Greetings to all MS users. I am Ganesh Kumaran from Chennai.
I own a Estilo(the black diamond) finally. I write this review after three months of research on two cars namely Wagon R and MR Wagon(Zen Estilo). After the research I came to various decisions’ and finally made to Estilo. Let me share my experience with you.
I owned a Esteem 98 model with Lovato Gas fitted. The car was ultimate smooth and fast even though bit sluggish in LPG mode that too with AC.
I liked to own a small new car with out compromising any positive aspects that a new car can have. So I blindly selected Wagon R Duo and started to analyze it.
The short report on WR Duo:
Car runs on LPG mean 30 - 40% saving on fuel(great to hear).
Ecofriendly car(help the Earth)
Height and more legroom for driver.
The car is 25, 000 more than petrol versions, means u can compensate the money extra paid after 3 years if you drive 50Kms per day.
Lxi model doesn’t have power windows and provision for 2 front speakers only. U have to install rear speakers sacrificing the boot space which already been occupied by the LPG tank.
LPG Tank capacity is very less storage with 22 liters.
So those who all convinced with the above details and with the bit boxy look of WR, can go for it.
Now the question is WR Vxi or Estilo Vxi, let’s speak about the high end models alone.
Very tough question and decision to make.
Let me say what I analyzed:
Cost: WR Vxi is 3000 extra than Estilo Vxi.
Looks: WR Vxi has a boxy look and launched long back on roads so looks aged. Estilo is brand new design and looks good and even great for some.
Design: WR Vxi is tall-boy and Estilo is bit small than that, but I am not sure why you need such height in WR like my friend can sit in my lap without hitting his head on the top.
Safety: It’s not true that Estilo shakes in high ways and in curves you feel like that since the car is small and height, you will feel the same in WR too. ABS is available in both model and if u are fast and high way rider u can get it costs around 40000 extra.
Features: Estilo have rear power windows, body colored mirrors, vanity mirror, Ariel, better boot space and length, great interiors which are missing in WR.
AC: 100 marks to Estilo as its AC cools ultimately since it has a sub-cooler WR is pretty good.
PickUp: WR and Estilo both share their engine so nothing to say both are equal.
Mileage: Even they share the same engine the Estilo is refined for fuel efficiency so it gives around 16-18 Km/L and WR will be 2-3 Km/L less.
Riding Pleasure: Again Estilo beats the WR which gives a feel of driving a baby innova. You will definitely enjoy driving in traffic and in high ways you feel the car runs automatically. Power steering is effortless you will find a full turn on the wheel in few seconds.
Seats: The front seats are enough to occupy 6 feet tall person like me. Back seats carried three people of medium physic. Seat belts are available on both seats.
Others: The electrically adjustable OVRM, headlight level adjustment, fog lamps, key not removed and lights on alarm, center locking, backseat folding, styling lights, defog, 4 door speaker provisions, 5 doors keyless entries in Estilo are great in these segment cars.
These things bother in Estilo as well as in WR:
No cigar lighter in Estilo(for smokers)
No light in the boot, even WR doesn’t have that.
Gear shifting is issue in both the cars. You have to really search for the 5 th and reverse gear, if u start learning in these cars you will struggleto change the gears. But I believe this problem would be solved after few services.
Gear throw is long, you will tap the thy of the co-seater when you go for the first gear. Maruti have to really work on this. A gear shifting like swift will make Estilo car the best in India.
No company fitted bug alarm in both vehicles.
Horn sound is more audible inside the car I think that’s due to small nose of the car.
So which sounds better!?
I, after these many confusions went and booked Estilo Vxi bright red color. Then when I went to pay my down payment I noticed red it bit too red as the color reflects in the car nearby, a black Estilo was displayed in the showroom. The interiors and the black body matches perfectly, it looked so classy, so despite of the maintenance I asked to change the red to black which was done but delayed in the deliver of the vehicle.
So, finally got the black beauty and all the support was given to me by my girlfriend. She helped deciding in all the problems and convincing my parents to get Black car(since they felf sentimental with the color).
Regarding the accessories to the car, I got the door mat, boot mat, mud flaps, silencer extension, the tinted sun control film, reverse horn as free since I demanded these before booking.
All the Maruti Genuine Accessories are very costly than market and the labor charges too so I just drove my car with out any MGA. I went for an authorized accessories dealer. The maruti dealer is very friendly and good respect to all customers.
Fitted my Sony player with 6 inch front speakers fitted in the doors and rear door 4 inch round speakers can be fitted which will really lack the feel of good music. So I made up the mind and went for 300W oval sonly Xplod which occupied the boot space 15% which is not a big issue and u know the music inside the car is like home theatre with out woofer it have punching bass effects.
I first decided to get seat covers in cloth in beige which cost around 2500 but went for leather seats which is 1000 more. They look very rich, east to maintain and above all long lasting.
I fitted under light blue neon lamps not just for beauty but will be very helpful for the oncoming vehicles to spot the black car in nights. I fitted it for 1500 rupees and it comes with out warranty.
Aero-kit is available for the car which when fitted looks great like imported car but with out that the car looks good so it’s up to ur choice. Aero-kit and alloy will chare you nearly 50000. But I didn’t go for these.
So, I have given all the details I had analyzed and if you need to know more on these cars do write to me.
Happy driving and drive safe…!
*-Ganesh Kumaran Ramalingam.
Note: **For buy or not to buy this car see the comment section below.