Ritz all set to rule!

I now have test-driven both Ritz ZXI and i10 Magna. And the verdict is - Ritz has an edge.

Below are my observations -

1. I did like its style very much first of all, though many may not have liked. I liked especially the rear portion, plus its head lights.

2. Its tall-boy design does not force you to bend while getting into the car, which is a case in Swift. It gives a taller feeling.

3. The gear-shifter is located at a coovenient position and poses no hassels while driving. The 'waterfall' panel comprising of a music player, AC panel and gear-shifter makes interiors a beautiful scene.

4. Music player performs quite decently, while AC is strong enough to make you cool quickly.

5. Drivability is good, pick-up is good and managing through city traffic is easy. Ritz has a better pick-up.

6. The space in Ritz is far better compared to i10. Leg-room is better, a small-sized compartment at the top of dash-board is good one. The boot space is 4-6 lt more than that of Swift, and yes, more than i10.

7. I requested 2 more people to sit alongwith me at the rear and found that all were confortable. This should help while driving long distances. All 3 also tried Swift, which was alongside the Ritz, and the tapering corners of Swift makes it very uncomfortable for the 2 persons seating close to the doors as their head is not upright. I found this as an important difference. The head room is better in Ritz, and even i10 [not better than Ritz], compared to Swift.

8. 60-40 rear split is an added featute, which is not available in i10. I do not know when this can be really utilised, but yes, its available.

9. The plastic quality, especially the dash-board, is better in Ritz. The overall interiors are better in Ritz and space is well-managed. Ritz has a tray below front seats, which is missing in i10.

10. Stearing-mounted audio control are missing in i10.

11. Fuel economy - only time will tell, claims are 17.7 kmpl, lets watch.

12. Ritz has driver height adjustement feature, alloy wheels, both of these are missing in i10.

13. Yes, speedometer could have been litter broader. But it is more hi-tech, with its all electronic displays [all positioned on a perimeter of speedometer], while removing analogue displays. Analogue tachomoter is provided separately on the dash-board, as a differentiating feature.

Overall, I found, Maruti has incorporated many small improvements in this car. The current waiting period for Ritz ZXI is 7-8 weeks. It is also learnt that Ritz might eat into Swift share, looking at its VFM. Wait and watch, folks!

Though I am more inclined towards Maruti Rits now for 'less-maintenace-more mileage', will wait till Jun end to book my Ritz ZXI.

 

Great Style, Driveability, SpaceNot very significant ones- smaller speedometer