Quote:
Originally Posted by tsk1979 You can try a TD of the safari around city, and see how good or bad it is.
With the reverse camera, backing up is no longer a pain, however nothing can cure the "U Turn problem". Its like doing U turn on a bus. |
Thanks, yes I did TD the Safari & took it through all kinds of terrain, must say it tackled most scenarios with aplomb, except where we expected a little extra from it!
First it was all on mettled/smooth roads, but my real concern was suspension, surprisingly no rough patch of road came for about 30 minutes of driving(fast/slow), with all types of usual tests- sudden acceleration, breaking, overtaking, etc. Now was the real test & I took the vehicle to fields(agricultural), stepped on gas & there she went! Safari cruised past the fields with minimal drama & we were hardly aware of the surface underneath. Then came a slightly mushy area & here is where the Safari gave up the game, its wheels just got buried in the slush & nomatter how much we tried, it did not move, we accelerated the car for around 2 hrs. till the wheels/engine/clutch blowed smoke, it was time to call a Tractor in the end & it took 2 minutes to put it back on track.
But I already knew that the Safari would not fare well in offroading scenarios as it wasn't 4x4 & that it would sink due to its own weight. Still this was not my main motive as suspension is all I wanted to test, offroading just happened! So in its ride quality, it did pass off with flying colors!
Quote:
Originally Posted by girishglg Hi Guys,
The comfortable high miler in a neat package is still a long time away!! There are our home grown SUV/MUVs that are good or say getting better on many counts but still not right there.... and there are the foreign ones in the likes of Pajero, CRV, Tuscon which are really said way out of normal reach... also I will restrict my comments to vehicles upto 20 lakhs since it beomes Let me put down an argument why a comfortable high miler is not yet arrived...
Sedans-
The contenders- Skoda Octavia, Fabia, Optra Magnum
These vehicles are good in comfort, power and ride quality. They also have the diesel options which make them good high milers.. they have good build. With these they are not exactly easy on the pocket, they have few service centers, costly spares(though GM is trying to change that). Simply put just try driving them across Sagar to Shimoga (Karnataka) a dozen times and you will know what I mean..
Indian SUV/MUV
The Contenders- Scorpio, Bolero, Safari, Sumo
With the Bolero and Sumo ruled out as more of MUV's, we have Scorpio and Safari which really fit the bill.. they are right priced for many to buy... they have tough frames, inexpensive to maintain, very well spread out service network.. spares easily available... decent power (the MHawks and 2.2 VTVT are arriving on the scene with some respectability at last).. decent milages (wrt to their size and power) good road presence and can handle our roads... with all that said there is also poor quality associated with it... tacky interiors... cramped legroom(Scorpio), lack of refinement and well after a while lose any kind of premiumness around them... and lack of built to last feeling....
Foreign SUVs
Contenders- Ford Endeavour, Hyundia Tuscon, Mitsuibuishi Pajero, Montero, GM Captiva
These vehicles are characterised with great build quality, good powertrains and safety features. All the vehicles are the latest in their model years (except for Endeavour which has been spruced up with new engine and Pajero which is a classic), the CRV is an trendsetter for urban UV and is flawless in all respects, they have all the comforts and luxuries required in a good High Miler. The one and the only thing that is a major deterrent is that they are not really great value for money as most of their parts are imported or they are CBU's or CKD's. Hence it is out of reach from many many of our public at large.
It looks like there is still a vacant slot available for a good High Miler in our market. Lets see if Xylo slots in to that place and if so then it would be one of the trend/class setters for some time to come.
If you ask me for now to pick a great High Miler, I would still choose the old Pajero albeit with 50% discount in the price tag(afterall its a old model) and see how it vanishes from the showrooms!!
What say guys!! |
Thanks so much, where were you all this time, you almost put the entire market into perspective for me!
I completely agree with you, inspite of several models in our market, ideal/perfect ones are still a mirage!
About Skoda's, yes even I have my reservations about the brands expensive nature.
Bolero isn't completely ruled out for me, but I still have to be sure about its ride quality.
Safari & Scorpio are VFM choices & do come with their own shortcomings, Im not considering M-Hawk as of now, as comfort not performance are my prime concerns as of now.
I have driven Endeavour extensively & can surely say that ride quality isn't its forte. Also, CRV doesn't appeal to me, I would either choose a full bloodied SUV or a proper saloon, no criss crossing for me!
Captive though is a good contender, but breaches my budget & is a softroader too.
Pajero is also no where under consideration & as you said it needs a Civic Hybrid like discounting to bring it back into reckoning!
Yes, even Im curious about Xylo, maybe it combines the best of all Worlds!