Review By: bhupendra shivedi Review Date: 16 Feb 2009
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Take an all-terrain suspension, with extra large wheels, add power steering, power windows, boosted A/C and a seven-seater capacity - no other make or model on the Indian roads offers these features at such a moderate price. The fuel efficiency is as good as any other vehicle in the SUV/MUV bracket. Moreover, this vehicle is shorter in length and thinner in width than almost all other competitors - requiring less space in traffic and while parking. Even the ground clearance is on the higher side allowing one to confidently negotiate those potholes found on almost every road.
It is important to view this vehicle for what it is and what it can do rather than descend to unfair comparisons. You cannot pay for a utilitarian vehicle and expect the amenities of high-end premium models.
There are only a few areas that need to be improved:
A. The base lining on the interior cabin floor is a clingy felt-like material that is very difficult to maintain clean and dust-free.
B. The standard issue floor mats are of poor quality.
C. Speakers of the sound system are poorly located (forward speakers are near the leg space of the forward seats).
But all this can be rectified by custom-made fittings at a cost that is a fraction of the amount saved in price-difference when buying this vehicle. In fact with a little thrift and resource-management, plus a careful appraisal of what we want/need against the array of accessories available in the market today - we can easily convert this vehicle into a comfortable haven catering to the particular needs of ourselves and that of our family.
Consider these additional favourable attributes:
1. Cheap repair and spare parts costs.
2. Panel type construction allows ready replacement of large body sections for minimum expense.
3. Metal re-inforced fender forward and behind together with the aluminium running boards all along the sides reduces chances of damage to the car body and affords an all-round protection to the inmates.
There are a few areas of concern:
1. In my city of Chennai, there are very few certified repair stations and not conveniently located.
2. This causes a lot of difficulty for owners for whom the car forms an integral part of their daily life - to send the car for servicing/repair for a whole day requires a whole lot of adjustments to routines/schedules etc.
3. There is a possibility of the repair stations having a backlog of vehicles which may result in your vehicle not being returned on time - easy to visualise what that would mean.
4. Spare parts are not readily available in the retail market which could delay repair works or servicing schedules.
5. After-sales service could definitely improve.
But on the whole a very impressive package for the associated price tag. Though I personally have this trait of changing vehicles once every 3-4 years, I like this one so much that at present I feel that I will dispose of it only if and when I am unable (due whatever reason) to maintain it the way I want to.
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Recommend: Yes
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