A-Star (ZXi) Driven

A-Star is scheduled to be launched in Gujarat on Friday/Saturday.  But demo-cars are received by most of the dealers.  I just drew A-Star this/yesterday evening (couldn’t ‘test-drive’ it).  It was ZXi version that is fully loaded - Dual Airbags, ABS, Integrated Audio System, Remote Central Lock (integrated in the keys itself) etc.  The interiors seemed to be very decent (haven’t seen in day light).  Has electronic fuel meter, separate RPM meter (like on a bike), good-looking Audio System (forgot to play).

 

The drive was restricted to Stockyard area (Industrial).  Drew it around 7/8 kms only & couldn’t drive it in the top gear.  The road-feel is good mainly because of bigger/wider tyres; (155/80 R13; tubeless).  Pick-up/acceleration is good.  Gear-change is not very impressive. Boot is very small.

 

The car, in my opinion, cannot be compared to Spark, Estilo, WagonR, i10, Swift etc. It is almost as cramped as M800 & Alto – in front & rear both.  My friend, whom I had accompanied is 5.7 (height), too felt so.  In fact, we had been in his M800 to the dealer for ascertaining its True Value & the buy-back it would possibly fetch in case he bought A-Star or WagonR.  Incidentally, we traveled from the showroom to stockyard in Estilo (demo), which was driven by me (have driven even before) & by my friend on return.  Estilo, which in comparison to WagonR, is a little cramped, is much better on space/comfort than A-Star, for sure.

 

I hope to take a ‘test-drive’ of it once it is launched.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

Nice 'peak' there!

Personally yet to see/drive one-Maruti seems to be offering new cars without replacing older model and hence leading on to the confusion.

How was the built quality/interiors and the NVH?

I couldn’t notice all this distinctively due to the limited drive I had & the situation (it was late evening/dark).

 

But, as I’ve said, the interiors looked quite decent (remains to be seen in the day light). Regarding NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness), it would be appropriate to comment only after I take ‘test-drive’ (real sense).  However, it all seemed to be normal.

 

My basic idea to post this small/limited review is basically to emphasis that it’s small on space/comfort & cannot be compared to other than Alto (notwithstanding the difference in features, power etc.)

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

The lack of space and boot was evident in the pictures. But I never thought it would be near an alto. I think it would be lil detrimental for the car like how space is detrimental for swift(Swift's mileage is also on the lower side).

BTW nice 'Trailer review'. So waiting for more to come.

surely this car will sell like a hot cake but waiting for detailed reviews..planned to buy this car

It IS the Alto. In the overseas market it is going to be released as the "Alto" and replace the existing one. India is the only exception.

Yet to see & Drive , but if its close to ALTO with comfert of 800 then the Price around 3.60L & above is quite high according to me. People now has many other options & will not blindly go for it........


Good things in life are never too expensive.....So called Best things May be.....

HI....

         Good mini review by Mr Pankaj.

         In Chandigarh, Astar costs 3.53/3.81/4.18L. I think (esp. considering that its really a small car like alto), these prices are quite high. One would get spark with ABS & air bags in price lesser than this (3.9 L) and carwale/users says spark is a good car. Spark is comparatively spacious too.

      Even though Maruti claims mileage of 20KM (under ideal conditions), its still sort of speculation till one really tests it. On road one has to be highly optimistic to get more than 17/18km. If its true, the difference of 2-3kmpl doesnot make great difference (as compared to spark or i10).

      If one is ready to pay around 12,000 extra, I 10 sportz is there to buy (seems good as per our site)

      lets see how does A star perform?

      

 

i have had a test drive... believe me, this is THE MODEL of maruti... do agree that the i10 has more height this the A Star, but mileage and the interiors are impressive, and that too with in built stereo with Vxi...!! great bargain... am going to book it this weekend

 

post 2 (11:41 PM)

and yeah.. its NOT a small car like alto...much MUCH bigger than the ALTO height is definitely less than the i10...

 

 

This post is edited to merge 2 posts (posted  within a few minutes itself).

For after/subsequent thoughts, Edit Tool may please be used (available till 30 mins.)

If you go by the specifications, A-Star isn't as small as Alto but due space-management we felt cramped inside.  Width (1600mm) is in fact more than Alto's (1475mm) & Spark's (1495mm) & at par with i10's (1595mm).  Like-wise, A-Star height is 1490mm against against Alto's 1460mm, Spark's 1518mm & i10's 1550mm.  Length is 3500mm against 3495mm of Alto & Spark and 1550mm of i10.

 

Nevertheless, I will review the same afresh during my 'test-drive', as the 'situation' (stated before), in which I drew wasn't ideal.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.