Maruti’s A-Star is not only an important car for Maruti but even for Hyundai. After the launch of the Hyundai i10, Maruti hasn’t had swift sales. However the A-Star is set to change that. The Maruti A-Star has been priced very well and we won’t be suprised if it becomes the car of the year either. However its not all that good as it appears.
Surely the A-Star looks cute and uses the latest K series engine but Maruti seems to be missing the point. Well almost. They already have 4 cars in the same segment and they plan to launch the Splash as well. How many small cars will Maruti launch? They should phase out the Wagon R and Zen Estilo.
The A-Star surely is a good car and has the capabilities to take the fight to Hyundai’s i10. It looks cute and built quality is better than the Swift. The mid range VXi comes with integrated audio system with remote. However tachometer is only present on the top model. A bit disappointing and looks like an afterthought.
Rear legroom is nothing to talk about either. But then remember this is a small car and targetted towards unmarried bachelors :P aka the youth and people who want a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th car in their garage.
Boot space is good for a small car and the interiors seem to be a control + c and control + v job from the Swift. The steering, AC vents, gear lever are a few things which are straight lift from its elder sibling. Not that its a bad thing but Grand Vitara owners will feel a bit upset about same.
The A-Star ZXi at Rs. 4.9 lacs OTR, Mumbai is not only expensive but makes me wonder why would i buy a small A-Star for that much money when i can get a Maruti Swift VXi. The VXi variant is going to be selling the most. Overall the A-Star is a car in the right direction for Maruti but it might just not be able to dethrone the i10. Test Drive review to follow, stay tuned.
Loading ...
{ 422 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
I think this was the best portal so far i came across for my doubts regarding the purchase of a new car. But still a small query
I am planning A* Vxi but the comments in favour of i10 have made me to reconsider. I stay in gurgaon and my drive is around 75 kms/day and i have planned to go for CNG installation post purchase. the decision shifts towards A* becasuse of the space as compared to i10 but i10 boasts its powerful engine. as read from other portals, A* suffers with a problem of running at high speed of just over 80km/hr(i would request Mr Sundar to comment). My main points of consideration are space, pick-up power, VFM and resale. so as i will go for CNG installation, what should my decision be considering all the parameters mentioned above??
Thanks!!
Mayank, putting after market CNG will void you warranty and won’t be as reliable. Better to get a factory fitted LPG/CNG car. You can get the Spark LPG.
Dear Fas
yes, i do understand that but unfortunately A* is not available with factory fitted CNG variant and again spark is a car which doesnt score well on space..and moreover i didnt like spark’s interior. so Im still ambivalent :(
i would highly appreciate if you or anybody else could throw some light on A* performance and engine pickup at higher speeds.
HI Sunder,
Thanks a lot for your Valuable and encouraging comments.sunder i have few more questions on which i would like you to comment.
1.What is the actual milage of I10 & A*.
2.Is it true that A* disappoints over 80 speed(as i saw one comment on this forum only).
3.Is it really worthy to buy an I10 rather than A*.
4.Is A* as good on roads as it look on the paper.
Thanks
Mayank, Maruti A-Star has good performance for its segment. However if you fit CNG kit, the performance will go down drastically and so will the boot and warranty. Better to buy a Swift LDi for 50k more.
Aseem, (Mayank, second answer is for you as well)
1.What is the actual milage of I10 & A*? – I get a 16kmpl. Some seem to get more and some seem to less. You can expect a 14 in the worst case. I remember Fas saying 12 KMPL for i10 in city. This is still lower than the worst you can get in an ASTAR.
2.Is it true that A* disappoints over 80 speed(as i saw one comment on this forum only). – I did not get your questopn – are you taking about the handling or do you ask if it does not go beyound 80? The handling is superb and inch perfect. I would say THE BEST in class. You do a test drive, your confidence to drive fast, take curves will be sky high due to its handling. I did not get this feeling even in the i10. The engine does makes little noise if you go beyound 100 – but no vibration. I have taken my Astar till 140 speeds. 100s, 120s is not a problem and appears very normal to this small engine and the way it sounds its like it tells you – do you want to go more? , I am ready!. I drive around the 80s with medium traffic in the ring roads all the time.
3.Is it really worthy to buy an I10 rather than A*? Its a decision thats yours. List down your requirements and map againt the cars that you test drove or researched on and choose the one that meets the best. For me Astar just meet and went beyound my expectations. I would even suggest look beyound i10s and Astars and make your choise.
4.Is A* as good on roads as it look on the paper – It looks better on the road than whats on the paper and many people’s eyes.
Manyak,Fas is correct, for a 75km per day requirement you should go for a diesel car. Swift LDI would be better if you can stretch your budget.
Aseem, if you are ok with the space in Astar – just go for it.
Hi sunder,
Thanks for the remarkable comments….u talked about ring road r u from delhi.
sunder,
A* vXi has no body coloured side mirrors and its sterio system without remote?
Vinayak Prasad says : -
Has anyone looked at Ritz’s performance? it provides excellant mileage ( 15 km in delhi), has good space, gives outstanding performance (1.2 l engine) even at 100 KMPH. It is Value for money ( 4.6 lakh on road for VXi).
Aseem, your totally right. VXi doesn’t have many features.
Aseem, VXI does not have body colored mirrors. But the remote for audio system is not a part of even the top varient ZXI. My friend has an i20 asta, it does not have a remote as well. actually i have not seen a model with remote for integrated system, But I have not driven very high end cars yet :P. Although Swift ZXI and even the Ritz ZXI has control buttons on the steering wheel. Hope this helps. I am in Bangalore.
Thanks Fas and Sundar for your prompt comments.
I have a swift VXI already, so getting another one of diesel variant is out of question. thats why i was looking for other options. Moreover im a bit skeptical about any diesel car’s performance as projected(would appreciate if any of you could add on to it) as my cousin was not satisfied with his indica.
I happened to visit the maruti showroom and saw Ritz but i found it less sapcious compared to swift and its rear didnt impress me at all.
and imho the performance is a bit exaggerated as metnioned above.
Will be going for a test drive of A* and i10. will post soon :)
Mayank, performance of Indica and Swift diesel cannot be compared. Swift uses the latest tech engine from Fiat, the Multijet wheras Indica is old school. Why don’t you test drive the Swift and see for yourself. You will be suprised by the performance.
Hi Fas & All,
Can somebody send me A* sun copper colour pics its asim.icici@gmail.com & fixing body coloured mirror on A* vxi gonna cost me for HOW MUCH.
Mayank,
if u have done with test drive of i10 & A*.please submit ur comments.
Dear Aseem,
I visited hyundai and maruti showroom yesterday and found i10 to be very compact with very little space and moreover the CNG version is available only in i10-era. didnt test drive i10 as it didnt meet my specifications n requirements.
But ya i did drive A* and found all claims of it not exceeeding 90Km/hr or engine making prominent sound, as baseless. the car is smooth, picks up well even on A/c with 3 people on board.
But a single feature of ‘driver’s seat height adjustment’, if present would have made me give it full marks. I think i will give it a 9 on 10.
Hope this helps!!
Aseem the pics you see above of the A-Star is the sunlight cooper.
hI ALL,
tHANKS FOR UR VIEW …ONE QUESTION LEFT FROM MY EARLIER COMMENT
Aseem, out of both the cars, the i10 felt way better to drive.
Raghu says : -
Sure Fas, Between A-Star and i10, I felt the latter – of one which I am a proud owner – better to drive….The gear position of i10 very innovative.. I dont know whether any other car has it – you dont have to bend your elbow while operating the gear, as it is positioned slightly higher than the usual position between the two front bucket seats.
Raghu
hi…….my dad is going to take a car…he wants A.C AND POWER STARING FEATURES.As our old car ALTO didnt hv the same..our budget is 3.5-4L…please suggest me…m very fond of ASTAR lxi bt my dad want to go 4 santro xing….which one will be bttr can u plz tell me
Srijata, the A-Star is a better car than the Santro. The A-Star is more fuel efficient and Maruti service is better than any other companies service. New Santro will be launched next year.
thnx ….i hope i ll get the resale value too..as my dad is saying that he doesnt see the car on the road.it doesnt hv the demand or wat?..if i ll sale ths A* after 4-5 years thn santro xing…..is the parts of A* is like other maruti cars… or its expensive…..is A* makes sounds above 90kms??????????is it very prominent?
dear all….. i have an estiool, it is 2yrs old now i want to go for another car, is it wise to go for a star? plz help
Srijata, A-Star has very good resale value. Maruti cars have the best resale, much better than Hyundai. Spare parts are decently priced, not very expensive nor very cheap. Noise above 90kmph is not very prominent, but being a small hatch there is some noise in the cabin.
Arka, you can go ahead with the A-Star. However why not look at something bigger after the Zen Estilo, like the Maruti Ritz or Maruti Swift.
FAS.thanx for ur comment….
ARKO: y dont u go for swift as FAS said….hv hrd its a very good car…..and ull get the space too.FAS wat abt milage of ritz???????? is it a good car?
hi fas im buy the car one month back ago, honda city vtec 2002 model , 43000km running , now its going nice , please give me sugissions how to maintain this car, thankyou
Hi Fas & All,
i am getting my Astar vxi delivered in 7-8 days.what car security system will meet real car security requirments.dealer is asking 3800 for autocop basic model and 5500 for Nippon otheriwse its cheap if we get form outside.
my question is
1.can it void my car warrenty if remote lock get fitted from outside but not from the maruti dealer.
2.xenos is 2550 from xenos dealer in chennai(should i go for).
3.or a gear lock pple say it make ur interiors ugly.
fas wat u suggest about a star vxi car security if you can send me any details about it.
Thanks
Hi,
Anyone having knowledge about when the new swift gonna launch(with KB series engine)? I know it will be next year but in what month?
Ani
Anand, make sure you get the car serviced regularly. The Honda City VTEC has a superb engine but there are some problems with the car like the O2 sensor and the exhaust falling off. However these problems can be rectified. Make sure you put normal fuel and not high octane.
Aseem, congratulations on booking the A-Star VXi. You can install the security system from outside without any worries and it won’t void your warranty. You really don’t need to put a gear lock. Infact the car already comes with iCATS, so you need not worry, just install the Xenos system.
Ani, the new Swift with KB engine will be launched in the next couple of months.
Hi fas & all,
how to find out VIN on car.how to find out month & year of car make with VIN .
any tips for PDI.
Aseem, just open the hood all the details will be there. Manufacturing date will be written inside the engine bay.
Hi fas,
please suggest me brands for car seat covers for my a star vxi and dealers in chennai
Whats your budget? You can get any brand just make sure the quality is good. Just head over to the nearest accessory store. They stock all kinds of seat covers.
Hi Fas,
I have finalized i10 1.2 Magna after lot of research. A-Star quiet small for my family & No boot. Swift LDI costing Rs.1.06 lac more.
So no other care better than 1.2 Magan i found. I hope this is right decision.
I am getting it on Janmastmi———Colour is still to be selected.
Your suggestions are welcomed.
Ankur, the i10 1.2 Magna is a good car. Swift is a diesel car and has better dynamics but the Hyundai has better built quality. Go ahead with the i10, its a very good car.
Hi i am vishal i want to buy new car & i want to buy I10(CNG).I just want to know that wheather my decision to buy I10(CNG) is ok or not.Is there any other option for me.As i have to drive 150KM daily. Is CNG is ok for me?
Vishal, CNG is not such a good alternative atleast infront of diesel. CNG will use most of the boot, make the car slow and refinement will go for a toss. Better still get the Swift Diesel or any other diesel car.
Hi Fas & All,
i could not find out my cars makemonth & year.i opened the hood there is a series of number printed downside of hood last digit is D9.agent says that is yer of car make.just help me out to find out this.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Aseem, I am not sure about Maruti’s but in Honda there is a clear stamp of month and year inside the hood. I will just check with Maruti regarding the A-Star and get back to you.
hi fas,
i am desperately waiting for your reply
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
{ 3 trackbacks }