Heres why SX4 diesel overtakes other cars in its class The SX4 is no spring chicken. The petrol version has been around since 2007,making it a familiar sight on our streets. And a diesel engine under the SX4s hood has been a long time coming. Lets not forget how well Marutis diesel products have fared. The Fiat-sourced engines are superbly transplanted,their performance is strong and the fuel economy is impressive. Maruti always gets the fundamentals right. The diesel SX4 uses the same 90bhp multi-jet diesel unit that powers the Fiat Linea. But while the Linea and the SX4 engines use the same hardware,electronic engine controller tuning and gearing differ in both the cars. In the SX4,noise levels are pretty impressive both when the motor is idle and when it is revved up. The SX4 engine feels smooth and refined enough,and this holds true for someone who drives a petrol powered car as well. Of course,please remember that this is a diesel engine. So dont expect it to be as smooth as your Honda. On the move,the SX4s diesel does something that not all diesels can accomplish. It pulls well all the way to 5,000rpm. This gives you much more of a power band to play with,and you dont need to shift gears as often. It,therefore, translates into a nicer driving experience,especially on open roads. The engine has a strong mid-range and it feels really gratifying to use at this engine speed. The nice spike in power means you dont miss the power of the petrol too much. It is around two seconds slower in going from 0-100 kmph,when compared to the petrol version and thats not too much of a gap. This is especially true when you consider how well the gearing has been matched to our road conditions,and this makes the SX4 feel more sprightly than it is. Maruti really has done a good job here. The SX4s gear-shift has also improved significantly,with the use of a detent pin,and its smoother now without the two steps needed earlier to slot the gear in. And,while this may seem like something small,remember how many times you shift gears on a single journey. The diesel motor also lends a hardy utilitarian character to the SX4. And this is backed up by the suspension. The tall suspension allows you to drive it over poor roads without a care; the oversized wheels and tyres give it a distinct edge over bad roads,as it simply thumps over potholes without a care in the world. The terrific ground clearance also means you dont have to worry about speedbreakers or slow down for rough patches and the 205/60-R16 tyres on the ZDi grip pretty well too. And braking is quite impressive too. The electric-power steering is light,though,and this makes it nice to drive in traffic. However,the electric steering also has a typically inconsistent feel and along with the high centre of gravity,its not the best car to attack a twisty road. But if you are looking at this car as a city runabout,this set-up is good. Diesel cars are expected to offer good fuel efficiency and the SX4 diesel does not disappoint. The SX4 will give you between 13 and 15 kpl,depending on how much traffic you encounter on your daily journey. You can expect close to 18kpl on the highway. In fact,with its large boot,spacious interiors and high ground clearance,the SX4 diesel,true to the Maruti brand,makes for a hassle-free city car. It makes for a great family car and its suited for highway use as well. It may not be as attractive as the Fiat Linea,whose engine it uses,but for space and practicality,almost no diesel car comes close. The ZDi is relatively expensive at Rs 8.6 lakh (ex showroom price,Delhi),but I recommend this model,as the cheaper VDi at Rs 7.7 lakh,has no safety features like anti-lock brakes and airbags. Your money or your life; it really is an easy decision.
