Not a Value for Money!

Major Areas for Conceptual Design improvement

A new Maruti Celerio - VXi AT owner, I could identify two major technical area for improvement in conceptual design:

Ride Quality & Handling

1. The position of (D)rive mode and (R)everse mode in all AMT cars from Maruti Suzuki is conceputally incorrect as per common convention. The forward (D)rive mode [and even the mannual (+)ve Gear shift] should ideally be set in forward direction; whereas the (R)everse mode [and even the mannual (-)ve Gear shift] should ideally be set in backward direction as available in almost all the mannual transmission vehicles. This makes more logical sense to help user 

 At present, the driver is bound to make a CONSIOUS decision to pull the lever backward in order to move forward and push the lever forward to set the vehicle in reverse mode. This becomes even hazardous for an old-age senior citizen on the driving seat who finds it hard to move away from the lifetime convention for forward and reverse gear shifts.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

2. The power windows cease to operate as we switch the ignition off, while other battery operated equipments like 12V socket or stereo still continue to operate at this first steering unlock mode. In order to opperate the power windows, one needs to switch on to the Ignition ON mode. To me, this really feels like a non-sense after I stop my car and prepare to get off.

No Airbag, USB charging port and Bluetooth Audio which seem to be essentials in mid-range model.

Exterior

Exterior is quite okay but I feel it should have come with fog lamps at this cost.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Having driven less than 1000 kms so far, it might be too early to comment on the performance but I did not get any better millage than 12.2 kms /litre within city and 16.7 kms/litre based on the information displayed on instrument panel.

Another Celerio ZXi (Mannual) Car User contested to my above finding stating that it is apparently no more than 10 Kms in reality. 

Final Words

Watchout for some unethical Maruti dealers. I had a pretty bad experience with my purchase in Delhi NCR - while booking, on cheque payment acceptance and most important a poor delivery of car with dents, low initial fuel than recomended and screws coming off within hours after delivery.

Personally, I did not find Celerio VXi AMT as appropriate RoI. I would suggest considering Renault Kwid with much better sepcification which could be more value add for less investment. 

 

 

AMTA Conceptual Design fault, Poor Millage, Low Interior