Quote:
Originally Posted by procircuit_234 one simple question..rather difficult! is it perfect upgrade from baleno?baleno is great highway how is ride,high speed manners and torque on highway? as compared to baleno? |
City Driveability
Baleno has a more effective low end, allowing for easy city driveability. But then I have learnt to drive the Civic pretty well in city traffic too. I tend to let it coast along without trying to push it.
It's also easier to drive in the city since the bonnet is somewhat visible and you can gauge distance to surroundings better. With the Civic you end up with a bigger factor of safety. This is usually good since it keeps you from taking up tight manoeuvres, unless you get caught up in bumper to bumper and door to door traffic.
The gear shift quality being much much better than the Baleno, multiple shifts are not much of a strain either.
Turning circle is more and one needs to plan out a bit in advance.
Highways
Smooth roads. Ah well, the Baleno is good, but the Civic is clearly better. It belongs there. More so since the engine can show its prowess. And its wider track makes it feel more planted. Cruising at high speeds is easily possible. The relative lack of low end grunt is not much of an issue here, if you keep the engine on the boil. Oh and what an engine it is. You want to revv to the limiter all day long.
However on slightly rough tarmac you'll feel the Civic rear end to be a bit skittish. Baleno handles such surfaces better.
Won't say either of them are super handlers. But they are pretty good. Between them the Baleno feels more 'chuckable'. The Civic does feel one size bigger. While the Baleno steering is nice, that on the Civic is truer and more confidence inspiring.
Make no mistake. Both are fun to drive and will plaster a smile on your face if you are gunning them ! The Baleno with its raw appeal, the Civic with it's refinement.
Suspension
Baleno suspension feels relatively stiffer. Ride quality in the rear seats is probably better over uneven/undulating roads. Rear seat passengers in the Civic tend to get a more 'wallowy' feeling. No such issues in the front seat.
Ergonomics
I was extremely comfortable with the Baleno driving position, but now realise that the Civic is better. Everything is well thought out and falls into place nicely. The Civic seat could have done with a bit more lateral support, but it's nevertheless a wonderful seat.
Cost of ownership
Here too the Civic seems to be one step ahead as of now ! Routine maintenance is easy on the pocket for both, but seems to be a bit less for the Civic ! FE is surprisingly similar too .. both hovering around an average 11.5kmpl mark over my whole ownership period. Both running on wider than stock tyres. Baleno running 195, Civic 205. Both return very good figures if driven with a light foot.
Sales and after-sales service experience has been pretty good for both.
If one considers resale, then it helps that there is more demand in the market for the Civic.
So yes, it surely can be considered an upgrade from the Baleno. Though I must add, so can the Cedia. In fact, compared to the Civic, the Cedia is probably a more 'natural' upgrade from the Baleno in terms of character.