I got my WagonR in 2006 July and it had been a good 8 months now. Basically this is vehicle which is highly under-rated and should have been a bigger success. May be Maruti’s Marketing strategy is to blame!
I am mainly using in city traffic and this car is a pleasure to drive in congested traffic. Cleverly designed, you would never hesitates to get into any narrow gap that’s available. I enjoy the immense power the car has to offer also. I have driven in the highways also often and one long trip(600 KMs in one day) also was done without any issues what so ever.
In Stop-Go traffic this is the car that you would love to drive and friends, common don’t compare with bigger better cars as we can not compare an orange with an apple!
The best thing is that until today I have NOT had ANY issues and I have visited the workshops only for the free checkups(2 are already up) and for cleaning. This is absolutely great because I am first time car user and I do not have a driver too!
Reliability of Maruti comes to the core here and especially this Car has a heart-of-Lion.
Coming to specs and individual items:
Looks: Love it or hate it and in fact people who Love it will be the ones who buy it and I am sure everyone who has a WagonR will agree with me that "you would really laugh at people who squabble about looks of this beauty". On the same note personally I believe that the old model(I picked up one of the very last stocks with ah hefty discount;) is better looking than the new one, especially the front look - The new model’s grille is so huge that it would put a truck to shame:)
Interior Looks: This is an area where Maruti can and should improve. The plasticy parts are the main drab and here rotary AC controls and the three spoke steering of the new modal are a plus but even the new modal can be improved upon by leaps and bounds especially after knowing that Maruti can do it at the same price(Estillo)
Comfort Level: Well, would have liked the comfort levels of Civics and Mercs of the world but we need to keep in mind that this is a sweet little hatch and it offers what ever it can - Even in long rides or in the bumpy roads we have never felt that its uncomfortable. AC is very good and even on hot days cools the cabin effectively.Ingress and Egress is easy for everyone - starting from kids to Grandparents - mind you the door opens widdddeeee so don’t hit the nearby car! Can put in anything in those lot of cubby holes and children can play with the rear seat folding when they want a new game.
Equipment: No complaints - I drive the LXI. But still I feel Maruti would do well to include Power Windows, Rear Wiper and Electric ORVM, collapsible Parcel Tray in the LXI model especially when some of these are available in the similarly priced Santro, Xeta.
Power and Speed: Loads of power that you would ever need! Can cruise in city traffic in the 3rd gear and in the highway I have hit up to 130 Kmph without any effort. I regularly overtake bigger cars, trucks without any issues and driving this is a pleasure. Oh did I say pleasure, yes in spite of a stupid gear shift - the worst aspect of the car.
Ride and Handling: Fair NVH insulation and gets the job done. I travel in severely pot-holed roads everyday and I’m an aggressive driver. Never had an issue and I feel we get what we pay for. Cornering could get scary especially at high speeds and some people do complain that driving is difficult as is a tall-boy but folks this is my first car and if this is "difficult " then I would Love to drive the easier ones - Serious - I have not had any difficulty in handling the car. If you drive sensibly the car will behave itself! If you want to take an U turn at 100 kmph then God forbid you:)
Headroom and "Knee"Room: I am 6 feet tall and that was the main reason I went for WagonR. And this should be the hatch anyone above 5’10 should be in! Headroom - well it has enough for me and considering my height I am sure for 95% of Indian population that should be fine. The rear legroom could be an issue when the front seats are pushed back.
Reliability: The best part - as I told earlier - no unscheduled visits to the workshop so far - Touch wood. Not even a single puncture - I drive in the worst roads possible and not even un needed sounds, etc.
Fuel Economy: With AC on, aggressive driving, in City traffic I get around 13-14 which is fine!
Dealer: I got the car from Narayani Motors, Bhubaneswar. They have been excellent with their service and even helped me in clearing a problem with one after-market CD player - stereo dealer.
VFM: In comparison with the Xeta this does not look as the best bet but the Indica has a kind of "Taxi" image and if only the equipment list is improved, this will be a compelling option.
So overall, a brilliant city car, with loads of practicality but lacks few refinement aspects!