re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review Finally had the TD of All New Swift today ZDI
I am not going into the pros and cons of interior and exterior here
The diesel engine started without much of a clatter. Was amazed at how refined the engine was. Minimal sound on start even on outside.
The NVH inside too was great. Great deadening by MSIL There was a innova going next to me and not a single sound of it inside. On the contrary through the change from JK vectra to MRF ZVTS tyres is not helping as a lot of tyrenoise was heard inside the cabin.
It takes a while to get yourself into comfortable position so as to avoid your shin hitting the dash. You have to certainly pull back your seat a bit to achieve that. I would anyday prefer sitting upright driving the car than lounge back and drive relaxed. But nevertheless thats the way you have to drive the car if you dont want your shin to hitch the dash.
The turbo kick as in the previous swift is still there. Its a pure pleasure when the turbo kicks in and you watch others as if you are the owner of the road. The turbo lag is there and is very much appreciable and the car moves like a python below 2k rpm. It is going to be a pain in B2B traffic if you are in Mumbai.
The steering is light much like my verna, it doesn't feel chunky and assuring either. I am used to driving my linea, which gives me the right amount of feedback in city and in highways. I had always disliked verna in high speeds just because of this light steering feel. It is the same feel i get when the turbo kicks in in all new swift. It can give excellent maneuverability in city but on highways you always feel a little afraid to push the car more because of the steering.
The turning radius is apt and good. The brakes are not worthy to speak about. even though it has boost assist and abs, the brakes are non assuring. Is there any upgrade that can be done here to get a cushy feel?
The car understeers....IMHO it does. I tried cornering at high speeds and it does understeer. It is may be because of the light steering. i have driven the older swift and i have done the same and i believe old swift was much better in handling than this new one. The right amount of steering turn doesn't turn the car to a right amount. You have to turn a little extra to be on the lane while cornering. going to be certainly difficult on highways. Thumbs up to the old swift. or is it a matter of getting used to?
The car perfectly vrooms from 30 -100 in no time . And it is a pleasure to be on the right side of the turbo kick.
By now i wanted to asses the car from back seat. so i allowed my friend to take the wheel. He is 5'10. The moment he adjusted the seat to his liking my legs were squeezed. The rear leg room is a crap. Where has the 20mm more leg room gone? the boot isnt wide either. i expected the rear leg room to be atleast comfortable, but disappointed. The front seat cant be taken up front either due to the "shin" problem. so it is cumbersome for the passenger at the rear. so is the ingress and the egress.
The car feels small when you sit at the rear and feels bigger when you are in the front. The rear windows are small and gives a claustrophobic feel. The seats are not cushy and comfy either. MSIL has modified the front seats. But why have they not cared about the rear passengers. The front seats are absolutely fabulous. They just wrap you around and hug you. On the downside the rear seats are hard . not much of a back support or thigh support. Again it is going to be a pain for the rear passengers on a long trip. I dont think 5 people can sit comfortable either. it is definitelya 4 people car
I somehow felt not very comfortable sitting in the rear of the car when my friend was driving. I was not able to view the road much from the back. I was worried about the handling as my friend was driving close to 100kmph, which was not very assuring due to the not so good handling (my opinion).
The gizmos are very good. the interiors are plush and nice except for the switches on door. Loved the dash and the a/c cupholders and the ICE.
Overall If the car is going to commute only 2 people and they are going to sit in the front, It is undoubtedly the best car you can get in the market.
But if the car is meant for 4, i think i have to think again the plus and minuses before deciding
Car cost: 7.48l with 6 months waiting period. IMHO torque blue is the colour for the car
Last edited by geeash : 2nd October 2011 at 21:10.
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