The fact that Maruti is the oldest automaker in the country and knows the market better than anyone else is exhibited in its vehicles. Even though it hasn't received bouquets for the launch of its luxury sedan Kizashi it is still capable enough of giving the high end car makers sleepless nights. And with the launch of SX4 diesel, Maruti has made it clear it is ready to break out of the image of a small car maker. The diesel variant has given the car a much needed edge over competition and here is was it has to offer:
Engine: The SX4 powered by a 90bhp Multijet diesel unit that does duty in the Fiat Linea. The SX4 does the 0 to 100 kmph sprint in 13.8 seconds and easily touches a top speed of 165kph. Reaching the 5200rpm redline is no cause of worry for the rev-happy engine assisted by an improved gearshift. The engine refining is also impressive. The car would give you a mileage of about 13.2kpl in the city and 17.1kpl on the highway. The car is priced between RS7.44 8.62 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
SX4 Special: What sets the Maruti SX4 apart is not just the performance and ride quality but the fact that Maruti is the first automaker to comply with OBD 2 under which a constant check is needed on the amount of pollutants emitted by a car throughout its life. The SX4 will alert the driver to take the car to the workshop via a warning system on the dash if the level of pollution crosses permissible limit.Looks: The car has hints of its hatchback sibling Swift in the side vents, steering wheel, gear lever et al but overall there are very few interior changes from its petrol variant.The driving position in the SX4 is a little elevated and the overall space and seating in the car are very comfortable. The car's chrome highlights lend it an upmarket look and its decent overall build quality makes it an easy to own car. The SX4 is good on the stability front and handles well on turns and rough patches.