Good investment

Over 10 years upgraded from M800 to Fiesta SXI and now to Vento.

Have been researching from March this year to buy a new car.  It became a hobby to test drive during week ends.  Viewed 30GB of reviews on youtube in one month before i firmed up Vento.

Not clear on what i want between Hatchback and Sedan, looked at every thing. Figo, Polo, Swift, Dzire, New fiesta, Verna, Vento, Jetta.  one thing for sure, wanted a diesel.

The new Swift was too good, exceptionally good than its competition in hatchback. Waiting period and factory problem was an issure for me.

Dzire was ok with me. But After Sales Service of Maruthi was more cost effective than quality, atleast that was my experience.  I could argue with service team to compromise and get away only to feel bad a few days later that i should have shelled out all the monies asked for the comfort.  Somehow this soft attitude of service put me in a tight spot not knowing how much to argue with them and how much to compromise.  This was not the case with Fiesta where the service folks were clear about changes, nothing called repair.  It did hurt my cashflow, but the comfort was as good as the new car. 

Figo, Polo were ok for test driving, but i thought to own it after owning Fiesta SXI Petrol, i would not be happy with smaller space.

New Fiesta, Verna, Vento, Jetta were all good to me to drive and ride.  But the price for New Fiesta was something i could not reconcile with.  I felt it was about 3L more.  Verna was also good, but after driving Jetta my likes changed to VW.  Now the choice was getting limited to Vento and Jetta.   Jetta is a pure pleasure to drive, but could not afford to buy now so had to first get into Vento and keep my aspirations still on Jetta.

Booked my Vento in end Oct and the car was ready to be driven home by mid Nov.  I felt sales could have been more better than it was.  Had to ask many times to get a test drive of VW.

Exterior Very good, though not a sporty its look has its own charm. could have provided light indicators on the OVRM.  Body color reverse parking sensors are good, but wish even mud flaps are available in body color black color take away the beauty. chrome finish door handle would have enhanced the richness. Elegant and muscular looks.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Simple and purposeful. Spacious for all, Very good AC. OK music, could have been better if tweeters and remote were provided. I miss multi CD changer I enjoyed in Fiesta SXI. One touch and remote operation of window is very good. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Its to my liking.  Half way through, speed was at 120km on bangalore-chennai high way and this is only so much my mind can process speed so could not test the full speed of car.  Not spontaneous to respond, though time lag is noticeable, does not rob away ride quality.  Noticed i got 20kmpl (diesel) on highway, was happy to see the reading.  Gear box a bit harder compared to my earlier sedan, getting used to this bit of rigidity helps.  Reverse gear was something i had to unlearn of the past and learn newly from Vento, after 15 days now, my mind is able to change to reverse gear without any discomfort. At 120km on highway, thought i sometimes experienced mild vibration on the steering.

Ride Quality & Handling Very good.  i would move rating to superb if only engine noise getting into cabin is cut off. Ride quality on high way with 100+ or in city at just around 30+ both are equally enjoyable and smooth. A little bit slow to respond when it comes to speed. Functioning of ABS is good. 

Final Words Initial experience is good. Meeting expectations till now. good ride quality, very good AC, good Instrument cluster, just loving it

Areas of improvement Eliminate engine noise coming into cabin, provide more Electronics,  provide 15 inch alloy wheel for spare too, reposition front arm rest or the hand brake. Need reverse light on both sides cannot accept arguments of European standards for Indian ways of driving.

Ride, Control, Climatic ACengine noise into cabin, smaller spare wheel