The Wagon R’s popularity has increased in recent years with owners accepting its clever practicality over its strange looks. It’s a very capable car that rides well, makes clever use of space to accommodate surprisingly large amounts of luggage and tall passengers as well. It’s easy to drive and fuel efficient too, which makes it a competent city car. Where the Wagon R falls is in overall refinement and quality. The interiors aren’t well finished, the seats not so comfy and the engine and gearbox feel pretty crude especially in front of the Santro.
The Santro isn’t perfect either with a choppy rear ride and awkward driving position and it doesn’t use its space as cleverly as the Wagon R. But for most purposes, the Santro is the better car to drive and own. The engine is sweeter, more tractable and with the new mods, more fuel efficient and faster as well. And this is big plus.
It’s more responsive too, which makes the Santro effortless to pilot in city traffic. Overall fit and finish of the Santro is better, especially the interiors and this gives the impression that the Santro is more expensive than the Wagon R, which it isn’t. Recent price cuts have made the Santro even better value for money and is better equipped, and that’s what finally wins it for the Korean tall boy.