Comparison between i10 and others

Hi.. Posting this in Feb 2012.. Driven it 65k kilometers now.. Still going strong...Get a mileage of 15 kmpl non ac with 50% highway - 50% city driving..

Previous updates: 

I own the i10 for 14 months and have already completed 25000 kms.

I travel for 85 kms a day and was looking for a car with good mileage, easy handling (I travel in Sakinaka traffic) and stability on highways:

I think i10 is the best petrol car in this range with. If I had the money to buy a diesel, I would go for a maruti swift though.

I got Era for 4.45 L on road. I went to buy a santro XL but my family saw the i10 and we couldnt resist. The exterior looks are average for me (although that depends on personal choice). The more you drive this car, the more you will love the features and the interiors - the best in its class (you will always feel that you are driving a big car). Smart places to keep stuff in the doors. The gears shifted above give a lot more place to keep things such as diaries, 2 bottles, cigarate case, mobile phone... lots of space. The uplifted gears give extremely good comfort while driving for a long time. I am 5 feet 11 and even after i adjust the front seat comfortably, there's enough space to sit behind (this is more than swift).

The pick up isnt as great as the Santro in the 1st gear, but is still acceptable. From the 2nd gear its extremely peppy. There's negligible difference in driving with or without A/C in terms of pick up.

Hyundai claims that the A/C consumes 25% fuel. I got a properly tested mileage of 16 kmpl with full A/C on and full load (5 people) from Kalyan to Nasik (Poor quality highway with a Ghat). On return i almost had to drive in 2nd - 3rd gear due to bad road and traffic. By that logic this car should easily deliver a non ac mileage of 20 kmpl on a good highway.

The vehicle is extremely stable even at 125 km per hr - i've touched 150 too!!

It is excellent in terms of maneuverability in the city.

The shock absorbers are below par and that is the only negative I see. I read a user review on the same website saying that everything before the chasis and the engine towards the front is fibre, which i must admit is true. There is hardly any steel there so I always have to maintain a safe distance from the car before me. The car being so stable and zippy can make you drive faster than you should.

Other Cars that I saw:

Maruti Swift Petrol - Good features, Decent interiors (though grey/black), Good looks, Low mileage, Poor Pick Up

Maruti Swift Diesel - Excellent Pickup, Excellent Fuel Economy with all features of petrol. Only negative - Was too expensive for me. 5.75 lacs on road!

Cars below dont stand a chance when you compare the interior looks and interior features of the i10.

Santro XL - The production of this model has stopped but some dealers who have it sell it extremely cheap.

Chevrolet Spark - Is cheap, good fuel economy but too cramped. Interiors dont stand a chance.

Zen Estilo - If you are a Maruti fan. Why not go for a swift?

Wagon R - Shakes on highway above 80 kms per hr.

Wagon R LPG - LPG is no longer cheap. My previous car was LPG converted so I know the pains. Shakes on highway above 80 kms per hr.

Alto - Too small

Indica Petrol - My family has had 3 cars from Tata before this. The only + point: Very cheap for the space it offers.

Indica Diesel - I didnt want to buy a taxi.

Good Fuel Economy, Excellent Interior looks and features, Superb Handling and stability, Good SpaceAverage Exterior looks, Stiff shock absorbers, thin/small tyres (doesnt affect the stability though)