Maruti re-enters the upper C segment; this time at the right price. The SX4 is a modern sedan that delivers fantastic value, with a lot of car & goodies for the money. It looks contemporary, yet has none of the quirkiness that we have experienced with some new age designs. However, the car is disproportionately tall, standing out amongst the sea of C-segment sedans. Owners report that the build quality is solid and lacks the tinny feel that one usually associates with Marutis. The joint product collaboration with Fiat shows in the SX4's sturdy construction. That said, owners added that fit and finish need improvement as there are many rough edges and ill-fitted parts.
On the inside, the SX4 offers a lot: Good room, well-designed functional interiors and class-leading equipment levels. Space at the front and back is sufficient, even for the larger amongst us. The back seat offers fantastic support while the air-con is very effective too. However, the 5th passenger will not sit comfortably due to the raised central hump on the rear seat. Thanks to the high seating position, the driver has a good view of the road ahead. Plastic quality feels a tad down-market and it's evident that there are a lot of parts from the Swift parts bin. Maruti's flagship sedan feels lacking in the outright quality that 8 lakh rupee customer's demand. The top variant is kitted out with dual airbags, ABS brakes, climate control, height adjustable steering, height adjustable driver's seat, electric mirrors, keyless entry, integrated stereo with steering controls, a USB port and alloy wheels.
SX4 power comes from a 1.6 liter engine that churns out 103 BHP (@ 5,600 rpm) and 145 NM of torque (@ 4,100 rpm). At idle and low rpms, the car is very silent. On the move, owners report the engine as responsive, offering a high level of urban drivability. Power delivery is linear with the engine feeling tractable at low to mid-range speeds. On the flip side, it lacks top-end refinement and is not as free-revving as you would expect typical Japanese petrol to be. SX4 owners also report that it gets rather noisy near the redline; it is best to work the motor between 2000 - 4500 rpm. Our reviews indicate that the short-throw gearshift is a tad stiff and can take some getting used to. A 4 speed automatic gearbox is available for the convenience seekers, and makes sense to those who drive primarily within the city.
Ride quality is rated as strictly average. The suspension is stiff at lower speeds, resulting in complaints of a firm ride on urban runs. This trait does affect comfort to a noticeable level within the city. Once up to speed, the SX4 offers a solid feel and soaks in the biggest of potholes with minimal complaint. Owners were pleased with the handling that boasts high grip levels coupled with good overall balance. Of course, the wide stock tires deserve credit here. The steering is precise, though feedback is entirely missing. The higher centre of gravity does lead to slight body roll. Straight line stability is fantastic. Of special mention are the brakes which, with ABS and EBD, were rated highly for feel and effectiveness. 190 mm of ground clearance is more than sufficient on typically (broken) Indian roads, few owners ever experienced the SX4 bottoming out.
On the inside, the SX4 offers a lot: Good room, well-designed functional interiors and class-leading equipment levels. Space at the front and back is sufficient, even for the larger amongst us. The back seat offers fantastic support while the air-con is very effective too. However, the 5th passenger will not sit comfortably due to the raised central hump on the rear seat. Thanks to the high seating position, the driver has a good view of the road ahead. Plastic quality feels a tad down-market and it's evident that there are a lot of parts from the Swift parts bin. Maruti's flagship sedan feels lacking in the outright quality that 8 lakh rupee customer's demand. The top variant is kitted out with dual airbags, ABS brakes, climate control, height adjustable steering, height adjustable driver's seat, electric mirrors, keyless entry, integrated stereo with steering controls, a USB port and alloy wheels.
SX4 power comes from a 1.6 liter engine that churns out 103 BHP (@ 5,600 rpm) and 145 NM of torque (@ 4,100 rpm). At idle and low rpms, the car is very silent. On the move, owners report the engine as responsive, offering a high level of urban drivability. Power delivery is linear with the engine feeling tractable at low to mid-range speeds. On the flip side, it lacks top-end refinement and is not as free-revving as you would expect typical Japanese petrol to be. SX4 owners also report that it gets rather noisy near the redline; it is best to work the motor between 2000 - 4500 rpm. Our reviews indicate that the short-throw gearshift is a tad stiff and can take some getting used to. A 4 speed automatic gearbox is available for the convenience seekers, and makes sense to those who drive primarily within the city.
Ride quality is rated as strictly average. The suspension is stiff at lower speeds, resulting in complaints of a firm ride on urban runs. This trait does affect comfort to a noticeable level within the city. Once up to speed, the SX4 offers a solid feel and soaks in the biggest of potholes with minimal complaint. Owners were pleased with the handling that boasts high grip levels coupled with good overall balance. Of course, the wide stock tires deserve credit here. The steering is precise, though feedback is entirely missing. The higher centre of gravity does lead to slight body roll. Straight line stability is fantastic. Of special mention are the brakes which, with ABS and EBD, were rated highly for feel and effectiveness. 190 mm of ground clearance is more than sufficient on typically (broken) Indian roads, few owners ever experienced the SX4 bottoming out.
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