Daewoo Matiz - the IMMORTAL one!!!

 

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie at Carwale and this is my first review of a car. Daewoo Matiz is a car that I have been driving for a long time now. I have a 2001 June model and have done 30K with it. I have to say that I'm very happy with the total package. It just was the best family small hatch but got discontinued. Here is what I feel about my first love (also the car that I learned to drive in 😷)

 

Exterior

                As soon as you look at the Matiz, you will get that strikingly aerodynamic feeling. You will feel that the Matiz just cuts the air and flows on the road as smooth as water. The finishing is quite nice. Even though it is a 9 year old car, I never feel that it has lost its exterior looks. The quality of the paint job is also good as the car has still retained its shine after all these years!

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

                  - When you first get into the car, you might actually be surprised to find that it is not cramped at all. There is decent space for 5 adults with the front seats pushed back to the max. In this regard, the Matiz scored over the Indica, 800 and Santro way back in 2001.

                - The quality of the interior is not up to the mark. The colors used inside are unconventional ones. Plastics used are cheap. But frankly speaking, what more can you expect out of a 2.9 lac car.

                - The boot is not very large. It can take one big case along with a small bag. 

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

                - This is where the Matiz is a GEM. The engine has been superb with no major problems at all. To be frank, the only time my car goes to a garage is for a routine service.

                - The pick up is more than decent. The engine is very responsive. Even now, there is torque in all gears all round the rev bracket. It doesn't need frequent gear changes. All you need to do is to just floor the throttle and off you go.

                - Fuel economy is unmatched. I still get a FE of 15-16 kmpl inside the city and it goes past 20 if driven well on the highway. I just use unleaded petrol and not even the 'better' products available.

                - The only problem one might find is with the gearbox. The throws are not short. Putting the car into second gear needs some serious practice. I always used to slip it into 4th by mistake when learning.

 

Ride Quality & Handling

                - The car is very stable even at speeds of 120kmph. I have made long journeys of up to 7 hours continuously and it has the ability to take such stress even during hot afternoons.

                - The handling is good too. Can't expect a lot out of it. But it still is pretty decent.

                - Due to the small size of the car and the ever alert engine, it is very easy to drive inside the city. Sometimes, I feel like I'm driving a Mini Cooper. That is how small this car is.

                - Brakes are good but you have to travel a few inches on the brake pedal before the actual braking happens. It is very easy to get the Matiz skidding as it has powerful brakes and very less overall weight so got to be early on the brakes as much as possible.

 

Final Words

                My first love Matiz!! Matiz actually means CHARMING. It has always been a charm to sit behind the wheel in this beauty. I have really developed an emotional attachment to it. 😊 

 

Areas of improvement  

                A few years late on this section, I guess. 😝

 

 

Excellent fuel economy, interior space, stability, aerodynamic design, easy to manoeuvre in trafficGear box stiff ( 2nd G specially), not a large boot, fraction late response to braking.