Value
The Fiesta is actually the cheapest of the bunch here. It comes loaded with everything you need. In fact, the 1.6 we tested isn’t exactly the highest selling variant (that laurel rests with the diesel version) and if you bargain, you can get up to Rs 40,000 by way of a cash discount. It really makes for a good deal in that sense.
CAPTIONS:
1. Fiesta has a sweet-sounding and responive motor
2. Good driver ergonomics, but dash is beginning to look dated
3. Verna interior is a confusing array of too many design themes
The Maruti SX4
Design and Style
That Maruti should stick to small cars is a debate that has raged for years now. The Baleno was a slow seller and the SX4 hasn’t been any different. The way the car looks might be slightly to blame, but that isn’t the only reason. The SX4 sedan in India looks like a boot stuck on to the SX4, which is what it is. The Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici as sold in Europe makes do without the ungainly rear appendage. Still, the big wheels and high stance do seem to appeal to a small section of buyers.
Interior and comfort
What the SX4 has in spades is space. This is a ‘tall boy’ sedan, if you could call it that. The headroom is enormous and the wide cabin and upright seating make for a good amount of interior room in every dimension. The big seats, however, aren’t as comfortable as they look, especially the front seats, which lack support for your hips and shoulders.
The plastic quality in the SX4 is not very nice either. It feels light of build and, dare I say it, slightly cheap in finish. Besides, we’ve known Marutis to develop rattles early in their lives and these plastics do not help the SX4’s cause. The boot is huge, though, and if you have big haulage needs, then the SX4 comes across as a most commodious sedan.
Performance and fuel-efficiency
If further proof were needed for the Sx4’s middle-of-the-road status, it comes from its middle-of-the-road performance and fuel-efficiency figures. It isn’t the quickest, but it isn’t the slowest either; neither is it the least or most fuel-efficient.
The driving experience is ordinary, with the overly light clutch and artificial steering assistance detracting from the overall feel. It rolls substantially, too, and will cause rear passengers some discomfiture. Where it does salvage some pride is its low speed ride on broken roads. The big wheels no doubt play a part here, but the SX4 can traverse broken tarmac better than any of the other cars being discussed here.
Value
Being a Maruti, you would expect value for money to be the SX4’s trump card, but, sadly, it isn’t. It may be priced competitively to the other cars here, but therein lies the problem. For the money, you don’t get anything extra and the ownership experience will be about as exciting as boiled rice. No wonder they are heavily discounted these days
CAPTIONS:
1. SX4 engine has decent bottom end, but mid-range feels flat
2. Cabin familiar? Cue Swift, DZire family
