Discover Why the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is So Popular!

• Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Overview

  Leaving on a high note, Maruti Suzuki India launched the updated version of the WagonR 'The blue eyed boy' with improved exterior, interior and features. The original version of the WagonR is one of the top selling models of the family, and a better WagonR is definitely an idea in favour of its manufacturer. With an aim to continue the success momentum, the company has brought in the new Maruti WagonR that comes equipped with redefined sporty fog lamps, narrower front grille coupled with large bumpers and wide airdam, a single horizontal trip (highlighted with chrome detailing in the LXi and VXi trims are), large blue tinted headlights and other cosmetic modifications. The slanted roof with roof-rails enhance its side profile. However, the tyres are very frail and small. Its taller and finely polished body design makes it look more matured, but the boxy look still disappoints.
  
  
  
  From inside, the new WagonR is more spacious, sleek and comfortable. Now, it is available in a new dual tone color scheme i.e. black and beige. Besides having the standard comfort features, its top-end variant is loaded with various advanced ones like sound audio system with integrated AUX-in and US ports, well cushioned and mounted seats with customization positing, electric ORVM, adjustable tilted electronic power steering, climate control unit and more. Powered with the 1.0-litre Kb 10, 3 cylinder petrol engine, the new WagonR delivers an impressive fuel efficiency. This lightweight engine churns out a peak power of 67.1bhp at 6200rpm and maximum torque of 90Nm at 3200rpm. It offers a displacement of 998cc.
  
  Coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission and DOHC with offset crankshaft, it performs well. The VXi variant of the new WagonR is available with CNG fuel engine option that is boosted with the Intelligent Gas Port Injection (i-GPI) i-fuel technology. This engine makes a maximum power of 58.2bhp at 6200rpm and torque of 77Nm at 3500rpm. This blue eyed boy is a practical value for money with price tag between 3.80 lakh- 4.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The spacious interior, refined service, low running cost and good resale value make it perfect car for the newbie drivers and buyers.

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Interior

  The interior feels more comfortable, spacious and elegant when compared to its strong competitor Chevrolet beat, however the Hyundai i10 is still better. The overall dimensions of the car have been increased with a purpose to make it more spacious. Now, it measures around 3595mm in length, 1495mm in width and 1700mm in height. With increased legroom and headroom, this tall boy can easily accommodate four passengers. Due to the narrower design, the shoulder space is less that it gets congested for three passengers at the rear seat. However, there is good legroom and flat floor to make passengers more comfortable in cabin. The increased legroom takes on boot space, which is quite limited (180 litres) in this version.
  
  
  
  With a combination of rich blue and black upholstery, the seats look stylish. With mediocre thigh and lumber support, it offers moderately comfortable seating position for both rear and front passengers. The wider rear windscreen rewards the fine visibility. The gray color dashboard doesn’t add to its elegance, but it's surely better than the regular Maruti cars. Dashboard offers can holders, glove compartment and enough storage space. There is a digital fuel gauge, two trip meters and tachometer. The stereo system is available with its top-end variant with good quality sounds and features like FM, CD player, USB and Aux ports. With its other variants, you have an option of audio installation. The climate control unit is an additional advantage with its top-end variant. The plastic quality is nothing to explain about.

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Performance and Handling

  The handling and ride quality of car is little better compared to its elder sibling, but not up-to the mark. The front McPherson strut suspension with coil spring and rear suspension with isolated trailing link with coil spring are good enough for city driving. The steering feels smooth on urban traffic as well. Improved visibility contributes to its drivability. However, the gearshifts and clutch feel hard. The frail tyres disappoint and provide mediocre stability. There's not much to talk about its handling, it's a decent performer on city roads, but we would suggest people not to buy it for highway cruising.

  What do we think about Maruti Suzuki Wagon R?

  Despite not so impressive design and interior feel, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR is a good value for money car. The City mileage of around 15kmpl, almost no-maintenance and good ride quality make it a perfect daily commuter. NVH level is one department on which Maruti seriously needs to work on all its budget cars including the WagonR. We expected the insulation to have got better in the case of new WagonR, but the company paid almost no attention. Poor plastic quality used for interiors is the other area that might disappoint you, but that can still be compromised considering the price tag it comes at. In a nut shell, if you are looking for a city that is fuel efficient, spacious and comes at a handy price, the WagonR can be a perfect car for you.

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Competitors

  Maruti Wagon R vs Hyundai i10
  
  Though there are several rivals of Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, but coming in the same price range, the Hyundai i10 is the closest rival of the WagonR. The i10 is a good looking hatchback with compact and stylish dimensions, whereas the boxy design of the new Maruti WagonR makes it no head turner. When it comes to even interiors, the Hyundai i10 is definitely a winner with a good number of comfort and safety features and rich upholstery. Despite having a compact design, this hatchback can accommodate four passengers comfortably. The new WagonR surprises with refreshing alterations made to its interior, which make it far better than its predecessor. It is spacious enough for five passengers with good legroom and headroom. The boot space is an obvious advantage. Accessorized with various features and well cushioned seats, it’s decent in terms of comfort. The plastic quality isn’t impressive, but this is something that we cannot expect from a vehicle at this price.
  
  The new Hyundai i10 is available in two engine options- 1.1-litre iRDE and 1.2-litre Kappa. The 1.1-litre petrol engine delivers a maximum power output of 68bhp at 5500rpm and 99Nm of torque at 4500rpm. On the other hand, the 1.2-litre engine is efficient to deliver a maximum power of 79bhp @ 6000rpm and 111Nm of peak torque @ 4000rpm. The fuel efficiency of the iRDE and the 1.2-litre powertrains are 19.81kmpl and 20.36kmpl respectively. The NVH levels of both the engines are low and handling is good. The new WagonR is power-packed with a 1.0-litre K-series engine offers a decent power and performance with fuel efficiency of 18.9kmpl. When compared to Hyundai engine, the new WagonR’s 1.0-litre K-series engine feels rev-happy and peppier on Indian roads. However, in terms of power and overall performance, the Hyundai i10 is a better performer. With average scoring, there is nothing exceptional about the ride quality and handling of both the hatchbacks.

• Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Exterior

  The cosmetic makeover of the new Maruti WagonR makes it look better than before, but its boxy design doesn't appeal either. It is available in three outgoing trim levels including the LX and LXi. The car looks better with new large headlamps, blue tinted parking lamps, front grille with chrome detailing, sporty fog lamps and large bumper with wide airdam. The new narrow grille is claimed to have reduced the NVH levels and friction of car. However, the NVH levels are relatively high. The front fascia now looks more mature, but fails to mark an impression.
  
  
  
  The slating roof with roof-rails resembles the old Wagon hatchback. However, its top-end variant is available with body colored roof-rails. The well-designed wheel arches enhance its side profile, but tyres feel very fragile and small. “WagonR” is embossed on the chrome strip of its rear side. This time the company has kept the rear windscreen wider with larger rear lights. The new WagonR is spoonful of chrome to match the Indian taste. However, the positioning of lock is very odd. In terms of design and styling, the new WagonR is definitely a step ahead. However, its narrow and tall body-built gives it a boxy feel.
  
  
  
  The top-end variant of new WagonR (VXi) has a set of 14 inches wheels, whereas the rest two LXi and LX are assembled with 13 inches wheels. Wheel arches are good looking. The puncture resistant tubeless tyres are fitted over the rims that feel quite frail, but efficient enough to control the car. The top-of-the-line version of new WagonR comes with tyre size of 155/65R14, whereas the 145/80R13 size of tyres is used for LX and LXi variants.

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Engine & Transmission

  Under the hood, the new WagonR equips a light-weight 1.0-lite KB series petrol engine that develops a peak power of 67.1bhp at 6200rpm and a torque of 90Nm at 3200rpm. It offers a displacement of 998cc. Maruti Suzuki is known for manufacturing fuel efficient engines and this blue eyed tall boy sustained company’s values by offering mileage of 14.2kmpl on city roads and 18.9kmpl on highways. This engine is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission and DOHC with offset crankshaft and performs better than its elder sibling. In CNG mode, the new WagonR (VXi) churns out a maximum power of 58.2bhp at 6200rpm and torque of 77Nm at 3500rpm. On the fuel efficiency front, the CNG powered VXi variant is pretty impressive that comes packed with the Intelligent Gas Port Injection (i-GPLI) bi-fuel technology. It reduces the total running cost of the car and doesn't make extra holes to your pocket. The Dual ECU system maintains a balance between the engine’s fuel requirement and supply that has positive impact on its overall performance. The CNG version offers an impressive mileage of 15.5km/kg on city roads and 20.2kg/km on highways. The updated WagonR can attain 100kph from stand still just in 15.9 seconds and touch 130kmph quite easily. Despite having short 1st and 2nd gear ratio, they can be shifted quite frequently in city. The NVH levels are higher compared to its competitors like Chevrolet beat, Santo etc. The throttle response isn’t impressive and adversely affects its city drivability. The gearshift is very precise

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Mileage

  The all new Maruti WagonR is 10 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The new WagonR's petrol model returns a decent mileage of 14.2kmpl on city roads and 18.9kmpl on highway. Its VXi CNG variant proves to be even more fuel efficient by delivering a whooping 15.5km/kg on city roads and 20.2kg/km on highways respectively. Both the petrol and CNG come with fuel tank capacity of 35-litres and 60 litres respectively. The top-end CNG variant (VXi) of the new WagonR is powered with the i-GPI technology with separate injectors for all three cylinders. The CNG fuel quantity varies with driving condition that is controlled by ECU system, making it more fuel efficient.

  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Braking and Safety

  Brakes are efficient and prove great performers during panic braking situations or unexpected road surprises. The front and rear brakes of new WagonR are ventilated disc brakes and drum brakes with 8inches booster assisted brakes respectively. The VXI variant that comes with optional ABS is certainly a better vehicle in terms of safety, as it prevents the wheels from locking-up during panic braking situations.
  
  
  
  The new WagonR comes with a good number of active and passive safety features, especially its top-end variant. There is a dual SRS airbag that provides great protection against collision by offering cushioning. ABS (Anti lock braking system), halogen headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, front and rear ELR seat belts, child proof rear door locks, rear wipers, high-mounted stop lamp, warning lamps, de-fogger and washer are other features on offer.

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