Quote:
Originally Posted by supremeBaleno Look forward to your comparo between Fiesta, SX4 and ANHC. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by TaureanBull IMO SX4 wont disappoint you if you TD it with impartiality.
Looking forward for your TD experiences... |
^^ Due to this,
I asked the TD of SX4. But the showroom guy told he only had Automatic with him and can only arrnage the MT Vehcile by Saturday. I anyhow asked him to come.
after few calls and some ravings about the ANHC, he finally came in a Fully Loaded, Sky blue SX4 AT 1.6 VVT.
Just waited a bit. Then moved around it. Huge Chunky tires. Real Road Presence, I mean R-E-A-L Road Presence. 16" 10 spoke Alloys we good (although i would have preffered the earlier 5 Spoke one). Even before i got in, i asked him to open the Boot. 510 Litres. Huge, but Initially didnt seem so. Becasue the Actually Loading / Unloading area is bit small (Becasue of Huge Rear Lights encroaching the boot lid). Also, i assume that the baggage needs to be really lifted to get into the boot (simply becasue of high GC coupled with higher Boot). The Door Handles were chrome lined, felt good and Solid.
Nice Click when shut. Asked him to open the Bonnet. Heavy, very heavy by suzuki standards. Lots of space inside the Engine. Good Ventilation on either side of the engine. Moved around to the other side. Crossed the road and saw the car. Imposing. Butch looking Sedan. Came back. I told him i have not driven the AT cars and asked if he could drive while i sit in Back. he Obliged
Experiencing SX4 as a passenger (rear):
I went to rear (right) and was greeted by a high quality leather Sofa. Yes, It felt like a real sofa. Very good Space. Great leg space and even greater Shoulder Space. What more there is a side galdding on either sides, so in case i fall asleep, i wont get up with a sprained neck.
Excellent. Never thought SX4 would be so Comfortable to sit. The panels were Fake wood (which i am not a big fan off), but somehow looked good with the Interiors. Nice and High is the seating position. I could see everything with a slight slant up from the Seat. Everything man, So airy and So ventilated. Was a real surprise after being in Swift's rear Dungeon!!.
Finally asked im to get moving and he Started the engine.
smooth. I asked him to wait.
Nope nill vibrations.
Now, go, But he didnt respond!!. he was searching for something in the AT box. Some 'P', 'N', 'G3' kinds of Alpabets were there. He slotted into something and
Vrooommmm..I was literally pushed back with the sudden surge of Torque.
Man, WT*. The driver gave a big grin and started with his usual story - Litres - BHP -ACC - Airbag, but my mind was on to something else.
Engine: Wow Great Power, felt as though someone is always ready to kick in your A**. and now and then he gives the Kick. (I think becasue of AT). He Reached 60 without battling an eyelid.
Rear Ride Quality: Was not really surprised to see the SX4 glide effortless over potholes, and bad roads considering the huge GC and big (read side wall) tires. This was more of a SUV ride. Though plush to an extent, there was considerbale bumpiness in ride (not as bad as in i10). When the driver sweres at high speeds, some amount of body roll can be felt. But i think i can live with this, though not in the class of S or the Cedia, it scores high in rear comfort and space when compared with Cedia and Fiesta. As a Family, a SX4 has a more enjoyable and comfortable rear seat than a Cedia or a Fiesta. Period.
Experiencing SX4 as a Driver:
Now it was my turn to get to the steering. hopped in and saw the AT. I didnt like it. Somehow i like to Keep one hand in the Gear while driving and upshift if i need more torque. I cannot do this here. It felt strage as my left foot was searching in vain for the non-existent Clutch pedal. After some ground work (he explained) i got it to move
Engine: Marvellous is the right word. To move this mass of steel you need power and the SX4 has got it all. i am not comparing with other cars as i drove a AT and you all know how important a gear shift is when comparing the performance of an Engine. So i am restricting myself only to the power delivery. The car never felt sluggish.
Handling: Was not bad as i expected. handling in low speeds is quite good. However as speed increases, you feel a bit nervous. EPS steering gave decent feedback. But you ll have to give it to Ford here. The Steering was so precise and accurate in Fiesta. The SX4 though very fast didnt really have the handling for me to push her. As i again glided over potholes, ride in front was impeccable. Very good than the rear. One point here, the turning radius seems to be on the higher side for the SX4 (pls correct me if wrong), I could do a quicker and shorter u-turn in a Fiesta or a Cedia than in an SX4.
Special note on the A-Pillar (fans excuse, pls):
This car has 4 Pillars: A1, A2, B and C. What is maruti thinking? (or is it Suzuki?) For Whatever reason they put a Quarter panel glass between the A1 pillar and the A2 pillar, i think there is a fair chance to be in the blind spot , esp when taking a U turn to your right or when approacing a sharp right turn.
Now the small niggles:
Interior Plastic Quality could have been better.
Same Old Swift's Dashborad (only color is different)
Music player quality of build is flimsy
Reversing this car is tougher than other cars in its segment.
The Quality of the Whole car is better than the Suzuki's we have seen but surely not in League of Ford or a Fiat.
This is what i think now;
I thought i can wipe of the SX4 from my list, but now i realise its a much bigger and better car than i imagined. at 8.8L OTR with 30K Discounts seems well within my Budget. At 50K extra than the 1.6S, i get good rear space, bigger boot, amazing road presence and comfortable ride for 5. Not to forget the ACC, USB Stereo, 16" Alloys. on what i miss out, superior handling is surely one. Build Quaity comes next. Othe than that i can only say after TDing the SX4 MT. Anyways, i am promised manual Transmission SX4 on Saturday, so restraining any comments on engine and gearbox for now.
After my ANHC TD and SX4 MT TD, i think i ll be in a better position to compare the four.