Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

About Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a compact hatchback with a unique tall-boy design. It is a popular vehicle among first-time car buyers. Its latest iteration features several updates to the exterior design. However, the overall silhouette and shape of the car remain the same. The Wagon R remains to be a hatchback with a spacious cabin, efficient engines and an affordable price tag. All these three features are the perfect ingredients to make an ideal family car for first-time buyers.

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is available with two engine options: a 1-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre petrol engine. Both engines come mated to a manual or an AMT gearbox. The Wagon R is also available in a CNG fuel variant; however, it is only available with manual transmission. Overall, the Wagon R is a practical, affordable and easy-on-the-pocket car, especially if you are looking for your first family car. Wagon R’s compact dimensions also make it an ideal choice for first-time car buyers.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: Quick Review

The following sections will give you an insight into the exterior, interior, features, performance and safety of the Maruti Wagon R.

Exterior Design

The Wagon R is a hatchback known for its boxy design. However, the design comes with a lot of practicality. The front fascia of the hatchback features a chrome strip and the Suzuki logo on the other black front grille. The large split headlamps add to the character of the front end. The blacked-out air intake grille gives a rugged touch to the tall hatchback.

The side profile of the Wagon R is simple, straightforward and boxy, apart from the circular wheels. The prominent highlights of the side profile are slightly flared wheel arches, blacked-out ORVMs and B-pillar, black alloy wheels and a blacked-out roof. The ORVMs also get integrated turn indicators. Please note that some of these features may be exclusive to top-spec variants.

The rear fascia clearly says it's a tall hatchback. The vertically stacked tail light cluster, Suzuki logo on the boot lid and a prominent chrome strip with Wagon R badging on the tailgate give it a unique identity. The rear windshield is large and provides a clear view of the rear from the IRVM. Overall, the boxy design may not be appealing to everyone, but it is practical, which is critical for an entry-level car.

Interior and Features

Thanks to its tall boy design, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R features a spacious cabin. The dashboard gets a dual-tone treatment, and the same pattern can be seen on the seats. An infotainment display dominates the dashboard, and the silver accents on the steering wheel and the gear shift knob add to the look of the interior. However, the fit, finish, and quality of plastics could have elevated the interior experience of the Wagon R.

The seats are well-padded and offer a comfortable experience. The front seats miss out on adjustable headrests and get only fixed headrests. The rear passenger seat provides ample knee room, and due to the tall roof, there is no lack of headroom. The rear seat gets only two headrests on either side, and the middle passenger has to do away with it. Overall, the interior is practical, comfortable and spacious. With a boot space of 341 litres, it is also an ideal companion for your long drives.

The Wagon R has a decent amount of features, including a 7-inch infotainment display, power windows, steering-mounted audio controls, day/night IRVM, etc. The features list may be mediocre, but the equipment list is well justified for the price it demands. Moreover, all the features add to the practicality of the car.

Engine Performance

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is available with a 1-litre and a 1.2-litre petrol engine. The 1-litre engine is good for 65.7 bhp and 89 Nm of torque. The bigger 1.2-litre engine produces 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

The 1-litre engine is also available in the CNG variant, and the power output with this fuel stands at 55.9 bhp and 82.1 Nm of torque. Both engines come mated to a manual or an AMT gearbox. However, the CNG variant is available only with the manual transmission.

The engines deliver the adequate performance needed for daily driving. They are tuned to offer a mix of performance and fuel efficiency. Hence, the Wagon R serves the purpose if you are looking for a car to drive around the city.

Following are the mileage details of the Maruti Wagon R.

• The 1-litre engine returns a mileage of 24.35 kmpl and 25.19 kmpl with the manual and AMT gearbox, respectively.

• When mated to a manual gearbox, the 1.2-litre engine delivers a fuel economy of 23.56 kmpl. With the AMT transmission, the fuel efficiency stands at 24.43 kmpl.

• The CNG variant of the car delivers a mileage of 34.05 km on a kg of CNG fuel.

With a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres, the Wagon R delivers a good full tank range. The mileage figures are as per the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) rating.

Safety

The Wagon R comes with standard safety features such as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, central door locking, front seatbelt reminder and a high-speed alert system. The top-spec variants also get additional equipment such as speed-sensitive auto door lock, front fog lamps and hill-hold assist (only AMT variants).

The hatchback gets all the basic safety equipment. However, it misses out on some of the features like a rear parking camera, ESP, etc. The overall build quality of the Wagon R is decent, but it cannot be said to be the best in the segment. But for the price it demands, the Wagon R offers adequate equipment.

Pros and Cons of Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Pros

• Two petrol engines are on offer, along with manual and AMT gearbox choices.

• Compact dimensions and light driving controls make it an easy-to-drive hatchback.

• Spacious interior thanks to the tall roof and a lot of storage space inside the cabin.

• Maruti Suzuki’s wide network of dealership/service centres makes for a good after-sales experience.

Cons

• The tall stance may not be appealing to everyone.

• The tall boy design hampers the driving dynamics and is not suitable for spirited driving.

• Poor NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels inside the cabin.