As first impressions go, I came away with a mixed feeling about the Swift. It looks fabulous and drives really well. The power steering gave pin-point control (and this is inspite of the fact that I'm a very ocassional driver). Power delivery seemed to be bit lacking, but I can't be sure, if this is because of the car or because I was tentative and needed to be careful in the Delhi traffic.
What really turned me off is the shockingly poor quality of the interiors. Cheap plastic and upholstery just gave a tacky feeling. The inside door handle (molded into the interior of the door) when used to pull the rear door shut gives a feeling that the whole assembly would come off. Similar tacky materials, if you saw the lining near the hatch door.
The facia for the music system is a far cry from the Swift one sees in Europe. Leave alone integrated CD player and steering controls, one sees a gaping hole where the Casette Player needs to go in.
Surprisingly enough, the outside finish was excellent. It's almost as if different companies were manufacturing the two parts of the car.
Last but very important from my perspective, the drivers seat and footwell is not big enough to accomodate my 6'1" frame. In the VXi model (which I sat in while being stationary), the thighs keep threatenign to touch the steering wheel. I have this problem with the Wagon R as well, but not with the Santro. Though while driving the Swift ZXi model, I didn't notice this. I will probably have to start looking outside the Maruti stable for a suitable car.
All things said and done, maybe pricing the car about 10K more for better interiors would still make the car a good deal (Of course I'm betting on the car being available in CSD). Also, I'm just itching to now go and try out the Getz.
On road prices for Delhi (incl of 4 year warranty, etc)
LXi - 4.2 L
VXi - 4.4 L (i don't remember the exact price)
ZXi - 5.4 L
Bottom line. See the car interiors before you put down money for it.
What really turned me off is the shockingly poor quality of the interiors. Cheap plastic and upholstery just gave a tacky feeling. The inside door handle (molded into the interior of the door) when used to pull the rear door shut gives a feeling that the whole assembly would come off. Similar tacky materials, if you saw the lining near the hatch door.
The facia for the music system is a far cry from the Swift one sees in Europe. Leave alone integrated CD player and steering controls, one sees a gaping hole where the Casette Player needs to go in.
Surprisingly enough, the outside finish was excellent. It's almost as if different companies were manufacturing the two parts of the car.
Last but very important from my perspective, the drivers seat and footwell is not big enough to accomodate my 6'1" frame. In the VXi model (which I sat in while being stationary), the thighs keep threatenign to touch the steering wheel. I have this problem with the Wagon R as well, but not with the Santro. Though while driving the Swift ZXi model, I didn't notice this. I will probably have to start looking outside the Maruti stable for a suitable car.
All things said and done, maybe pricing the car about 10K more for better interiors would still make the car a good deal (Of course I'm betting on the car being available in CSD). Also, I'm just itching to now go and try out the Getz.
On road prices for Delhi (incl of 4 year warranty, etc)
LXi - 4.2 L
VXi - 4.4 L (i don't remember the exact price)
ZXi - 5.4 L
Bottom line. See the car interiors before you put down money for it.
Hey must say thats a great round up on Swift. Just read about it today and was wondering if thts wut my dad shud buy.
ReplyDeleteThanks 2 u...i dont think we would go for it :-D
Gr8 post.
Absolutely right about the interiors! I'm facing the same issues with my Swift. The windows also rattle a lot and the front passenger side power-window button keeps breaking and falling inside!
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