Maruti Suzuki SX4 User Reviews

Exterior I JUST LOVE THE LOOKS.ITS A BEAST.GOOD ROAD PRESENCE.WITH THE BODY KIT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE AN AWESOME RALLY CAR.16 INCH ALLOYS,205/60 TYRES,SUPERB!

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) U GET LOTS OF FEATURES FOR THE COMPARITIVELY LOW PRICE OF SX4.MUSIC SYSTEM WITH 4 SPEAKERS,2 TWEETERS,STEERING MOUNTED AUDIO CONTROLS.AND LOADS OF SPACE.SEATS ARE VERY COMFORTABLE.INTERIOR PLASTIC QUALITY IS OK,NOT THE SEGMENT BEST LIKE FLUIDIC VERNA AND VW VENTO.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox SUPERB PERFORMANCE FOR A 1248CC MOTOR.RESPONDS VERY QUICK.JUST LOVE THE WAY TURBO KICKS IN WITH THE TOURBO WHISTLE.CAN CRUISE ON 140KM/H EASILY.BUT LACKS TOP END PUNCH.HAS GOOD IN GEAR ACCELERATION IN 3TH AND 4TH GEAR WHICH IS VERY NECCESSARY FOR OVERTAKING.

Ride Quality & Handling SUSPENSION IS ON STIFFER SIDE.BIT BOUNCY RIDE ON LOW SPEEDS.BUT RIDE IMPROVES AS SPEEDS GO UP.HANDLING IS GOOD COZ OF WIDER 205/60 TYRES AND STIFF SUSPENSION.SX4 CAN EASILY GO ON BAD ROADS COZ OF ITS TERRIFIC GROUND CLEARANCE.

Final Words I JUST LOVE MY BEAST.VOLUE FOR MONEY CAR.DEFINITELY AN ALL ROUNDER!!!

Areas of improvement INTERIOR PLASTIC QUALITY,ENGINE UPGRADE  ATLEAST 1.6DDIS,THIS BEAST DESERVES MORE PPOWER.

Maruti SX4 Green (compressed natural gas variant) actually have many tricks up their sleeves. It can be potent performer in petrol and planet-saving, pocket-friendly easy drivers in CNG mode.

Maruti launched the SX4 Green, the CNG variant of the regular petrol SX4, in August 2010, but uptake has been slow. The primary reason has been the availability of CNG, which has now picked up in larger metros such as the NCR region and Mumbai.

CNG sedans combine the best of both worlds. The SX4 CNG still has adequate power when running in CNG mode compared to petrol mode. In CNG mode the SX4 makes 87 bhp of power at 5,600 rpm compared to 104 bhp in petrol mode. Though this drop seems significant, it is hardly felt at city speeds. Even in terms of torque, there’s not much difference. In petrol mode the SX4 puts out 145 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm and in CNG mode it makes 122 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm

If you look at the fuel efficiency the SX4 Green puts out, it makes it even more attractive. In CNG mode, the car gives about 20 km per Kg of gas. Considering the car can hold about 12 Kg of gas when the pressure is high in the CNG filling stations, it gives the car a range of 240 km on CNG and in addition, the car can hold 50 litres of petrol in its tank. With an average of 12 kmpl on petrol in city conditions, it gives the car a range of 600 km in addition to the CNG, for a total range of nearly 840 km!

The economics get even better when you look at the price of CNG and petrol at the pump. Petrol at nearly Rs. 60 a litre is 100 percent more expensive than CNG at Rs. 29.30 per Kg. That straight away come to Rs. 1.40 per Km on CNG, compared to Rs. 5 per Km on petrol. Considering that the initial price difference between the SX4 VXI (petrol – Rs. 7,05,000 ex-showroom Delhi) and SX4 Green (CNG – Rs.7,55,000 ex-showroom Delhi) is about Rs. 50,000, the savings are huge from day one. If one drives more than 500 km a month in the city, it makes sense to buy the SX4 Green.

Maruti claims there is no cause for concern, as they have used hardened valve seats, better gaskets and higher grade engine oil, making sure the wear and tear on the engine is minimal. SX4 CNG functions, helps in engine life. When you start the car in the mornings on a cold start, the engine automatically starts on petrol. It then automatically switches to CNG mode when optimum engine temperature has been reached. This ensures smooth running and engine longevity. There is a manual override switch in the cabin allowing you to drive in auto mode, pure petrol mode or CNG only mode.

Maruti calls this i-GPI technology, with the car being fitted with a dual ECU (engine control unit) – one for gas, and one for petrol. It has separate gas injectors for each cylinder intake, allowing optimum combustion and better performance than CNG kits that are bolted on aftermarket.

The other big concern is on luggage space, because of the huge cylinder fitted in the boot. However, the SX4 CNG can hold about three aircraft cabin baggage sized suitcases in the boot even with the CNG cylinder in place.

If you look at emissions from CNG, they are early 70 percent lower than petrol kilometer for kilometer, allowing you to do your bit for the planet by driving green. The upgraded parts in the engine would mean that the car would actually last longer when driven in petrol mode only.

As for the performance-minded, here’s a car that has the best of both worlds. Want to blast off from the traffic lights or set a quarter mile record? Switch to petrol mode and feel the power. Feeling the pinch on your wallet at the end of the month? Switch to CNG and save that extra cash. Yes, there is a bit of additional weight to lug around, about 70 Kgs or so. But that’s equivalent to having a “healthy” person sitting in the backseat all day long.

Externally, the SX4 Green looks no different from the SX4 VXi. And in petrol mode, it performs exactly like the VXi. As a daily commuter to work and back, the Green therefore makes a lot more sense, if you aren’t likely to haul a lot of extra luggage.

I have compared SX4 with Honda City, Swift Dezire, Hyundai Verna, Fort Fiesta and have recently bought a SX4 ZXI. Following are the points that distinguish SX4 from others

Excellent Designing, Steering Mounted controls, Extra Large wheels, Automatic temperature control, Dual Airbags, Maruti Service, Pre-Sales Experience, Overall length, Width, boot space, CD player, tilt steering, height adjustible seat belts, alloy wheels and all other features that you have in a car in this segment.

You name the feature and you have it in SX4.

Honda City is out of fashion!

1. After comparing with Fiesta, Aveo, Honda & Verna decided to go for SX4. SX4 is much bigger from inside in campare to Feasta and Verna. Although Honda seems to be good but it is painful to come out of this car for 5'11" man. seating height is low for Honda and Fiesta. Aveo no good on climb ( 1.4lit engine tested as price compared to SX4. )
2. I am going to completed 11,000 km in 10 months, driving on city (Pune/Mumbai)3rd and 4th gear plus 5th , Natonal high way @ 60-80km/hr, Express way @150-170km/hr got the milage 10-11 in city, 15-16 on NH & 11-12 on express way, What else some one expects for power of more than 100 Horses BHP & 100% A/C on. Yes I am Satisfied
3. The car has always responded to me at all situation, Zooming from 40 to 80 in 4th, 120-170km in no time even in 5th gear, Never troubled asking for change in gears frequently in city driving in 3rd, 4th in city is comfortable. Many time 5th is OK with it.
4. It screems in breaking and always stops when needed, but draws attaintion of pedesterians. In wet fine Tar road I feel unstable whle breaking at speed > 80km/hr, concrete road it is good. Innitially I was unsatisfied with the breaking which got adjusted in 1st servicing.
5. I never liked the interior fit and finish, All plastic look and rattels in rough road.
6. One has to be very careful on turning to right all blind. Don't get biased with the advertisement of the small glass window for extra visibility provided in the front doors, better take a test drive and turn right to get a thrill of Ghat driving.
7. One dont have to be careful while reversing, even if you are careful you are going to hit something, You are blind during reversing, need to install the reverse sensor or camera and practice a bit with it.
8. Advice not to park the cars near childrens playing area, small force on the bonnet (engine hood) will creat a dent similar to beer can, press by thumb to generate a dent. You can seat confortably on Honda city Bonnet.
9. The car pulls to left and you can feel the pain on hand after a long drive >300km. Thanks to the streaing height adjustment keep changing the position during drive, I call it Hand adjustment to avoid pain.
10. Head light reminds my uncles Bajaj scootor of late 70's model. Very poor,
11. I am not happy with the gear lever vibrating on 3rd gear position.
12. The Last not the least, I had written a mail to mailto:contact@maruti.co.in> regarding few of the above points, delighted to get a reply within 24hours, GREAT RESPONCE as below

REF : HT20070808_0000000127 FW: Maruti SX4

Dear Mr. Praharaj,

Thank you for visiting our website.

We do highly appreciate the interest shown and the faith entrusted by you in our product and in Maruti and apologizes for the inconvenience caused to you.  However we request you to kindly send us the location or code of the Maruti Dealer from where you got the car serviced. This will help us to resolve your issue at the earliest.

Please feel free to revert in case of any query or clarification.
 
Regards,
ANY TIME MARUTI

• I promptly sent the details to Maruti on reply and waiting for them to revert back.

This month MEN are celibreting the anniversary, I will be celibreting the WAITING ANNIVERSARY ( " HOOPS NOT WEDDING " ) next month.

Request : Can any body give me Mr. Jagdish Khattar's @ address to forward my sweet communications to him so that I don't have to celebrate my waiting anniversary.

Thankyou

Exterior Excellent. Looks really imposing on the road, without losing the charm of a sedan.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Excellent. Quality of material cannot be termed in any way inferior. However, if the interiors are of dark grey colour, it will get a different feel. It is my personal opinion, though. One thing that can be improved is the cotton covering, though a small one, on the doors just above the hand rest. It looks good in a new vehicle but over a period, becomes a dampener from maintenance point of view.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Not being an expert on such matters, I had done extensive research for the last 6 months. Now I get the feeling that on certain aspects reviews can be misleading or incomplete. I was apprehensive that an engine of 1248 CC cannot be compared to Korean or German cars with supposedly more powerful engines. However, this came as Surprise package. I test drove another vehicle with a much greater engine displacement and to my surprise I could feel more power while driving SX4. With all 5 seats occupied and the boot fully crowded, I could drive the vehicle effrotlessly through plains as well as ghat areas. Rarely could I feel that the engine is not responding to the challenge.

Fue economy is another surprise package. My vehicle has done just 1500 kms, so it cannot be concluded as final. But to cover a distance of 1350 kms (500 kms on highways and the rest in Mumbai at peak hour) it consumed 88 litres of diesel. I have been given to understand that it will only get better, significantly too.

Gear box is highly responsive and effortless.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is simply superb. Suspension is very good. Bigger tyres also help. It negotiates bumps and potholes without complaining or giving a rattling sound. The rear passengers feel the comfort immediately.

Hnadling of the car is very encouraging. I realised having touched a speed of 120 kms only after my co-passenger warned me. Otherwise, I felt as if driving at a speed of 80-90 kms. 

Final Words  Overall, an excellent car. I bought this car after a lot of research and painstaking. Already owning a maruti, I thought of changing to a different brand. I knew that SX4 petrol was not a smash hit at any point of time. But once the diesel version was introduced, I felt like having a look at it. I had the usual apprehensions such as noisy engine, smelly cabin, high maintenance etc. The first two are toally misplaced, the third one only time will tell. But going by the company reputation and discussion with the agency people, I do not see any reason to worry. I must say that Maruti has not been able to market this car according to its potential. One thing that struck me and was one of the reasons behind my buying decision was its true sedan like built in this segment. If you see other sedans from VW / Hyundai / Tata, in this segment, you will realise the so called segment is hatchback + boot. Even dzire falls in this category. To my mind, SX4 qualifies to be a genuine sedan in this segment.

Whatever be our budget, maintenance can never be an issue to discard, if not from money point of view then at least from convenience point of view. And this is where one cannot compare Maruti with any other company, from customer friendliness as well as network points of view. People at the dealership may not be as flashy and sophisticated as those at foreign brands, but when it comes to service issues, they are always there for you. I formed this opinion when I bought my first Maruti 7 years before and continue with it ever since I bought it from Automotive, Nerul, navi Mumbai. Very friendly people, no wrong promises, no wrong commitments. I had been using their services for my old car and it was their conduct that helped me make an informed decision to buy SX4 from them only. One thing I liked about them is they never imposed their business pressure on me or never tried to unduly influence my decision, though I changed my choice from Dzire to Vento to Verna to Optra magnum and what not. Also, they never tried to close the deal in a hurry, though they were very quick in offering me a test drive. Only thing that went wrong was that instead of the wait period of 10 weeks suggested by them, the car arrived in 4 weeks and this put me to a lot of hassles in terms of arranging for finance. I expected them to be not so much off-mark.

Areas of improvement Only one tail light illuminets while reversing the vehicle. I do not know the rationale behind it but slightly discomforting to the mind.

Exterior

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Ride Quality & Handling

Final Words

Areas of improvement  

Pros

1. Good looks - But kind of Verna like in the front
2. Good power
3. Smooth Gear shift and clutch operations!
4. Parameterswise comparable to even a Corolla
5. Great space in the front seats
6. Huge boot
7. Can look very good with spoilers, skirting
8. Excellent power steering
9. Dream brakes!
10. Excellent interiors

Cons

1. Very poor side visibility - Huge side bar obstruction -  i need to strain to find out if there are other vehicles on the side

2. Suspension not as good as Fiesta

3. Leather seats are too light and can get very dirty very quickly

4. Center fold at the back protrudes too much

5. Absolutely zero visibility on reversing!! Very poor!

6. None of the accessories published in brochure are available and maybe not even manufactured. May need to wait for 20 days or more!

7. Alloy wheels are not too inspiring. And the size of PCD of 114.3 is such that not many replacement options

8. Average stereo systems

9. No idea on mileage yet

Overall - Good buy for the money      

In September this year saw the news that SX 4 is coming out with Automatic version which Maruti did not confirm for a month. I put the Honda Purchase on Hold

They launched the Car in October and I was first to book the Automatic Variant and received it on 10th December as promised

I drove to Pune and back on 11th and I am completely satisfied with its performance People are biased with Honda City and pay 2 lakhs more for it My experience with SX 4 is otherwise For  Bombay Pune I prefer SX 4 anytime with its Ground Clearance which Honda City can not match

The Ghats Drive was much smoother than the Manual Sx 4 which was exchanged with the dealership and I am quite happy Maruti introduced the automatic Version I got 14.5 Km/Ltr for my journey which is nice compared to added comfort of Drive and the feel of Power ! I will strongly recommend this SX4 Zxi AT variant

 I was using a SX 4 Zxi since June 2007 and was thinking changing to Automatic Transmission hence I was comparing Verna Diesel Automatc and Honda City Automatic and practically finalised with Honda City as we also have a honda City CVT in the family .

In September this year saw the news that SX 4 is coming out with Automatic version which Maruti did not confirm for a month. I put the Honda Purchase on Hold

They launched the Car in October and I was first to book the Automatic Variant and received it on 10th December as promised

I drove to Pune and back on 11th and I am completely satisfied with its performance People are biased with Honda City and pay 2 lakhs more for it My experience with SX 4 is otherwise For Bombay Pune I prefer SX 4 anytime with its Ground Clearance which Honda City can not match hence we use the Honda City mainly in the City which gives an average of only 8 km/ltr

The Ghats Drive was much smoother than the Manual Sx 4 which was exchanged with the dealership and I am quite happy Maruti introduced the automatic Version I got 14.5 Km/Ltr for my journey which is nice compared to added comfort of Drive and the feel of Power ! I will strongly recommend this SX4 Zxi AT variant Have just completed 1000 km in 18 days and to be precise Honda City 1.5 V Automatic costs 2.5 L more if u consider the exchange with Maruti as u get a much better deal and much cheaper after sale service and cheaper parts