Santro Xing XG

greenh0rn · 2nd June 2005, 14:12

Okay after going through a massive mind turmoil between a Zen and a Santro, I picked the latter on last date of previous financial year (not so much to save taxes but to collect massive discounts on offer that day ;-). For the first time in my life, my heart gave way to my head and i decided to pick a modern, spacious, practical no-nonsense car, rather than a cramped, dated but racy Zen. Anyway, this is my own first car.

1. The car has done 2053 kms by now (in almost 2 months), largely trouble free. On the second day after delivery, I went to Mathura, about 150 km from Delhi. Drove the car at constant speeds of 80-85 nudging 90+ for short bursts, and then came home and read the owners manual in detail which says no driving above 70 kmph for first 800 kms. Felt stupid ;-)

2. Having rode an RD350 earlier, I am not so excited about performance part, especially with the ac on. A Hyundai exec told me the difference in performance would be in ratio 20/19, for non-ac/ac driving, but i find the difference rather 20/16. Without AC the car surely runs like a scalded dog and feels awesome. I think i should time the 0-60 runs and post them here sometime soon.

3. One peculiar thing I am noticing is the huge engine breaking, particularly in third gear, in a narrow RPM-band. It is far perceptible with the ac on, when if I take the car to 40 in third gear and take foot off acc., after a few seconds it seems car hits an imaginary wall and speed comes crashing down. Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but the force is certainly enough to pull me forward from my seatback. I donno if it is normal, regular thing.

4. I have got Pioneer 4750 HU with Pioneer 6991 speakers housed in a tower box in the rear, and Sony 1021 4-inch fronts. The sound is reasonably good, but it's not exactly crystal clear. I'll try MDF board and two custom boxes for rear to see if it improves the sound. But these 6991s produce awesome bass for sure!

5. I had always found Santro seats rigid and inflexible, but surprisingly even at long rides, the back (mine, not seat's) stays firm and not much fatigue. Rear passengers (few and far between) say the leg space is fairly decent (this with a 6-feet passenger in front). Of course, the rear suspension has earned it's name right.

6. Build quality is simply superb. This is the only small car that can actually compete with the likes of Palios and Swifts for build quality. The quality of plastic is far better than Indica, and even seat upholstery is top-notch for a B-segment car.

7. I have started gaining confidence for cornering at high-speeds, still I find a corner-at-60kmph slightly exhilirating.

8. Finally, I have got 14 kmpl mileage from day 1.

heavy_foot · 2nd June 2005, 18:46

i was using my friend's santro xs for few days and found the driving position not very inspireing ...and it was almost like i had no space to move my left leg cos it kept on hiting the centre console...and never felt comfortable at 80 kmph + speeds...didnt much like revving the engine...the plastics used in the interiors were good indeed.
cheers

Surprise · 2nd June 2005, 18:51

[quote=greenh0rn
8. Finally, I have got 14 kmpl mileage from day 1.

[/QUOTE]

Hey, two of my friends are getting mileage of only 10-11 in their Santro's. Both of them drive good & maintain the speed at constant levels.

You are lucky that your vehicle gives 14kmpl ( with a/c, hope Iam right)

adya33 · 2nd June 2005, 19:12

hey greenh0rn congratulations on your car

Quote:

and then came home and read the owners manual in detail which says no driving above 70 kmph for first 800 kms. Felt stupid ;-)

dude you should always read the manual first
whats the first thing to do after you bring car home?
seat with family & read manual together tell all family members whatever is written in manual. (especially women)

anyways do take a good care of your car it will give you less trouble few years down the line.

i had once driven friends Santro Xing XP(i guess) felt nice in city but personally disliked it, would take Matiz anyday over it (not driven new Zen so can not comment on that)

ash7678 · 27th December 2005, 12:12

Dude!

I'm facing just the same problem that you are talking about. need to know from all you technically sound guys if there is any logical reason to this as far as this car is concerned???

3. One peculiar thing I am noticing is the huge engine breaking, particularly in third gear, in a narrow RPM-band. It is far perceptible with the ac on, when if I take the car to 40 in third gear and take foot off acc., after a few seconds it seems car hits an imaginary wall and speed comes crashing down. Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but the force is certainly enough to pull me forward from my seatback. I donno if it is normal, regular thing.

jkdas · 27th December 2005, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavy_foot

i was using my friend's santro xs for few days and found the driving position not very inspireing ...and it was almost like i had no space to move my left leg cos it kept on hiting the centre console...and never felt comfortable at 80 kmph + speeds...didnt much like revving the engine...the plastics used in the interiors were good indeed.
cheers

emm, bad that they stopped XS version. I had to get the XG :(

Yah I too have the problem with hitting the centre console's cigrattee lighter. I guess it happens coz you use teh dead pedal. One advantage and oen disadvantage.

I drive at 110-115kmph most of the time. Nice brakes nah?

2nd June 2005, 14:12	#1
greenh0rn BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 427 Thanked: 149 Times	Santro Xing XG Okay after going through a massive mind turmoil between a Zen and a Santro, I picked the latter on last date of previous financial year (not so much to save taxes but to collect massive discounts on offer that day ;-). For the first time in my life, my heart gave way to my head and i decided to pick a modern, spacious, practical no-nonsense car, rather than a cramped, dated but racy Zen. Anyway, this is my own first car. 1. The car has done 2053 kms by now (in almost 2 months), largely trouble free. On the second day after delivery, I went to Mathura, about 150 km from Delhi. Drove the car at constant speeds of 80-85 nudging 90+ for short bursts, and then came home and read the owners manual in detail which says no driving above 70 kmph for first 800 kms. Felt stupid ;-) 2. Having rode an RD350 earlier, I am not so excited about performance part, especially with the ac on. A Hyundai exec told me the difference in performance would be in ratio 20/19, for non-ac/ac driving, but i find the difference rather 20/16. Without AC the car surely runs like a scalded dog and feels awesome. I think i should time the 0-60 runs and post them here sometime soon. 3. One peculiar thing I am noticing is the huge engine breaking, particularly in third gear, in a narrow RPM-band. It is far perceptible with the ac on, when if I take the car to 40 in third gear and take foot off acc., after a few seconds it seems car hits an imaginary wall and speed comes crashing down. Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but the force is certainly enough to pull me forward from my seatback. I donno if it is normal, regular thing. 4. I have got Pioneer 4750 HU with Pioneer 6991 speakers housed in a tower box in the rear, and Sony 1021 4-inch fronts. The sound is reasonably good, but it's not exactly crystal clear. I'll try MDF board and two custom boxes for rear to see if it improves the sound. But these 6991s produce awesome bass for sure! 5. I had always found Santro seats rigid and inflexible, but surprisingly even at long rides, the back (mine, not seat's) stays firm and not much fatigue. Rear passengers (few and far between) say the leg space is fairly decent (this with a 6-feet passenger in front). Of course, the rear suspension has earned it's name right. 6. Build quality is simply superb. This is the only small car that can actually compete with the likes of Palios and Swifts for build quality. The quality of plastic is far better than Indica, and even seat upholstery is top-notch for a B-segment car. 7. I have started gaining confidence for cornering at high-speeds, still I find a corner-at-60kmph slightly exhilirating. 8. Finally, I have got 14 kmpl mileage from day 1.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2005, 18:46	#2
heavy_foot Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,048 Thanked: 163 Times	i was using my friend's santro xs for few days and found the driving position not very inspireing ...and it was almost like i had no space to move my left leg cos it kept on hiting the centre console...and never felt comfortable at 80 kmph + speeds...didnt much like revving the engine...the plastics used in the interiors were good indeed. cheers
	() Thanks

2nd June 2005, 18:51	#3
Surprise Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,523 Thanked: 454 Times	[quote=greenh0rn 8. Finally, I have got 14 kmpl mileage from day 1. [/QUOTE] Hey, two of my friends are getting mileage of only 10-11 in their Santro's. Both of them drive good & maintain the speed at constant levels. You are lucky that your vehicle gives 14kmpl ( with a/c, hope Iam right)
	() Thanks

27th December 2005, 12:12	#5
ash7678 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 53 Thanked: 4 Times	Dude! I'm facing just the same problem that you are talking about. need to know from all you technically sound guys if there is any logical reason to this as far as this car is concerned??? 3. One peculiar thing I am noticing is the huge engine breaking, particularly in third gear, in a narrow RPM-band. It is far perceptible with the ac on, when if I take the car to 40 in third gear and take foot off acc., after a few seconds it seems car hits an imaginary wall and speed comes crashing down. Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but the force is certainly enough to pull me forward from my seatback. I donno if it is normal, regular thing.
	() Thanks