LUV It !!

I bought my Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Zxi recently in Pune. Was a long wait for me for the top end petrol model but upon driving it, it was truly amazing! I have a family of 6 since my parents live with me and I have 2 ids. To add to it my in-laws too are in the same city. After comparing it with Honda City, Vento and few other cars, the thing that made me take it home was truly the flexibility it offers in accomodating 2 additional people, all other basic hygiene factors being there in place. One may argue as to how often really 7 people get the time to go together in a car these days. Well it may be true that it is not something which will happen weekly or possibly even monthly. But think of it - even if you buy a top end sedan, most of the time we will be driving it alone or at max 2 people to work. when there is a need on the weekend, it's always great to have the additional space when you need it. I had a wagonr before this. If we ever had guests at home, it was always a challenge to make it to the local restaurant for dinner given that we were six and we took up the entire car. Now let me come to the details of the car itself. Look and Style: Interiors of the car are good. people have problems with the beige but I dont have any problem with it. The one challenge though is of getting mats. Maruti has the transparent floor mats which are somewhat thin and they don't fit the car to perfection. Black floor mats are available but they dont go well with the decor. Maruti needs to improve the floor mats which they will do hopefully. I put in the wooden decor (interior styling) which I think gives a very good look to the interiors of the car. Comfort: Drivers seat is comfy. Got a good steering cover. last seat is better suited for the thin and for children. If you are a family thats generally pushing 80 kgs, ertiga may be difficult for you. middle seat is comfy and the rear a/c gives good air all the way to the back. being able to move all the seats back and forth gives good flexibility on how to use the space in the car. I am a tall guy at 6'2 and even after I take my driving seat back, it leaves decent space for the second row which is great.  Pickup: Hmm .. with the petrol engine this one is not bad. it doesnt fly like the honda city when u press the accerator but its decent. unless you are very particular that you should ge tthat feeling of rush (on the rare-to-find empty road), you wouldn't mind trading off on this one. Mileage: a little early for me to comment on this one. before the first servicing its pretty low is what i am told.  Best Features: 3rd row of seats, flexibility on seating v/s ample boot space, power steering, 2nd row of AC, big wheels, all in all family car. Needs to improve: some places in the interior, the plastic feels a little weak and cheap. maybe they could extend the car a few more inches and leave some more boot space in the back.  Overall Experience A complete family car. No car in the same segment so this one is a unique winner for anyone with a family larger than 5. Innova, XUV etc. are too big and difficult to drive on the roads and park. ertiga doesnt feel as big while driving as well. feels like a sedan and gives the luxury of a MPV.