This is why I went for the petrol variant.
My monthly/yearly running is not fixed at all, and after running through the first 1,000 kms within 2 weeks of owning Lazarus, the next 1,000 kms have come in almost 2 months of ownership!
Observations so far:
- Fuel efficiency inside city is hovering at ~11 kmpl, with the ACC on all the time. On highway runs, I am touching 15 kmpl easily, again with ACC on all the time.
- Average speeds inside the city are between 30-35 kmph, while on the highways I stay between 80-90 kmph for most of the duration.
- I avoid pedal-mashing as much as I can. The good thing about driving 2 generations of Honda Citys before my Lazarus is that I have learnt driving with a feather-light touch on the accelerator, plus acquired a taste for gradual braking. Now both of these have become a part of my daily driving.
- Panic braking is top notch in the Creta. The ABS, although a bit grinding and slightly jittery in it's execution, stops the car in a straight line without any fuss. Saved me some embarrassment more than once.
- For such a big car, the turn radius is very convenient. The Creta turns around from one edge of the road to the other very easily.
- Gear shifts are excellent, and all forward gears fall easily into their slots.
- I have slight trouble while shifting into reverse gear - sometimes it doesn't even engage, even when the beep sounds and the rear camera's display comes up on the HU. Have to slot to 1st, move forward a millimeter or so, then have to engage reverse gear for it to slot fully into it's position. This happens intermittently.
- I experimented with all sorts of tyre pressures, and finally zoned into my final configuration - 34 PSI for all tyres inside the city when driving alone, and 37 PSI for a full load of 4 passengers (+1 child) and added luggage (read 4 full suitcases and some odds and ends), mostly for outstation trips.
- Comfort level in the front seats is fabulous, with the gentle body-hugging sides keeping one in place snugly. The seats could use some lower back support though. Thinking of getting a small pillow or neck-rest for the same.
- Rear seat comfort is fantastic, as per feedback from my parents and wife. My little 3-year-old has made the place her second home literally - she sleeps soundly on it when the car is in motion!
- The alloys/tyres, although not to my liking, are taking some serious abuse pretty well. I have been actively touring through the rural areas for the past 3-odd weeks and have taken Lazarus through all sorts of roads, even places that didn't have any roads at all. Happy to report that they haven't sprung up any nasty surprises yet.
- In-city riding comfort is top notch. Although the Duster is still a league above, the Creta almost matches it in low speeds. Slight bounciness is evident at higher speeds, but the Creta makes up for that with no nervousness at 80+ speeds. No doubt, the weighted steering feel adds to the experience. Ergonomics for a driver are perfect in this urban SUV.
- No further accessory upgrades are done yet as all my finances are being diverted towards completion of house extension work. Hopefully by Deepawali, I would have saved enough to deck up Lazarus some more.
- Only issue to report: the driver-side's plastic door handle squeaks like a small child's plastic toy when pressed, like two plastic surfaces rubbing against each other. Been observing this for about a month now. The squeak is too low to be noticed during daily use so I have learnt to ignore it.
And, in closing, a recent shot of Lazarus standing behind his mighty elder brother: