Chevrolet Beat [2009-2011] User Reviews

Got My New Beat LT(Super Red) on 22nd Sep 2010 nearly one month after the booking date of 30th Aug 2010. Got Discount on Insurance from the Dealer & also Seat cover, Car cover, Floor Mats, Steering wheels cover, etc... as freebies.  The Car was delivered on time by 5pm on 22nd Sep   

Exterior The exterior of the car looks really nice with muscle car styling, Dynamic Grille complemented by the new Chevy bow-tie logo, Aggressive twin-barrel headlamps providing enhanced lighting & style, Chrome-Rimmed Front Fog Lamps for increased illumination, Recessed Rear Door Handles, Integrated Sporty looking rear spoiler for enhancing aerodynamic performance & to provides stable stance in high-speed driving & Satin Silver Roof Rails, etc... everything is very attractively designed in this car to my view, but opinions do differ from people to people..... aren't they 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The steering column-mounted instrument cluster displays a LED backlit analogue speedometer, LCD digital tachometer and ice-blue illuminated controls, which enhance its sporty appeal and functionality. Beat LT comes with Power Steering, 4 Door Power Windows, Body Coloured Internally Adjustable ORVMs, Tilt Steering. It's interior comes with numerous storage compartments, which are convenient for storing objects like sunglasses, cups, bottles and CDs.

Automatic climate control A/C maintains programmed temperatures by automatically switching between heating and air conditioning modes, Beats 60:40 split-folding rear seats provide flexible seating and extra boot storage options. Its Integrated CD / MP3 Player with An AM / FM stereo Radio which also includes a USB port and an auxiliary input jack for playing your favourite music. Beat has 4-star NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) Safety Rating out of Possible 5-star.

The Automatic climate control A/C option is really cool in this car, the A/C chills instantly at temp of 22 deg Celsius or below, the fan speed is good but it is little nosie below 17 deg setting. The leg room in the front rows seat are good for 6 footers like me & they can comfortable sit in these seats. Even after the front seats full pushed back there is sufficient leg room for people measuring 5.5ft. Beat can easily accommodate 3 normal people in the back seats but if someones overweight then comes the problem. And any six footer sitting at back near windows will find it difficult with only inches of space between their head and cars roof... 

The Music System in the car is really good but the speaker fitted in the car are not top notch quality that one can get in the market & ice-blue illuminated controls panel in the car looks really cool at night while driving, the controls are nicely placed in the car, one can easily get used to it after driving for a while. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Beat has a state-of-the-art STEC II engine, equipped with Port Deactivation technology, dual overhead cam and EGR, As per ARAI testing it delivers a level of fuel efficiency of 18.6 km/l.

The Engine is very very quite at Idle, sometimes i tend to forget the engine is running due to near absence of noise from the engine. GM have redesigned the engine with Indian user in mind so it compromise Pick up for better fuel efficiency. So the car doesn't take off if u floor the Accelerate to the metal below, as i found out Gradual Acceleration does the trick here. By accelerating gradually in the Right gear you can have a good pick up.

This tough, sexy, smart machine is sure to get your heart racing, this little gem of an engine by GM reaches upto speeds of more 150kmph. As i found out on numerous occasions in the new express highway between Pondicherry - Tindivanam & also Chennai - Vellore express highway it easily reached speeds of 140kmph & on couple of occasion it reached the 150 mark. It can go even a little further i think but i was not prepared to take that risk since i was travelling with my family.

The Fuel Economy am getting is 13.1kmpl so far with A/C on all the time while driving, i hope this will improve after the first service 

Ride Quality & Handling

The McPherson strut-type front suspension, combined with a solid stability bar, enables an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling agility, resulting in a smoother performance. At the back, the rear compound crank suspension incorporates a tubular V-beam for a more comfortable ride. A tight, stiff Body Frame Integral (BFI) structure provides a heightened sense of solidity, stability and confident road command.

The High speed stability of Beat is best in its class i can say after taking this beauty for couple of trips, The first trip was from Pondicherry to Melmalayanur, Thiruvanamalai & Back to Pondicherry in a day trip, second one was Pondicherry to Chennai, Kancheepuram  & Back to Pondicherry in a day/night trip. I was feeling very comfortable & relaxed while taking her around the corners, never felt any lose of control while taking corners at speeds in excess of 90-100kmph in express highways

The braking of the car is ok for speeds it is capable  off... but disc brakes at the back wheel will make it even better cause this beauty can go beyond 150kmph. Had couple hard braking incidents in the Tindivanam - Thiruvanamalai road to avoid path holes in road at speed of 90-100kmph & lots of  hard  braking  incidents in the Kancheepuram - Tindivanam road due to lot of speed breakers on the state highway without warning signs that too in night driving at speeds of 90-100kmph. 

Final Words The Beat is a brilliant package. It’s a great combination of style, interior packaging, fuel efficiency and dynamics. It is difficult to find fault with this car because there are no glaring faults. Most of all, it represents fantastic value-for-money. What GM India has here is a winner. The Beat excites at more levels than one and its good looks and unique style features are set to go a long way in winning over customer hearts, am sure i will do...  The competition be better prepared to face the heat from the Beat, its here to give other hatchbacks in the segment a run for their money & scurrying for cover

Areas of improvement Disc brakes at the back,  Music System Speakers not up to the Standards, Large bottle holder to accommodate large 1.2lt & 1.5 lt pet bottles.

 

As i said already VFM (Price, Fuel Economy, Features offered, GM Assurance)Rear Boot Storage Space, Music System Speakers not up to the Standards.

My first car was Wagon-R LXI, I bought it in Feb-2005, my next car was Honda City-Zxi Automatic, I bought it in Jan-2007, and I drive both the cars myself

 

My observations about Maruti Ritz (LXI and VXI)

1. On road Price offered to me on 27.01.2010 (Delhi)

      Rs.4,16,000/- (approx.) for LXI

      Rs.4,62,000/-  (approx.) for VXI 

      Rs.5,22,000/- (approx.) for ZXI (Out of my budget)

      with a discount of 7500/- on each model.

 

1. Price difference between LXI and VXI,  46,000/-
2. VXI model is fitted with Power Windows (front and rear), Central Locking without remote, Tachometer, Wheel Caps, and 4-5 sensors like Door, Key, Seat Belt reminder, etc.
3. Door handles and Rear View Mirrors are without body paint (cheap doings)
4. Central Locking without remote
5. No Music System
6. Drive Good
7. Dash Board Looks Good but quality of the plastic on doors poor, the guy told me not to compare it with the interiors of Honda city
8. Looks Good

 

In general 46,000/- for power windows, central locking and a tachometer in VXI as compared to LXI), ZXI was beyond my budget.

 

So with a nice Music System without which my wife cannot drive, VXI model will cost 4,62,00/-  + 12,000/- (Music System) -  7,500/- (Discount) =  4,66,500/-

 

My observation about Chevrolet Beat

1. On road Price offered to me on 27.01.2010 (Delhi)

      Rs.4,23,000/- (approx.) for Top Model

            with no discount and waiting

           

1. Front and Rear Power Windows
2. Music System (Integrated Blupunk Music System)
3. Central Locking without Remote
4. Climate Control Air Conditioner (Even Not present in my Honda City, available in Honda Civic)
5. State of the Art dash board, with Electronically displayed Air-Flow Direction
6. Blue lights emerging out of the Dash Board in the night remind me of Honda Civic
7. Rear Defogger and Washer
8. Excellent Interiors with good quality material
9. Looks like a heavy gauge metal sheet for the outer body as compared to Ritz
10. Manual Internally adjustable Rear View Mirrors
11. Battery Saver
12. Electronic Tachometer
13. Tilt Steering
14. Steering is more smooth as compared to Ritz-VXI
15. Sunglass Holder
16. Very beautiful Shiny Black Finish on the Dash Board and Doors
17. Body Colored Door Handles and Rear View Mirrors
18. They told me bumpers are impact proof (I’ve not tested it.)
19. Light in the boot area
20. Power Windows are more smooth as compared to Ritz-VXI
21. Very nicely packed Tools (Stepney Sized Tools Holder)
22. Smooth Drive

 

           

1. Dash Board is good but the Meter Panel is not so impressive.
2. Silver and Dark Grey Car Colors are not available (What a foolish thing!)
3. Looks like little compact from inside
4. Ritz’s tail light looks good as compared to Beats (In my personal view)

 

RESULT:

In my personal opinion Maruti Ritz is better looking as compared to Chevrolet Beat.

 

Martuti Ritz VXI is badly overpriced if you compare it with Ritz LXI

 

So if you are looking at Swift, A-Star, Ritz you must visit and see Chevrolet Beat once.

 

I have selected and booked Chevrolet Beat Top Model (LState of the Art dash board, with Electronically displayed Air-Flow Direction, Climate control A/cDash Board is good but the Meter Panel is not so impressive

Moment the car comes in front of u  may just skip a beat (Heart).. The car is absolute in terms of looks and styling , a lot of american muscle feel come to the hungry eyes for good looking babe, The radical styling of lights new Gen Grill with sexy Bold LOGO of Chverolet makes it look bigger and Gen Next car. Now the sides ozzes out lot of muscle and the prominent feature which u may find absurd is the door handles of rear door, now to me its again a great styling coz this feature is the alfo Romeo category ,  

The moment u sit in the car u r stunned the way everything is placed from tacho, speedo, gears, everything perfect in order now, where it scores a low is when i came and sat at the  rear seats too much cramed even more than ur A star, yeah if u drive with the only urself its great but if put in ur friends there u go ull feel its to crammed and not spacious

Engine is just like dream nippy yet elegant , car sticks to the seems like body to weight ratio is well mantained and far too execelent

Ride Quality & Handling is just superb with no problems it takes corners and blocks like hungry monster , no feel of discomfort and non safe

Final Words

A great car for young enthusiasts like me , where time is money and u need to each fast and safe ,Its a beauty the one of rides it will be a sure beast ( great combination)

Areas of improvement  

Space and interiors at the rare my suggestion

 

Fuel economy, Muscle styling, Great Looking, Lot of option for modificationInteriors, Less Spacious,

 

Exterior If you are a classic style seeker, it is certainly not what you looking for. But as for me it is great. I purchased the olympic white coloured beauty because from my viewpoint ithink Beat looks the best in white. It is a head turner and it looks much expensive than it really is. The styling strip, roofrails makes it feel larger from the outside than the other hatch(including all petrol hatches like i10, Wagon-r, Estilo etc) . But there is no other diesel hatch in this segment as the price suggests . The least expensive we got after beat is the Ford figo which I think is very old fashined. I also liked the Polo but could not afford it.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior is where evryone will like the Beat (except for the rear windows) . It certainly edges out almost every hatch(In quality and design) except for the Skoda fabia and VW Polo. But as I said before they are too expensive . The Dashboard , seats , gear lever evrything feels very rich in quality for a small and cheap hatch . It is easily the best beacause the Ford Figo(others are too pricey) is nowhere near the Beat in almost every aspects expept rear seat space. All the seats are very comfortable(as the headroom and legroom are concerned) but due its narrow width rear seat cannot sit three comfortably. As for me I am single . So i am not much wooried about rear seats. But for families it would be a serious matter .

When the features are concerned its the best car in all hatchback segment . It has automatic climate control, Blaupunkt 2 DIN car audio with USB and Aux port which sounds great, central locking, four door power windows etc. Now-a-days most of the cars have bluetooth but I think its nothing but increasing the cost because who will be talking with phone when driving (Its dangerous). There is plenty of space to keep your knick-nacks too.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox This is the best thing about the Beat diesel . Just a 1.0 litre engine churning ot 15 kgm of torque at just 1750 rpm ; remarkable! The engine also has the minimum turbo lag. You can feel the torque just when you hit the gas. It may be not the quickest but it is the most fun to drive small diesel hatch in the country . It is Zippy ,it is fun .It gives gives great driveability in the city and pretty stable in hghway too. The NVH(Noise ,harshness and viration) levels are very low for a three cylinder diesel motor (the other three cylinder units tends to vibrate which is very annoying) . The noise insulation is very good as you cannot feel that you are driving a diesel car.

When price of the fuel is increasing rapidly what can we think except a eonomical hatch . Beat does it well in this too .I'm getting around 19 -21kmpl in the city . Very economical .

Gearbox is not that sleek as in the i10 or in the polo but it is also good. GM kept low gear changing ratios for this car to experience the ultimate driveability in the city. It is light to use and quick too .

The Beat is a much better car than Figo in terms of engine. The engine might be small, but it is much more peppy and refined than the Figo.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is the best among small cars and much improved from its petrol sibiling. It just glides over the potholes and small bumps. It is very smooth and quite. 

The steering is a electronic powersteering and is almost accurate. The extra weight added to the steering feels nice and it gives great feedback. It doesn't have that artificial feel which some cars like i10 , ritz have .

The Figo offers brilliant handling package, but it is not as easy and effortless to drive as the Beat. But overall, Figo is better in terms of handling. Although, Beat surpised me with its very good road manners for such a small footed car. It is only secod to the Figo.

Final Words I am very much happy with my car. My friends recomended that I should buy a Figo or a Swift or something like that . I was influenced by their words . But when I drove those i didn't like them. Swift lacks the quality feel and is not sturdy enough . Interiors are a bit drab and cheap too. Though the maruti dealer was ready give me a flat 30,000 discount. The figo is from a generation ago and it feels very cheap . I can't believe this car got lots of awards . It is very unrefined and slow . It gives one of those truck like attitude . And the irritant fact is it doesn't have rear powerwindows, not even as an option . Every modern car has rear powerwindows except the alto and the alto k10 which are cheap and it is considerable . So when GM launched this car I went to their showroom out of curiosity . When I saw it in the flesh I liked it very much . It fits my requirements perfectly. I am happily recomending this ca to everyone.

Areas of improvement The only issue with this car is its small boot at 170 litre. But most modern cars has even smaller than this (A-star~129 litre , Ritz~159 litre). Another thing is small rear windows for which it feels a little cramped from the inside . I think GM should seriously think about this.

Style ,Space, Fuel Economy, featuressmall boot and rear windows

Exterior

 just a big WOW..!!!

once the car is coming in front of you, u can misttok it as chevy cruze for one sec. front grill is looking superb with metallic finish logo and border line with chrome. but i think once ur car will get old may b after one or two year that radiator grill will spoil the look of front cos of accumulation of dust and dullness of the black fiber grill.

side view is superb u can say i10 from the front and ritz from the back, good combination. the rear door handle is new thing in india but i found plastic quality very poor which can lose it darkness. bottom line is just looking mighty muscular....

from the back i found it almost similar to santro and ritz but looking good in LT model.for LS andPS its not that attractive.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 first look at the interior is mind blowing, nicely arranged gear box and cup/bottle holder, map holder at the door. central console is nicely finished with some good quality plastic.

music system is very poor i can say. but the light combination of black buttons and glowing blue light is superb. speedo meter is good but i found it similar to middle class bike like APACHE and all, not like civic's digital meter.

boot space at the front os okay but rear its not comfy. but good for 4 people.

inerior designing is too good but the plastic quality is very bad. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 okay. i found pick up is less compare to i 10. bit noist compare to i 10 n ritz. but over all good. automatic climate control ac is good which we are generally getting only in good sedans like sonata and optra n all. power steering is perfect not too hard and not too smooth. top speed i drove was 100 and i found it was stable. corner clearance and parking of this car in less space is very easy.

Ride Quality & Handling

 good.

Final Words

 superb car to go for + u r getting value for money.

Areas of improvement  

 only music system and seat material quality...

 

exterior, interior, fuel economy, stylingmusic system

Writing this review 45 days post- delivery and after driving for 1000 kms. I have the Chevrolet Beat base model with power steering and A/C (both are basic – no models without those features)

Background

My wife and I bought the Beat after a lot of evaluation of cars in the hatchback and entry level sedans.

The criteria: a fuel efficient car that can comfortably seat 5

The Drive

I usually drive in the city to commute to office and back in Mumbai - daily 45 kms, 30 kms freeway and the rest in traffic.  I drive with a combination of air conditioning off and on depending on the time of the day.  I don’t race beyond 80 kmph and prefer to drive at 65 even on the highways.

I got an average of 12.6 kmpl after initial check up and first servicing. I am expecting this to improve over time.

I don’t want to comment on the looks and upholstery of the car as that is purely a matter of personal choice. To summarize the positives and negatives:

Positives:

·         Value for money : 1200 cc car with a good average

·         Comfortable ride

·         Optimal spacing inside the cabin – leg room, head room is good

·         Decent fuel economy

·         3 year warranty program

Negatives:

·         A/C pulls down the performance noticeably

·         Acceleration is a bit tight (this can be worked upon though I think)

·         Pick-up suffers in lower gears.

Overall Verdict:  Satisfied. More updates when I get to 5000 kms.

Good fuel economy, SpacePick-up in lower gears

 

Exterior AWESOME LOOKS, EXTERIORS, STYLISH CAR😄.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) GOOD SPACE AND COMFORT , GOOD INTERIORS. GIVES FEEL OF SEDAN.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox NOISELESS ENGINE, SMOOTH GEARBOX, OVERALL GOOD PERFORMANCE. MY CAR HAS DONE FEW HUNDREDS KMS AND ITS FE IS 13 KMS/LTR. HOPE IT WILL IMPROVE AFTER IST SERVICE. Chevrolet should maintain product quality, competitive pricing and after sales service network.I hope if Chevrolet focus on all above parameters then this company will going to stay here and will give tough competition to its counterparts.

 

Ride Quality & Handling AWESOME, stable ride, smooth handling. Basicially i've two cars --- Wagon r and Maruti 800 AC.But after test dive of Beat and comparing it with the other two in regard of mileage , spare parts, Monthly maintainenance i bought Beat LS.

 

Final Words GOOD PACKAGE, Chevrolet should bring good cars other than spark, beat and cruze in Indian Market.Company should work on the exteriors of spark.

Company should focus on customer's satisfaction in terms of pricing, low cost maintainenance, resale value , good fuel economy and other various parameters.

 

Areas of improvement Fuel Efficiency.

 

GOOD LOOKS,INTERIORS, SPACE AND COMFORTFE

Exterior

superb styling with excellent back door handles, the front headlights are very cute and above all the chervolet badge gives it a very posh look.a very very sorty looking modern small car of the 21st century at a very very resonable price.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

quite spacious considering that its a small car,can easily accomodate 4 huge adults.the leg space is also adequate.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

the drive is very very smooth and also the gear shifting is very soft and comfortable.fuel economy the best among its competitors it gives 18 km per litre of petrol in city.

Ride Quality & Handling

very good.the car gives a good ride even on bad roads.handling of the car is quite comfortable.

Final Words

best value for money car currently available in in india. superb exterior design compareable to the best in the world.the interior finish of the car defies its small price and is of the highest standards.remote on steering is missing on the top end model or it could had given even the i 20 a run for its money.

Areas of improvement  

 

top end model should have remote on steering and sun roof to give a killer punch to all its rivals even the i20.

gm shoud also add its famous 100000 km free mantainance programme to this car to make this car the top selling small car in india.

newest style exteriortop end model does not have remote controls of radio/cd player on steering

atlast i found a perfect city hatch for me and my family in the chevy beat .

price - in my budget for my first car .

Styling -  suits my personality .

features -  whats required in a hatchback to drive effortlessly in city .

space -  enough for 4 people and some luggage .

power  -  1.2 ltrs DOHC , more than enough to win against the altos , santros and indicas around .even the i10 and ritz if you have the racing dna.

quality  -  finsihing and interiors much better than we have seen in india yet .

test drive -   has test driven the car and it has a comfortable and sedanlike drive and interior feel .  AC good , music system is not a blaupunkt  but can always upgrade it . tyres little lousy in size  but 14 inch wheels give you a option to upgrade to a good size .

fuel economy -  promised is around 18kmph but we can get 14-15  in the clutch/brake city drive

considering the above factors , i have booked a chevy beat LS version  and would recommend to first time buyers  who are looking for a quality city hatch at a excellent cost of ownership.

 

 

Allround car .tryre size