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Old 3rd March 2011, 19:34   #1
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Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Maruti Suzuki SX4 DDiS

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00018.jpg

List Price (Ex Showroom, Delhi in rupees)
  • VDi: Rs. 7,74,000
  • ZDI: Rs. 8,62,000
  • ZDI with Leather: Rs. 8,96,000
What you'll like:
  • A value oriented, sensible all round diesel sedan
  • great blend of performance and mileage
  • strong mid range
  • high GC and balanced ride quality
  • good level of equipment
  • Maruti's high calibre after sales service
What you won't:
  • Build and quality lacks finesse of Euro rivals
  • price to displacement ratio can raise eyebrows
  • back seat lacks comfort
  • unsorted chassis and handling
  • potential long term threat from upcoming newer entrants
Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00071.jpg
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Old 3rd March 2011, 19:55   #2
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

SINGING IN THE RAIN....MEN ARE BACK

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00027.jpg

Its raining..and raining and raining like hell in Delhi. And so is raining competition in the upper C segment, whose sales, of late have shot up in recent months owing to rising incomes, improved economy and availability of options.
Options. And plethora of them. Till then, the Honda City was the undisputed king of the C plus segment but last month, the VW's wind of change, nee vento literally sent shockwaves to Honda showrooms and sales have tanked off in recent months.
Options or no options, the Indian clientele is more finicky than ever before. With petrol prices touching stratospheric levels, diesel is the way to go. But cracking the C segment diesel market isn't easy. Just ask Hyundai..it literally enjoyed monopoly and was the sole diesel alternative to the city and sold in decent numbers, and the young gen went ga ga over its explosive 1.5 CRDi motor which made the car a rocket.
Circa 2009, came Fiat's phoenix, the linea. Class busting looks, class busting ride and handling and a sensible engine to go with. But 9 lakhs just for a 1.3 and Fiat's less than steller after sales service quality has seen it see sawing the sales charts..with sales hovering around 700-1000 units per month.
Circa 2010. Volkswagen makes a drama-tic entry in India with a full fledged manufacturing plant and a sensible made-for-India polo based diesel teen dibiya (3-box) saloon, the vento. Named aptly signalling the winds of change, sales start at a high note and the car enjoys a wait period that rivals can only dream of. 5-6 months to be precise. Class busting diesel motor, balanced, ride and handling and top class interiors with great space and comfort and to top it all, mini Audi looks have made it a hit with the Indian Audience.

Maruti has been sitting all while lurking around here, there and everywhere since it launched the Baleno replacement, the SX4, in 2007. Initial sales were strong but the City proved too good for it. Despite the 2010 facelift and addition of VVT to the M16A motor, sales have remained at best...modest. Yes, it sells decently, but it needs to get noticed. And the only option left with maruti is to plonk what a doctor ordered-a diesel.

Did I Ever Say Eternal Love?

Well, you bet...with the addition of long overdue 1.3 DDiS motor, the SX4 is Maruti's last attempt to put it back on track until its replacement arrives, sometime in 2013-14 time frame. But, is it as good as its perceived to be?
Can it pose a threat to current and upcoming rivals, namely the new Verna RB and the 2011 Fiesta? Or will it continue to play second fiddle?
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Old 3rd March 2011, 20:30   #3
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Design and engineering

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00023.jpg

The SX4, when launched in 2007, was perhaps the most radical looking "sedan" ever to hit the Indian roads. Breaking the mould of long, low slung classic lines, the SX4 is all about being a hipster. Love it or hate it, you just can't ignore it. To me, it looks rather polarizing still even after seeing many of them roaming around Delhi streets and lacks the cohesive design of the city and the linea (Vento is conservative in comparison but I sometimes prefer flashy designs). It towers above any other C segment sedan and has road presence that other rivals can only dream of. Its the tallest car in its class and also, at 1225 Kg for VDi and 1245 Kg for ZDi, surprisingly even heavier than the vault like linea, which weighs at 1210 Kg. That weight, however i all due to the diesel motor and the SX4 still lacks that vault like build of the Linea or the engineering finesse of the vento, which feels a touch more richer in comparison.

The car looks best from the front with huge lozenge shaped headlamps coupled with a sporty mesh grill which add to the overall aggressive stance. The three part airdam and the curve edge of the grill-bumper merger point looks fantastic and disguises the visual bulk. The discreet round fog lamps are housed in matt black plastic moulds and give the car a balanced stance, in addition to aid safety. The bonnet is plain and simple and merges with the gargantuan windscreen, giving it a semi cab forward stance.

The front 3/4 is dominated by a radical shaped front quarter glass and a prominent kink under it, which is sure to divide opinion. The beltline is raised and the overall glass is huge and the side design gives it a meaty, chunky stance. Standing on tall 16" wheels 205/60 R15 tyres with a high GC of 180 mm, the profile screams crossover. Its a crossover derived sedan after all (Sport Xover 4WD) and is a boot integrated onto a super hatch, which is sold in many global markets under the same moniker with optional 4WD, whih is not available in the Indian version. The downside is the design looks bulky and out of proportion, especially the car appearing taller and shorter than its length suggests.

The rear looks good with clear taillights and a high set boot being the design highlights. The bootlid is high set, the loading bay more so, and the huge rear bumper has in house integrated twin reflectors to give it a balanced stance. On the downside, the high set boot lid makes reversing tricky and the narrow windscreen doesn't help matters either.

Build quality is better than before and the car feels better built than the 2007-08 models, but the vento feels better bolted together, and the linea, clearly the best in class with a solid thud. The overall improvements are welcome but for a car costing close to 9.5 lakhs, some tightening up of build is required.

The car rides on a high set chassis shared with its badged engineered cousin, the Fiat Sedici hatchback. The front suspension is Indepenent McPherson strut with anti roll bar and rear end is suspended with a cost effective semi independent torsion beam. Gas filled shocks are standard all round.

Maruti equips the ZDI model with ABS plus EBD, integrated audio with USB, aux-in and steering mounted controls, automatic climate control, tilt steering and driver's seat height adjust, remote keyless entry, I-CATS immobilizer and other standard features, on par for the asking price. Some goodies though missing can be added on later from Maruti Genuine accessories like GPS, bluetooth and parking sensors. The base VDI model forgoes the safety features and other nitty bits.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00011.jpg
Front 3/4 view looks confused and half car, half X-over like.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00012.jpg
Tall and stubby side profile.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00013.jpg
high set rear, taillights help disguise visual balance.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00014.jpg
High set boot. Chrome garnish looks tacky.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00015.jpg
Another angle of the rear 3/4.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00016.jpg
Multi spoke alloys not as good looking as previous 5 spoke ones.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00017.jpg
L-shaped headlights stand out and look imposing.

Last edited by sidindica : 3rd March 2011 at 20:34.
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Old 3rd March 2011, 21:23   #4
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Interior Design

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00050.jpg

Climb inside and the tall stance aids easy entry and exit, good for tall persons and senior citizens. The dashboard design is dominated in a typical logical Suzuki layout, with the huge vertical console dominating the overall layout. The dual tone beige interior looks airy but the overall ambiance lacks the finesse of the vento, and also to a certain extent, the verna, both which use better plastics in comparison.
Unlike the Linea, misaligned panels are thankfully less and part quality is above average. Some good bits like the chrome ringed dials, the automatic climate controls and the parallel chrome bars look high quality and stand out but the power window switches, non leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, OSRVM controls and gear knob feel pretty downmarket. Even the dark wood trim looks out of place though thankfully, it has matching doorpads to give it a balanced look. The colour theme is OK but prone to reflections at summer days and the earlier car's black and beige theme looked much better. The AC vents are shared with swift and are a mix of circle and rectangle themes that are carried over to the cabin.

The ergonomics are a mixed back though most controls fall easy in hand. The AC knobs are placed pretty low but the stereo is positioned almost close to the eye level, a good thing. Not so for the USB port, placed directly above the gear lever in the lower part of the console, next to the mobile charger.
The information system on the console shows the date and outside temperature, and sadly, a trip computer, offered in the verna SX, Linea and Vento are missed, but a temperature gauge is thankfully present.

Space and comfort-front

The front seats are high set, and offer good overall lateral support. The fabric looks tasteful and high quality and cushioning is spot on, though the back rest is a bit too stiff for my liking. The upper thigh support is decent but lower back support needs improvement, especially the "H" point. Lumbar support is sorely missed and would have been a boom for long drives. A combination of tilt adjust steering and height adjust seat provide an optimal driving position and the steering isn't set too close to the driver like the linea.

Headroom is phenomenal, even for 6 foot plus occupants, a result of its towering height. Legroom, as expected, is good but the city and vento are actually more spacious and owing to their large seat travels, sitting inside these cars is more comfy. The SX4, in comparison, has limited front seat travel range in order to generate the maximum possible rear legroom, another reason the front seats are high set.

Space and comfort-rear


The rear seat is perhaps not a strong selling point and despite a good angle of inclination and optimal cushioning, its not as comfortable as the ones in the city and vento.
The width is narrow, and the high set transmission tunnel doesn't help. The car is stridently a 4 seater at best and if a fifth person is squeezed, the hard center squab and the armrest won't make him comfortable for long trips. The angle of inclination is good but the base is a bit upright and comprmises comfort, not to forget the squab design, which is just average as far as lower back support is concerned. the side bolstering needs to be more generous and cushioning a bit softer, to aid comfort levels. the centre armrest is standard but again, not comfortable to hold. My TD car had poly packing on them so we did try to remove it but no noticeable improvement was found. Good, but not great either. Even the verna, despite having a low rear seat, is comfortable overall though seat base is flat in it.

Legroom is less than stellar and can be termed as above average, again, the high set seats compensation for the lack of it. Pushing the front seat forward does generate good amount and can be used for a single person who is chauffeur driven. However, traveling wth a family, the vento and verna make for more comfortable diesel cruisers.

Audio:

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00046.jpg

The ZDI comes with an integrated Kenwood Audio with steering mounted controls,a separate remote, a MP3 CD player, USB and an aux-in jack, but no standard bluetooth. Sound qualit is average with less than steller bass, though mid and treble is OK. Speaker upgrade recommended. Overall a 5/10. The VDi comes sans steering mounted controls. Display is backlit orange and harks old school '80s casio fonts.

Boot Space:

Boot space is deep and well designed and can carry a family's luggage in one go, but inside, suspension towers intrude robbing some useful space area. The rear seats do not split or fold and the high loading sill makes it difficult to upload heavy luggage. The stepney provided is a full size 16" alloy on the ZDi.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00051.jpg
Two tone beige dashboard, vertical centre console looks classy.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00052.jpg
Close up view of the steering wheel, not as grippy as the Fiat and the vento. Feels cheap too.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00040.jpg
Meter cluster legible and easy to read.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00035.jpg
Front seats comfy, high set, though legroom above average.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00066.jpg
Legroom view, maximum from co-driver side.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00065.jpg
minimum front legroom with seats pushed fully front.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00064.jpg
maximum and minimum rear legroom.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00034.jpg
Driver's side doorpad. Wood finish looks garish.
Storage space for a one litre bottle.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00067.jpg
Co-driver side doorpad. Again, storage space for a litre bottle.
Fabric design not so upmarket.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00068.jpg
Both rear doorpads get tilt one litre bottle holders.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00031.jpg
Boot Space. Note intruding suspension towers.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00061.jpg
Above and below: Dashboard views from different angles.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00062.jpg





Last edited by .anshuman : 3rd March 2011 at 23:18. Reason: Formatted on request.
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Old 3rd March 2011, 22:07   #5
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Engine and Performance

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00024.jpg

The SX4 DDiS is powered by the same Fiat 1.3 MultiJet motor that does duty in many other cars of Fiat, Tata and MSIL products. The SX4 gets a higher state of tune in the form of a Variable Geometry Turbocharger and powering the front wheels is a 1248 cc DDiS (Diesel Direct Injection System) motor in a 16V DOHC in-line 4 cylinder configuration producing 90PS of peak power at 4000 rpm and 200 NM of peak torque a a low 1750 rpm. Its the same form that powers the Linea, the Punto VGT 90 and the Manza. But, its the SX4 that gets its tuning almost perfect.

While the fiats and Tata feel sluggish due to inconsistent gearing, the motor in the SX4 feels relaxed and delivers its power in a fairly linear manner, unlike the swift where the turbo kicks in and the G-forces are felt to the driver. The "super turbo" DDiS motor is extremely user friendly in urban traffic and needs minimal gear changes, in fact, it doesn't get bogged down in third gear and its easy to pick up speed without a jerk that requires a downshift.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00026.jpg

While the bigger "super-ior turbo" motors in Vento and Verna feel much quicker and have an edge in straight line performance, the DDiS in the SX4 gives you the best of both words-low speed cruising and strong mid range, though power tapers off after 4000 rpm. The turbo kick is felt at 1800 rpm but doesn't push passengers back like the motors of the verna and vento. In fact, its the most user friendly diesel motor in the upper C segment class and one of the SX4's USPs. At city or highway, the all round flexible nature of the motor is more than adequate for daily use and the close ratio gearing is optimized for an optimal blend of power and mileage. No idea about 0-100 tmings but the car disguised its low displacement motor well and felt much faster than its specs suggest. It can cruise comfortably in 130-140 kmph with the motor hovering at 2700-3000 rpm mark.

Refinement at idle is terrific and though this cold weather and brand new car did make the motor a bit audible inside the cabin, the clatter is not annoying. It revs freely to its 5200 rpm redline and once it gets driven, the refinement level improves significantly and the car makes for a good highway cruiser, as a result of this flexible motor.

The gearbox
The only transmission available at the moment is a 5 speed manual which offers significantly improved gear changes as compared to petrol.Shifts are better than the Linea and Verna, though the vento is in a different league altogether. Ratios seemed close and perfectly tuned to extract the maximum out of the engine.

Fuel efficiency:

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00025.jpg

ARAI rates the SX4 diesel at 21 kmpl approx, which makes it on top of its class. A combination of intelligent gearing and ECU calibration means that the engine runs on low revs and consumes less fuel. Expect a figure of 14 kpl in the city and 18-19 kpl on highway, keeping MSIL's and MultiJet's reputation intact for eing an efficient motor. Of course, efficiency also depends upon many permutations and combination of driving style.


Last edited by Technocrat : 7th March 2011 at 23:32.
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Old 3rd March 2011, 22:36   #6
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Ride and Handling

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00069.jpg

Standing a high 180 mm clear from its lowest point, the SX4 rides extremely well, more so better than the petrol. The additional weight of the diesel motor has made MSIL alter the spring and damper settings and the front suspension is a bit stiffer. Fat 205 size tyres smother out most of the bumps and potholes and the car rides better than the vento, though the Linea is still way ahead in this regard. Low speed ride is above average and the monsoon ravaged roads of Delhi gave a good idea of what to expect. The ride is good, but not Linea-cushy and at medium to high speeds, the ride improves and the suspension works well to iron out most bumps and potholes with ease, though large craters an send the car crashing and passengers jostling. Change to better quality tyres will no doubt improve the ride but for daily usage, the ride quality is very good.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00070.jpg

While the positive news continues with optimal ride, the handling lefts much to be desired, probably due to the comfort oriented suspension setup. Yes, it handles miles better than the Verna but the Lina and Vento handle much tighter, the linea being the class best. Its been ages since I drove a petrol SX4 so cannot comment on how it handles, but a tall ride height and a light EPS does contribute towards less than stellar handling. The front end feels nose heavy and the rear too softly sprung. Body roll is evident and the steering feels light and inconsistent even at higher speeds and sometimes needs correction to keep it stable ans secure. High speed stability is, again better than he wallowy verna but put linea into the picture and the SX4 needs more tightning up of the chassis. The steering wheel design too feels thin and is devoid of grip. At parking speeds, the steering is typical maruti light but feel does improve at mid to high speeds, more than adequate for daily commuting needs but enthusiasts look elsewhere for a fun to drive diesel sedan.

Braking:

The ZDi model is equipped with 4 channel, 4 wheel ABS with EBD, front ventilated disc and rear drums. Braking feel is good but the ABS kicks in early and pedal judder is felt under hard braking. Again, the overall modulation needs tightening up.
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Old 3rd March 2011, 22:53   #7
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Buying and Owning:

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00022.jpg

The diesel SX4 is pretty competitively priced at:
  • VDi: Rs. 7,74,000
  • ZDI: Rs. 8,62,000
  • ZDI with Leather: Rs. 8,96,000
While the pricing is on par with other upper C segment mid sizers, bring in the vento into picture and the pricing to specs ratio is sure to raise eyebrows. But when it comes to quality of after sales service, maintenance costs and long term reliability, the multi jet has proven itself well doing duty under lakh of diesel cars sold in India. Maruti offers a warranty of two years with an option to extend upto four years and three free services, the latter which is not offered in the Vento, its prime competitor.
Owning a Maruti is hassle free as usual and should any need arise, the company's countrywide dealer network is there to take care o all your needs, though not all dealers are really the best. While the pricing may seem to be controversial, the combination of user friendliness and peace of mind should make the SX4 a sensible diesel sedan to own and run, for an average Indian car buying junta who is more utility conscious.

The Final call:

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00020.jpg

The SX4 diesel comes across as a sensible all round package which does many things right and few wrong. A combination of user friendly motor, balanced ride, optimal combination of performance and efficiency and peace of mind ownership should ensure strong sales as it does satisfy the daily requirements of most commuters. However, less than stellar rear seat comfort and the overall polish an finesse that it needs, especially in comparison to vento, can prove to be potential deal breakers but that should not deter buyers into what should be an all round, value oriented and practical upper C segment diesel sedan.

But is it a case of too little too late? Competition in the form of new Verna RB with a 1.6 128 hp monster and the new Fiesta with a 1.6 diesel is looming soon and today's car buying public is more than willing to pay a premium for more. Its a game of numbers, game of one up manship. But will Indian consumers be more value oriented in the long term? Or will the new cars totally eclipse the diesel SX4?

Its a question only time will answer and you, the public and we, the people be the judge of India, the market.
The diesel SX4 may have proven to be a credible choice, but the game is just the beginning.

Because: The winner takes it all, the loser's standing small...besides the victory, there's a destiny...
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Old 3rd March 2011, 23:11   #8
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

The smaller yet significant things

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00032.jpg
Neat: The 5th alloy as a full size spare wheel.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00033.jpg
Thoughtful boot light standard to access luggage in the dark.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00036.jpg
Pedal spacing optimal. Dead pedal sorely missed.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00037.jpg
Tilt steering column, no telescopic.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00038.jpg
Power window controls borrowed from the swift look cheap, and the OSRVM control more so. Only driver's side auto down.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00042.jpg
Controls for Alarm, front fog lamp and headlamp leveling a result of parts sharing with the swift.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00043.jpg
Light stalks feel meaty but plastic feels cheap...

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00045.jpg
...so for wiper controls. Wiper cleans well during monsoon.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00044.jpg
Steering mounted Audio Controls are backlit at night. Standard in ZDI.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00047.jpg
ACC knob feel classy and high quality.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00048.jpg
Time and outside temperature display.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00049.jpg
metal finish gear knob.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00058.jpg
Passenger side sun visor gets a covered vanity mirror...

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00060.jpg
..but it does not illuminate.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00059.jpg
Driver's side gets a standard ticket holder.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00056.jpg
Prismatic day night inner rear view mirror standard.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00057.jpg
Central additional cabin light for rear passengers.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00073.jpg
Adjustable rear head restraints, high placed rear window makes reversing tricky.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00055.jpg
Front quarter glass aids visibility.

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00054.jpg
Side AC vents can be completely shut.

Last edited by sidindica : 3rd March 2011 at 23:13.
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Old 3rd March 2011, 23:17   #9
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 1.3 DDiS: Test Drive and Review

Some random shots to top it off

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00008.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00009.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00010.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00083.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00028.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00029.jpg

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review-dsc00030.jpg
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Old 4th March 2011, 00:35   #10
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Good detailed review Sid, and nice pics!

One of my knowns has booked a SX4 diesel and according to him, being a Maruti, this car has the potential to be a segment leader. Tell me more about this Super Turbo? What the heck is that?
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Old 4th March 2011, 02:08   #11
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Had a brief test drive couple of days back. The peak performance is acceptable, infact it is fast. But then for everyday use, it would not be very comfortable to "drive" this car. I beg to differ from the review of sidindica, where he felt that the engine delivers power in fairly linear manner. In the car we drove, the engine power output is considerably spiky, till 2000 rpm it struggles to pull the vehicle, from 2000-3500, it impresses, after that it feels strained.

My previous car was Swift which I used for 1.25L KM, I felt Swift was drivable above 1500-1600 rpm unlike the SX4 D. Btw, we were four well built folks in the car, not sure if that made an impact to the 1249cc engine. It was quite evident that a small heart was doing a bit of struggle at lower rpms to build the momentum.

If it has to be constantly driven at higher rpms, the fuel efficiency might get a hit. I would also expect the life of the engine to be marginally lesser than swift diesel, which can do about 1.5L KM.

Talking about the positives, the NVH was impressive, much better than Swift. Ofcourse, the other aspects like suspension, steering and comfort was superior. Well you won't go wrong with DDSi aka Multijet, there are still many cars which you might be able to overtake including the Linea, but be prepared for some extra effort to keep the engine in the right rpm band to keep the car lively.
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Old 4th March 2011, 02:25   #12
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Bought the SX4 VVT (Done over 10k now, would post an ownership review soon) in May last year over any other diesel sedan. The only options available in diesel at that time were Manza, Linea & Dezire.

Now with the Petrol prices skywards the obvious choice for Me is to switch to the SX4 Diesel as I had chosen the SX4 Petrol over the ANHC which was booked and cancelled.

However now with the RB & Fiesta(More so after the grand success of Figo) coming up...Is it too late an entrant??? The coming 30-60-90 days will tell
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Old 4th March 2011, 07:02   #13
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Great review!

The amount of parts sharing across the platforms(swift/dzire/ritz) is amazing.

Here is what i noticed:

-90% switchgear
-instrument binnacle
-headunit and possibly rear speakers
-ac vents
-pedals
-steering wheel
-climate control
-fogs
-brake/windshield/clutch/coolant etc containers
-battery
-interior lights
-removable ashtray
-gear lever and trim
-glove box
-IRVM
-sun blinds
-alarm/immobilizer system
-inside and outside door handles
-inside door locks
-power windows switches
-internal clock and outside temperature gauge
-boot light
-side turn indicators
-rear bumper reflectors

and now finally the engine !!
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Old 4th March 2011, 08:11   #14
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

Nice review Sid, thanks for the same.

personally I had expected the SX4 to have atleast 1.5lts engine. Whats the point in having the same engine thats powering so many models from the same stable. Why would any customer be willing to pay a premium price for car when its sibling is available for lesser cost minus the bells and whistles. Clearly a wrong move by Maruti, if they want the sales box jingling with some cash they need to bring a higher capacity engine int he market. A Fiesta 1.4 or Vento 1.5 would be any time preferable over the diesel SX4. The Men will be looking some where else for the value.
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Old 4th March 2011, 08:46   #15
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Re: Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel (1.3 DDiS): Test Drive and Review

great review Sid! You are really improving your standards with every review. rated 5 stars!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghodlur View Post
Nice review Sid, thanks for the same.

. A Fiesta 1.4 or Vento 1.5 would be any time preferable over the diesel SX4. The Men will be looking some where else for the value.
Vento - I can understand. Not sure about the Fiesta D... it does not belong to the same class as the Vento D.
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