Linea Genuine Feedback(1.5 years of driving, 17000 kms)

 

I was looking to buy a diesel sedan and my dad had narrowed to Verna in Nov 2008. I was not keen on Verna because I felt it was not a value for money car and dint want to go for a Hyundai car paying 10 lac. I delayed my buy and was looking for options and hoping some manufacturer will come up with a car for this segment which people were craving for.

Finally the news of Linea came out and I took dad to test drive Verna and Linea the same day. I just fell in love with the first look of the Linea. My dad was no different. We immediately paid the advance and I was told I will be the first few owners of this car :)

Got the delivery on 13th the Friday of Feb 2009. Unlucky for some but proved lucky for me :)

Till about 6 months I was been looked upon where ever i went, people at the signal, at home, relatives, friends, all were eager to know more about the car. Indians are conservative and buy only after someone tells them to buy (famous word of mouth) or has been in the market and proved itself.

I enjoyed the attention, but at the same time a thought was running in my background, what if I will remain the only few who own this car :)

Fortunately the great car and value for money Linea is, it did not break my belief. It sold well and today quite a few of my friends are proud owners.

 

Exterior The major USP of the car is its classy look. Unlike others hatch back converted sedan which look ugly and has the "overnight-butt-attached" feel, Linea truely looks like a sedan and no trace of any hatch back with its classy and elegant lines.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Descent usage of plastic and well laid out dash gives an upper class feel. I own a Toyota Innova, at first I rated Innova very high and Linea dint really overtake those feelings. But the beauty of Linea is that, it grows on you day by day. Soon after a year of driving i prefer the Linea for the sheer joy and comfort. I still love the innova though.

Quite spacious inside, I am 6' 2" and still can drive with relavent comfort with a rear passengar. When i am driving alone, I push back the driving seat completely back though.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The only negative aspect that was in my mind was the compromise I was making on the engine CC. Just 1.3L sounded a compromise which I had to make to give way for its gorgeous looks. But I am not disappointed at all, though being small in size it has enough power to keep it going. On highways its is very stable and i have clocked 160+. It does 140 quite effortlessly, getting to 160 take a little time.

 

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is dampened by the low ground clearance, on bad roads and bumps you have to literllay slow down to under 10 kmph. This would be the BIGGEST negative of the car. But the low ground clearance means less body roll and great road grip. This is what makes highway driving a pleasent one, I just zip past other cars with great confidence.

 

Final Words Buy one if you are looking for a genuine diesel sedan!

 

Areas of improvement Ground clearance and service (spares).

 

Style, Interiors, Space, Handling, Economical, Value for MoneyGround Clearance, Service(parts)