Team-BHP - Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

I drive 1500 Km per month. Thinking of upgrading to a Diesel vehicle from my Alto at present. My requirements are good service back up, saftey features like airbags, ABS with EBD and good amount of power. Of course, SX4 doesn't satisfy on the power front, but, the budget constraints of not more than 10 lacs compelling me to shortlist this one. Yes, I will have to to stretch it to 10.40 L (on road for ZDI Hyderabad) though.

Verna is an ideal choice as per my requirements, but budget is not allowing me to go for it.

I am open to good suggestions. Please advise whether SX4 is a good choice, or should I look for something else? Anything else is available with the same price, also meeting my requirements?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keralite (Post 2536840)

I drive 1500 Km per month. Thinking of upgrading to a Diesel vehicle from my Alto at present. My requirements are good service back up, saftey features like airbags, ABS with EBD and good amount of power.

I am open to good suggestions. Please advise whether SX4 is a good choice, or should I look for something else? Anything else is available with the same price, also meeting my requirements?

You have not said what kind of roads / condition do you drive thru! Are you lookng for options from C segment? Else you will have Etios / Dzire to satisfy your needs as of now. SX4 D is not very underpowered as you say! You will have to TD the car to understand what I mentioned. The car is a decent cruiser & you will not feel lack of power unless you try to race.

If you can wait for couple of months, you might get some more options like Nissan Sunny D / Dzire CS etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 2537479)

Thanks.

Lions share in city. Occassional very long drives I am planning. Yes, I had a TD of SX4. Somehow I felt it is underpowered when climbing up steep heights:Frustrati

My TD, strictly restricted to city driving and could not take it to high way.

otherwise, the design, ground clearance, fuel consumption, etc. fascinate me towards SX4. Moreover, very rarely I have seen the 5th wheel being given an alloy that too in full size! The A-Pillar issue and the protruding Bump on the back seat kills the joy earned otherwise.

In Hyderabad, the vehicle has now 4 months waiting period.

Etios is a good buy agree: however, any idea of Toyota Service? Dezire, no-way

Note from Support: Not more than 2 smilies allowed per post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keralite (Post 2539320)

Keralite, I too own an SX4 D & I never found it underpowered. Although, performance is a relative term. What is fast for me,may be slow for you!!!:D Do go through my ownership report. I have given some performance figures. See for yourself & decide. Here's the link - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...i-sx4-zdi.html

Hope this helps

Varun Nair

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keralite (Post 2539320)

Lions share in city. Occassional very long drives I am planning. Yes, I had a TD of SX4. Somehow I felt it is underpowered when climbing up steep heights

I see that you drive a petrol car! :) Unless you are used to a diesel engine characteristic, you will feel the car doesn't pull as clean as from low revs like a petrol. So working the gears based on the rpm is the key while driving a diesel engine. Please don't expect the low end performance to be as good as petrols. And if the long drives that you plan include the craters on Kerala highways, SX4 is the best bet ! At least you will be happy that you don't scrape the bottom 99% of the times unlike other sedans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keralite (Post 2539320)

My TD, strictly restricted to city driving and could not take it to high way.

Please make sure you take an extensive TD for any car you shortlist. Because the characteristics of car can change in city & highway drives. Unless you plan to have 3 members at the back seat, SX4 will be comfortable. In fact there are not many sedans / hatchbacks in India which can seat 5 people [3 at rear] comfortably!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keralite (Post 2539320)

Etios is a good buy however, any idea of Toyota Service?

What I know is Toyota service is better than even Maruti. Yeah, you don't have those numerous outlets, but yeah, when you find one, things can't go wrong with Toyota - they are mad about quality. One complaint about service & Toyota give the dealers sleepless nights.

And also you might want to take a look at Optra Magnum - a dated model but the reviews in the forum are sweet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by powertrain (Post 2539733)

That's simply awesome. I have put my comments there.

bye the way, how do you find the stereo in SX4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 2539860)

I see that you drive a petrol car...

...a dated model but the reviews in the forum are sweet.

Thank you.

Before booking, I am planning for an extensive TD. As you said, will also take it on to the highway as well. Because, that's where I will be requiring it the more. For city,my alto is more than enough.

Optra, I may not. Nothing otherwise, but I second your opinion:D

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Also use "Multi Quote" option for quoting Multiple posts.

I did a test drive on the SX4 diesel today. Engine wise it was excellent, as good as my Esteem MPFI petrol. There was a mild turbo lag, but then my Esteem and Alto K10 also have same low RPM characteristics so it did not matter. The diesel revved up smoothly till 5K RPM. I was driving it like a petrol 3-5k RPM all through. The noise was as much as my K10. Surprisingly the retarding effect of the diesel while down shifting was much less than my petrol K10, but the engine did not strain with aggressive down shifting, it just revved up smoothly.

All said and done I was impressed, that a 1200kg car with 1.3 diesel could have this performance with three of us in it.

What I liked compared to Vento is bigger diameter wheels, better GC and the instrumentation layout. Of course VW has to do a lot of catching up with MASS service network.

Both SX4 diesel and Vento diesel (2011) are available ex-stock in a few colours, so my dilemma is whether to go for German Engineering or to stick to good old Maruti, which has not disappointed me in the last 21 years, as there is hardly any price difference between the Vento diesel TL and SX4 VDi.

please:The insurance for Vento is 70% more than that for SX4. When I inquired with my insurance agent, he game me the formula. While SX4 was 2K more (that is OK as the agent was giving me 20% discount), the Vento insurance is nearly 20K more. Even after factoring in zero depreciation it is 16K more. Some dealers sure make money on insurance!

For those who are interested, the rates are

Normal for 1300 CC
2.62% of 95% of the ex-showroom price + about 1200 for third party
Normal for 1600 CC
2.7% of 95% of the ex-showroom price + about 1200 for third party

Zero Depreciation for 1300 CC
3.283% of 95% of the ex-showroom price + about 1200 for third party
Zero Depreciation for 1600 CC
3.44% of 95% of the ex-showroom price + about 1200 for third party

Note
. For zero depreciation there is a Rs.1K processing charge for each claim
. My agent gives a 20% discount on the basic insurance part

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 2662182)

..so my dilemma is whether to go for German Engineering or to stick to good old Maruti, which has not disappointed me in the last 21 years, as there is hardly any price difference between the Vento diesel TL and SX4 VDi.

For this, I will pick Vento for the superior build, engine, drive pleasure, badge value & better rear seat comfort. Downside is I will end up paying more for service.

The biggest let down of SX4 D, if you ask me is it's interiors. It just doesn't belong in a 9L car!! But space is good, I like the GC as well. Is it worth for the cash, I guess NO ! I would rather pick a Linea for that price if I am worried about service costs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 2662259)

Actually from all reports, the SX4 rear seat is more comfortable. SX4 is also pretty sturdily build, unlike most of the other MUL cars. None of the SX4 I know of rattle.

Once I TD the Vento tomorrow, I will get a better idea of its engine, especially its low end torque. The TD SX4 pulled quite happily in 4th from 25 km/h. It also chugged away merrily around 15 km/h on second gear with foot off accelerator (but so does my Alto K10!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 2662182)

I did a test drive on the SX4 diesel today. Engine wise it was excellent, as good as my Esteem MPFI petrol.

Sx4 is no doubt a good car - In fact I think it is one of the most under rated cars in India. But the thing is Sx4 is quite old now and the interiors are very plain. They are functional and quite practical but then they won't impress you like what a Verna possibly might. Also I think Sx4 should undergo a refresh this year and sort out its interiors. I own a petrol Sx4 and I have no problems with my car at all - handles well, start stop acceleration is quite good, can seat 3 people at the back easily, has sufficient boot space. Vento also is a good car. As you mentioned, a test drive of both would be the best thing to do. You will find plenty of Vento ownership reports here. Sx4 diesel has quite a few of them compared to Vento but they are quite comprehensive. Just search for them, take a test drive and then decide. Do let us know your decision.

Thanks