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If we go by the Which Car? questions that we keep getting, it looks like the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R has competition from its own stablemate, the new Zen Estilo. I can perfectly understand the emotions of car buyers across the country. They have Rs 4 to 4.5 lakh to spend on a car and have decided against the Hyundai Santro for reasons ranging from looks to Shahrukh. Essentially these are captive buyers for the Maruti-Suzuki combine. As in, they were driving the Maruti 800 in their past life or are first time buyers who want a slightly bigger Maruti as their first car. And what happens when they land up at a dealership is amazing – they get confused. Let me explain.
I walked into a Maruti showroom in the Mumbai suburbs and I was offered two cars – the not-so-cheerful salesman told me to buy the Wagon R, but led me to the Zen Estilo. ‘This is new Gen, sir, very good pick-up, everything from Wagon R only,’ he said. But would he recommend one? ‘No problem if you don’t like Gen sir, Wagon R price is very similar.’ He was in no mood to help matters. My agenda was to choose a car for a relative who wanted a new car and of course, maximum bang for the buck. I picked up some brochures and headed back home and decided to file this story.
Actually the wise men at Maruti Udyog’s marketing department like the situation – people choosing between Suzuki models. I had a long chat with Mayank Pareek, marketing head at MUL, and he told me that while it looks rosy, selling far too many cars in a not-so-elastic price range is tricky. ‘It has worked for us, but we had to work to make it happen,’ he said. So then, the idea is to dominate the grey matter inside prospective buyers, right? Great if they get confused between two MUL models as long as they don’t end up buying a Santro, right? Hmm... time for the super motoring journalist to change into his underpants and cape and rescue the world then, what say?Before we get into dissection mode, let me tell you that both these cars are pretty clever devices. Especially if you intend to commute in one. While the Wagon R is the original tall boy, the MR Wagon nee the New Zen Estilo, was developed as an alternative with less boxy looks. Both are easy to drive and park and both are economical to a fault – and yes, they are as reliable as any modern refrigerator or television too. But continue reading if you want to choose one, because we will have one winner at the end of this story.
Looks
This is a classic case of quirky original vs cute impostor. And I personally would opt for the original here. The new Zen looks new age all right, but a tad too feminine for me to be walking into one everyday. Sure it is a very personal thing, still. There is something oh-so practical about the Wagon R and the recent facelift has not affected its status – that gory front grille not withstanding. While we are at it, let me say that general fit and exterior finish of these cars is pretty good.
Wagon R: ****
Zen Estilo: ***
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