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When I bought my car, I did a comparison of the available choices. Many friends have been asking me my views on the Hyundai Santro Vs. Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R since these are the most sought after. Both are very popular hatchbacks sold in India. Here are some of my thoughts.
Hyundai being the underdogs is always the first to offer better features such as MPFI engine and ABS. They also tend to be more aggressive and Maruti dealers have the take it or leave it attitude.
Maruti has a bigger service network and the cost of spares it cheaper.
Both cars are tall boy model and have high seating. This add to driving/seating comfort and makes it easy for people to get in and get out.
Here is the comparison.
Santro Pros:
- Better Looks (as compared to Wagon-R).
- More comfortable to Drive.
- Better Service.
- Better Pickup.
- Provision for 4 speakers, Wagon-R has provision for only 2.
- Perceived to be more expensive.
- Air conditioning more effective hence cooling is better.
- Ability to adjust the side view mirrors from inside.
- Seat belts for 5 passengers, Wagon-R has only 4. Santro is also approved for 5 people and Wagon-R has got approval for only 4 passengers. Not that anyone ever checks but still.
Wagon-R Pros:
- Better resale value.
- Cheaper cost of spares.
- Bigger service network than Hyundai.
- Slightly more fuel efficient. Although now Santro has new eRLX engine which is suppose to have improved mileage.
- Better Engine and electronic power steering.
- Cheaper.
- Option for Airbags (only available in the top of the line model).
- Slightly more leg space and better comfort for tall people.
- The seats can be dropped completed to create a bed or even a double bed. Useful while traveling and someone can sleep.
I also suggest that irrespective of which car you decide to buy, don’t compromise on safety. Pay that extra for ABS and Airbags (only in Wagon-R).
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I see that the shock absorbers used in santro and wagon-R are the same and equally good (gas filled).
I found the wagon-R exposing more shock/vibrations than the santro (both were brand new vechilcles, far better than test drive vehicles)
What is this due to ?
Can the slightly wider tyres in santro cause this advantage, I presume that just gives more road grip and and better balance on topling (which wagon-R might lose out on )
Do let me know any inputs on the shock absorbing.
(also both vehciles weigh more-or-less the same [gross))
I haven’t driven Wagon R much but I do find the Santro extremely comfortable in bad road conditions.
I own a Wagon R and the Santro was the first car i drove.Beleive me guys,the wagon r has much better pick up and top speed.The santro’s transmission,ride,handling and rear seat comfort are better though.As far sales and service is concerned,Maruti is doing a job that is pretty good.But at the time of sale,Hyundai offers much better explanation of features and is generally very aggressive.As far as safety is concerned,the wagon r’s top model now features both abs and airbags thus offering a much safer package.
Yes the new Wagon-R has some nice additional features such as Airbags and ABS. Santro already has ABS, they don’t have Airbags. But Santro has an option for ABS in any model where as Wagon-R offers it only in the top of the line model. Also if you add the Airbags, Wagon-R becomes as expensive as a mid size car!
My experience with Maruti’s Service hasn’t been bad but in my experience Hyundai’s service was more professional.
Wagon r sales have grown 60% compared to last year (santro is ony 19%). Wagon r is the fastest selling model in its category. Wagon R has better techonology, after sales service, better resale value, more space, safety features (ABS, airbags). Competition, what’s that?
Santro has been approved for seating 5 people where as Wagon-R has only been approved for 4. This could be a consideration for some.
Wagon R design is BAD. It was used originally as Milk Van in Japan :(. I own a Santro and it is superior car both in ride and comfort.
I am planning to buy a car and couldnot decide whether to go for Santro(xing) or WagonR.
let me know the better one of these two
Where Santro’s looks are better or not but the technology is Korean and in the other hand Wagon R is a Japanese Car. That says it all.
I want to buy a car but I’m in a dilemma regarding which one to go for: Hyundai Santro or Zen LXi?
Zen is an old design, Both Santro and Wagon R have better design in terms of comfort. This is because of high seating. Its also easier to get in and get out of the car and the internal space is more.
from last few months i was confused whether to go for the santro xing or the wagonR Lxi when i test rided the both then i came to know that the santro is best car in india.
santro is good luking but wagon r ha a superior engine and better stability at high speeds whaile santro has more egronomic interiors. ask me all ur car related troubles at ishan_cc@yahoo.com………..i promise to answer u free of cost!!!!!!!!!
Wagon R is the best bet and value for money which has a sturdy engine, better mileage (12-13 in City and 18-19 in long drives) and its Power Steering is the best in its category (WagonR/Zen/Santro).
I am planning to buy a car, but in dilemma whether to go for Santro xing XG or WagonR Vxi.
Let me know.
East or West…..
SANTRO is the Best…..Wonderful service.. Wonderful Performance and Pleasureful driving experience
I taken the test ride of Santro and WagonR. Both of the cars are equally powerful but wagonR takes the advantage in it’s engine quality. WagonR is having gud cutting and the engine is really cool n powerful.
I am in a dilemma between Santro and Zen. I have heard that Santro is shaky at speeds above 90kmph. How true is that?
wagonr is best reaches about 150 kmp
Dear All,
Can any body comment on Santro XG (giong to be Stop XG model) is better then OX export model lunching .
I like Santro for its look, but I donot know the other part of it like fuel consumption ,Mainteneace and the Engine condition on High speed.
I am thinking of purchasing a car of this segment so which will be better car among Wagon R, Zen, Santro?
regards,
Ram
WagonR is very very very superior to all cars of its category in the matter of pickup and flexibility.Easy U-turns can be taken effortlessly.
The MilkVan in Japan is just a derivative of wagonR and not exactly WagonR.
It is very true that Santro shakes after 90kmph.
I think people that Santro is best have not gone above90kph or have not driven a wagonr.
I always go smoothly through highways at 140-150kmph with easy and flexible overtakings in a WagonR.
What else do you want?The superior japanese technology says it all.
People in confusion for whether a santro or a WagonR may straight away
contact your nearest Maruti dealer and grab a WagonR.
hi ,
i am in a great dilemma which one to go for santro XG or wagonr lxi.
advice me
wht does ovrm and abs mean
I need a brief comparison of Santro, Zen and Wagon-R, very quickly. There is a very good offer from Maruti till 15th. In fact Wagon-R have the best offer, then Zen. Santro is a bit expensive including their offer, though the on-road cost is less.
If I can afford, then Santro is the choice. otherwise what are the pros and cons of Zen & W-R over this? Pls study the engines, pick-up, milage, sitting arrangement, rear passengers comfort, luggege space, spare-parts & maintenance cost. If any possibility of phasing out of these models are there and what is the risk associated in that case.
Look and style-wise my choice Santro-zing>Zen>W-R, is it correct. Pl comment.
Are car loans insured?
Hi,
Recently after much R&D between Santro Xing and Wagon R. I finally went for Wagon R. Here are a few reasons.
1) Pricewise whatever features Wagon R Lxi provides is much more than what you get with a Santro at the same price.
2) Wagon R is much more aerodynamically designed which supports the fact that most users over here are happy with its high speed performance. It also has a tremendous pickup.
3) Wagon R is a 16 bit MPFI engine where as Santro is 12 bit. So the fuel efficiency is better in Wagon R.
4) I really liked the power steering. Wagon R has a electronic power steering where as Santro has hydraulic PS. Negotiating curves in the city is much better.
Though I would say I was not much impressed with the shocks after driving through the numerable number of potholes in Pune. Santro I guess has wider tyres. And definitely Santro looks much much better.
But in the end I wanted a car that I can drive for at least 5 yrs (till my car loan gets over :-)) and then get a good resale value which the Santro can never beat.
Thanks
Hi all
I own a WagonR Vxi, its really better compared to Santo xing, the pickup, milege, AC effect………….
Pls. buy WagonR don’t go for Santro….. the engine is not peppy………
I am planning to buy a car with AUTOMATIC transmission. If any one have good experience with cars having automatic gears please respond.
i have recently purchased wagon r lxi pearl silver…………its a wonderful car …a value for money compared to santro
Can any one know what is the mileage of new santro xing xl both city and highway with and without ac. Please let me know, I am planning to buy it.
Hi,
I have just booked my first car – Santro Xing XL (eRLX). I compared this with WagonR but in WagonR, I didn’t like rear seat. It can accommodate only 2. Also, the look was not good. I thought, if I touch 110-120 in highway and try to overtake, it might fall down.
I want to know about the mileage the new eRLX technology offers – with A/C & without A/C in City (Bangalore) and on highways. Please give me more tips about maintaining. I tend to take it out of Bangalore occassionally to places.
Just look at these differences and then decide,
WGNR Max Speed: 155 kmph as against Xing: 142.2
WGNR Valves/cylinder:4 as against Xing 3
WGNR Mileage: 14.5 kmpl as against Xing 13.2 kmpl
Breaking 80-0 : 35 m as against Xing 38.4 m
apart from 16 bit processor (as against Xing 12 bit), the leg space and height are known positives. Dash board is pretty wide too with a lot of features, More space for lugguage etc. Performance of AC is also better in WGNR.
I agree Santro Xing is better in looks and looks more palatable, but comparing the other features, it is better to sacrifice style and looks and enjoy driving a WagonR.
I am in confusion which car is the best SANTRO or ZEN.I have to buy new car and am already using ZEN Lxi for the last two years.
Please advise at the earliest as i Have to buy in next two days.
Thanks in advance.
HI all,
I am bit confussed while opting Wagon-R LXi or Santro XL,
My concern is that how much difference comes in comfort if there sits 3 at back???
No doubt as santro hav bit more space at back but Can one sacrifice this for other benifits with Wagon-R, like maintanace cost, leg-room & head-room (as all in my family r of 6′) and a lot many more.
So if the difference in comfort is not so sognificant , I would better go for wagon-R.
& Last but not least – What is the average of both in city??????
thanks & regards
Harish Masand
Hi !!
I have recently booked a santro xing eRLX xo model i was previously using a santro xing xg model, the reason for me to buy another santro was because santro has always been improving on its quality eversince day 1, i took the new santro xing eRLX for the test ride, this new model has a better pick up and more power and i belive that this ones gonna give better mileage aswell, so i thought lets pick it up, since my driving is almost 70 km/day i need a more fuel effecient car, as far as comfort is concerned its a perfect 5 seater car, with ample leg soon in the front & sufficient legs room in the rear.
Cheers !
Hi,
I have been a Wagon R LXi owner for over 4 years now and have done 60K kms on my car. It’s an extremely practical car for everyday use. And I think the new Wagon R with integrated indicators and all defiitely looks quite smart though may not be as curvy as the Santro.
I am now upgrading to a new car but I am really in two minds of giving up the Wagon R considering that it is extremely practical for everyday use in all respects.
I own both the Wagon R vxi bs3 and Santro Zing XS Erlx.
My commnets
My wagon R has run 26000 kms.
Wagon R +ves
Smoother, powerfull and fuel efficient.
Interiors go with the exterior of the car. A sensible dashboard.
Does not look like stable but is better than santros stability on highways.
Braking efficiency is defeniely better than santro.
Cost of maintenance is really whopping lower than santro.
-Ves
Only comfortable for 4.
Airconditioning is not as good as santro
Gear shift is a little notchy when compared to santro’s crispy gear shift.
Does not look as good as the santro.
Service is good if we are a little knowleageable about our own cars problems else problems are negleted by the service dealers.
On an average i have spent only 30% of the money i spent on my santro for maintenance. One more sure shot point is that santro’s fuel efficiency drops to 9 Kmpl in peak traffic with Aircon. I can bet on that. Wagon R is better on that with an average of 11.5 Kmpl with aircon in worst traffic conditions.
Though the Hyndai is more appealing and customer care is very good the car does not seem to do justice for its cost. Most often the cost of regular maintenance is also unjustifyable. It almost is equalent to my Opel Corsa’s billing. Quite annoying for this small a car!
I am going to buy santro xing , i in delimma whether i go for alto ofr xing , which car has good milage.
Hi Saj,
I have recenlty bought Santro Xing Automatic car. It’s been very good so far. Driving is prettly cool. Mileage is somewhere around 9 to 9.5 km/litre so far. Will probably improve after first service.
What else do you want to know ?
Thanks,
Niraj
Hello,
Of course, santro Xing with eRLX technology can beat any cars in its segment. It gives me 15kms in hyderabad city conditions and 22kms in highways without Airconditioners.
I own a santro automatic since 6 months. The car is very very cool
to drive on congested roads. One wonders why such cars are not
popular in India. The only drawback is the milage. I get around 10-12
in the city ! On long drives..its gives about 14-16. My observation is
that if you don’t accelerate/deaccelerate too rapidly..you get better
milage. Also, one can put a CNG kit, this may help out.
i am a proud owner of wagon r lxi since last 2 years.its a very peppy car and with new looks no other car in category comes closer.
hi all
I want to buy a used Santro, model wud be 1998/1999. Is it possible to have the car with just Rs 1 Lac.
plz advice
Can any one tell me when was Santro Xing Xo model launched in Mumbai. Actually there was a lot of flooding in Mumbai on July 26. A lot of new cars in showroom were submerged under water. I am going to buy a santro Xing XO soon. Please revert fast. Its very urgent.
Can you plz tell me what is the length,width comparison of Wagan R and Santro Xing. Thanks
Hi
I am peter from coimbatore. I own a Zen Euro 1 which i purchased just a year back. The car is pretty good. Now i have a good offer for the car, besides i wanna give it off because it is a euro 1 car. I am keen to know abt the santro ERLX….can u suggest on the pros and cons, especially on the fuel efficiency…do reply..
Just now I brought new santro xo with erlx. Its impresive. The pick is very good. Suitable for city conditions. I am a new for car driving, still in a city link bangalore I am getting average of 13 kmpl.
Thanks & Regards,
Mahesh
Hi,
I purchased Santro XL 1 month back from Advaith, Bangalore. The car lacks good A/C. No leg room in rear seat. The engine seems to get heated too quickly. Pickup is good. Mileage is bad.
Also, I didn’t find Advaith friendly. They haven’t still delivered spoiler for me. Just before 1 day of delivery, they called and told they dont have the stock in the colour I preferred and I have to wait for 1 more week. I quaralled and got it. I dont know from where they got that time.
Please bargain well if someone is purchasing there.
Prahlad
Hi proud owners of Wagon R.
Thanks for your inputs.Now I will go ahead with my plans of booking WagonR primea today itself.
which car have more higher seat, wagon R or Santro
Hi ,
I learnt driving on a Santro and purchased a WagonR Lxi. Our family has both types of car. I prefer using WagonR as it has a better luggage space than a Santro. I am 6 feet hieghted person hence i find WagonR more comfortable as compared to Santro.
While driving both cars give me almost the same feel except the during driving on rough roads Santro is much better to handle..
Pickup and fuel economy is slightly better for WagonR as compared Santro.
Overall both are good cars..
Guys buy any one you want and enjoy… after all car is for you needs which car you want is a personal opinion…
regards and best wishes to all new car purchasers