For Maruti udyog, the Sx4 takes over its aged and confused counter part - The Baleno. Unlike its predecessor, it does not lack the looks. The engine has gone through a make over of advanced 32 bit Microprocessor aiming at a better economy without compromising the pick up.
The enty and seating are quite comfortable to the car due to its tall body design. It is almost as tall as a Wagon R. Quite spacious from the inside - front and rear. and the climatronic AC is absolutely wonderful. Also doesnot feel the drag on the car while switching on the AC. The external contours are real nice and the headlights and standard fog lamps do a good job in night.
As for driving, its a good drivers’ car with amazing passanger comfort. The trims and finish is good, but could have been improved to avoid the feel of a swift from the insite. The steering wheel with the cd player controls comes in very handy. The indash music player with six speakers also does a good job.
As fas as fuel economy is concerned, it gives a 14 kmpl on highway and 11 kmpl in the city with full aircon and rough driving. However with the 1.6L engine and close to a 100 horses under the hood, I believe it is a justifiable mileage.
Another good point is the broad tyres and good ground clearance that makes it easy for the worst of indian roads. The safety features - ABS/EBD worked quite well as I boosted the car in the rains and curves.
It has also made the similar priced competitors like city, icon, fiesta rethink on their safety features.
With all the good features, few of the cons are that one should get used are to use the rear view mirror to reverse the car. The reason being, if you turn back and look, you would see the sky like the case of a skoda octavia. This is quite the case of most of the new age saloons as more and more drivers are adhering to the mirror than being turnheads!