Test drove the petrol ZXI+ earlier this week, listing down my observations below:
- Looks may divide opinions but we will get used to it after seeing a lot of these on our roads. I personally did not like a White ZDI that was parked at my apartment but this test car (ZXI+) with red tone looks a lot better to me.
- Low end pick up was decent but eager to pull is felt only after 1800 RPM. We were three on board with AC during TD.
- Engine note was audible inside cabin above ~2500RPM, even with under hood insulation sheet. Red lined at ~6200 RPM in 2nd gear with ~85-90 KPH on the speedometer.
- According to SA, 2018 model has lost 96 kilos over outgoing version. I sincerely hope HEARTECT platform proves its strengths when it comes to saving lives.
- Clutch was super light and gear shifts were perfect with well defined gates.
- Suspension was decent, it neither felt stiff nor soft/jumpy.
- Steering is something I cannot live with, coming from a Tata. It is way off in accuracy and not at all confidence inspiring. It also misses out the 'active return to center' feature which is greatly missed.
- Rear window is set a bit high, not to my liking. I also didn't like the way rear door handle is integrated up high. It is not ergonomic either.
- Glad to see full wheel well cladding on rear and partial cladding on front. I was surprised to learn that most Hyundais don't have any cladding whatsoever.
Vinyls, chrome surround on grill and red paint on fog surrounds were dealer level modifications:
Would have been nice if rear door handles faced the opposite sides so that right rear door was opened by right hand left door by left hand. It feels awkward to use the closest hand when opening rear door.
Decent dashboard layout which most of us will like. MID had tons of information including outside temperature. Dual tone horn sounds nice and loud. Engine didn't have a cover, and exposed exhaust lines looked ugly to me.
Kudos for including wheel well cladding on front & rear. Car rode on 185 section rubber: