If one is going this route there's nothing in the SUV mould at these prices as of now.
The only options available to serious utility seekers are;
Safari
Scorpio
Force One
Sumo Grande - at a stretch perhaps
and perhaps the Duster when it hits the marketplace.
The Force One priced at 11 odd lacs plus taxes and insurance is not worth it in my opinion because of the fact that they have completely ignored safety kit and the option of 4WD is not there as of now. Even when they bring in V2 of their machine, while they may add in the safety stuff and 4WD, they are bound to increase the prices, which will cleanly pitch their top end version into the current no mans land just above the top end Scorp and Safari. Again, overpriced in my opinion, for what is actually on offer in terms of fit, finish and yet unproven reliability aspect.
Going by all these blighted manufacturers tendencies i dont think that any one of them, unless forced to by a combination of legislation and/ or unprecedented consumer demand, will even bother to provide us with basic safety stuff like ABS, Airbags etc at these prices in an SUV. This is on account of sheer greed and shortsighted-ness on their part.
Perhaps the Duster will prove me wrong and I fervently hope it does.
But frankly there is absolutely no UTE sitting around waiting to be bought by us, which has all that we are looking for, except at far higher (over priced) price ranges.
Frankly there is no reason to buy a brand new fully loaded Safari or Scorpio at 15 lacs on road price because in my opinion, they are totally over priced for the quality, fit and finish that they offer.
Would be better to push the budget a bit and buy the Skoda Yeti at 18-20lacs OR go the "pre-owned" route if budget is a constraint. But if one is going the pre owned route dont take a loan - save up and pay outright - makes much better financial sense to do this.
I do hope that Renault learns from all this and brings in the top end Duster with the Euro Spec, fully loaded with safety kit, 4WD and the other gizmos at a price equivalent to Rs 12-14 lacs on road.
If this happens the demand will instantaneously outstrip supply!
Yes I couldnt agree more that the blighters in government need to make these things like Safety kit mandatory in all these vehicles. And force the manufacturers to pass on true value to the public. As of now these manufacturers are all operating in an environment which is desperately starved for good UTE options and consequently are milking the consumers - typical short sighted Indian behaviour. Hopefully things will change for the better, and soon, because they have to realize some time that us consumers have evolved at the rate of knots, given the extremely competitive, feature loaded vehicles that are available to us in the sedan, hatch spaces!
Quote:
Originally Posted by eq24 I am a bit apprehensive about the safety features in this vehicle, no airbags, no ABS, surely those should be standard in any car manufactured today. I think the Indian government should step in and make those features a must have, like most European countries do. I am sure there wont be a single person who wouldnt justify paying extra for such life saving neccessaties.
Also could someone tell me what other alternatives in this range are coming out? Much appreciated. |