Introduction:
This is my second review on MS - First was for Nova 135 which I purchased exactly 4 years back - and never regretted that decision.
Hopefully - my decision to buy ZEN ESTILO VXI goes on same lines.(both were not hot market favorites by the way).
On NOV 3 2008 I got delivery of my car ZEN ESTILO VXI(Champagne Biege Color- the one in the Generic photo above). I booked on 30th OCT 2008.
Here is the link for nova review:
https://mouthshut.com/review/Kinetic_Nova_135-67427-1.html Well every product has its Pro & Cons. we have to choose it according to our lifestyle / needs.etc.
Research:
What I liked about Estilo(with in small car segment): Exteriors, Interiors look & feel. Dudes, Second looks guaranteed at least in my area(in HYD - Hitech city - Kukatpally - Nizampet) which is crowded with Santros & Indicas etc.
Estilo a fresh sight and breath to all. In my case it is love @ first sight with this car. My range was from FORD FUSION to M800, I know this is accross class types of cars.but just to let you know.the choices. Once I put my mind saying let me go with small car for now.it was Looks & Style that have made me put my money on ESTILO(against: Santro, I10, Indica) other reasons include:
Indica is great but there are some cosmetic and non-technical problems: like rain water leaking into cabin.etc.Ofcourse Delear Service is an issue tooo.
Santro: Naa.it was never on my mind as 1. Bad dealer exp 2. Toooooo common, no novelty factor, 3. Korean tech(compared to Suzuki which is Japan Tech.).4. I wanted to buy Indian car.(atleast Suzuki is JV with Maruti an Indian holding) compared to Hyundai purely phoren ka maal.(lets not go into: it is based in India and employees are all indianss.) ultimately the money(read profit) is going to Korea.Of course this is not any desh bhakti.but just small gesture towards.be indian buy indian .finally one thing is sure that money rotates within country.and doesnt go to a Foreigner
I10: Same as for Santro+ 1.3 lacs costly(highest version)
Dimensions: Extremely Comfortable for 4 adults+ 1 Kid, great ride quality & pick up with this much load+ AC ON. BTW. While doing research . I took tape to the showroorms and measured the Cabin lenght & width(Not Height as I was comfortable with height at just first sight).
This car’s CABIN is exactly 1.2 inch small in width when compared to Swift and I10. Also note that its cabin length is exactly same as that of Wagon R(From start of Dash board to second row head rest).
Another important factor: The leg room for rear seat is 1 inch small than Swift, thats it.
No doubt they have extended the front glass to increase the Dash board of car.however that has no big advantage for passengers.
1.3 lacs cheaper compared to Swift VXI & HYU I 10(approximately). Mine is highest version- hence comparing with Highest versions of Swift and I10.
Experiences:
When I first filled up my tank to capacity and clocked around 450 KMs. in & around HYD - re-filled it to check the mileage: I got, believe me 17.7 KMPL with 50% of time A/C on- Ashtonishing. Of course of the 450 KM at least 300 were on highways which were decently crowded as they were busy Mumbai Highway and Warangal highway.
Almost every body had asked me why the hell this car which is a flop model at least down south( I came to know that this is big hit in Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and other northern states). However I am very content with this car see the reasons mentioned above and below.
Technicals & Details:
VXI version with fully loaded on road including life tax & registration comes at 4 lacs. 3.90 is actual+ 10 k work accessories(MP 3- USB player, Seat covers etc.), All four power windows / Keyless for all 5 doors(the dicky / back door too).
1060 CC, 64 BHP/HP - is good enough for comfortable city ride. BTW. this is good even for highways.for 4 passengers.
Some say due to extended dashboard.it vibrates at high speeds as the engine comes beneath it. I saw inside the Bonnet .the engine is certainly not beneath the Dashboard. I touched 110 KM/HR and found the car stable enough.with 4 passengers and with single passenger.
What ever vibration at this speed it is for all other cars as well.
Gears: So smooth are the 3rd and 4th gears.that initially I was confused if the Engine was ON or OFF. There is no feel in steering as well.Only way I found out after my own research was to touch the Gear Knob / Shaft - to feel the slight engine vibration. ahh! its ON. Another geniune problem with Noiseless 3rd and 4th gears is that we have to Honk a lot. this is a safety problem.as others on the road could not find a vehicle coming behind them.suddenly they take for crossing roads.etc.so we have to keep honking.we cannot say " Suniyee nahin deta kya? Can’t you hear?" Yes they cannot hear for true.
However Gear shifting is a bit letdown.as all other things are so good. they could have made this smoother.and better.any ways compared to Wagor R and Indica it is damn better.
Ingress & Egress are great .all my family members are around 6 ft- no one every complained getting IN and OUT ever. They all had complaints . with Indica and Even Honda City(my uncle owns one) for ingress and egress.
Another high is: Boot Space. Best in class. Its boot space is 1 inch longer when compared to Swift and Wagon R. This is where the leg room of second row is reduced by an inch.
Dealer: Varun. Salesperson was Sai.who was very good at follow up and after sales calls. however he gave certain wrong information about color and loan. upon stressing he corrected himself.that being a genuine mistake.can be overlooked. They waited till 10 PM on my delivery date - with coconut, flowers and Sweet boxes.Excellent gesture.
Space: I found the driver seat very good for road view. Its space is good for a small car.however.if they can increase its Cabin width by another 2 inches.then this would put many other cars to rest.
Lovingly & Faithfully
-Sachin.