Want to be noticed in high traffic and safe on highways? Want the thrill of an SUV, status of a high-end sedan, and cuteness of a hatchback? Drive a Maruti SX4 and start rocking!
A review of Maruti SX4 : Drive an SX4, and you will feel like driving an SUV (may be because it is derived from a mini-SUV-styled international car, the Suzuki SX4 hatchback) and can sense your adrinalin pumping up. The SX4 really is a multi-faceted, lifestyle car, and a style icon. It is a real stunner in terms of style, size, performance and safety. And the modern looks like Swift - though not as sharp as Swift - makes it a joy to see, own and drive. A real VFM (value for money) car.
Exterior Looks: Front-look is really different, where as back side shows its size. Overall, a good head turner while you drive. It’s looking giant, really (thanks to the high profile tyres also). All the macho-loving ones will really like this car to own and drive. The picture that Maruti SX4 creates in our mind, and image that builds in others about an SX4 owner, is that of a real man.
More than the usability or brand image, the love towards a car has an emotional factor. Style and size really does matter here too. Which car grabs your attention, a Hyundai Getz or Maruti Swift? No doubt, Swift. There is no doubt that the once-modern-looking NHC had become pretty ordinary after the SX4 launch. So came the new City, and it is now a good looking car, ofcourse.
Started from Swift, SX4 also has a major and positive change in body design for Maruti - most of the Maruti cars like Wagon R, Zen Estilo, Alto, Versa and even Gypsy are very narrow in width, while Swift, Dzire, SX4 and Grand Vitara (Suzuki Escudo) are the widest in their categories. It gives the car an up-market - ’class’ look and enhances the stability.
Suzuki’s international model SX4 hatchback (aka Fiat Sedici) is a real pleasure to watch, especially from the backside. It was better if India get that hatchback model instead of - or along with - the SX4 sedan, in the 6-8 lakh range. The sedan version doesn’t carry the original hatchback’s charm fully, though it is not bad at all.
Interior, boot space and safety: The one main problem, as everyone says, is the back middle seat. But consider it as a luxury 4 seater, and relax!!! Eventhough the interior seems less roomier than what we expect on seeing the exteriorsize, the too-slanting design of the side body panels (which makes the interior less roomier) and that extra width and weight make it a very stable car on fast highway driving, just like Swift. We know many A3 cars - including Honda City - that tend to ’fly’ and vibrate on high speeds, while ’Swift’ is very firm and has full grip on the road. Such is its stability. SX4 is equally good. While sitting inside, the safety feeling that SX4 give, is far more than other A3 segment cars. And with ABS with EBD, Dual airbags and side impact beams, it’s not just a feeling, I think.
In terms of sales, mileage and brand image, the close competitor for SX4 is Honda City. But SX4 has the advantage of price and size. OK, then what will you consider more valuable - an extra drop of petrol, the so called brand value, or your own safety and the safety of your loved ones?
The boot space is huge-505Ltrs-which means you can keep a fair amount of your holiday trip luggage in it. Moreover, the Maruti Suzuki service available throughout the nation, and low-cost maintenance make it a no-problem car.
Now, some specifications of the Maruti SX4, and comparison with Swift Dzire.
Engine capacity: 1586CC (Swift Dzire Petrol: 1298 CC, Diesel:1248CC )
Power: 102 BHP (Swift Dzire Petrol: 87 BHP, Diesel: 75BHP)
Length: 4490mm (Swift Dzire: 4160mm)
Width: 1735mm (Swift Dzire: 1690mm)
Height: 1560/1570 mm(VXi/Zxi) (Swift Dzire: 1530mm)
Wheelbase: 2500mm (Swift Dzire: 2390mm)
Ground clearance: 180/190 mm (Swift Dzire: 170mm)
Kerb Weight: 1170/1220 Kg (Swift Dzire Petrol ZXi: 1035 Kg)
Safety features: Airbag, ABS with EBD, Side Impact beams
Price: 6.18/ 6.89 lakshs (Ex. Delhi)
Here is a comparison of Maruti SX4 with some other cars in the premium segment:
Parameter: SX4, New Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta
Length**: 4490mm, 4420mm, 4310mm, 4282mm
Width: 1735, 1695, 1695, 1686
Height: 1560, 1480, 1490, 1468
Wheelbase: 2500, 2550, 2500, 2486
GroundClearance: 190, 160, 170, 168
Engine capacity: 1586CC, 1497CC, 1599CC, 1596CC
Power: 102BHP, 118BHP, 103.2BHP, 101BHP
But only an aggressive marketing strategy can overtake the popularity of Honda City, which is mainly due to the brand image. Another option to overtake Honda City, may be to introduce a 1.3 litre Swift-engined SX4 with a price range of 5 - 6 lakh and take on the Honda City in terms of mileage and even better price also, along with the existing advantages of safety features, size and style. It may be a compromise on power, but City costs around Rs 100000 more than the 102BHP, feature-punch-packed SX4!. Though Maruti has ruled out a Diesel SX4 (may be because of the production constraints in their new Manesar plant), it would be better to introduce one. The new entrant Mahindra Logan - which competes with Tata Indigo, Maruti Esteem and the like, which are considered to be in the lower C segment - is not a competitor to SX4, though sell well. Logan’s looks are very very ordinary. But the yet-to-be-launched Fiat Linea could be a good choice. Let’s wait and see.
About Baleno, marketing was very poor, and the name ’Baleno’ itself was a sales-dampener. So, the international brand name ’SX4’ is really good. But the car to be replaced before Baleno, was Esteem. Baleno was far better in terms of looks and performance. (Update: Swift Dzire is a perfect replacement for Esteem. And now, DZire cannibalizing SX4 and Swift sales!)
If we closely examine the Japanese Suzuki stable, we’ll see that many of the Maruti cars are outdated models, except Swift, Dzire, SX4 and Grand Vitara. Other Maruti cars like 800, Alto, Estilo, Omni, Versa, Esteem and Gypsy are old generation vehicles of Japanese Suzuki and are already replaced there by new models. Though a success so far, this Suzuki policy in India may hit them back soon, as many other manufactures are bringing in their latest models.
Remember - only tough get going, while tricky goes tough...