Last November I was Confused to decide among Esteem,Accent, Getz after my parents sold santro and there was a bit urgency of a decision to be taken.Ikon wasnt even in the picture as I thought that becoz it is american, the spares and maintenance will be costlier to hyundai or maruti;and we Indians generally prefer Korean and Japanese brands traditionally (we think they are more reliable and within budget).
Initially I thought of Getz as it was new launch,and in driving too it appeared Ok and very santro like..But when you are getting Accent GLE for mere 50K extra, which is far better than Getz in every sense, it made even more sense to go for Accent.(Later on I looked on features Getz offered and was clear that it is costly car in terms of what they are offering me)
Two cars remained: Esteem and Accent.Still no Ikon in picture.The decision rested on approval of my parents,esp on my mother;whose seating comfort will be of utmost importance. So we made a visit to karnal, which has showroom of each and every car maker( it is 70 Km from my home town).One of my friend suggested me to just test drive ikon as well as he told me that I would change my decision after I test drove it.
So I went to Ford Dealer to see what is there in Ikon that my friend asked me about.I have driven Accent, Esteem prior to going for Ford's,and Accent was too uncomfortable for my mother;its ease of entering and getting out was the worse among all cars.My mom rejected it straight.Though she liked Esteem, but she wasnt convinced that it is the car that will should go for.( she doesnt have anything to do how is engine, and performance)
In Ikon,Mom and papa in back and I, on driver's seat, ignited the vehicle...there was a roar ;not that silent one as others but a little angry, alive and more sporty like. I took the car on GT Road Karnal and the first thing that I noticed was the brilliant response of the steering;it just obeyed to me as a slave and I moved the car as I wish to, even on speed of 100Kmph!!
I thought that the rough terrain will give a good test, so I took the car in the roughness on the side of the highway.To my surprise, it just glided over the roughs. Than when I took car to 3 figure mark, I was immensely impressed by the way car behaved, and I took every possible test of the car on 3 digit figures;revved it upto maximum in smaller gear, accelerated furiously, waved steering right and left and the feeling of adrenaline rush was tremendous for me.
The car was encouraging me to put it in the corners with every second.The time passing quickly as I wanted more and more. I drove the car for 10 kms and decided that the car is much more fun than any of cars I have driven,it was also most comfortable of the cars available in 5-6 lakh bracket( barring Baleno I suppose, as Ikon is a little stiffer sprung to give better handling)
My mom sitting in backside said that the backseat was immensely comfortable,much more than either Accent, esteem and Getz.Hyundai's had positives too, good interiors, space and Hyundai's peace of mind to me as I was their earlier customer.But my Family rejected both the cars as they have now the experience of a better car, Ikon. We bought Ikon Anniversary edition on Nov 4, 2004 and it has given my family immense pleasure to own one.I will recommend it to everyone who looks for car in between 4.5-6 lakhs.
Its pro's:
1.JOSH....Josh....JOSH:Josh is the theme of this car, and you better drive it to feel this:but u should be young at heart and ready to move this car in the corners.I regard the pleasure of driving better than even Honda City, which has a better engine with unmatched refineness and pickup...but not as great handling as this car.Not as much comfortable also.
- Very comfortable: it is much more comfortable than the japanese and Korean cars.And once speed is built, the comfort levels is extraordinary.
3.Solid built: Amazingly solid....built to last body.
Con's:
1. Plastic quality in interiors not as good as rivals
- More sound intruding in cabin,of engine as well as outside.
Summary:
It depends on what you want from a car.If you want nice interiors, plastics, roominess and are sure that Hyundai is the brand that gives more peace of mind(i am not) than Accent is a good car no doubt, provided your mother can get easily and out of the rear seat( mine doesnt).It is softly sprung, comfortable as far as suspension in concerned.Sips a lot of petrol, performance ok ok and handling too.But it doesnt promise that, does it?it is a no frills, simple car with nothing that could excite you or feel you special.
Getz is useful only of you want some fancy item along with a car.It will be useful if you find uneasy to move a car in traffic as it is short in length and reversing it is easier than other cars.Its good gear shift is another good point.But no more than that.Read the article I have written on Getz with title ''Not good enough''.
Ikon is useful if you want driving pleasure as well as comfort.It has a slightly higher seating position, and back seat is amazingly comfortable, second only to our own Ambassador.Engine is good, power being available across whole rpm band. And the suspension is where Ikon leaves other cars to dust.It is because of this suspension, along with sharp steering that It is such a delight to drive.But you should be young at heart to do that, otherwise Koreans will be better suited to you as Ikon lacks the good plastics of Hyundai's. for me, I will buy a Ikon anytime in comparison to Accent
Update 16/03/05
Its been 5 months to my car and it has done 5500 km, and a service from Pearl Ford.My love for it has gone only more.Its highway performance is the one that stands out.At 80 kmph in 5th gear, it is so difficult to maintain a constant speed, as a miniscule change in pressure on your right foot takes speed above 100 kmph.
And the most impressive is the high speed stability.This car just glides over all kinds of surfaces especially at high speed; feeling like tyres are glued to the road.Stiffness at low speed pays when speed is more, imparting a solid road presence to this car.overtaking is a breeze, and the engine begs for more and more everytime.At high speeds, moving steering a little gives a breathtaking feedback of the suspension and the manners of this great car.
It is giving me 11-12 Kmpl in city.On highway, it gave me 16 kmpl while AC was on throughout 400 kms of my travel.I am happy on this front too The best part of the engine is that the power is available everytime, every gear(except when you are driving at much low RPMs, near 1000 mark when the engine is not that quick).Take the speed high, and the engine gets more responsive everytime.Unlike Accent and Getz, it never goes out of breath.
One thing more, i like the build quality of this car.The metal sheet is very thick, and door gives a distinct sound while closing(feels like built to last).this is the thing one wouldnt find in japanese and korean cars.It is a character in its own might and one of the best values for money in the indian car market.
Will keep writing from time to time
