Passo (2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Gen) Vs Vitz (3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Gen)
Exterior:
Looks of vitz are no doubt better than passo as it has more aerodynamic design, but passo isn?t bad either, especially back of the passo is very decent, front gives a bit FAT feeling, but Hana Package is very decent looking with projectors and fog lamp. Even I like hana more than vitz.
Exterior looks ? Vitz: 8/10, Passo 7/10, Hana 8.5/10
Interior:
Interior of passo looked odd once it hit our roads, but all that feelings are from outside. When you sit inside, it gives a sort of solid feeling and decent too, all the accessories are easily accessible. Distance between driver and passenger is too much to give a big car feeling. The interior in front is very roomy, while at back it is a bit less. Plastic quality is very very good, lot better than Aqua, and some better than vitz. Dashboard is upright and straight.
In vitz the front area seems to be bit compressed or compact, area seems to be less roomier than passo, there is gear console in middle so limitations of moving left knee and leg. At rear room is a bit broad than passo and leg space is a little more. Dashboard of vitz is also upright and straight as passo. Plastic quality is good, a bit less than passo, when u press dashboard it gives hollow feeling, plastic seems to be thin, while in passo dashboard and door linings are very solid.
Interior color combination is better in passo than vitz (to me) but off white steering in hana version looks too odd, needs leather stitching in brown color. Dashboard linings in vitz are very decent but catch dust. Due to beige room, passo catches appears less dusty.
Interior Plastic Quality: Vitz 8/10, Passo 9/10, Aqua 7/10
Interior Appearance: Vitz 8/10, Passo 7/10
Seats:
In Passo, sofa seats are actually SOFA SEATS, these are soft, and one feel like sitting on a sofa in drawing room. As there is no gear console in middle, one can easily stretch his left leg, or move his left knee. As the front seats are BENCH SEATS in higher versions, 2 adults and a child of 3-7 years can easily accommodate on front seat. There are 2 armrests for driver, one in middle (left of driver) and one on right side of driver (on door), give leisure feeling during long drive, though the arm rest is bit hard for elbow, needs mild foam cushioning. Back seats can be converted into bed, on which 2 children can sleep, and if u also fold the backside of the seats, 3 children can easily sleep at back. There are 4-5 headrests in higher versions.
In vitz, seats are more like bucket seats, give firm feeling, 2 adults can accommodate in front, and at back seats cannot be converted into bed. Seats are soft and good.
Seat Quality: Vitz 8/10, Passo 8/10
Seats Options: Vitz 7/10, Passo 9/10
Boot Space:
Boot space is vitz is slightly more than passo due to elongated boot lid, if passo can accommodate 100 units, vitz can accommodate 120 units, and aqua 130 units. But boot can be enlarged by folding the back seats in all these cars.
Steering:
Steering can be adjusted up and down as in other JDMs, I fixed it at lower most for more approach. Steering wheel is leatherite and has enormous grip. Power steering of the Passo is very soft and way better than Aqua. Steering of passo is very responsive, it is not lesser than vitz at all. Steering of Aqua is very heavy.
Steering response: Vitz 9/10, Passo 9/10, Aqua 6/10
Engine, Gear, Performance & Fuel Economy:
Engine of passo and vitz is same i.e. 1 kr, and transmission is also same CVT. Performance of both the engines is same.
Fuel economy of passo is slightly better than vitz, because of better weight to ppwer ration. Weight of Passo is 910 Kg and Vitz is 970 Kg.
Fuel Average Local 12-15 km/L (both cars), Long Passo 19-21 km/l, Vitz 18-20 km/l
Fuel Economy: Vitz 8/10, Passo 9/10
Suspension:
Surprisingly the suspension of vitz is not much superior to passo as mentioned by some members, I drove a 40k driven vitz and my passo, difference was not much. Suspension of all the JDMs is on harder side due to better roads in japan.
Suspension: Vitz 8/10, Passo 7/10
Sound Deadening (Cabin Noise):
Sound insulation is passo is better than vitz. There is a clear difference, you can hear engine sound louder in vitz, but in passo it is less. Engines of both car produces some sound upto 50 or 60 km/hr but after that they become sound less. I cannot hear engine sound of my passo even at 120-130 km/hr.
Sound Insulation: Vitz 6/10, Passo 8/10
Brakes:
Both are equipped with ABS, brakes are equivalent and better than ABS of Honda City (friend?s perception)
Ground Clearance:
GC of passo is better than vitz. Hitting the jumps is rare in passo in city drive with 1-2 people on board, however with more people you have to be more careful and cross the jumps at very less speed. I saw a vitz stumbled on a jump, forward wheels crossed the jump, rear wheels were behind the jump and the car stuck over jump, passo cross that jump easily.
GC: Vitz 7/10, Passo 8.5/10
Mileage in japan:
More than 80% of the vitz that are imported from japan, 2012 model, are 50-80 k driven, because vitz is primarily
used by males in Japan for job purpose and intercity drive. Most of the cars in our market with less mileage are meter reversed cars. More mileage means more insult to the engine and suspension. Although even 60 ? 70 k driven cars in Japan, do perform well here and are soundless and flawless.
Passo on the other hand is used primarily by females in Japan for home purpose, so it is very easy to pick less driven car under 25-30 k mileage. Same mileage car in vitz will have sky high price. Less driven car, less insult to engine and suspension.
Interior Options and Security Features:
Security features in average version of Passo are more than vitz, there is smart key and push start and immobilizer and Anti-theft System, while in vitz most imported version is F which is without all these features.
In my Passo there are 2 extra features which are optional, so found rare in passo, one is Tractional Control and other is engine start with remote. Traction control in vitz comes in new shape in 2014 model.
In hana, projector lights, fog lamps, climate control, smart key, immobilizer, alloy rims etc. are clear cut advantages over any vitz with money saving of 1 lac at least.
Price Difference:
Price difference between average packages of passo and vitz is of 2 lacs. A good passo of good grades and reasonable mileage comes around 12.50 lacs while an average vitz with similar grades and low mileage comes around 14.50 lacs.
G version of Passo and FM package of Vitz are cheaper.
Hana Plus and Hana C Version of Passo and F Smile edition, F Ciel Package, and Jewela Package of Vitz are expensive.
Recommendations:
If it comes to me I would prefer Passo over Vitz any day due to more features and significant price difference.
If I had 14.5 lacs for vitz, I?ll definitely arrange another lac or so and go for basic L version of Aqua hybrid.
Both these cars are not performance cars for racing and stunting etc. these are economical cars made for daily use.
If u are very conscious about looks, go for vitz... Otherwise if economy and a budget car in limited money is concerned, go for Passo...
Hana Plus is very good car and cheaper than vitz with more options like climate control etc, and Yururi and Kutsorgi packages are even more cheaper than hana with some less features, also suits you.
Note:
This review is based on my personal perception, and everyone has right to differ from it.
Regards
