A good package overall; not for the masses, it caters to the avant-garde!!

I have had the opportunity of driving the Ambiente today, as I was offered test drive by the company. First, about the company showroom that i visited impressed me. I found all my queries well answered and this satisfied me! The staff was courteous.

Anyways, not wasting any more words on the showroom, and more about the vehicle. As far as its exterior is concerned, yes no doubt the car looks well grounded, and their is an air to it. Clearly the car doesnt appear to be made for the masses and caters to the well established avant-garde!

The vehicle overall is sturdy and stable at high speed (i drove it at about 110 effortlessly); the dashboard cluster boasts of high quality plastics, displays are clear and comfortable. There is a feel of quality overall in the interior. Seats are comfortable too and despite its low height (i am 5'10 tall) i found myself comfortable because of adjustment in seat height and steering wheel.

I am not too sure how the vehicle behave in hills/rough unmetalled roads with potholes. Has someone driven it on high altitude roads and seen its performance? Perhaps those inputs may be helpful..

I enquired from Skoda about reasons for expensive spare parts. I was told that it is due to the fact that more than 60% parts are all imported. I hope it is true; if it is then surely there is a point. So a comprehensive insurance is the only recourse for replacing broken parts!

I feel its comparison with cars like swift is a incorrect as these belong to different segments. Now with Punto and I20 and Jazz (the latter two are only petrol versions so far); we may realise that it is afterall not as expensive as we thought it to be initially!!

Overall, it is a decent package from Skoda. I like it and I am convinced it should be bought.

Any comments?

 

Good style; good interior quality; good built; confortable drive; enough punch in pickuplow ground clearance; a little noisier than expected; a bit expensive