Initial Ritz ZXI (white) review

ada · 28th June 2009, 20:11

So it has been a week since I have been driving Ritz ZXI (petrol). I have completed 300 kms by this time. For perspective my car before Ritz was Maruti Alto, though I have also driven Tata Indica.

Observations --
1) The engine is super smooth, I have to watch tachometer when idling at a signal to avoid double cranking. I do not even know on highways when I touch 100, I have to consciously lift off considering engine run-in.

2) The interior plastics though not beige and colorful are sufficiently good to exude confidence, and sturdiness.

3) Gear shift is excellent, falls in place firmly, you can almost expect to hear a click.

4) Power steering at low speeds is excellent later it hardens, but that is what it is supposed to do, however at higher speeds it is a bit hard.

5) ABS/EBD is something I will have to get used to. In my older ALto I had formed an excellent judgment, which will take some time here, as I feel under both dry and wet this car takes a wee bit longer to stop (the same is explained in the manual).

6)There is a little bit of body roll which is but expected.

7) The boot space is not as small as imagined. It is bigger then Alto, I guess only slightly smaller then swift.

8) The leg space at the rear is excellent, I' am 5'7". With driver seat adjusted, it leaves lots of leg space. The problem is width with three persons sitting, shoulders touching and all.

9) Drive quality is a bit suspect at the rear, it is certainly a huge improvement over Alto, but I do not know, it is not as good as Indica, does suspension settle over time?

Giggles and Niggles --
1)There are nice nooks and crannies to keep your tit-bits. The under seat tray though flimsy is helpful.

2) A pillar is a bit of an obstruction, also the rear view is not as good, have to be very alert while reversing, if still uncomfortable over longer period, will install parktronics.

3) The height is excellent, as high as Innova, this plus the interiors gives you a big car feel.

4) Fog lamps will only come on when headlights are on.
5) I'am in doubt whether the rear view mirror is anti-glare, there is no adjustment lever to it. The guy at the showroom said that it was automatic.

6) Flimsy orange stickers attached to interior door lever (corners already coming out)

Overall I' am very satisfied with my purchase. Though not as flashy or brilliant as the Punto , I' am sure this will be like a faithful companion, rock steady, unwavering and true. The engine and overall ride quality exudes smoothness and a refined experience.

-- Have to wait for the full tank to get empty for average.
-- Will post photos immediately whenever the weather clears and the car is clean.

gsajjanraj · 28th June 2009, 20:33

Congrats Dude.

Good to know you are one happy customer of Ritz. All the very best with your new love.

Waiting to see the pics. Keep them coming.

aaggoswami · 28th June 2009, 20:45

Nice review. Eagerly waiting for pictures.

Did you do some water wading. I mean in M800, water above the wheel is taken with ease, is it similar in case of Ritz considering the water lodging on our roads ?

How are electricals and lights, are they sufficient ? How is sound insulation from outside elements ?

hillram · 28th June 2009, 20:46

Nice review.please post some pics.Im really interested as to how the ehite ccolour looks like.

schitre05 · 29th June 2009, 11:00

Congrats on your puchase!
The ritz in my opinion is surely a better family car buy than the swift.
Space management in the rear seat is a tad better than the swift.
Also the panel and the consoles look fresh.
Please post pics of your car.
How did you find the music system in the car and did you put any other accessories?
cheers!

prince_pervez · 29th June 2009, 11:33

Congrats on your new car! Good to know you are thoroughly satisfied. The sufficient boot space and rear leg room are a pleasant surprise!

ada · 29th June 2009, 11:57

Thanks all for your best wishes --
@aggo -- In our subway water was logged half a leg below the knee, there was no problem, but in the manual it is written that in case of continuous water level above floor level there could be a problem for air bag sensors.
@schitre -- Other OEM accessories I put were mud flap and floor mats, advantage of zxi I guess. Music system is OK, sound is very poor at high volumes, but then I do not need high vloumes.

GTO · 29th June 2009, 16:41

Congrats on the Ritz, Ada! Get those pictures to us ASAP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ada

The engine is super smooth, I have to watch tachometer when idling at a signal to avoid double cranking. I do not even know on highways when I touch 100, I have to consciously lift off considering engine run-in.

That li'l 1.2 L petrol is the best petrol engine Maruti has built till date. It's pretty much an all-rounder with no real weakness. Refined, nice to revv, good driveability and fuel efficient as well.

Quote:

The boot space is not as small as imagined. It is bigger then Alto, I guess only slightly smaller then swift.

Actually, the Ritz boot at 236 liters is bigger than that of the swift (232 liters) & the Hyundai i10 (225 liters).

Quote:

Drive quality is a bit suspect at the rear, it is certainly a huge improvement over Alto, but I do not know, it is not as good as Indica, does suspension settle over time?

The Ritz is a tall boy and thus, the suspension is set firm. I reported the bumpy / choppy rear end ride in my review as well.

Quote:

I' am sure this will be like a faithful companion, rock steady, unwavering and true.

Sure will. Drive safe.

ada · 30th June 2009, 21:09

Here are a few pics of my Ritz, these are mob shot, promise to upload propah pics later

@GTO -- Thanks for your "safe" wishes.

BTW can any body say what is included in boot space literage.

funda2max · 30th June 2009, 22:43

Nice choice! Post your average mileage. Drive safe.

ravi@64bhp · 30th June 2009, 23:25

Very nice review. The car looks beautiful. Congratulations.

jaygeetee · 30th June 2009, 23:33

Hey dude,
Congrats on the new purchase. I am sure you will have lots of great experiences together. I am also looking out for my car and I hope to find one soon.

The one thing that I noticed when I did a TD was that I couldn't see the turn indicators and others on the dash through the steering wheel (I am 5'11), the steering wheel would obstruct it. But I loved the rev-meter, it was cute and really cool and also the "chillar-tray"

(the slot for the coins on the dash).

Have a great time with your babe and drive safely.

phamilyman · 30th June 2009, 23:43

Nice review!!

can we swift owners buy the underseat tray as well? pics please

ravi@64bhp · 30th June 2009, 23:49

Is the rear seat of Ritz still the same as Swift, which is infamous as perfect park bench.

Ramsagar · 1st July 2009, 09:56

congrats!!! on you new baby.Is the blue finish on the dash is same for all the variants(LXI/LDI)?
Go for a fatter rubber on the same alloys.

28th June 2009, 20:11	#1
ada BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 184 Thanked: 50 Times	Initial Ritz ZXI (white) review So it has been a week since I have been driving Ritz ZXI (petrol). I have completed 300 kms by this time. For perspective my car before Ritz was Maruti Alto, though I have also driven Tata Indica. Observations -- 1) The engine is super smooth, I have to watch tachometer when idling at a signal to avoid double cranking. I do not even know on highways when I touch 100, I have to consciously lift off considering engine run-in. 2) The interior plastics though not beige and colorful are sufficiently good to exude confidence, and sturdiness. 3) Gear shift is excellent, falls in place firmly, you can almost expect to hear a click. 4) Power steering at low speeds is excellent later it hardens, but that is what it is supposed to do, however at higher speeds it is a bit hard. 5) ABS/EBD is something I will have to get used to. In my older ALto I had formed an excellent judgment, which will take some time here, as I feel under both dry and wet this car takes a wee bit longer to stop (the same is explained in the manual). 6)There is a little bit of body roll which is but expected. 7) The boot space is not as small as imagined. It is bigger then Alto, I guess only slightly smaller then swift. 8) The leg space at the rear is excellent, I' am 5'7". With driver seat adjusted, it leaves lots of leg space. The problem is width with three persons sitting, shoulders touching and all. 9) Drive quality is a bit suspect at the rear, it is certainly a huge improvement over Alto, but I do not know, it is not as good as Indica, does suspension settle over time? Giggles and Niggles -- 1)There are nice nooks and crannies to keep your tit-bits. The under seat tray though flimsy is helpful. 2) A pillar is a bit of an obstruction, also the rear view is not as good, have to be very alert while reversing, if still uncomfortable over longer period, will install parktronics. 3) The height is excellent, as high as Innova, this plus the interiors gives you a big car feel. 4) Fog lamps will only come on when headlights are on. 5) I'am in doubt whether the rear view mirror is anti-glare, there is no adjustment lever to it. The guy at the showroom said that it was automatic. 6) Flimsy orange stickers attached to interior door lever (corners already coming out) Overall I' am very satisfied with my purchase. Though not as flashy or brilliant as the Punto , I' am sure this will be like a faithful companion, rock steady, unwavering and true. The engine and overall ride quality exudes smoothness and a refined experience. -- Have to wait for the full tank to get empty for average. -- Will post photos immediately whenever the weather clears and the car is clean.
	() Thanks

28th June 2009, 20:33	#2
gsajjanraj BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 31 Thanked: 0 Times	Congrats Dude. Good to know you are one happy customer of Ritz. All the very best with your new love. Waiting to see the pics. Keep them coming.
	() Thanks

28th June 2009, 20:45	#3
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	Nice review. Eagerly waiting for pictures. Did you do some water wading. I mean in M800, water above the wheel is taken with ease, is it similar in case of Ritz considering the water lodging on our roads ? How are electricals and lights, are they sufficient ? How is sound insulation from outside elements ?
	() Thanks

28th June 2009, 20:46	#4
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	Nice review.please post some pics.Im really interested as to how the ehite ccolour looks like.
	() Thanks

29th June 2009, 11:00	#5
schitre05 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 457 Thanked: 176 Times View My Garage	Congrats on your puchase! The ritz in my opinion is surely a better family car buy than the swift. Space management in the rear seat is a tad better than the swift. Also the panel and the consoles look fresh. Please post pics of your car. How did you find the music system in the car and did you put any other accessories? cheers!
	() Thanks

29th June 2009, 11:33	#6
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,210 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	Congrats on your new car! Good to know you are thoroughly satisfied. The sufficient boot space and rear leg room are a pleasant surprise!
	() Thanks

29th June 2009, 11:57	#7
ada BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 184 Thanked: 50 Times	Thanks all for your best wishes -- @aggo -- In our subway water was logged half a leg below the knee, there was no problem, but in the manual it is written that in case of continuous water level above floor level there could be a problem for air bag sensors. @schitre -- Other OEM accessories I put were mud flap and floor mats, advantage of zxi I guess. Music system is OK, sound is very poor at high volumes, but then I do not need high vloumes.
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 21:09	#9
ada BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 184 Thanked: 50 Times	A few pics Here are a few pics of my Ritz, these are mob shot, promise to upload propah pics later @GTO -- Thanks for your "safe" wishes. BTW can any body say what is included in boot space literage. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 22:43	#10
funda2max BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 377 Thanked: 26 Times	Nice choice! Post your average mileage. Drive safe.
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 23:25	#11
ravi@64bhp BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 602 Thanked: 10 Times	Very nice review. The car looks beautiful. Congratulations.
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 23:33	#12
jaygeetee BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 106 Thanked: 121 Times	Congrats!! Hey dude, Congrats on the new purchase. I am sure you will have lots of great experiences together. I am also looking out for my car and I hope to find one soon. The one thing that I noticed when I did a TD was that I couldn't see the turn indicators and others on the dash through the steering wheel (I am 5'11), the steering wheel would obstruct it. But I loved the rev-meter, it was cute and really cool and also the "chillar-tray" (the slot for the coins on the dash). Have a great time with your babe and drive safely.
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 23:43	#13
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Nice review!! can we swift owners buy the underseat tray as well? pics please
	() Thanks

30th June 2009, 23:49	#14
ravi@64bhp BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 602 Thanked: 10 Times	Is the rear seat of Ritz still the same as Swift, which is infamous as perfect park bench.
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 09:56	#15
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	congrats!!! on you new baby.Is the blue finish on the dash is same for all the variants(LXI/LDI)? Go for a fatter rubber on the same alloys.
	() Thanks