the roads, let’s leave aside the Rolls, Porsche and stuff !
I am in the market for a good C segment car..to upgrade from my much loved but aging Fiat Palio.
The SX4 looks substantial, ruggedly built and handsome from certain angles.
Interior space is good for 4, the centre raised portion at the rear will make life tough for a 5th.
Cabin is quite good tho’ not upto Honda city standards..the Aveo has the best interiors.
View from the cabin is good due to the raised stance of the car, ground clearance is very useful to tackle our pathetic roads. Engine is raspy but good till the the limits of the 4th gear, when you shift to 5th it bogs down..surprising for a high bhp engine. Gearshift is good, sound system so so, but my friend’s SX4 has started to rattle after 3 months...!!! My Palio does not after 6 years and 45k odd kilometres.!
The ride is firm at low speeds, as the speeds increase , the handling tends to be skittish...probably due to the raised suspension.
Fuel efficiency of around 9 kmpl, mix of town and a bit of highway driving.
Feature wise good value for money, including 2 airbags and ABS..way to go Maruti !
My budget has been raised to the Skoda Laura base version, but I would still wait and check out the Fiat Linea next year...it is difficult to beat the much maligned Palio, I realise, after testing all these cars.
The Civic has been ruled out due 1) too low ground clearance 2) dealers not very customer oriented...when I asked one dealer for a test drive of the Civic, he seemed supremely confident and said..."It’s a Honda what is there to test..!!??"
A lot for sure buddy, I do know my cars.